Welcome to April's Undergraduate Newsletter

We hope you're looking forward to Summer (and hopefully some sunshine) and to starting your course later this year. In the meantime, we thought we'd send you an update of what is happening at Cass, plus next steps for conditional offer holders in the UCAS process. Also in your April newsletter, find stories from current students about their time at Cass and also a great feature about what students do best. Party!

Starting a course in finance? We offer you a warm welcome with students and lecturers giving their experience studying and teaching in this area. Last but certainly not least, are you an international student? See if your eligible for a Cass International Scholarship.   

My Life at Cass: Akansh Ganeriwala

From a first year to a final year Investment and Financial Risk Management (with Placement) student, my life at Cass has been a memorable journey of self-development, focused teaching and learning, and unbelievable practical exposure. From my perspective, this is why Cass is special and the reason why I would love to come back to Cass for postgraduate studies. It is simply the extra mile Cass has helped me go that distinguishes its quality from other reputed institutions for me.

Life at university was never only about lectures, exams and graduation; it was a step-wise learning process that provided me with exposure to business and entrepreneurship challenges, sporting societies and cultural clubs. Having been a student ambassador, Aim Higher associate, Squash captain, Cricket opening batsman, team-leader in the Social Enterprise Challenge and CIMA Global business challenge, and a team member in City Spark; I feel it’s appropriate for me to say that Cass has given me a lot more than just the knowledge about my degree. At the same time, the Investment and Financial Risk Management degree has given me tremendous insight to the three most important aspects of Finance: Corporate Finance and Investment Valuation, Portfolio Management and risk-return analysis, and Risk Management. The collation of these three areas via various ‘core’ and ‘elective’ modules has surely given me the theoretical knowledge of Finance. Furthermore, the examination structure where practical application of theoretical knowledge is tested with course-work ensured that I not only learned the subjects but understood them as well.

Besides the amazing experiences I was able to gain exposure to, Cass’ placement option allowed me to be amongst the handful students who got the opportunity to attain a placement at HSBC. This one year experience between the penultimate and final year of university surely added tremendous value to my character and professional development. 

Overall, I can only say that university life is one of the best experiences and Cass itself makes this experience even more worthwhile. For all prospective students, I would like to highlight that no one day at Cass will be the same ensuring your time at Cass is not at all monotonous. A typical day is tough to define but from my experience it involves lectures, group coursework, sports and extra-curricular team meetings for the business challenges I took part in. In any spare time, I have acted as a student ambassador and Aim Higher associate helping budding students understand their university decision-making correctly and accurately.

Finally, I would like to conclude with a heartfelt thank you to all the people at Cass who helped make my experience a lifetime memory.

Pre-sessional Maths course

If you have not studied Maths beyond GCSE (or International equivalent), we would strongly recommend that you attend our Pre-sessional Maths course. It is designed to prepare students for the demanding ‘Financial Mathematics & Business Statistics’ module which is a core subject for all students during Year 1 (excluding Actuarial Science).  This module provides students with the statistical and mathematical skills needed to progress through a Cass degree and by the end of the first year all students will be studying maths at an equivalent of A Level standard.

This year the course will take place from 12 - 21 September (please note the change of date).  It is offered free of charge, though students will need to cover the cost of accommodation, travel, food and any other expenses incurred whilst attending the course.

As places are limited pre-booking for this course is essential. Please book your place online by 31 July at: www.cass.city.ac.uk/psmbooking. The Undergraduate Admissions team will contact Unconditional offer holders in late August to confirm the booking and to provide timetable information.

Cass Business Studies student Martin Nielsen attended the Pre-sessional Maths course in 2010:

The course was held in a relaxed environment, even though it was very intense. We went through a new subject every day for eight days. A morning lecture covered the main subject for the day followed up by self-study time, and the day finished with a tutorial in small study groups together with a tutor.

I am very happy that I decided to attend the course. It gave me a reminder of many maths techniques that I had forgotten and I learned a lot of maths terms in English, which helped me to perform better in my first year of study at Cass. Attending the course also gave me the opportunity to meet students from different courses at Cass Business School; friends that I would not have met otherwise.

Cass students know how to party

The student community at Cass is rich in culture and diversity, and there are many ways to meet your fellow students and make new friends, giving you a truly global outlook to academic and social life.  Recently, Cass undergrads gathered for the first official ‘I love Cass’ party.

Around 500 undergraduate students danced the night away at the event which brought students from all years of study together. The party was held at the Kings Club, Chelsea and proved to be a great success.

First year student Hiren Gohil attended the party: "The Cass Undergraduate party at the Kings Club was amazing! It was one of the best social events of the year; the atmosphere was fantastic, and the food was delicious. The party also presented an opportunity to network with second and third year students, and to find out more about their courses and experience. Overall, a great party organised by the Cass Undergraduate team which created a social networking environment together with nightlife entertainment at an exclusive venue."

It is hoped that the party will become an annual event.  Take a look at more photos of the night on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Cassofficial

New Scholarship for International entrants

The new Cass International Scholarship will be offered to international students who are commencing a Cass undergraduate degree in September 2012. The scholarship is worth £2000 towards the cost of the first year's tuition fee and will be awarded on the basis of academic excellence.

To be eligible you must:

• Have your fee status confirmed as overseas.
• Meet the scholarship requirements of A*AA at A-level, one of which must be in Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Further Maths, Physics or Statistics (or international equivalent). Please note BSc Accounting and Finance applicants will need to achieve A*A*A and BSc Actuarial Science applicants will need A*(Maths or Further Maths) A*A. 
• Satisfy the above criteria and apply by the deadline (15th October 2012).

