Masters in Finance (Distance Learning)

University

Overview

As a student on the MSc in Finance by distance learning, you will exponentially improve and develop your knowledge of the concepts of finance and financial management in a variety of international contexts and sectors.

Through this post graduate finance degree programme, you will understand how strategic financial management; financial analysis & investment, financial risk management, financial statements, financial modelling and corporate finance are interlinked and central to decision-making. Optional modules and dissertation will enable you to pursue your own areas of interest.

Benefits

As well as gaining a deeper theoretical and conceptual knowledge of finance, this programme will develop your ability to evaluate and analyse financial management problems and make sound strategic decisions in your professional role.

Distance learning allows you to achieve your academic targets and a world-class degree without leaving your family or putting your career on hold.

Career Path

Our graduates tell us that graduating from the MSc in Finance enabled them to swiftly move into senior and directorial roles such as CFO “Chief Financial Officer”, Financial Analyst, Financial Controller, General Manager, Managing Director, as well as senior positions on boards of directors of companies specialising in Securities, Commodities and Financial Services.

Progression

Graduates from the MSc in Finance have the opportunity to further their studies through progression Doctoral studies such as a DBA – Doctorate in Business Administration or a PhD.

Eligibility

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Entry Requirements

A good second class honours degree from a British University, or its equivalent.

OR a postgraduate diploma from a recognised institution.

Alternatively, applicantions with 3 years of relevant work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants would need to submit a personal statement of 500-1000 words detailing relevant work experience and suitability for the course.

English language proficiency – an IELTS Test of 6.5 with 7.0 in writing OR a TOEFL Test of 250 (Computer)/575 (Paper)/90 (IBT) OR

The University of Leicester English Language Test which takes only 90 minutes and is available on demand

Modules

Foundations of Knowledge and Professional Skills

This formative assessment module introduces you to the virtual learning environment and shows you how to effectively utilise this during your course. It assesses different approaches to learning and helps you to apply these to your own learning experience. Introducing different methods of note taking and methods of critique, it allows you to identify the best approach for you to get the most out of your studies so that you can tackle the assessments with confidence and flair.

Foundations of Financial Analysis and Investment

This module will enable you to establish and critique the essential conceptual and ethical frameworks that lie at the foundations of modern financial analysis. It will allow you to explore the mutual interactions between ‘finance’ and the financial markets, on the one hand, and the so-called fundamentals, on the other. The module draws upon various disciplines, in particular economics and political economy, in order to explore parts of the package of conceptual tools employed by financial managers who have to provide information across a variety of topics. Emphasis is placed upon risk and uncertainty and, more broadly, upon the sociopolitical, cultural and economic environment in which financial decisions are made.

Financial Statements: Theory, Practice and Critique

This module will enable you to become familiar with the key financial reporting documents, the information they contain and the potential users and uses of that information. It will teach you how to analyse the information within financial reports, appreciate the economic and behavioural implications of accounting decisions and policy choices and reflect upon the issues associated with accounting, particularly with respect to contemporary issues surrounding communication, agency and control.

Strategic Financial Management

This module is designed to consider corporate strategy, strategic investment decisions and the underlying financial management issues relevant to these decisions. Throughout this module key financial inputs to strategic formulation and implementation will be explored. This module will focus on strategies for growth and in particular on capital investment and merger and acquisition activity. The module will deal with practical decision-making issues faced by managers in organization of different types. Furthermore, issues will be dealt with both from a theoretical economics-based viewpoint and from a social perspective, which will recognize the behavioural aspects of organizations and their processes.

Financial Modelling

This module will provide a foundation in applied financial modelling. It is designed to show how quantitative techniques can be used to analyse financial information and aid decision making.

At the end of the module students will be able to:

Summarise financial information in a format useful for decision making
Construct and evaluate quantitative models
Form an assessment of the likelihood of future events using past information
Analyse problems/opportunities using numerical information
Make inferences on the basis of survey information
Construct and evaluate quantitative models
Identify causal relationships
Evaluate quantitative analysis undertaken by others
Recognise the limitations of quantitative analysis.

Financial Risk Management

This module provides an overview of risk management, forward and future markets, the Capital Asset Pricing Model and Arbitrage Pricing Theory, swaps, options and corporate finance, warrants and convertibles, risk management strategy, interest rate risk and security design.

At the end of this module students will:

Understand the nature of financial risks.
Understand the trading rules for financial derivatives.
Understand how financial derivatives can help to hedge financial risks.
Have the ability to evaluate alternative methods available and their shortcomings in hedging.
Have the ability to take decisions on whether or not to hedge a particular financial risk.

Corporate Finance

Corporate finance involves the study of the financial resources necessary for businesses to survive and prosper. As such, it is relevant to senior management who select the form and amount of funding appropriate to meet the strategic objectives of the company. Corporate finance is also relevant to investors and analysts in assessing the potential risks and rewards associated with provision of that funding. This module aims to introduce the debates of whether financing and dividend decisions affect firms’ market values. Different financing and distribution methods and their potential impacts will be discussed and the concepts and techniques of Equity Investment Management will also be introduced.

Research Methods

Learning

This module is delivered by distance learning.

Assessment

Dissertation proposal (100%)

Choose two option modules from:

Public Finance

Learning

This module is taught by distance learning.

Assessment

Essay (100%)

International Finance and Globalisation

Globalisation means that world trade and financial markets are becoming more integrated. At the same time, the global liberalisation of financial markets is facilitating or driving processes of wider globalisation. In this module you will explore the connections between international finance (and the internationalisation of finance), globalisation and underlying socio-political-economic relationships.