Business Finance (Level 5/6 Top-up) BA (Hons)

The traditional academic programme structure is not applicable in relation to this experiential learning intern-ship opportunity. The experiential content is freely structured and determined by negotiation between the student, placement supervisor and host organisation. It is generally informed by the aims and learning outcomes and by the objective of optimising added value for both the host organisation and the student experience. 

A placement conference will enable peer to peer sharing of experiential learning permit feedback and allow an analysis of the range of skills and benefits derived from the placement, it will also further develop the construction of learning logs and the portfolio.  For those unable to attend, for whatever reason, online via Teams will permit engagement and feedback.  In addition, the conference will provide an opportunity to acquire an overview of final year options and dissertation and/or project research.

For those students where costs or other geographical/logistical difficulties render visits, conference attendance or participation via teleconferencing prohibitive, there will be an augmented portfolio of activities to substitute the conference activities.

All students will engage in the drawing up of a learning agreement on acceptance of the placement that will cover a contact plan and agreed learning outcomes with their designated academic tutor and placement coordinator.

1. To provide an opportunity for students to apply and enrich their previous theoretical knowledge and understanding of course content through observation in and insights derived from working in an organisation and professional environment. 
2. To enable students to develop their practical and transferable skills in a business environment and to experience a broad range of tasks and responsibilities in different functional areas. 
3. To enable students to pursue professional and personal development in a working business environment
4. To enable students to recognise the nature of tasks, workloads, management problems and working methods in the working environment.
5. To enable students to inform the tasks, problems and scenarios presented in the business environment with theoretical concerns emanating from their studies and research and vice versa.

The traditional academic programme structure is not applicable in relation to this experiential learning intern-ship opportunity. The experiential content is freely structured and determined by negotiation between the student, placement supervisor and host organisation. It is generally informed by the aims and learning outcomes and by the objective of optimising added value for both the host organisation and the student experience. 

A placement conference will enable peer to peer sharing of experiential learning permit feedback and allow an analysis of the range of skills and benefits derived from the placement, it will also further develop the construction of learning logs and the portfolio.  For those unable to attend, for whatever reason, online via Teams will permit engagement and feedback.  In addition, the conference will provide an opportunity to acquire an overview of final year options and dissertation and/or project research.

For those students where costs or other geographical/logistical difficulties render visits, conference attendance or participation via teleconferencing prohibitive, there will be an augmented portfolio of activities to substitute the conference activities.

All students will engage in the drawing up of a learning agreement on acceptance of the placement that will cover a contact plan and agreed learning outcomes with their designated academic tutor and placement coordinator.

1. To provide an opportunity for students to apply and enrich their previous theoretical knowledge and understanding of course content through observation in and insights derived from working in an organisation and professional environment. 
2. To enable students to develop their practical and transferable skills in a business environment and to experience a broad range of tasks and responsibilities in different functional areas. 
3. To enable students to pursue professional and personal development in a working business environment
4. To enable students to recognise the nature of tasks, workloads, management problems and working methods in the working environment.
5. To enable students to inform the tasks, problems and scenarios presented in the business environment with theoretical concerns emanating from their studies and research and vice versa.

• Introduction to purpose of research
• The research process 
• Market research industry, research briefs and proposals
• Research ethics and code of conduct 
• Qualitative and quantitative research
• Primary and secondary research
• Research in context: design and methodologies
• Sampling methods
• Data analysis: Intro to SPSS
• Interpretation of data 
• Contemporary issues for research in practice 

The aim of the module is to provide the student with the knowledge, understanding and skills foundation to the level 6 management research project. This module covers the scoping of a research problem, design of appropriate data collection methods, data analysis and data interpretation in order to develop business-relevant recommendations. Whilst this module will provide practical experience of data collection, it will not assess data collection. The aims are as follows:

1. To understand the reasons that research is undertaken in varying contexts
2. To provide adequate preparation for scoping a management research project at level 6
3. To develop knowledge and understanding of the research process, data collection, data analysis and data interpretation
4. To create practical experience of research design and execution

