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 FINN46960: Dissertation in Management and Finance

Department: Finance

FINN46960: Dissertation in Management and Finance

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

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • FINN45615 Quantitative Methods

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • The modules aims to enable students to conduct an advanced, in-depth investigation into an issue relevant to their degree, underpinned by theoretical frameworks and typically involving empirical research.

Content

  • The dissertation and supervision process
  • Planning a research project and ethical issues
  • Finding and critically reviewing relevant literature
  • Library resources and relevant databases
  • General tips on good academic writing and honest practices

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • A critical understanding of a relevant topic through the 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, bibliographic search, 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

  • Workshops 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
Workshops 3 1 per fortnight 2 6 Yes
Supervision Sessions 3 1 3 Yes
Preparation and Reading 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.