2012/2013 Programme Specification Data. Financial Management

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1 2012/2013 Programme Specification Data Programme Name Programme Number Programme Award QAA Subject Benchmark Statements Financial Management P10423 MSc/PGDip Business Programme Aims Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding As with all Masters level programmes in the Business School, this programme enables students to become competent and thoughtful practitioners in this case in the wider field of Finance. It aims to develop students reflective, critical and evaluative thinking and judgement and to expose them to contemporary issues in the field through teaching which is strongly supported by research and professional practice. To provide an intellectually demanding academic programme of study which emphasises the student's ability to analyse, synthesise and evaluate key theoretical concepts and practical applications in the Accounting & Finance subject area. To provide a flexible programme which delivers a strong theoretical underpinning in Finance through compulsory courses and which enables students to pursue coherently related areas of specialism through chosen areas of academic study through option choices and dissertation title. A Knowledge and understanding of: (i) Thoroughly understand the technical detail and the conceptual framework underlying the subject areas of Finance. (ii) Have a good general understanding of the two main branches of accounting. (iii) Critically appreciate the key contemporary research issues in the above areas. (iv) Show a fundamental understanding of the key quantitative and qualitative research methods appropriate to study in this

2 field. (v) Appreciate the current structure of the Finance industry and of the relevance of their programme of study to their future career. (vi) Critically examine specialist areas in the field through choice of options. Outcomes: Intellectual Skills B Intellectual skills: (i) Recognise and critically appraise the shortcomings of accounting and finance both at the level of the individual techniques used and in the context of regulation of the industry. (ii) Appreciate the breadth of the potential field of study and develop the depth of this appreciation in specific areas. (iii) Demonstrate understanding of moral and ethical issues in business generally and in accounting and finance and how these affect behavior and decision making. (iv) Develop the ability to demonstrate judgement in problematic business situations. (iv) Fully appreciate the extent to which theory informs practice and the type of practical roles in the industry which this creates (v) Demonstrate high levels of effective self-management in terms of time, planning and behaviour, motivation, self-starting, individual initiative and enterprise. (vi) Learning to learn and developing an appetite for reflective, adaptive and collaborative learning. (vii) Effective performance within a team environment including: leadership, team building and influencing. (viii) Interpersonal skills of effective listening, negotiating, persuasion and presentation. Outcomes: Subject Practical Skills C Subject Practical skills: (i) analyse the theoretical conceptual framework used by the Financial Management function in an organisation in order to make decisions on raising and using finance; (ii) critically examine the key issues in both corporate finance investments and apply these to a variety of business situations;

3 (iii) utilise a strategic approach to accounting & finance problems, using a theoretical framework to underpin practical solutions proposed; (iv) analyse the mechanisms of financial markets and their operations. (v) develop financial models and strategies based upon contemporary theory and practical realities. (vi) analyse the mechanisms of the international financial markets and their operations Outcomes: Transferable/Key Skills D Transferable/ key skills: (i) Develop the ability to research deeply into particular issues using appropriate research techniques and demonstrate the ability to integrate research findings into a substantial piece of written work. (ii) Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate conflicting viewpoints and arguments. (iii) Develop the ability to learn independently and to use the learning base to develop creative and independent lines of thought. (iv) Develop personal use of Information Technology in a broad range of areas including financial databases, on-line publications, and spreadsheets. (v) Demonstrate the ability to synthesise various information sources and to draw reasoned conclusions. (vii) Show a high level of competence in appropriately incorporating previously published material the student s own submitted work (viii) Develop a high degree of confidence in various forms of statistical and numerical analysis. (ix) Demonstrate the ability to present various forms of information and analysis together with reasoned conclusion in a variety of forms of communication. (x) Develop to a high degree the ability to write extended pieces of work which develop and maintain interest and relevance.

4 Outcomes: Graduate Attributes The Business School offers a range of specialist programmes that enable students to become competent and thoughtful practitioners in the wider field of finance, accounting and banking. All programmes include a range of courses that aim to develop students reflective, critical and evaluative thinking and judgement and to expose them to contemporary issues in the field through teaching which is strongly supported by research and professional practice. The programmes have a strong theoretical underpinning through compulsory courses which enables students to pursue coherently related areas of specialism through chosen areas of academic study. The courses in the first term provide an introduction to the main areas of study, in the second term students choose courses to match career goals. Teaching and Learning Methods A. Teaching and learning: Outcomes are delivered through a combination of formal lectures and seminars. All courses direct students towards a wide body of literature to support their development of knowledge and understanding in the area. Staff are engaged in research and professional practice and, where appropriate, in links with professional bodies and course content is updated frequently to reflect contemporary coverage. The deep level of knowledge and understanding required for completion of dissertation is provided initially by staff presentations of research interests and subsequently by individual supervision. B. Teaching and learning: To develop these intellectual skills all classes encourage student participation and debate and the largest key courses incorporate tutorial groups to allow students more scope for the development of these skills. C. Teaching and learning: All courses require students to work weekly on various problems designed to develop specific subject skills. Problems are reviewed and debated at subsequent classes. D. Teaching and learning: These skills are developed on all courses through the types of problems and assignments set and discussed. The Foundations of Scholarship and subsequent Research Methods courses will

5 develop skills in the areas of communication, academic writing and selection and use of appropriate research methodology. Students will also develop statistical and econometric skills Assessment Methods A. Assessment Methods: All students must complete a number of formal examinations as part of their assessment and also coursework for every course which will test the level of understanding acquired. B. Assessment Methods: All students study an initial Foundations of Scholarship course which focuses on development of these skills and they have further opportunity for individual development through interaction with personal tutor and dissertation supervisor. C. Assessment Methods: Demonstration of the acquisition of these skills is assessed through both examinations and courseworks and through the completion of the dissertation. Assessment also includes Virtual Stock Exchange program and a Stock Market Game D. Assessment Methods: Assessment is through examination, coursework and dissertation and, on many courses, there is a groupwork and presentation element to further develop teamworking and communication skills.