• Introduction to purpose of research
• The research process 
• Market research industry, research briefs and proposals
• Research ethics and code of conduct 
• Qualitative and quantitative research
• Primary and secondary research
• Research in context: design and methodologies
• Sampling methods
• Data analysis: Intro to SPSS
• Interpretation of data 
• Contemporary issues for research in practice 

The aim of the module is to provide the student with the knowledge, understanding and skills foundation to the level 6 management research project. This module covers the scoping of a research problem, design of appropriate data collection methods, data analysis and data interpretation in order to develop business-relevant recommendations. Whilst this module will provide practical experience of data collection, it will not assess data collection. The aims are as follows:

1. To understand the reasons that research is undertaken in varying contexts
2. To provide adequate preparation for scoping a management research project at level 6
3. To develop knowledge and understanding of the research process, data collection, data analysis and data interpretation
4. To create practical experience of research design and execution

• Decomposing costs for decision making
• Traditional costing – its dangers as a decision tool
• How Activity Based Costing improves decision-making
• Short term decision making
• Cost-volume-profit analysis
• Marginal costing – for planning, pricing and decision-making
• Relevant costing – for decision making
• Using budgets for planning and control through variance analysis
• Long term decision making – making capital investment decisions - introducing cost of capital
• Pricing to achieve the organisation's objectives - cost plus pricing, target costing
• Monitoring and measuring performance – e.g the balanced scorecard
• Working Capital Management
• Excel model development for decision making.

• To enable students to elaborate on key management accounting themes and concepts introduced at Level 4 or equivalent
• To introduce students to management accounting techniques used for decision making.
• To enable students to develop analytical and problem-solving skills through the application of management accounting tools to theoretical situations - sometimes incorporating Excel models

• Decomposing costs for decision making
• Traditional costing – its dangers as a decision tool
• How Activity Based Costing improves decision-making
• Short term decision making
• Cost-volume-profit analysis
• Marginal costing – for planning, pricing and decision-making
• Relevant costing – for decision making
• Using budgets for planning and control through variance analysis
• Long term decision making – making capital investment decisions - introducing cost of capital
• Pricing to achieve the organisation's objectives - cost plus pricing, target costing
• Monitoring and measuring performance – e.g the balanced scorecard
• Working Capital Management
• Excel model development for decision making.

• To enable students to elaborate on key management accounting themes and concepts introduced at Level 4 or equivalent
• To introduce students to management accounting techniques used for decision making.
• To enable students to develop analytical and problem-solving skills through the application of management accounting tools to theoretical situations - sometimes incorporating Excel models

• Concept of Data – Data Collection; Information; Big Data; DIKW Hierarchy, Ethics in finance
• Excel data analysis-inferential statistics
• Excel-logical statements (IFs, LOOKUPS,
  etc.)
• Excel-pivot tables and charting
• Introduction to SPSS and AMOS in finance
• Introduction to databases-Ms Access in finance
• MySQL for financial data analysis

This module aims to equip student with the requisite computing skills required for the interrogation of data to build a solid foundation for the understanding of finance and analytical concepts

• Concept of Data – Data Collection; Information; Big Data; DIKW Hierarchy, Ethics in finance
• Excel data analysis-inferential statistics
• Excel-logical statements (IFs, LOOKUPS,
  etc.)
• Excel-pivot tables and charting
• Introduction to SPSS and AMOS in finance
• Introduction to databases-Ms Access in finance
• MySQL for financial data analysis

This module aims to equip student with the requisite computing skills required for the interrogation of data to build a solid foundation for the understanding of finance and analytical concepts

This module covers following topics:

-        Data analytics and ‘big data’

-        Generating financial insights with API

-        Association rule mining in business finance

-        Clustering techniques in business finance

-        Introduction to Python

-        Analysing financial data with Python

-        Web scraping and text mining in business finance

-        Financial data visualization

To develop students' ability to identify and apply relevant analytics techniques in order to generate financial intelligence in the age of Big Data.

This module covers following topics:

-        Data analytics and ‘big data’

-        Generating financial insights with API

-        Association rule mining in business finance

-        Clustering techniques in business finance

-        Introduction to Python

-        Analysing financial data with Python

-        Web scraping and text mining in business finance

-        Financial data visualization

To develop students' ability to identify and apply relevant analytics techniques in order to generate financial intelligence in the age of Big Data.

