MSc Finance and Accounting

This module provides students with the opportunity to develop comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in the application of management accounting techniques to quantitative information. It focuses on how such techniques can be effectively used to support business planning, decision-making, performance evaluation, and control within a variety of organisational contexts. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and independent academic research, students will gain a deeper understanding of key management accounting concepts, analytical methods, and their relevance to real-world business scenarios. The module will also encourage critical thinking and the ability to interpret financial and non-financial data to inform strategic and operational decisions. By the end of the module, students will be able to apply the concepts and techniques covered to analyse complex business situations, make evidence-based recommendations, and evaluate the implications of managerial decisions on organisational performance

Financial management is a cornerstone of enterprise success, particularly for entrepreneurial firms navigating growth and uncertainty. This module introduces a range of techniques and frameworks that enterprises use to manage their finances effectively. Students will explore both quantitative tools and theoretical perspectives, gaining the ability to apply financial principles in real-world entrepreneurial contexts. Key topics include: Quantitative Techniques: Capital budgeting, debt and equity valuation methods, asset pricing, economic order quantity (EOQ), optimal cash balance models, and strategies for determining optimal capital structure. Theoretical Foundations: Agency theory, pecking order logic, and institutional perspectives as lenses for understanding financial decision-making. The module also engages with contemporary debates on financial challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with particular attention to family-controlled and female-led enterprises. Students will critically examine government initiatives and policy agendas, assessing their effectiveness in supporting entrepreneurial firms’ survival and growth.

Making sound corporate financial decisions in an international environment requires a deep understanding of global financial systems, instruments, and strategies. This module equips students with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to evaluate international financial markets and apply financial tools to manage risk and create value in multinational contexts. Students will examine the structure and operation of international financial markets, the behaviour of exchange rates, and the conditions that influence global capital flows. The module explores how multinational corporations finance international expansion, appraise cross-border investments, and manage financial risks through hedging strategies using forward contracts, futures, swaps, and options. Emphasis is placed on understanding how corporate decisions and external market events affect the volatility of security prices and the efficiency of financial markets. Students will critically evaluate and apply international financial instruments and strategies to address real-world financial challenges faced by global businesses. By the end of the module, students will have developed the ability to analyse complex international financial scenarios, assess strategic financing decisions, and apply theoretical knowledge to practice, building the expertise required for advanced study or professional roles in international finance and corporate financial management.

In today’s business environment, effective leaders, managers, and professionals need to make decisions grounded in solid evidence and reliable knowledge. This module is designed to help you develop the research skills and critical understanding needed for success in your postgraduate studies—and throughout your career. As part of the module, you’ll complete an independent research project at master’s level. You can choose between two pathways, depending on your interests and professional goals: Route A (standard): Dissertation / Final Project This is the traditional academic dissertation, giving you the chance to explore a topic that matters to you in depth. You’ll demonstrate your understanding of research philosophy and core principles, whether your approach is empirical (data driven) or nonempirical (theoretical or conceptual). Route B (optional): Investigating a Business Issue (IBIstyle) Project This option allows you to base your project on a micro placement, professional development activity, or networking opportunity that you source independently. You’ll investigate a real business issue arising from that experience, applying research skills to a live organisational context. Across both routes, you’ll learn how to: • Design and plan a research project • Execute your research with confidence • Report your findings clearly and professionally By the end of the module, you’ll be equipped not only to carry out your own research independently, but also to commission, manage, and evaluate research conducted by others. These capabilities will strengthen your effectiveness in any professional or managerial role you pursue next.