Last modified: 29 Jul 2026 09:16
Banks play a crucial role in the economy through their depository and lending functions, financial intermediation, and payment systems. Yet banking is a highly regulated activity and most of its affairs (including corporate governance, capital adequacy and insolvency) are subject to special rules. For these reasons, banking regulation is an important area in legal practice.
This course examines the principles of banking regulation and explores the core regulations to which banks are subject. It places a strong focus on the UK regulatory framework. However, approaches adopted in other jurisdictions will be considered where necessary in order to put the UK framework into context.
The following subjects are covered in the course: the history and theories of banking regulation, the institutional design of UK banking regulation, capital adequacy and liquidity rules, bank resolution, and emerging challenges such as Brexit, climate finance, fintech and shadow banking.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
We all depend on banks in one way or another. Savers rely on them to hold and access their money. Consumers seeking a mortgage or other forms of personal financing will typically need banks. Businesses often require bank credit and related financial products to invest and grow. Even sovereign states depend on the banking system to maintain economic stability and transmit monetary policy.
Yet banking is an inherently fragile activity, as it depends heavily on liquidity and public confidence. It is therefore subject to extensive regulation, and its regulatory framework has undergone major reforms since the 2007/08 global financial crisis. More recent challenges, including climate change, shadow banking and digitalisation, have further strengthened the case for tighter regulation of banks.
The course explores key areas of banking regulation, including the history and theories of banking regulation, the institutional design of UK banking regulation, capital adequacy and liquidity rules, bank resolution and emerging challenges such as climate finance, fintech and shadow banking. It also examines the law governing bank–customer relationships in the UK.
The course is taught primarily from a policy perspective. No prior knowledge of banking is required, but students should be prepared to engage with banking-related literature and practical scenarios.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written individual feedback will be provided for each student and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks following the assessment, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate cutting-edge issues and complex materials related to international banking regulation, including the Basel 3.1 rules. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate the legal framework and basic principles of UK banking regulation. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate the policies and values inherent in the structure of banking regulation. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
3,500-word essay worth 60% of the overall course grade. Essays may be over or under the relevant word limit. The word limits include footnotes but do not include the bibliography. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate the policies and values inherent in the structure of banking regulation. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate cutting-edge issues and complex materials related to international banking regulation, including the Basel 3.1 rules. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate the legal framework and basic principles of UK banking regulation. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Re-submission of failed element in re-sit diet; the failed course will be capped at grade 09 (D3). |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate the policies and values inherent in the structure of banking regulation. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate cutting-edge issues and complex materials related to international banking regulation, including the Basel 3.1 rules. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | By the end of the module, students will have acquired the ability to evaluate the legal framework and basic principles of UK banking regulation. |
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