Applicants whose results fall just below these criteria can still apply for the scholarship; in these cases the decisions will be based on the quality of the scholarship statement as well as qualifications on entry. If you are not taking A Levels and wish to check the equivalent scholarship eligibility criteria please contact Cass Undergraduate Admissions at cassug@city.ac.uk.

Applications should be submitted using an on-line form which will include a section for you to describe how receiving the scholarship award will impact on your personal situation and help you to achieve your goals.

If you are an international applicant you will be invited to apply for the scholarship in August 2012, once Cass has received your final results and your place on the course is confirmed.

The deadline for applications will be 15 October 2012 and you will receive the outcome of your application by 31 October 2012.

Further information about all available scholarships can be found on the Cass website: http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/funding-your-study.

Finance students: A warm welcome

The Course Directors for the Banking, Investment and Accounting programmes at Cass personally welcome you to the School and current students give an insight into their experiences.

Accounting & Finance

Dr Bala Balachandran, Course Director 

 As your Course Director I am looking forward to welcoming you to the BSc Accounting and Finance programme. You are joining a course that is the only one in London to be accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England Wales. I think this course is special because we teach you what is needed in the City of London, and we equip you with the required employment skills. Not only will you achieve accreditation from the ICAEW but you will also learn relevant topics such as ethics, corporate governance, social and environmental accounting. Your fellow students are from different parts of the world and this will make it a learning experience not only for you but also for your teachers as we are all on a journey of lifelong learning. Your teachers are experts in their own fields and keep up-to-date with relevant and current research. This is no easy degree as you are expected to work hard. What you put in is what you get out.

Hiren Gohil, Accounting & Finance, Year 1 

My first year has been great so far! The course has fulfilled my expectations; the modules are very practical and give an insight into accounting, economics, and financial markets as well as laying a solid foundation for second and third year. The teaching style takes into account the leap from A Levels to degree and the exemptions from the ICAEW will be a massive plus point upon successful completion of my degree. The choice of electives gives a nice mix to the course and the opportunity to learn a new language.

Banking & International Finance

Dr Maria Carapeto, Course Director 

A warm welcome! I have been at the Business School for almost 12 years and always thought the BSc Banking and International Finance degree provided an extremely good balance of topics and teaching approach, with the right combination of theoretical foundations and practical applications. So no wonder that when the opportunity to become the Course Director from January 2006 materialised, I immediately jumped at it.

The degree is extremely flexible as it covers banking, finance and economics, with an international flavour. Our modules are current and specialised, taught by well-renowned experts and fostered by state of the art facilities, including dealing rooms and reputable databases. As such, employment opportunities are excellent and you should expect to secure a job in the exciting Corporate Advisory & Financial Services Industry, e.g., the government and regulators, banks, funds, consultancies, accountancies, and international companies.

Amarjit Ghuldu, Banking & International Finance, Year 1 

The first year of Banking & International Finance has exceeded my expectations. I have been supported in all aspects and Cass provides me with the facilities to further my knowledge both in an academic and social context; with the social side being catered for by the many societies available!

Investment & Financial Risk Management

Dr Sotiris K. Staikouras, Course Director 

I have been the Course Director for IFRM since 1998, and despite the demanding nature of the role, I enjoyed every single year working with my students and colleagues to build these world-class degrees. With the rapid expansion of modern financial markets and the ever increasing need for competent and knowledgeable graduates, corporations around the world need people with pertinent qualifications. The degree offers a variety of specialisations without compromising its great diversity: you can study areas such as equity investment, insurance, bond markets, property investment, portfolio management, corporate law, real estate valuation, financial institutions management and many more. Students will be given the option to tailor their qualification by specialising in numerous areas through a choice from over forty elective courses. Graduates of these degrees will be in high demand for a variety of jobs ranging from property and insurance firms to investment banking.

Akansh Ganeriwala, Investment & Financial Risk Management (with Placement), Year 4

Investment and Financial Risk Management is a degree amalgamating three of the most important aspects of Finance: Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management and Risk Management. With a clear focus on developing the student’s theoretical and practical knowledge of these subjects, this is the ideal degree for aspiring Finance graduates looking to enter the Banking industry.

Next issue: A warm welcome to Business Studies, Management and Actuarial Science students.

Information for Conditional offer-holders

If you are holding a Conditional offer it’s very important that you read the offer text on UCAS Track to check exactly what is required of you and whether you need to send any previously obtained qualification documents to Cass.  We often make offers where one of the conditions is to send proof of qualifications obtained by a set date.

If you have been asked to send proof of qualifications by 30^th April, you should now send these to Cass as a matter of urgency. If you have sent your results to Cass in the last few days you do not need to take any further action, and an acknowledgement email will be sent to you shortly.

You should send a clear copy of the relevant final certificate or transcript as originals cannot be returned. Statements of provisional results can only be accepted up to six months from the date of issue.

Please send a copy of your certificate or transcript to the Cass Admissions team, by post or email:

Cass Undergraduate Admissions

E302 Drysdale Building

City University London

Northampton Square

London

EC1V 0HB

Email cassug@city.ac.uk

Please include your UCAS Personal ID number in any correspondence.  We will send you an email to confirm receipt of the documents.

If for any reason you are not able to provide this information, please email the Admissions team at: cassug@city.ac.uk.

Attend a Cass Masterclass

Offer holders in France, Germany, and South Korea may wish to attend one of the Masterclass lectures. This event will provide you with the opportunity to attend a Cass academic lecture and informally speak with members of the Cass recruitment team.

For more information and to book your place at this event, please email emily.mancuso.1@city.ac.uk