Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module BUSI57015: MANAGING FINANCE (DL) (to 2009)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI57015: MANAGING FINANCE (DL) (to 2009)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 Module Cap
Tied to N1D417
Tied to N1D617
Tied to N1D414

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.
  • To provide students with a critical understanding of the key skills of valuing investments and financial securities.
  • To provide a critical evaluation of the factors affecting the financing mix of a firm and of the financial markets in which firms operate.

Content

  • The Realm of Managing Finance.
  • Accounting - The Fundamental Concepts.
  • Financial Statements.
  • The Balance Sheet.
  • Analysing Company Accounts.
  • The Time Value of Money.
  • Investment Appraisal Techniques.
  • The Efficiency of Financial Markets.
  • Risk and Return.
  • Long-term Financing Sources and Valuation.
  • Capital Structure and Firm Value.
  • Payout Policy and Firm Value.
  • Working Capital Management.
  • Measuring Performance.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students should have:
  • An advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the key financial statements and techniques for their interpretation;
  • Explored and appreciated issues relating to working capital management;
  • Explored and appreciated the concepts of budgeting and short term decision analysis;
  • Explored and appreciated the factors affecting the financing mix of a firm;
  • Demonstrated a critical appreciation of the fundamentals of financial markets in which firms operate.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students should have:
  • acquired and used the key skills of valuing investments and financial securities and have a critical appreciation of those skills.
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 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 examination will test students’ acquisition and articulation of knowledge. 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

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
D L Study Units (a combination of specially written material, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading) 150
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written essay based on financial analysis Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written essay based on financial analysis 2,500 words maximum 100%
Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

Written essay based on financial analysis (1,500 words).


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