Gekko and black swans: Finance theory in UK undergraduate curricula

Abstract

Despite the current financial crisis, accounting and finance programmes in UK have remained popular. Finance undergraduate teaching in accounting degrees is a significant component of the degree and relies heavily on Modern Finance Theory (MFT). Some of the developments in the finance curricula are critically examined. It is argued that current finance education should become more reflective and more heterodox in approach as the current curricula is biased towards techniques based on neoclassical theory. Suggestions are given for improvement of the curricula which will allow the narrow assumptions of neoclassical theory to be widened. These involve students taking into account not only the structures and patterns of finance but also the processes which are created by human experiences as part of their interactions as well as what helps to make these processes sustainable.