Topic outline

  • General

    Collapse all Expand all


    • School of Finance and Economics Lecture and Students in Computer Lab

      Welcome to SEF! 

      Welcome to the School of Economics and Finance! We are delighted to welcome you as a new postgraduate student and we are really pleased that you have chosen to study with us at Queen Mary University of London. 

      We are looking forward to providing you with an introduction to the School of Economics and Finance over the next two weeks.

      Your Postgraduate Programme Induction comprises two weeks of activities welcoming you to SEF with insights about your MSc. Banking and Finance programme, meeting academic and support staff members, refreshing your key mathematical and statistical concepts, receiving induction taster classes for the optional modules and, above all, providing you with valuable opportunities to get to know your peers.


      This introductory pre-sessional module aims to provide everything you need to prepare for your postgraduate MSc. programme and start your course with confidence.

      The module is divided into the following Tab Sections:

      • Induction: Essential announcements, orientation schedules, library support and e-learning programme access
      • Maths for Finance: Refresh and apply your maths and statistics knowledge to get ready for your MSc. studies
      • Excel: Test your Excel skills in preparation for your MSc. studies

      Outlined below is important information with a provisional timetable for QMUL campus induction events and pre-sessional classes which are specific to January 2025 postgraduates at the School of Economics and Finance.


    • Head of School - Welcome Message Page
    • SEF School Welcome and MSc Programme Talks 13-01-2025 File

      PowerPoint slides for your Day 1 SEF School Welcome Talk and the MSc Banking and Finance Programme Induction are saved in this folder.

       Please download the PPT to review all of the useful information and guidance for your MSc studies. 

      It is possible to print copies of presentations in the QMUL Library if you wish to save information records.

      14.1 MB
    • Announcements and Programme Schedule (Week 1) Forum

      School office hours
      Monday-Friday, 9.30am-4.30pm
      Graduate Centre 3rd Floor, Room GC306
      All Student Support Queries: pgsefsupport@qmul.ac.uk


      Programme Director:
      MSc Banking and Finance (January course): Ilaria Piatti


      Central IT Services for students

      https://www.qmul.ac.uk/its/our-services/services-for-students/


    • Welcome Week QReview Recordings Book
    • MSc Banking and Finance Induction, Pre-Sessional and Events Schedule File

      This page provides information specific to the January 2025 MSc. Banking and Finance students for their Postgraduate Induction at the School of Economics and Finance, Queen Mary University of London.

      231.0 KB
    • MSc Banking and Finance (Conversion Course) Induction, Pre-Sessional and Events Schedule File

      This page provides information specific to the January 2025 MSc. Banking and Finance (Conversion Course) students for their Postgraduate Induction at the School of Economics and Finance, Queen Mary University of London.

      233.7 KB
    • Welcome Week Orientation - Tours, Support Services, Events, and Social Activities Schedule File

      Social Induction tours and events for January 2025 will open in a new browser window.

      Special events, group meals and elective tours are all provided free of charge, but please remember to check the sign-up link deadlines to register in advance. 

      Please do visit the SEF Support Office: GC3.06 in the Graduate Centre if you need our help to confirm your booking(s) for the SEF social events.


      253.7 KB
    • Library Induction File

      The Library Learning Support and Engagement team provide expert advice and guidance to help students to develop the high-level academic and research skills which they need to excel at university.


      QMUL Library Services staff introduction (November 2024) 

      https://youtu.be/hS2gAjwNq2I  

      137.6 KB
    • E-learning modules to complete Page

      We keenly encourage all our international students to enrol for the International Student Success module on QM Plus

      This self-guided learning module includes advice about: 

      • Preparing for student life in the UK 

      • Culture: Adapting and managing expectations 

      • Effective Communication 

      • Looking after yourself and finding support 


    • Advice and Counselling Team

      The Advice and Counselling Service at Queen Mary University of London provides a range of confidential, specialist services to help students with financial, immigration and practical matters, and to support them with their mental health and wellbeing. Please view this short video to find out about our wide range of services, from practical, financial and immigration advice to emotional and psychological support.



