Course Outline
Course Structure
This course helps you build on your professional qualification by extending your understanding of the major finance theories which support strategic decision-making in both corporate and fund management businesses.
It actively encourages the development of intellectual, analytical, technical, team, interpersonal and transferable skills that may have been omitted from your CCAB qualification studies.
Initially, the bridging stage of the course consists of credit given for a fully completed CCAB qualification, plus a thorough investigation of modern finance theory.
Here, you consider issues such as the main asset pricing models in financial management theories, with particular emphasis on the empirical literature relating to them.
You explore the fundamental features of Markowitz Portfolio and the extension of this theory to international portfolio diversification.
You also look at the relevance of equity valuation models in different company valuation situations, theories to explain the underpricing of initial public equity share offerings, and the competing theories of capital structure and dividend policy decisions of the firm.
At the Master’s stage, your Research Skills module outlines the requirements of your dissertation.
You gain a critical understanding of modern research methods used to research topics in accounting and finance. You also learn techniques for analysing quantitative data, and how to conduct literature search and review, on and off-campus.
Chosen, investigated and published by you, your dissertation is your chance to make an individual, insightful, and maybe original, contribution to your field of finance.
Birmingham City University prides itself on the support and cooperation offered by its postgraduate study community. Small class sizes allow you to share professional and learning experiences with colleagues, and if you take the part-time route, you are encouraged to form yourselves into self-help study groups through which you can obtain support and motivation at times when academic staff would not normally be available.
You will emerge with a solid understanding of the modern theories influencing corporate finance, investment analysis and fund management functions, as well as the intellectual skills needed to operate effectively in today’s highly competitive global business environment.
This award is a sure sign of your ambition, character and capability, and a major step in your career progression.