Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module FINN40615: Corporate Finance (MSc Finance)

Department: Finance

FINN40615: Corporate Finance (MSc Finance)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap None.
Tied to N3K109
Tied to N3K209
Tied to N3K309
Tied to N3K409
Tied to N3K609
Tied to N3K709

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • Advanced Financial Theory (ECON41215)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide a rigorous grounding in the theory and practice of corporate finance at an advanced level and a thorough synthesis of the most important current research in corporate finance, with an emphasis on the applications of the principles. Both normative and positive aspects of the theory are examined, together with supporting descriptive and empirical evidence.

Content

  • Introduction to Corporate Finance;
  • Capital Budgeting;
  • Cost of Capital;
  • Capital Structure;
  • Corporate Financing;
  • Payout Policy;
  • Mergers and Acquisitions.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • have advanced knowledge and critical understanding of essential components of modern corporate finance and associated current research;
  • have explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and contradictions of the current relevant academic literature and its implications for professional practice, and be able to identify open questions for their own research.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • have the ability to learn and work independently in corporate finance, exercising critical judgement and discrimination in the resolution of complex problematic situations;
  • be able to use highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and academic skills in the analysis of relevant specific problems in corporate finance;
  • be able to apply problem solving and analytical skills to issues in corporate finance in a complex specialised context.
Key Skills:
  • written communication;
  • planning, organising and time management;
  • problem solving and analysis;
  • using initiative;
  • numeracy;
  • computer literacy.

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

  • A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module.
  • The summative written examination will test students' knowledge and critical understanding of the material covered in the module, their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 1 per week 2 hours 20
Seminars (of up to 30 students per group) 4 Fortnightly 1 hour 4
Revision Session 2 2 hours 4
Preparation and Reading 122
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Synchronous Online Exam 2 hours 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Work prepared by students for seminars; answers to questions either discussed during a seminar or posted on Learn Ultra.


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