Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module BUSI4W815: MANAGING FINANCE (EBS)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4W815: MANAGING FINANCE (EBS)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2023/24 Module Cap
Tied to N1KM07

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with a critical appreciation of the financial tools of business management, in particular, the techniques of financial statement analysis and investment appraisal. In addition, it provides a critical evaluation of the factors affecting the financing mix of a firm and of the financial markets in which firms operate and gives insight into topical issues in the area.

Content

  • Fundamental Concepts of Accounting
  • Evaluating Financial Performance
  • Working Capital Evaluation
  • Management Control Systems
  • Long Term Investment Decisions
  • Financial Markets and Financial Decisions

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will have an advanced knowledge and critical appreciation of:
  • the key financial statements;
  • issues relating to working capital management;
  • the concepts of budgeting and short term decision analysis;
  • the factors affecting the financing mix of a firm;
  • the fundamentals of financial markets in which firms operate.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, students will:
  • Be able to use key techniques of investment appraisal and have a critical appreciation of those techniques;
  • Be able to use key techniques for interpreting financial statements.
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

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading and webinars. The summative assessment of the module, by a written examination and assignment, will test students' acquisition and articulation of knowledge and their ability to apply key techniques of financial analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion) 42
Preparation and Reading 106
Webinars 2
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination 2 hours 100%
Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Assignment 2500 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

Classroom-based exercises involving individual and group analyses and presentations on specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module. Oral and written feedback will be given on a group and individual basis as appropriate.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University