Postgraduate Certificate, Money, Banking and Central Banking
Unlike any other programme in the UK, ours emphasises the importance of high quality monetary and banking analysis.
Apply Now
Course overview
About the Course
View All Course Modules
+
Jan 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking Risk Management | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Central Banking 1 (History, Strategies and Operations) | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Central Banking 2 (Monetary Policy and Financial Stability) | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| The Central Bank, The Banking System and The Macroeconomy | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
Sep 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking Risk Management | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Central Banking 1 (History, Strategies and Operations) | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Central Banking 2 (Monetary Policy and Financial Stability) | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| The Central Bank, The Banking System and The Macroeconomy | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
Jan 2026 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking Risk Management | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Central Banking 1 (History, Strategies and Operations) | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Central Banking 2 (Monetary Policy and Financial Stability) | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| The Central Bank, The Banking System and The Macroeconomy | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
The Postgraduate Certificate programme in Money, Banking and Central Banking (taught fully online) focuses on the changes in the banking and financial markets during and since the Global Financial Crisis as well as the changes made by major central banks in the running of their monetary policies since then. Particular emphasis will be given to the policy responses given to COVID-19 crisis by governments and central banks and assessing their effects over the medium to the long term.
Banks and central banks play a pivotal role in ensuring that modern monetary economies function soundly. The 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis was a powerful reminder of how important it is to understand their functioning and operations, and the relationship between the quantity of money and the overall economy. The study of these institutions will be essential to assess the impact of the monetary and fiscal policies taken by leading world economies since March 2020.
Unlike any other programme in the UK, ours emphasises the importance of high quality monetary and banking analysis, allowing our students to assess which policies are compatible with stable economic growth and long term financial stability.
Our students will leave with expert knowledge of monetary economics, monetary policy, risk assessment and how financial institutions operate. They will be equipped with the specialised knowledge and skills required for a career in central banking as well as monetary analysis expertise suitable for pursuing a career in consultancy businesses, research departments and specialised media.
The collaboration with the Institute of International Monetary Research will provide more opportunities to engage in academic and research seminars where students will learn from top academics in monetary economics. Students on the programme will be able to benefit from the accreditation on risk management provided by PRMIA, the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association.
View the Money, Banking and Central Banking Brochure.
Course Structure
We offer two entry points, one in September and one in January.
The programme consists of the following modules:
- The Central Bank, The Banking System and the Macroeconomy (15 credits) – Analysing how money is created in modern economies and how changes in the amount of money affect prices and output along the cycle. Autumn term.
- Central Banking (1): History, Strategies and Operations (15 credits) – Learning the theoretical and analytical tools required to understand central bank roles and policy strategies. Winter term.
- Central Banking (2): Monetary Policy and Financial Stability (15 credits) – Identifying how monetary policy is designed and implemented in modern economies. Spring term.
- Banking Risk Management (15 credits) – Learning about bank risk assessment and changes in bank regulation since the Global Financial Crisis. Spring term.
Professional accreditation in risk management
Students will have the option to study for an accreditation in financial risk management with the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA), ideal for those interested in entering the risk management industry and banking.
The programme covers fundamental concepts of the risk management profession and has become a well-known benchmark in this market both in the UK and in the rest of the world.
The teaching staff of our master’s programme will offer extra academic support to the students who opt to take the exam. The APRM certificate course and exam fees are covered.
This certificate will put students seeking a career in the financial and banking services industries at a considerable advantage.
The Institute of International Monetary Research
Established in 2014 in the aftermath of the Great Financial Crisis of 2007-2009, the Institute of International Monetary Research (IIMR) is an educational charity that aims to bring to public attention the strong relationship between the quantity of money on the one hand and inflation and the levels of national income and expenditure on the other.
The Institute is heavily involved in the teaching of the programme. The Institute also produces research in the form of edited volumes and research papers that will inform students about the key debates in academia and financial markets. In addition, IIMR organises research seminars and other specialised events. At these events, students have the opportunity to learn from top academics, regulators and practitioners of monetary economics, both from the UK and overseas. Since Spring 2020, these events are offered online to our students via webinar.
You can visit the IIMR website and find out more about their research and events.
Progress onto the MSc in Money, Banking and Central Banking
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about the course and / or discuss your eligibility, please complete our contact form and we’ll contact you as soon as we can.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
The minimum entry level required for this course is as follows:
- a first or a good second class honours degree from a recognised university, or
- a recognised professional qualification with relevant work experience
Mature students
Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.
