Why the MSc in International Banking, Finance, Risk, and Regulation was the perfect fit for me

I am Francis Kpanti Owusu, a January 2025 graduate with an MSc in International Banking, Finance, Risk, and Regulation from the School of Business, University of Dundee.

Before pursuing my programme in the School of Business at UoD, I had worked in various fields: as a professional teacher at a secondary school, a financial mathematics teacher at ProCredit Savings and Loans Academy, Ghana, a credit risk analyst at both ProCredit and Fidelity Bank Limited, Ghana, and a market and liquidity risk analyst at Fidelity Bank Limited, Ghana.

With over two decades of experience in the classroom and the banking industry, I remained hungry for further knowledge and skills that would make me a giant in the banking and finance industry. My research into finding a programme that could quench this hunger led me to discover the MSc in International Banking, Finance, Risk, and Regulation. This programme was an excellent and perfect match for my aspirations, and I seized it without any second thoughts—never once regretting that decision.

I prefer to call the programme ‘The Quadrant’ since it consists of four major courses in one comprehensive package! It was intentionally designed and crafted to cater to all the areas needed to excel in the banking and finance industry. Notwithstanding my experience, knowledge, and skills, I found myself continuously rejuvenated after each lecture and assignment, questioning why I had not discovered this stock of knowledge offered by the program years ago. Had I done so, I could have made a much greater impact on the asset quality of my previous employers and, of course, secured higher promotions with the accompanying monetary value!

The icing on the cake is that the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, accredits the programme, and one is awarded the Chartered Banker status upon successful completion!

Apart from the knowledge and skills gained from the lectures, each student has access to Bloomberg and Refinitiv (Reuters) for assignments, investment games, and certifications, further enhancing one’s confidence and increasing the probability of employment in top firms in the industry.

The School of Business provided me with a world-class academic experience that exceeded my expectations. The faculty members were not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, ensuring that students received the guidance and mentorship necessary to excel. The interactive teaching approach, combined with real-world case studies and access to cutting-edge financial tools, made my learning experience both engaging and practical.

The programme provides a strong foundation for students who intend to pursue professional courses like the CFA and FRM. I would therefore recommend this programme to students who aspire to practice in the banking and finance industry.

With the rejuvenated stock of knowledge and skills obtained from this programme, I plan to pursue the FRM course first and later enroll in the actuarial course with the Institute and Faculty of Actuarial Sciences, UK, to enable me to be the Giant I dream of in the industry.