INTRODUCTION TO FINANCES
 
Lectured in 1st year Bachelor in business studies - Main Subject: Financing and Insurance
Theory [A] 25.0
Exercises [B] 12.5
Training and projects [C] 0.0
Studytime [D] 125
Studypoints [E] 5
Level introductory
Language of instruction Dutch
Lecturer Paul DIRKS
Reference RCBMGF01A00003
 
Key words
Introduction to Finances, S181 - Financial Sciences

Objectives
  • The course is an introduction to the courses "Investing" and "Credit" in the second and third years.
  • The student gains insight into the structure of the financial sector in Belgium and the financial market.
  • Students have to get acquainted and learn how to evaluate the saving possibilities offered by the financial institutions.
  • He learns to obtain information independently and process it accurately and with critical sense.


Topics
Part I: Financial Institutions
  • Survey of financial institutions and intermediaries: profile, function, recent developments
  • Survey and operation of financial markets
  • Money transfer systems
  • Role of the central bank
  • Supervision of financial markets and operations
  • Basic concepts of deontology
Part II: Introduction to Investments
  • Survey of investment possibilities
  • Principles of forming portfolios and criteria for investing (return, risk, liquidity, taxability and costs)
  • Saving possibilities offered by banks: savings accounts (bancair and branch 21), current accounts (in euro and in bills of exchange), certificates of deposit, savings and lowered certificates, bills of insurance and government securities.


Prerequisites
  • No special preliminary knowledge required, but basic knowledge of economics would be an asset.
  • Being eager to learn and being interested in the financial world.


Final Objectives
Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of financial products, their possibilities and restrictions
  • Knowledge of the technical terminology
  • Knowledge of financial documents
  • Knowledge of professional associations and organizations
  • Keeping abreast of topical matters and deontology concerning the profession
Skills:
General:
  • Working independently
  • Updating knowledge
  • Consulting sources
  • Acquiring and assimilating information
Job-related (specific):
  • Following the financial and economic realities through professional literature
Attitudes:
  • Independence and self-motivation
  • Being able to handle economic, judicial and financial information
  • Being able to be selective in this information


Materials used
Own syllabus

Study costs
Syllabus, unit price determined under Hogeschool rules: 5 to 10 euro

Study guidance
The lecturer is available for individual questions.
Feedback of assignments.

Teaching Methods
Question-and-answer method
Active use of financial newspapers
Independent work with feedback

Assessment
  • First exam session: continuous assessment 20% and written exam 80%
  • Second exam session: 100 % written exam
Students only enrolled for taking the exams:
  • First exam session: 100% written exam
  • Second exam session: 100% written exam


Lecturer(s)