  • Excel Welcome

    • Student or business person working with printed charts and spreadsheets


      Welcome to the Excel Course

      This pre-sessional course is optional; the material has been made available to you to support you with developing your proficiency in Excel. You can read through the material in your own time. Please see below a summary of what the course has to offer. 

      This pre-sessional course in Microsoft Excel is built to revise and develop more advanced skills in Excel so you can manage large datasets and create meaningful reports. These key techniques and tools presented in this course will help you in performing everyday tasks in Excel more efficiently and accurately.




    • Pre-Sessional Excel: SYLLABUS

      This course is designed to introduce basic features of Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet concepts so you can design and create accurate and professional worksheets. It has been developed to enhance your Excel skillset whatever your starting level. 

      The key aims of this Excel course are to develop your skills in data entering, spreadsheet design, formula building, formatting, graphical representation of data and data analysis.

      This course is designed with a mix of theoretical concepts and applications in Excel helping you to develop your skills and solve more sophisticated tasks consistently. A project with a set of Excel Exercises is included in Topic 6 to help you test your learning.

      There are no prerequisites for this course and the course is not assessed. However we encourage you to make the most of the learning materials and exercises to prepare your for your postgraduate course.


    • Excel Teaching Team Page
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Meet your experienced Teaching Fellow from the School of Economics and Finance.

    • Excel Learning Objectives Page
      Students must
      Mark as done

      View the Learning Goals and Objectives for the Pre-Sessional Excel Course.

  • TOPIC 1: FOUNDATIONS THE EXCEL WORKBOOK

    • Session 1 Excel Foundations


      This session is designed to focus on the most essential Excel features, and it is ideal for beginners. You will become familiar with entering, viewing, and managing data and formatting worksheets. Examples of commands we are going to explore include format cells, sort/filter, hide/unhide and freeze panes. 

      Moreover, we are going to build skills in constructing accurate spreadsheets by using keyboard shortcuts.


    • Students must
      Mark as done



      Watch this video which introduces the Microsoft Excel software and some useful terminology. 



    • Topic 1: Excel Foundations Video Presentations Book
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Now view the complete set of Excel Foundations video presentations which take you through formatting cells, organising data, viewing data, keyboard short cuts and  Excel applications.  

    • Topic 1: Excel Short Cuts File
      Students must
      Mark as done

      View and download this PDF guide which provides a list of Excel Shortcuts which you should find useful for this topic and the rest of the course.

      438.1 KB
    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Topic 1 Review: Excel Foundations

      Now you have worked through the Excel Foundations Topic, you should now be able to:

      • Understand the different components of an Excel worksheet

      • Format cells

      • Sort data using the function Sort 

      • Filter data using the function Filter 

      • Improve the visualisation of the data in the spreadsheet by using appropriate commands

      • Use keyboard shortcuts

  • TOPIC 2: EXCEL FORMULAS

    • Session 2 Excel Formulas

      In this session you will learn how to enter a formula and several functions Excel has to offer. You will explore in more detail mathematical, logical and text functions. Examples of functions we are going to discuss are sum, round, exponential, logarithm and if.  

      Moreover, you will also see how to use cell references and check formulas by using auditing tools.  


    • Students must
      Mark as done



      Watch this video in which Claudio Vallar introduces the concepts of Excel Formulas and Functions and how to use them. 



    • Topic 2: Excel Formulas and Functions Video Presentations Book
      Students must
      Mark as done

      To continue to explore this topic, view and navigate the following Excel Formulas and Functions video presentations which take you through  Mathematical Functions, Logical Functions, Cell References, Cell Auditing and an Excel Example Application applying the skills developed in this section.

    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Topic 2 Review: Formulas and Functions

      You should now be able to: 

      • Understand formulas and functions in Excel 

      • Use the main mathematical functions in Excel 

      • Use the function IF and other logical functions 

      • Perform nested functions

      • Use the main text and date functions

      • Use cell references

      • Understand different formulas’ errors

      • Audit formulas

  • TOPIC 3: EXCEL CHARTS

    • Session 3 Excel Charts

      In this session you will learn the different types of charts available in Microsoft Excel and how to customise them in order to create clear, precise and effective graphs. 