 1 Financial management function - nature and purpose of financial management / financial objectives and relationship with corporate strategy / organisational objectives including in not-for-profit organisations / stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives / key decisions and linkages of financial management / modelling and forecasting, cash flows, variable, sensitivity / financing / shareholder value / financial reporting

2 Financial management environment – economic environment for business / nature and role of financial markets and institutions

3 Working capital management - nature, elements and importance of working capital / management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash / determining working capital needs and funding strategies

4 Investment appraisal - evaluation of investment opportunities including investment appraisal techniques / inflation and taxation in investment appraisal / adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal / rates of return / lease or buy decision / asset replacement / capital rationing

5 Business finance - sources of, and raising business finance / estimating the cost of capital, including WACC / sources of finance and their relative costs / capital structure theories and practical considerations / financing mechanisms effect on Balance Sheet structure / finance for small and medium-sized entities

6 Business valuations - nature and purpose of the valuation of business and financial assets / models for the valuation of shares / the valuation of debt and other financial assets / Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the valuation of shares

To identify the principal concepts in the theory and practice of strategic financial management
To analyse and evaluate financial strategies through the application of appropriate tools in relation to management needs and policies
To synthesise argument and consolidate knowledge by the presentation of strategic financial decisions, in a coherent format, suitable for relevant users

 1 Financial management function - nature and purpose of financial management / financial objectives and relationship with corporate strategy / organisational objectives including in not-for-profit organisations / stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives / key decisions and linkages of financial management / modelling and forecasting, cash flows, variable, sensitivity / financing / shareholder value / financial reporting

2 Financial management environment – economic environment for business / nature and role of financial markets and institutions

3 Working capital management - nature, elements and importance of working capital / management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash / determining working capital needs and funding strategies

4 Investment appraisal - evaluation of investment opportunities including investment appraisal techniques / inflation and taxation in investment appraisal / adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal / rates of return / lease or buy decision / asset replacement / capital rationing

5 Business finance - sources of, and raising business finance / estimating the cost of capital, including WACC / sources of finance and their relative costs / capital structure theories and practical considerations / financing mechanisms effect on Balance Sheet structure / finance for small and medium-sized entities

6 Business valuations - nature and purpose of the valuation of business and financial assets / models for the valuation of shares / the valuation of debt and other financial assets / Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the valuation of shares

To identify the principal concepts in the theory and practice of strategic financial management
To analyse and evaluate financial strategies through the application of appropriate tools in relation to management needs and policies
To synthesise argument and consolidate knowledge by the presentation of strategic financial decisions, in a coherent format, suitable for relevant users

Part A:      

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the university of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

• The multiple facets of Global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Theories and models Intercultural competence
• Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism

• Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
• Experiential learning models
• Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

• Enhanced independence
• Improved command of multicultural behaviour
• Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development
• Team building and team work

Part B:            Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

The purpose of this module is to enhance students’ prospects of completing an overseas placement to the best of their ability consequently it aims to:

• To equip participants with appropriate knowledge and skills to study or work in a different cultural, linguistic and/or social environment; enhancing ethical, cultural and intercultural awareness.
• To enhance students understanding of the ethical issues related to living and working abroad.
• To increase students Global Citizenship skills
• To provide an opportunity for students to reflect critically on their experience of living and learning within an unfamiliar culture, to their 'home' culture or ethnic group.

To challenge students to learn about themselves as global citizens in terms of life skills, career choices and academic development outside the classroom.

Part A:      

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the university of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

• The multiple facets of Global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Theories and models Intercultural competence
• Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism

• Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
• Experiential learning models
• Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

• Enhanced independence
• Improved command of multicultural behaviour
• Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development
• Team building and team work

Part B:            Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

The purpose of this module is to enhance students’ prospects of completing an overseas placement to the best of their ability consequently it aims to:

• To equip participants with appropriate knowledge and skills to study or work in a different cultural, linguistic and/or social environment; enhancing ethical, cultural and intercultural awareness.
• To enhance students understanding of the ethical issues related to living and working abroad.
• To increase students Global Citizenship skills
• To provide an opportunity for students to reflect critically on their experience of living and learning within an unfamiliar culture, to their 'home' culture or ethnic group.