International students
We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.
The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.
English levels
If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements.
Selection process
Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the Admissions Tutor has any queries about your application you may be conducted by skype, email or phone.
Initial enquiries and face-to-face appointments are also welcomed by the Director of the degree, Mr Damian Pudner damian.pudner@buckingham.ac.uk
Teaching & Assessment
The Money, Banking and Central Banking programme is taught by leading monetary and banking academics and market practitioners. Amongst other members of the staff, students will benefit from having Professors Geoffrey Wood and Tim Congdon and Brandon Davies as members of the teaching team, each with a recognised career in this field and with experience in providing consultancy and expert advice at the highest governmental policy level in the UK and abroad. In addition, students will benefit from having access to guest lectures/webinars by international experts in the field.
The teaching of the programme will be fully online. Each subject will be covered by video or audio lectures specifically designed for each module. In addition, there will be online weekly tutorials via Microsoft Teams, where the students will discuss the topics of each week and go through case-studies and real-life examples on the topics addressed in the lectures. These sessions are key to maintaining regular communication and interaction with our students. Additional online tutorials will be available as required to provide detailed feedback from module tutors.
Assessment will be entirely made by the submission of coursework to our Virtual Learning Platform. A list of topics will be offered to the students at the start of term on each course. The final mark in the course will be given by the drafting of the proposal (20%) and the essay at the end of term (80%). There will be no final examination.
Professors and lecturers
Professor Tim Congdon is one of the world’s leading monetary analysts and the UK’s leading exponent of the ‘monetarist’ school of thought. He founded the research consultancy, Lombard Street Research in 1989, and the Institute of International Monetary Research in 2014.
Dr Juan Castañeda is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at The University of Buckingham and Director of the Vinson Centre. He has worked with the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and submitted written evidence for a UK Parliament report on the euro.
Brandon Davies has 32 years experience working at Barclays Bank. Once he retired from Barclays Bank he set up, for GARP, the bank training programmes for Indonesia and China, both sponsored by their respective central banks.
Professor Geoffrey Wood is a Professor of Monetary Economics at University of Buckingham. He spent many years as a part-time special adviser at the Bank of England, and has been on the staff of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Professor Ali Kabiri is a Professor of Economics and the Head of Department of Economics and International Studies at The University of Buckingham. He is also a research associate of the Financial Markets Group at the LSE and an Honorary Lecturer at UCL, London, at the CSDU – Centre for the Study of Decision-Making Uncertainty.
After Your Course
Upon completion of the PG Certificate, should you want to specialise further in this field, you can apply for the MSc in Money, Banking and Central Banking.
Our students will leave with expert knowledge of monetary economics, monetary policy, risk assessment and how financial institutions operate. They will be equipped with the specialised knowledge and skills required for a career in central banking, as well as monetary analysis suitable to pursue a career in consultancy businesses, investment banking, research departments and specialised media.
“When studying Money, Banking and Central Banking at The University of Buckingham, students receive constant guidance and support. Proof of that is the continued support I have received after graduating to obtain my certificate as an Associate Professional Risk Manager” – David Orozco (MSc student in Money, Banking and Central Banking, 2019)
Fees & Scholarships
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
Jan 2025 Full-time (1 Year) | UK | £3,434 |
| INT | £3,434 | |
Sep 2025 Full-time (1 Year) | UK | £3,434 |
| INT | £3,434 | |
Jan 2026 Full-time (1 Year) | UK | £3,434 |
| INT | £3,434 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Scholarship opportunities
Postgraduate first-class scholarship
A first-class scholarship is available to both home and international students studying a taught postgraduate degree at the University. The scholarship will reduce tuition fees by 33%. The scholarship will be automatically awarded to applicants who already have a first-class honours degree that is recognised to UK standard.
Other scholarship opportunities
Details of other scholarships can be found on our Bursaries and Scholarships page. You should make an application to study at the University and receive an offer letter confirming our acceptance of your application before applying for a scholarship.
You may find it useful to visit our External Funding page.
Postgraduate loan scheme
A system of postgraduate loans for Masters degrees in the UK is available with support from the UK Government. The loan is available for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. The loans can be used for tuition fees, living expenses or both.