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We offer globally-accredited degrees and courses taught by the region’s finest academics in world-class facilities.
Our aim is to provide you with a learning environment in which you can strengthen your skills as a self-directed learner and enhance your capacity to interact and collaborate with your peers, share experiences, challenge accepted ideas and build new knowledge.
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Introduction
This professional programme is offered in partnership between the UWI Open Campus and the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking and Financial Services (ECIB). It is best suited for candidates presently working in the banking and financial services sector or persons who intend to pursue careers in the sector. Currently, to take this programme candidates must be located in one of the Caribbean countries served by the UWI since the programme includes a variety of assessment strategies. The UWI Open Campus Country Site (OCCS) facilitates examinations for courses assessed through a traditional face-to-face examination.
This programme is designed to develop specialist knowledge across the core areas of banking and finance and provides the grounding required for graduates to be functionally competent in the field of study. The programme provides the academic foundation and practical training for persons across the English-speaking Caribbean region who are working in the banking and financial services sector or who are interested in a career in the sector. The programme places emphasis on the following:
| 1. | Development of practical skills and understanding of theory to better position learners to respond to the performance demands of the sector. |
| 2. | Practice-driven activities and sharing of practical experiences that are linked to the structure and operations of institutions in the banking and financial service sector. |
| 3. | Development of requisite knowledge and attitudes, and application of skills aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of operations in the sector. |
The assessment structure is practice driven and will include an emphasis on case studies and problem-solving that simulate the work environment, and projects that involve research on issues encountered as part of daily activities in the sector. Practitioners in the field will facilitate the courses in this programme.
Who is this programme for?
The programme targets the following categories of persons:
| 1. | Investment analysts, portfolio managers, loans officers, underwriters and other loan servicing, banking and financial institution professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge or advance their career options. |
| 2. | Those who are interested in starting a career in the sector or who wish to obtain training for a change of career path. |
Programme Structure
Learners will be expected to complete a total of 90 credits, normally equivalent to 30 courses, structured as follows:
| 1. | Thirty (30) credits consisting of nine (9) compulsory CORE courses and one (1) ELECTIVE course at Level I. |
| 2. | A minimum of forty eight (48) credits or fifteen (15) CORE compulsory courses over Levels II and III, including a 6-credit Practicum (Fieldwork). |
| 3. | A maximum of twelve (12) credits or four (4) ELECTIVE courses over Levels II and III. |
Courses will be delivered using blended-learning modalities, including online tutorials, web conferencing and audio conferencing technologies. Learners must have access to a computer, a printer and fast-speed Internet. The online orientation is conducted before the start of the programme.
Award of the Degree
To be awarded an undergraduate degree you must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0. This means that it is possible to pass all the courses in your programme and not receive your certificate because your GPA is under 2.0.
When will the programme start?
The programme starts in August and can be completed in a minimum of three academic years.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should meet normal or lower level matriculation AND have an acceptable pass in CXC-CSEC (General Proficiency) Mathematics or its equivalent.
Normal Level:
An acceptable pass in English A in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC-CSEC), or an acceptable equivalent AND one of the following minimum qualifications:
1. Holders of CXC-CSEC Certificates, General Certificates of Education (GCE) (or the approved equivalents) who satisfy
either Scheme A or Scheme B as stated below:
Scheme A:
They possess FIVE (5) subjects of which at least TWO (2) must be GCE Advanced Level (A’ Level)* passes, while the remainder may be acceptable passes in the CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level examinations.
Scheme B:
They possess passes in FOUR (4) subjects of which at least THREE must be GCE A’ Level** passes, while the fourth may be an acceptable pass in the CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level examinations.
2. Holders of Certificates and Diplomas awarded by this University.
3. Holders of an Associate Degree from the UWI, or from approved Caribbean tertiary level institutions
with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
* Candidates who have passed two 2-unit courses in a particular subject area fall within the two A’ Level matriculation standard (Reference Scheme A).
** Six CAPE units, including the two single-unit courses – Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies will be accepted under normal matriculation (Reference Scheme B).
Lower Level:
Applicants should meet lower level matriculation requirements for admission to degree programmes:
1. Holders of five (5) CXC or GCE O’ Level passes or equivalent, not necessarily obtained at the same sitting, as follows:
(i) English (A), and
(ii) Mathematics or a foreign language, or an approved science (not Health Science), or additional Mathematics or Geography
(iii) Three (3) other approved subjects not already counted above.
2. Persons of the age of 21 and over on the basis of their overall academic and professional attainments.
3. Holders of the approved certificates from the School of Continuing Studies, UWI with an acceptable
pass in English Language.
NOTE: The same subject cannot be counted at both CXC-CSEC General Proficiency and GCE O’ Level.
English Language Proficiency Examination
The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) is used to assess whether persons applying to pursue
undergraduate degree programmes at the UWI Open Campus possess a satisfactory level of writing
and reading proficiency in English for university academic purposes. For detailed information on the
ELPT, see English Language Proficiency Test.
Academic Preparation
All new students are required to participate in online orientation activities provided by the Programme Delivery Department at a date to be announced during July /August.
Visit your Department's Academic Calendarfor the most current information