To challenge students to learn about themselves as global citizens in terms of life skills, career choices and academic development outside the classroom.

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
• Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Critical thinking skills, experiential learning       and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

• Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

Students will undertake study at one of UoC’s partner universities; it is expected that students will choose a series of modules at the university abroad, which equal a full-time study load. This must be agreed by the host institution and the International Tutor. Students must supply details of their courses/modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university, note students who fail to supply this within 4 weeks may have the opportunity withdrawn.

1. To experience academic life in country outside of the EU, enhancing cultural and intercultural awareness and increasing transversal skills.
2. To reflect on the impact of the experience in their destination on one’s own personal, academic and professional development.
3. To engage with the experience of study at a partner university to gain extensive first-hand knowledge and understanding of the relevant society from the perspective of the resident.
4. To further develop independent learning techniques.
5. To foster critical evaluation.

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
• Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Critical thinking skills, experiential learning       and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

• Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

Students will undertake study at one of UoC’s partner universities; it is expected that students will choose a series of modules at the university abroad, which equal a full-time study load. This must be agreed by the host institution and the International Tutor. Students must supply details of their courses/modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university, note students who fail to supply this within 4 weeks may have the opportunity withdrawn.

1. To experience academic life in country outside of the EU, enhancing cultural and intercultural awareness and increasing transversal skills.
2. To reflect on the impact of the experience in their destination on one’s own personal, academic and professional development.
3. To engage with the experience of study at a partner university to gain extensive first-hand knowledge and understanding of the relevant society from the perspective of the resident.
4. To further develop independent learning techniques.
5. To foster critical evaluation.

• The multiple facets of global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Culture shock
• Cultural adjustment
• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
• Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
• Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

This module promotes a reflective and critical approach to interculturality and aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining overseas graduate employment, which will enable them to:

1. Examine and evaluate a chosen aspect of the society of a target country
2. Enhance cultural and intercultural awareness and further develop related skills.
3. Articulate clearly their career plans and take steps to prepare for their first paid overseas graduate role,
4. Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of identified employability skills,
5. Articulate, orally and in writing, their findings and their employability skills.

• The multiple facets of global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Culture shock
• Cultural adjustment
• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
• Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
• Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

This module promotes a reflective and critical approach to interculturality and aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining overseas graduate employment, which will enable them to:

1. Examine and evaluate a chosen aspect of the society of a target country
2. Enhance cultural and intercultural awareness and further develop related skills.
3. Articulate clearly their career plans and take steps to prepare for their first paid overseas graduate role,
4. Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of identified employability skills,
5. Articulate, orally and in writing, their findings and their employability skills.

Workshops will take place to support students in completing the module.  Examples of topics taught are will be; 

• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess.
• Employability Skills: e.g. verbal and written communication, analytical / problem solving capabilities; self-management; team working behaviours; negotiation skills; influencing people; positive attitude, resilience, building rapport).
• Completion of online activities for example; health and safety procedures in general; general workplace integrity; placement/skills requirements, portfolio building, identification of future skills to support your development plan
• Devising and implementing strategies to improve own approach and performance
• Critical analysis/evaluation of approach to personal development and performance in the workplace;
• Devising an action plan to develop gaps in transferable skills based on the placement experiences
• Structured approaches to researching, selecting and securing a suitable work placement relevant to the student’s interests and career aspirations*Writing an effective application and applying for a placement.

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment skills which will enable them to;- 

• Develop their understanding of workplace practice and lifelong learning;
• Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through development of transferable skills
• Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills;
• Analyse and articulate skills and attitudes introduced in their programme of study and their application to their chosen career

Workshops will take place to support students in completing the module.  Examples of topics taught are will be; 

• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess.
• Employability Skills: e.g. verbal and written communication, analytical / problem solving capabilities; self-management; team working behaviours; negotiation skills; influencing people; positive attitude, resilience, building rapport).
• Completion of online activities for example; health and safety procedures in general; general workplace integrity; placement/skills requirements, portfolio building, identification of future skills to support your development plan
• Devising and implementing strategies to improve own approach and performance
• Critical analysis/evaluation of approach to personal development and performance in the workplace;
• Devising an action plan to develop gaps in transferable skills based on the placement experiences
• Structured approaches to researching, selecting and securing a suitable work placement relevant to the student’s interests and career aspirations*Writing an effective application and applying for a placement.

