The module aims to:

Develop students’ conceptual understanding of the factors influencing corporate financing decisions;

Enable students to identify capital requirements of businesses and recommend suitable, relevant methods of financing a business;

Provide students with the skills and competencies to recognise and manage financial risks relevant to corporate finance decision making;

Equip students with the skills to analyse investment choices and make appropriate investment and distribution decisions.

(LE1) Flexible and adaptable.
This module will reflect the fast-changing nature within corporate finance, which is influenced significantly by worldwide events as well as technological advancements. The module will equip students with techniques, knowledge and confidence required to face these challenges through the use of varied learning and assessment methods used.

(LE2) A team player.
Some assessed work will require students to work in virtual groups and manage the interaction and relationships with other group members. In doing so, they will gain experience in negotiation, persuasion, influencing and managing conflict. This will be assessed as part of the group assignments.

(LE3) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
Students will have opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills through virtual group discussions, online presentations and coursework.

(LE4) Internationally aware.
Our teaching and research community is drawn from around the world and our students are exposed to business ideas and cultures from beyond the UK. The module is designed to enable a collaborative approach with other practitioners from diverse international backgrounds, enabling a richer experience.

(LE5) A leader.
We instil among our students the understanding and confidence to explore and develop their own leadership approach and development needs.

(LO1) Students will be able to identify capital requirements of businesses, assess financing options in complex scenarios and recommend relevant methods of financing.

(LO2) Student will be able to identify the financial risks facing a business and the principal methods of managing those risks in uncertain contexts.

(LO3) Students will be able to apply and critically appraise appropriate investment techniques considering factors affecting investment decisions.

(LO4) Students will demonstrate the ability to understand and evaluate the key factors influencing the distribution decision.

(LRE1) A problem solver.
Students will be challenged to think critically about financial strategies and their implications for businesses. Students will need to develop the skills of analysing financial information to make decisions as well as appreciating the effects of these decisions on other aspects of business management.

(LRE2) Numerate.
Students will be required to demonstrate a good level of numerical application across the module through the assessments set.

(LRE3) Commercially aware.
The subject matter will be delivered by reference to real-world events. Students will be required to demonstrate the implications and impacts of these events on these subject areas. Students will also be required to share their commercial experiences in group tasks, where appropriate.

(LRE4) Organised and able to work under pressure.
Students will be expected to plan scheduled work and meet assessment deadlines. This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and assessment deadlines.

(LRE5) IT literate.
Students will have opportunities to improve their IT skills. Students will demonstrate skills in the use of software applications including word processing, visual presentations, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting coursework. The nature of the module in terms of online delivery will enable students to develop skills in using a virtual learning/communications environment.

(LRE6) A lifelong learner.
The module will embed key finance skills and an awareness which will continue to grow as students are exposed to future experiences in their careers.

(LRE7) Ethically aware.
Our teaching, learning and assessment strategy ensures that all students are exposed to ideas of sustainable business practice and ethical awareness within the finance industry.

The module will be delivered over an 8-week period, primarily through a series of weekly e-lectures. These will be supported by individual online tasks such as formative quizzes (CFA-style), media clips, and discussion boards. Discussion boards will be used to develop understanding and help students apply their learning. These will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 24 hours
Description: The e-lectures will equate to 3 hours/week over 8 weeks, undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Students will undertake 4 hours of synchronous activity over the 8 weeks in order to appreciate the practical applications of the techniques delivered on the module. This will take place through group and individual sessions which will be moderated by the module instructor.

Sc heduled Directed Student Hours: 4 hours
Description: These group and individual sessions will equate to 4 hours over 8 weeks, undertaken synchronously. The dates and times of these sessions will be provided at the start of the module. Recordings of these sessions will be made available to students who are unable to attend.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 122 hours
Description: This will involve directed and independent reading, independent research, and preparation for assessment.

Corporate Governance: Students will examine the causes, benefits, limitations and types of governance approaches which impact commercial organisations, including how sustainability affects investment and financing decisions. Opportunity also exists for students to explore differences across the world, including approaches taken in their own countries.

Dividend policy: The module will explore the considerations involved and approaches to dividend policy adopted by organisations.

Capital investment decisions: This area mainly focuses on investment appraisal analysis within organisations, and develops students’ understanding of ways to incorporate complexities and manage risk and uncertainty.

Business and financial risk: Corporate finance decisions are made by appreciating the various risks facing organisations – the module examines a range of key risks and the impacts they have on corporate finance policy.

Financing policies: A key area within co rporate finance is the appreciation, analysis and ability to recommend appropriate sources of finance to adopt within organisations. The module considers long term and short term approaches to financing.

Mergers and acquisition: A common strategy within corporate finance is growth via mergers and acquisitions. The module considers the drivers for such strategies as well as the problems that can arise.

Corporate restructuring: A look at ways in which companies modify operations and / or capital structure significantly.