Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module FINN2041: Corporate Finance

Department: Finance

FINN2041: Corporate Finance

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to NN43
Tied to N302
Tied to N304
Tied to N305
Tied to N306
Tied to N307
Tied to N311
Tied to N312
Tied to N313

Prerequisites

  • Foundations of Finance (FINN1011)

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The module aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices that underpin the role of a finance manager. It seeks to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are essential for effective decision-making in the areas of investment decisions and valuations, managing financial risks and financing options.
  • It also aims to provide students with a sound foundation to enable them to undertake a dissertation in managerial and corporate finance.

Content

  • The role of finance manager
  • Short-term financing and working capital management
  • Investment appraisal
  • Long-term financing
  • Market efficiency and practical considerations in the valuation of shares
  • Capital structure and cost of capital
  • Managing financial risks
  • Corporate payout policies
  • Mergers and acquisitions

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of the module, students will develop:
  • a critical understanding of relevant investment appraisal methods and valuations
  • comprehensive knowledge of financing options and the management of financial risk in a corporate finance context
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of the module, students will be able to:
  • Identify and process relevant information to support the analysis of relevant financial decisions
  • Discuss and apply working capital management techniques
  • Apply appropriate investment appraisal techniques while considering other factors affecting investment decisions
  • Assess financing options and recommend relevant methods of financing
  • Identify the financial risks facing a business and the principal methods of managing those risks
  • Recognise key environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges associated with corporate financial decision-making
  • Evaluate international differences with regards to the operation of the relevant financial markets and corporate financial decision-making
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication - through summative assessment.
  • Planning, Organisation and Time Management - e.g. by preparing for workshops and examinations.
  • Working effectively within time constraints - e.g. by taking time-limited assessments.
  • Operating to a brief within a given scenario - e.g. by answering scenario-based questions in workshops and the in-person exam.
  • Ability to identify and prioritise key issues and stay on task.
  • Problem Solving and Analysis - e.g. by applying the necessary analytical and quantitative skills.
  • Numeracy - e.g. by applying core mathematical and statistical skills to answer a range of class and examination questions

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

  • Teaching is by lectures and workshops. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in workshops, and private study.
  • Formative assessment is by means of online tests.
  • Summative assessment is by means of an in-person written exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 1 per week 2 hr 20
Workshops 4 Fortnightly 2 hr 8
Preparation and Reading 172
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written in-person exam 3 hours 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Online tests


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