    • Students must
      Mark as done


      This video provides and introduction to Charts and how to use and apply them in Excel.

    • Topic 3: Excel Charts Video Presentations Book
      Students must
      Mark as done

      To take this topic further, view the following video presentations which investigate the different types and characteristics of Excel Charts, how to create an effective Excel Chart, and an example application of Excel Charts.

    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Topic 3 Review: Charts in Excel

      You should now be able to: 

      • Understand different types of charts

      • Make charts in Excel; 

      • Customise your chart. 

  • TOPIC 4: MANAGING DATA WITH EXCEL

    • Session 4 Managing Data in Excel

      In this session you will learn how to apply conditional formatting rules which provide an alternative way to visualise data and make worksheets easier to understand. 

      You will also learn about the Excel function Vlookup. 

      Moreover, you are going to see one of the most powerful Excel’s tools for managing and analysing data. 



    • Students must
      Mark as done


      Watch this video which provides an introduction to Managing Data in Microsoft Excel.



    • Topic 4: Managing Data in Excel Video Presentations Book
      Students must
      Mark as done

      To investigate the topic of Managing Data in more detail, now view the following video presentations which demonstrate  Conditional Formatting Rules, using the Vlookup Function, Pivot Tables and examples of the application of Pivot Tables in Excel.

    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Topic 4 Review: Managing Data

      After working through this session, you should now be able to: 

      • Set and manage a conditional formatting rule

      • Compute the Vlookup and Hlookup functions

      • Create a Pivot Table

      • Create a Pivot Chart

  • TOPIC 5: DATA ANALYSIS WITH EXCEL

    • Session 5 Data Analysis with Excel

      In this session you will learn how to compute descriptive statistics, such as Average, Variance, Covariance, minimum and Maximum using two different techniques: Excel’s statistical functions and the Excel add-in Analysis ToolPak. 

      Moreover, you are going to see how to do a regression analysis in Excel.  


    • Students must
      Mark as done


      Watch this video for an introduction to Data Analysis techniques in Excel.



    • Topic 5: Excel Data Analysis Video Presentations Book
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Now you have been introduced to the topic of Data Analysis with Excel, watch these video presentations which demonstrate the application of Statistical Functions, the installation and use of Analysis Toolpak, how to perform and interpret a Regression Analysis, and an example applying the Data Analysis skills used in this section.

    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Topic 5 Review

      Now you have worked through this section, you should be able to: 

      • Use the main statistical functions in Excel

      • Perform an analysis using the Excel add-in Analysis ToolPak

      • Perform a regression analysis

  • TOPIC 6: APPLICATIONS IN FINANCE

    • Session 6 Applications in Finance

      In this session you are going to implement all the knowledge you developed in the previous sessions applying them to some financial exercises. 

      This is a non-assessed project. The solutions will be discussed during the Live session.


    • Excel Project Financial Exercises PDF File

      View and download the PDF with the Excel Project Financial Exercises

    • Excel Workbook for the Financial Exercises File

      Download the Excel Workbook Example

    • Excel Project: Financial Exercises - Solutions Page

  • Maths for Finance Welcome

    Maths equations on a whiteboard

    • Welcome to the Maths for Finance Course

      Hello and welcome to the introductory Pre-Sessional Mathematics for Finance Course.

      This course provides you with the opportunity to:

      • Review key mathematical and statistical concepts and tools. 

      • Show examples of how these tools are used in Economics and Finance. 

      • Ensure a solid foundation for your study in the Msc program.


      The course is delivered over the two weeks of the Pre-Sessional Module and is divided into 6 main topics. Each topic is introduced through recorded video lectures with supporting slides, followed by problem sets enabling you to test your knowledge and prepare for your chosen postgraduate programme.

      Additionally, throughout this course we will blend in real world examples and applications of mathematical and statistical concepts within Economics and Finance.


  • End of Course Test 2025

    • The Maths & Stats test is compulsory for the students enrolled in MSc Banking and Finance (conversion). 

