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BUSI45T15: CORPORATE FINANCE (ONLINE)

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 15
Availability Not available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Management and Marketing

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop skills in the applying of lessons learned from international financial markets to corporate financial management;
  • To facilitate an appreciation of the governance issues facing modern corporations and the opportunity to evaluate potential solutions;
  • To provide students with a critical understanding of key financial aspects of the corporate environment and the impact of changes in that environment in an international setting;
  • To provide students with critical knowledge and understanding of the use of valuation techniques;
  • To provide students with the knowledge and understanding necessary to evaluate information from international financial markets.

Content

  • The scope of corporate finance;
  • Corporate restructuring;
  • Funding gaps: private equity and venture capital;
  • Company valuation;
  • Risk management and derivative securities;
  • Islamic finance;
  • The foreign exchange market and managing currency risk;
  • Challenges to traditional finance;
  • Financial crises.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • By the end of the module, students will have:
  • a specialist knowledge and understanding of the importance of corporate governance issues to the overriding corporate objective;
  • a critical understanding and appreciation of the role of corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisition and private equity in the corporate finance environment;
  • a specialist knowledge and understanding of the use of accounting and market data in the valuation of companies;
  • a specialist knowledge and understanding of the challenges to traditional finance posed by limits to arbitrage and psychology;
  • a critical appreciation of the role of derivative securities in corporate policy;
  • a critical understanding of topical issues in finance including recent financial crises and the emergence of Islamic Finance.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • By the end of the module, students will:
  • be able to apply a variety of valuation techniques using market and accounting data.

Key Skills:

  • Written communication;
  • planning, organising and time management;
  • problem solving and analysis;
  • using initiative;
  • computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module is delivered via online learning, divided up into study weeks with specially produced resources within each week. Resources vary according to the learning outcomes but normally include: video content, directed reading, reflection through activities, opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning within a tutor-facilitated discussion board. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and facilitate discussion board communication as well as being available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and Skype).
  • The summative assessment of the module is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Video content, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading150 
Total150 

Summative Assessment

Component: Takeaway assessmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Takeaway assessment3000 words (maximum)100Same

Formative Assessment

A written assignment of 1,500 words, or its multimedia equivalent, which may involve some group work.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.