Module Title: Financial Technology

FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND LAW

CADEMIC YEAR 2020/21

Coursework Assessment Brief

Module Code: UMADQK-15-3

Module Title: Financial Technology

Submission Deadline: Monday 25 January 2021, 14:00

Assessment Component: B

Assessment Weighting: 60 per cent of total module mark

Marking and feedback deadline:  Monday 15 February 2021, 14:00

N.B. all times are 24-hour clock, current local time (at time of submission) in the UK

 

Assessment Instructions

You will deliver an individual essay on a relevant topic in Financial Technology. You will be expected to select your own essay question and prepare a 2000 word essay. Help to define your essay question will come via the course content and the tutorials. You will be expected to deliver the essay online on Blackboard by the submission deadline given.

 

Marking Criteria

The marking criteria and assessment details will be made on the Blackboard module site for the course in the Assessments section. This will also include all details for the essay.

You will be assessed on items such as formatting, grammar & spelling, signposting, content, use of references and evidence of own understanding and insight. You will be expected to demonstrate technical understanding, evidence of independent thought and evidence of your own analysis developed from relevant and reliable sources.

The marking critea sheet is given below:

Knowledge and understanding 35%	Critical analysis, evaluation and insight 35%	Range of relevant resources   15%	Grammar and presentation 15%	Score
Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding	Exceptional application of theoretical/ technical knowledge; critical evaluation of reading and research in order to sustain and deliver insights, make judgements and propose solutions, including a strong conclusion	Evidence of deep and extensive research, use of relevant and high quality sources, appropriate referenced	Written in a fluent style with a clear focus and structure and well articulated arguments. Excellent use of grammar, spelling, signposting and language conventions	85 – 100
Breadth and depth of knowledge that is comprehensive, accurate and relevant	Evidence of application of systematic critical understanding, analysis and critical evaluation of knowledge, logical and well reasoned arguments with well evidenced solutions, with a strong conclusion	Evidence of deep research, wide, appropriate and relevant range of good quality resources, appropriately referenced.	Excellent communication and very good use of grammar, spelling, signposting and language conventions	70 – 84
Comprehensive accurate and relevant knowledge, ability to relate facts and concepts together	Evidence of application and critical evaluation of knowledge, demonstration of insight and ability to sustain a relevant argument and propose solutions	Use of an appropriate and relevant range of good quality resources, appropriately referenced	Well structured and organised presentation with good use of grammar and language conventions	60- 69
Good knowledge and understanding of a range of relevant principles and theories	Some attempt to apply critical evaluation; argument may lose focus / lacks logical reasoning in places. Question may not be fully answered.	Some evidence of research but limited range/depth or low quality resources. Some referencing errors	Adequate structure, little use of signposting. Some errors in grammar and language	50 – 59
Some relevant knowledge and understanding but also errors or misinterpretations	Areas of purely descriptive narrative, lack of critical application of knowledge. Poorly constructed argument. Fails to fully address the question.	Limited use of relevant sources and /or largely low quality media based research. Poor referencing technique.	Poor structure. Errors in grammar and language, little signposting	40- 49
Only general awareness or poor /confused understanding of the broad area of knowledge	Almost wholly descriptive, no critical application. Argument is underdeveloped, fractured or confused. Does not address the question in any meaningful way.	Limited list of sources of low quality. Inadequate referencing.	Unstructured / illogical structure. Poor grammar and language such that understanding is impeded.	0 – 39

 

Learning Outcomes

The following four learning outcomes apply to this assessment: You will be able to:

1. Analyse the effect of disruptive technology developments and opportunities provided by technological innovation in the financial services sector;
2. Critically evaluate the use of fintech within business;
3. Communicate clearly and effectively, with confidence on topics of Blockchain, Big Data and AI.

 

Formative feedback and support during the module

Formative feedback provides opportunities to reflect on your ongoing work and preparation for your assignment.

Further information about this assessment is available on the Blackboard site for this module and includes:

• Module guide
• Essay specification
• Reading list and online resources
• Online tutorials and lectorials

Formatting

Please use MS Word to deliver your essay. We cannot ensure that other formats are compatible with markers’ software and cannot guarantee to mark incorrect formats.

All work should be word processed using 11-point font using Calibri or Arial and double spaced.

