Finance

Course Structure

1. Financial Econometrics: Econometrics is a core tool used in the study of finance. The aim of this unit is to give you a strong practical understanding of the econometric tools you will be using throughout your study of finance. The teaching philosophy is to take an applied approach, to provide you with a strong intuitive understanding of the most important statistical techniques, and how to apply them successfully to a wide variety of practical situations in finance using the main statistical packages, such as Eviews and SPSS. Your work in this unit is supported by lectures, tutorials and workshops. Many of the econometric techniques covered are used and applied in other units in the course, to help you gain a good practical understanding of how to apply them in the practice of financial management.
2. Derivatives: Options, Futures and Swaps Markets: In this unit you will study the main derivatives securities and markets, options, forwards, futures and swaps. The emphasis is on the study of derivatives pricing models and how these are applied in speculation, hedging, arbitrage and price discovery in financial investments as well as in the measurement and management of financial risks. In finance some models work better than others. The pricing models and techniques developed in derivatives work so well that all professionals working in derivatives markets use these models and techniques all the time, every day. In this unit you will acquire a high degree of theoretical understanding and practical competence in using and applying these techniques.
3. Corporate Finance and Business Valuation: In this unit you will study the primary financial decisions of the firm, working capital management, advanced capital budgeting techniques, the strategic analysis of capital investment decisions, capital structure theories, and the financing and dividend decisions. Theories will be appraised in the context of empirical research to facilitate critical understanding of the issues. In the second half of this unit you will move on to the advanced study of business valuation. The main focus is on providing a strong practical understanding, and on the application of the key professional techniques used in firm valuation, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and private equity transactions.
4. Portfolio Theory and Behavioural Finance: How does the stock market behave? Is it a rational processor of political, economic and financial information, like it says in the textbooks, or is it a madhouse, ruled by fear and greed? It is both. There is some truth in both of these different points of view. In the first half of this unit we look at stock markets and bond markets from the rational perspective. Here you will study the standard material of \x91modern portfolio theory\x92. In the second half of the unit we move on to behavioural finance, looking at the emotional, cognitive, institutional, and agency theory factors that impact upon financial markets. Topics include stock market booms and busts, financial crises, systematically irrational market behaviours, and the investment strategies that have been devised to exploit them. The unit has a strong practical philosophy. The theory, empirical research and analysis of real data that you will study are designed to help you to become a better investor.
5. Research Methods and Dissertation: This is a scheme of independent research. We offer comprehensive training through lectures and workshops throughout the year to develop skills commensurate with standards of good research practice. You will be assigned a Dissertation supervisor who will provide feedback, guidance and support on an individual basis.