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment skills which will enable them to;- 

• Develop their understanding of workplace practice and lifelong learning;
• Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through development of transferable skills
• Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills;
• Analyse and articulate skills and attitudes introduced in their programme of study and their application to their chosen career

• Introduction to the research process
• The importance of research justification and scoping
• Methodological foundations of research
• Moral and ethical issues in research
• Effective project management
• Rigour and feasibility issues in research
• Quantitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
• Qualitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
• Writing and reporting research in context

The Management Research Project aims to draw together specific subject knowledge and skills, with a particular focus on improved self-awareness and preparation for business, by challenging students for personal and academic development to management positions and and to employability on general. 

• To undertake a research project that is 'scoped and framed' within a required degree programme of study.
• To enable the student to design and conduct appropriate in-depth research in an elected area of study.
• To provide the student with the opportunity to acquire, consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge, methodologies, and research approaches in a ‘real world’ environment.
• To enable the student to develop and utilise skills in critical investigation; analysis and synthesis of evidence; reflection and autonomous learning.

• Introduction to the research process
• The importance of research justification and scoping
• Methodological foundations of research
• Moral and ethical issues in research
• Effective project management
• Rigour and feasibility issues in research
• Quantitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
• Qualitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
• Writing and reporting research in context

The Management Research Project aims to draw together specific subject knowledge and skills, with a particular focus on improved self-awareness and preparation for business, by challenging students for personal and academic development to management positions and and to employability on general. 

• To undertake a research project that is 'scoped and framed' within a required degree programme of study.
• To enable the student to design and conduct appropriate in-depth research in an elected area of study.
• To provide the student with the opportunity to acquire, consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge, methodologies, and research approaches in a ‘real world’ environment.
• To enable the student to develop and utilise skills in critical investigation; analysis and synthesis of evidence; reflection and autonomous learning.

This module covers following topics:

• Principles of business and financial planning
• Introduction to financial modelling for business finance
• Techniques of quantitative financial analysis
• Scenario analysis in finance applications
• Linear programming applications in finance applications and their computer solution
• Decision Making Under Risk and Uncertainty
• Analysing and interpreting the financial performance

The module aims to develop students' ability to apply financial models and related advanced analytical techniques to inform business decisions and to evaluate possible decision outcomes in a competitive business environment.

This module covers following topics:

• Principles of business and financial planning
• Introduction to financial modelling for business finance
• Techniques of quantitative financial analysis
• Scenario analysis in finance applications
• Linear programming applications in finance applications and their computer solution
• Decision Making Under Risk and Uncertainty
• Analysing and interpreting the financial performance

The module aims to develop students' ability to apply financial models and related advanced analytical techniques to inform business decisions and to evaluate possible decision outcomes in a competitive business environment.

• Financial Statement Analysis: Special emphasis on ratio analysis and other techniques on the financial statements of single companies and / or groups, including the use of cash to measure return; the interpretation of financial statements of singles companies and / or groups and the explanation of the implication of accounting standards on the financial statements
• Valuation: The use and appraisal of methods of equity analysis for different types of business entity and industry sectors, indicating each method’s problems and limitations
• Debt and Equity: Terms, rights, conditions of use and the factors concerning valuation of various instruments; unquoted sources of finance including its appropriateness for different businesses and ventures; financing a company’s needs through different finance options such as rights issues, placings and vendor placings; dividend policy considerations and their impact on issuers and stakeholders; financing options for a company’s pension fund deficit; use of derivatives in debt and equity and the incorporation of these instruments in financing options
• Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals – including international businesses: Commercial and financial rationales for acquisitions and disposals; disposal processes; detailed stages of an acquisition; detailed processes and considerations of mergers, acquisitions and disposals; advanced valuation; financial effect of mergers and acquisitions on the larger group; creation of shareholder value from mergers and acquisitions; restructuring; preparing for a sale; and due diligence 
• Corporate Strategy: Analysis of business entities and evaluation of strategy including SWOT and PEST analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces; Advising on business strategy, growth by acquisition versus organic growth, disposals and the disposal process and public and private partnerships
• Corporate Performance and Reconstructions: Analysis and evaluation of information relating to business entities including advanced corporate performance, including Economic Value Added (EVA); reconstructions and business recovery; schemes of arrangement and the role of private equity