The first page of your coursework must include:

• Your student number;
• The module name and number;
• Your word count;
• The essay title.

 

Word Limit

The maximum word limit for this coursework is 2000 words.

• There is no +/- 10% on word count and anything after the maximum word count will not be marked, in line with UWE Bristol’s Word Count Policy;
• In line with UWE policy, this word count includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings, tables, citations, quotes, lists, etc.);
• Any included appendix will not count towards your mark, and may not be considered;
• The references, bibliography, appendices and footnotes (provided footnotes only include references) are NOT included in this word count.

Referencing and Assessment Offences

Please ensure you reference all sources used when developing your assessment. Failure to properly reference your work to original source material can be grounds for the assessment offence of plagiarism and may result in failure of the assessment or more serious implications. Further guidance on correct referencing is available on UWE’s Study Skills referencing pages.

UWE’s Assessment Offences Policy outlines potential offences and it is your responsibility to understand this policy and avoid potential offences. Details of what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it can be found on UWE’s Study Skills pages about avoiding plagiarism.

Text-matching software (e.g. SafeAssign) is used to check every submission against other submissions made at the same time, previous submissions to UWE and other universities, and internet sources. We may also manually search for matches. When submitting your work, you will be required to confirm that the work is your own.

It is an assessment offence to:

• copy work from any source, including your own previous assessments, and present it as your own work for this assessment, or to provide your own work to others
• to work with others on the assessment in any way, or for anyone to make amends on your work (including proofreaders, who may highlight issues but not edit the work)
• change individual words but keep, essentially, the same sentences and/or structures from other sources: this will be detected by text-matching software. Please write in your own words and style to convey your own learning.

Instructions for submission

You must submit your assignment before the stated deadline by electronic submission through Blackboard. Notification that the electronic submission portal is open for your assignment is displayed (usually two weeks before the submission date) in the Coursework tab in myUWE, the Coursework tab in Blackboard and via an announcement in the Blackboard course.

Please allow sufficient time to upload your assignment, as the system becomes busier and slower as the deadline approaches. Only your final upload will be counted. Ensure all your information is submitted at one attempt to avoid overwriting your intended submission. Always check and retain your receipts.

Late submission in the 24 hours following the deadline will be accepted but the assignment mark will be capped at a pass. Submissions after 24 hours will not be accepted. For full guidance on online submission through Blackboard, see UWE’s Academic Advice pages on Assignments.

Submissions of coursework by any other method (including a paper copy, on disk or by email) are NOT permissible for this module unless specifically agreed in advance of the submission date.

Before submitting your work, please ensure that:

• You have proof read you work thoroughly to ensure your work is presented appropriately
• You have addressed all the required elements of the assessment
• You have referenced in accordance with the guidance provided
• You have addressed each of the marking criterion
• The submission is in the correct format

Final feedback and marks release

Students will normally receive marks and feedback on their submission within 20 working days of the submission deadline (not including public holidays or university closure days). Any delay in returning students’ work will be communicated by the module leader via Blackboard.

Feedback on this module is not limited to the written comments you will receive on individual written assessment submissions.

Feedback and marks for this module will be available by the date specified at the top of this document. For further guidance on feedback, please refer to the module handbook.

Further guidance and support

There are a number of sources of support to improve your study skills, including:

• The UWE Library Study Skills pages – for online support and bookable workshops
• The Faculty of Business and Law’s Academic Success Centre for bookable workshops
• Guidance on using UWE’s Library.

 

Specific study skills pages relating to this assessment include:

• How to plan and structure your writing
• Writing skills
• Further research skills / techniques
• Report writing
• Reflective writing
• How to write critically
• Literature reviews
• English language support

 

For further guidance on UWE assessment regulations and terminology see UWE’s Academic Advice pages.

 

Personal Circumstances

If you are experiencing difficulties in completing a piece of assessment on time due to unexpected circumstances (for example illness, accident, bereavement), seek advice from a Student Support Adviser at the earliest opportunity. Appointments can be made via an Information Point or online via the Student Support Pages.

Student Support Advisers can advise as to whether you should submit an application for ‘Personal Circumstances (PCs)’, how to do so and what evidence is required to support the application. Further details on PCs can be found on the Student Support Pages.

The module leader cannot grant personal circumstances or extensions.