Business Finance MSc

Compulsory

• Business Finance Workshop

  This module will allow students to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the operation of financial markets and the theory underpinning corporate finance policy, and to know how theory and applications are linked in practice and be able to relate this to the techniques used to model financial decisions and markets.

• Foundations of Finance

  This module provides an understanding of various financial instruments, markets and concepts which are necessary when conducting the corporate investment decision. In particular the course looks at bond and equity markets and instruments, decision rules relating to the capital budgeting techniques, and their application, and the incorporation of risk/uncertainty into an investment decision (including portfolio theory and the Capital Asset Pricing Model).

• Business Finance

  To provide students with an understanding of the financing decisions and policy of modern corporation. The students will be able to demonstrate a general appreciation of the choices of alternative sources of finance available to the firm (debt, equity or hybrid funding), evaluate the impact of financing investment projects under different funding sources, and understand the relationship between share price valuation and capital structure policy. 

• Quantitative Methods for Business Finance

  This module provides an introduction to statistical techniques needed in the study of business and finance and assumes no previous knowledge of econometrics. In particular, students will learn how to (a) perform a statistical analysis and do hypothesis testing and (b) perform a simple and multiple regression analysis and (c) to interpret empirical results. 

• Business Economics

  This module aims to develop sound knowledge of the theory of business economics and its applications, and to provide an overview of the relationship between government and business and the macroeconomic environment of business.

• Investment Valuation Models

  To analyse how financial market information (corporate-, country-specific and global information) can be used to estimate the value of different investments, cover a range of different models that are available to an analyst performing investment valuations, and provide a framework that can be used to pick the right model for different valuation scenarios.

• Dissertation

  The objective of the dissertation is to bring to bear the techniques and perspectives covered in the taught part of the course upon a specific issue of interest. The dissertation should provide an independent and critical appraisal of an issue, normally (although not always) involving an empirical analysis of the topic being investigated.

Optional

• International Accounting Standards and Policy

  The aim of the module is to illustrate the key aspects of international financial reporting standards which are important to investors. To introduce financial statement analysis and research on the accounting information in financial markets.

• Global Financial Markets

  The aim of this module is to provide an advanced theory of financial markets and banking with global and regulatory aspects. This module covers financial markets (e.g., bond markets, stock markets, derivative markets, foreign exchange markets) in more depth and relates with international financial system, regulation (e.g., Basel I, II, III, regulatory capital, economic capital), financial crisis, and banking (e.g., central banks, commercial banks, investment banks).

• International Finance

  While a large part of Economics and Finance, in theory and practice, can be treated as a mainly domestic exercise, there exists an increasing number of areas that apply to a multi-country setting. This module aims to equip students with knowledge necessary to work in an international, multi-currency professional environment, and to provide students with knowledge on whose basis future academic research and doctoral studies in the area of international finance can be pursued.

• FinTech and Digital Banking

  This course is designed to provide the student with a thorough knowledge of key technological trends in financial markets and how these have transformed financial services such as payments, lending and trading. This involves artificial intelligence and machine learning, open APIs and marketing channels and blockchain and cryptocurrency. The students will consider cases studies of fintech innovation and start-ups which will help them understand how traditional banking and financial services are challenged.