      Structure of the test:  The test consists in 15 questions related to the material covered during the pre-sessional (topics 1, 2, 3 and 4). To pass the test, you would need to answer at least 10 questions correct.
       
      Day and Time:  You will find the link for the test in this section. The link will be available from Wednesday 9th April 2025 at 3pm until Thursday 10th April 2025 at 3pm. 

      Duration:  You may start your test anytime during this 24-hour period. However, please note that once you start your test you have one hour to complete it. 

      Only one attempt is allowed.

      Mock Exam is available on QMPlus.

    • Resit Test - 9/10 April 2025 Quiz

      This is the link for your Maths & Stats test. This test must be taken by all the students enrolled in MSc Banking and Finance (conversion).

      The quiz opens Wednesday 9th April 2025 at 3pm.

      The quiz closes on Thursday 10th April 2025 at 3pm.

      You can start the quiz at any time during this period.

      Once you have started the quiz, you will have a maximum time-period of 60 minutes to complete it. Your answers will be submitted automatically once 60 minutes have passed.

      You have one attempt at this quiz. 

      You have free navigation within the quiz. This means you can move between questions as you wish. 


      As an example, the latest day and time by which you must start the test to have the maximum amount of time is Thursday 10th April 2025 at 2pm (UK time). If you start after this time, you will not receive the full 60 minutes allocated for the test. 

      The School of Economics and Finance late submission policy is that any quiz submitted after the published deadline will automatically receive a mark of zero.



      Not available unless: You belong to resit 9-10 April 2025
    • Standard Normal Distribution Table File
      1.0 MB
    • Mock Test Quiz

      Please note that this is a MOCK quiz test, and it is NOT the official test.

      This mock test wants to provide you with an example of questions might be asked and the general structure of an online quiz.

      Please note that level of difficulties for each question and topics asked could vary. 


      You can find the SOLUTIONS of the mock test here.

  • Maths for Finance: an Overview

    The Key Topics we will cover are:

    • Topic 1: Sampling, central tendency, and other moments
    • Topic 2: Probability distributions, covariances and correlations
    • Topic 3: Estimation and hypothesis testing
    • Topic 4: Simple functions and basics of present value

    • Extension Topic 5: Basics of derivatives and matrix algebra
    • Extension Topic 6: Basics of regression analysis


    It is important that you participate at the tutorial classes as they will reinforce your knowledge and starting your MSc course with confidence.

  • Topic 1 - Sampling, Central Tendency and other Moments

    • Topic 1: Sampling, Central Tendency, and Other Moments

      In this topic, we introduce the following statistical concepts and applications:

      • Some basic statistical concepts
      • Statistics as a tool for collecting, analysing, presenting, and interpreting data
      • Working with  decisions based on incomplete information 
      • How statistics can be used to enable a more informed decision

    • Topic 1 - Lecture Notes File
      1.2 MB
    • Reading material about Sampling and Central Tendency Page
    • Problem Set topic 1 File

      Test and develop your knowledge of Sampling and Central Tendency by working through this Problem Set.

      210.6 KB
    • Problem Set topic 1 - Solutions File
      378.8 KB

  • Topic 2 - Probability Distributions, Covariances and Correlations

  • Topic 3 - Estimation and Hypothesis Testing

  • Topic 4 - Simple Functions and the Basics of Present Value

  • Additional Topic

  • EXCEL COURSE CONCLUSION

    • Course Review 

      Now you have completed this course, you should be able to: 

      • Create and manage worksheets; 

      • Develop skills in formatting, saving, and printing worksheets; 

      • Understand the different types of data and use appropriate formulas and functions to analyse them; 

      • Use relative referencing and absolute referencing; 

      • Use advanced functions of Excel enabling you to perform more complex tasks in Excel; 

      • Create a variety of charts, including line graphs, pie charts and bar charts; 

      • Manipulate data lists using AutoFilter and PivotTables; 

      • Work and analyse large datasets; 

      • Apply Excel tools to solve Financial problems. 


      Congratulations, you have now completed the Pre-Sessional Excel Course. We hope you have enjoyed the course and that you find it useful as you start your postgraduate course next week.

      We wish you all the very best with your studies!