The purpose of this module is to :

• Provide students with a thorough understanding of techniques, theories and issues found in practical corporate finance situations. 
• Enhancing the students’ capabilities and competency in undertaking a high level analysis of financial statements; valuing a range of undertakings across industry sectors; conducting an advanced analysis of debt and equity requirements in given situations;
• Examine and evaluate how and whether value is created in both domestic and international mergers, disposals and acquisitions; corporate strategy and corporate performance and reconstructions.

• Financial Statement Analysis: Special emphasis on ratio analysis and other techniques on the financial statements of single companies and / or groups, including the use of cash to measure return; the interpretation of financial statements of singles companies and / or groups and the explanation of the implication of accounting standards on the financial statements
• Valuation: The use and appraisal of methods of equity analysis for different types of business entity and industry sectors, indicating each method’s problems and limitations
• Debt and Equity: Terms, rights, conditions of use and the factors concerning valuation of various instruments; unquoted sources of finance including its appropriateness for different businesses and ventures; financing a company’s needs through different finance options such as rights issues, placings and vendor placings; dividend policy considerations and their impact on issuers and stakeholders; financing options for a company’s pension fund deficit; use of derivatives in debt and equity and the incorporation of these instruments in financing options
• Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals – including international businesses: Commercial and financial rationales for acquisitions and disposals; disposal processes; detailed stages of an acquisition; detailed processes and considerations of mergers, acquisitions and disposals; advanced valuation; financial effect of mergers and acquisitions on the larger group; creation of shareholder value from mergers and acquisitions; restructuring; preparing for a sale; and due diligence 
• Corporate Strategy: Analysis of business entities and evaluation of strategy including SWOT and PEST analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces; Advising on business strategy, growth by acquisition versus organic growth, disposals and the disposal process and public and private partnerships
• Corporate Performance and Reconstructions: Analysis and evaluation of information relating to business entities including advanced corporate performance, including Economic Value Added (EVA); reconstructions and business recovery; schemes of arrangement and the role of private equity

The purpose of this module is to :

• Provide students with a thorough understanding of techniques, theories and issues found in practical corporate finance situations. 
• Enhancing the students’ capabilities and competency in undertaking a high level analysis of financial statements; valuing a range of undertakings across industry sectors; conducting an advanced analysis of debt and equity requirements in given situations;
• Examine and evaluate how and whether value is created in both domestic and international mergers, disposals and acquisitions; corporate strategy and corporate performance and reconstructions.

The module will enable students enhance their Ms Excel skills through the use of advanced spreadsheet modelling techniques available for financial analysis. It will build upon key concepts captured in Finance and Accounting modules such as BU4002
(Finance for Managers), BU4010 (Quantitative Techniques in Finance), BU5032 (Corporate Finance), BU5016
(Financial Decision Making). These include:

Financial Data - databases (such as FAME and Yahoo Finance), types of financial data with emphasis on big data, ethics in data handling, annual reports and other opensource

Data Visualisation Techniques in Excel-creation of dashboards using pivot tables, lookups and logical statements, use financial ratios to conduct performance analysis of companies with data on available databases.

Financial Decision Making in Excel-capital investment appraisal techniques (NPV and IRR), What if Analysis, Loan Amortisation, Break-Even Analysis, Cost of Capital (special emphasis on WACC through curvilinear regression)

Financial Statistics in Excel - use the 'Analysis ToolPak' - descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance), Anova (single factor, 'with and without' replication), correlations, regressions, T-Test, and solver (for linear programming).

