This is a core module on the Accounting and Finance undergraduate degree course. It provides an introduction to the theory and practice of corporate finance. It starts with an introduction to the financial world before moving on to an examination of a full range of debt and equity products. The course makes extensive use of Canvas, with all students expected to contribute to a range of discussion boards.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Teaching and learning will comprise a combination of lectures and practical workshops. Although the lectures will be teaching led, the sessions will be interactive, with a high degree of problem-solving and student-led learning and with the students getting immediate feedback. Students are expected to prepare and participate in workshop sessions which will be less teaching led and more question based, and they will be expected to complete background reading as indicated. Students will be expected to access articles and contemporary business and accounting trade journals via the Learning Resources Centre or via web-based sources.
Due to the experiential nature of the learning on this degree, and the importance of professional development enabling students to develop practical skills, learn from and interact with others, attendance is compulsory. Any students not attending a minimum of 80% of their timetabled sessions will be at risk of academic failure or termination from the course.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | A combination of lectures and workshops | 54 |
| Guided independent study | 246 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
This module will be assessed by coursework and an exam. The coursework will comprise a piece of written work, prepared in pairs, of between 1,500 and 2,000 words which will assess knowledge and understanding of basic investment appraisal techniques and also assess academic writing skills.
The exam will be three hours in duration and will cover material from across the module, assessing student knowledge, understanding and application of management accounting and finance.
Formative assessment is through:
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Research and analyse some aspect of corporate finance and produce a concise report on this topic using sources such as the Financial Times and relevant textbooks | Coursework |
| 2) Explain the key characteristics of equity and debt finance and undertake basic share valuation. This will include knowledge of the efficient markets theory and mergers and acquisitions | Coursework and exam |
| 3) Describe and evaluate DCF and traditional investment appraisal techniques. In addition students will be able to identify and apply relevant cash flows to net present value calculations | Coursework |
| 4) Evaluate investment projects using various investment appraisal techniques and define the concepts of risk and uncertainty from a management perspective | Coursework and exam |
| 5) Manage working capital as an investment | Exam |
| 6) Explain the meaning of and calculate a weighted average cost of capital; understand the problems of using WACC as a company cost of capital | Coursework and exam |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written piece of work, prepared in pairs, of between 1,500 and 2,000 words | Coursework | 30 |
| Three-hour exam | Written Exam | 70 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category must be passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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Arnold, G. Essentials of Corporate Financial Management. Financial Times/Prentice Hall.
Berk, J. and DeMarzo, P. Corporate Finance. Pearson.
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Brealey, R. and Myers, S. Principles of Corporate Finance. McGraw-Hill.
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Lumby, S. and Jones, C. Corporate Finance, Theory & Practice. Cengage Learning.
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Pilbeam, K. Finance and Financial Markets. 1st ed. Palgrave Macmillan.
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