Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Postgraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module FINN41060: Dissertation (MSc Finance)

Department: Finance

FINN41060: Dissertation (MSc Finance)

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 4 60 Available in 2025/2026 None. Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • Advanced Financial Theory (FINN40515) or Financial Technologies I (FINN41315) AND EITHER Econometric Analysis (ECON41515) OR Econometric Methods (FINN41715)

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level of an issue which is applicable and relevant to their degree subject.
  • The dissertation should be theoretically underpinned and should normally involve undertaking empirical research, but may be a critical essay that draws upon academic literature.

Content

  • The dissertation and the research process:
  • Planning a research project and ethical issues;
  • Students review the literature and choose a dissertation topic, which is formally approved by the Board of Examiners. It should be one that is suitable for in-depth investigation, and relevant to their degree route.
  • In producing the dissertation, students will make use of and manage library facilities, databases and other learning resources.
  • The dissertation topic, which should be one that is suitable for in-depth investigation, is chosen by the student and formally approved by the Board of Examiners

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of the module students should have:
  • a critical understanding of a relevant topic through utilisation of appropriate techniques of research and analysis.
Subject-specific Skills
  • To be able to effectively organise, structure and manage a research project at an advanced level, including undertaking critical appraisal of relevant literature, and apply critical judgement and discrimination;
  • To have developed the ability to operate independently on a research topic and exercise appropriate judgement in the selection of material;
  • To have further developed the skills of inquiry, quantitative and qualitative research design, bibliographic search, experimental research, data collection, measurement and analysis, interpretation and presentation of results;
  • To have developed advanced skills of research, analysis and scholarly expression in a chosen topic.
Key Skills
  • Written Communication;
  • Planning and Organising;
  • Problem Solving and Analysis;
  • Showing Initiative;
  • Numeracy;
  • Computer Literacy;
  • Self-discipline, time management and the ability to work autonomously.

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

  • Lectures will be used to cover general aspects of the dissertation process, including ethics. Students work independently on their research, analysis and writing up, under the guidance of a supervisor. Normally the student will meet their supervisor on no more than three occasions

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 3 1 per fornight 2 hours 6 Yes
Individual Supervision 3 1 hour 3 Yes
Research, Preparation, Analysis and Writing 591
Total 600

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Dissertation 100% Dissertation 12000 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment

There is no formal formative feedback on the dissertation, although students can discuss their research proposal in the supervisory meetings, and receive detailed feedback on one draft chapter/section of their dissertation.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.