Financial Markets in Excel - market sensitivity (beta estimation), portfolio diversification (variance and covariance matrix), market reaction to announcement (event study-single and multiple events), market efficiency (use time series models such auto-regression and moving average concepts). 

Equip students with the relevant practical skills through the application of advanced Ms Excel techniques, to analyse financial variables to address complex financial problems.

Provide students with the critical skills required to collect and analyse financial data; and its presentation by means of relevant Ms Excel Data Visualisation techniques to facilitate the process of  financial decision making.

The module will enable students enhance their Ms Excel skills through the use of advanced spreadsheet modelling techniques available for financial analysis. It will build upon key concepts captured in Finance and Accounting modules such as BU4002
(Finance for Managers), BU4010 (Quantitative Techniques in Finance), BU5032 (Corporate Finance), BU5016
(Financial Decision Making). These include:

Financial Data - databases (such as FAME and Yahoo Finance), types of financial data with emphasis on big data, ethics in data handling, annual reports and other opensource

Data Visualisation Techniques in Excel-creation of dashboards using pivot tables, lookups and logical statements, use financial ratios to conduct performance analysis of companies with data on available databases.

Financial Decision Making in Excel-capital investment appraisal techniques (NPV and IRR), What if Analysis, Loan Amortisation, Break-Even Analysis, Cost of Capital (special emphasis on WACC through curvilinear regression)

Financial Statistics in Excel - use the 'Analysis ToolPak' - descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance), Anova (single factor, 'with and without' replication), correlations, regressions, T-Test, and solver (for linear programming).

Financial Markets in Excel - market sensitivity (beta estimation), portfolio diversification (variance and covariance matrix), market reaction to announcement (event study-single and multiple events), market efficiency (use time series models such auto-regression and moving average concepts). 

Equip students with the relevant practical skills through the application of advanced Ms Excel techniques, to analyse financial variables to address complex financial problems.

Provide students with the critical skills required to collect and analyse financial data; and its presentation by means of relevant Ms Excel Data Visualisation techniques to facilitate the process of  financial decision making.

Students will ideally have studied some finance or accounting prior to undertaking this module, for example BU4002, BU4010 or BU5016

• The international financial environment: The nature, concept and financial structure of Multinational corporation
  (MNCs), the economic environment and the influence of the international flow of funds
• The background of international financial markets
• Currency Derivatives and Hedging (Hedging techniques for foreign currency risk and interest rate risk)
• Exchange rate determinants and behaviour
• Exchange rate risk measurement and management
• Long term asset and liability management - Foreign Direct Investment / country risk analysis/Long term financing - multinational capital budgeting, cost of capital and capital structure
• Short term asset and liability management –financing international trade, short term financing , international cash management

The purpose of this module is to :

• critically evaluate the international financial environment of a multinational corporation, including financial institutions, financial markets and exchange rate systems.
• critically examine and evaluate the principal concepts in the theory and practice of international financial management
• analyse, apply and evaluate financial strategies through application of relevant analytical tools to examine and assess major issues and developments in international financial management
• provide a critical understanding of the principles of risk exposures and the management of its international financial operations

Students will ideally have studied some finance or accounting prior to undertaking this module, for example BU4002, BU4010 or BU5016

• The international financial environment: The nature, concept and financial structure of Multinational corporation
  (MNCs), the economic environment and the influence of the international flow of funds
• The background of international financial markets
• Currency Derivatives and Hedging (Hedging techniques for foreign currency risk and interest rate risk)
• Exchange rate determinants and behaviour
• Exchange rate risk measurement and management
• Long term asset and liability management - Foreign Direct Investment / country risk analysis/Long term financing - multinational capital budgeting, cost of capital and capital structure
• Short term asset and liability management –financing international trade, short term financing , international cash management

The purpose of this module is to :

• critically evaluate the international financial environment of a multinational corporation, including financial institutions, financial markets and exchange rate systems.
• critically examine and evaluate the principal concepts in the theory and practice of international financial management
• analyse, apply and evaluate financial strategies through application of relevant analytical tools to examine and assess major issues and developments in international financial management
• provide a critical understanding of the principles of risk exposures and the management of its international financial operations