Module BUSI41415: FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (DL)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI41415: FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (DL)

Tied To

• N1D217: Business Administration (Finance) (Distance Learning) (For students entering before August 2007) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
• N1D314: Business Administration (Distance Learning) (For students entering before August 2007) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
• N1D317: Business Administration (Distance Learning) (For students entering before August 2007) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To build on the core module 'Managing Finance 1' by providing students with the advanced knowledge needed to understand the strategies proposed by specialist practitioners in the field (e.g. corporate treasurers), and the skills to contribute to discussions of risk management up to board level.

Content

• Portfolio management styles for assets, liabilities and liquidity: Passive, Active, Strategic.
• Forwards, futures and swaps.
• Options.
• Structured derivatives and their application.
• Computational methods and software.
• Current conjecture: global risks today.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students should have a critical understanding of:
• institutional aspects of generic bonds, bills, forwards, futures, swaps and options (‘financial derivatives’ henceforth);
• general techniques used in the valuation of financial derivatives;
• hedging techniques using structured financial derivatives;
• computational methods for financial risk assessment and management;
• current conjecture: what are the main global sources of risk today?

• By the end of the module students should be able to:
• identify and evaluate the principal financial risks faced by a large company;
• techniques of asset portfolio management, with particular emphasis on bond and bill portfolios;
• identify and evaluate the methods by which those risks can be managed, and the extent to which such methods should be used;
• devise and propose credible financial risk management strategies based on a range of generic, and structured, financial derivatives;
• critically assess financial risk management strategies proposed by a company’s risk management practitioners;
• identify key sources of information regarding developments in financial risk (press, publications of regulators etc) and its management.

• 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 in discrete Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post or fax).
• The written assignment will test students’ understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Written essay of 1,500 words maximum.