Finance and Investment with a Year in Industry - BSc (Hons)

This module will cover the key concepts of microeconomics and theories related to the individual, firm and industry in the short and long run, underpinned by existing evidence on past and current economic trends in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

• Key microeconomic concepts such as opportunity cost and equity versus efficiency

• Supply and demand; elasticity

• Cost and revenues

• Profit maximisation under different market structures

• Input markets; labour and capital

The aim of this module is to give students a solid grounding in key statistical techniques required to analyse effectively business data and data relevant for business. The content includes:

• Maths and statistical skills for business; revision of algebra and basic mathematical functions.

• Summarising data with histograms, bar charts, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion.

• Spreadsheets: features and functions of commonly-used spreadsheet software including: workbook, worksheet, rows, columns, cells, data, text, formulae, formatting, printing, graphics and macros, charts and graphs, data management facilities, data validation, spreadsheet security and documentation.

• Probability: The relationship between probability, proportion and percent, addition and multiplication rules in probability theory and Venn diagrams.

• Common Probability Density Functions.

• Sampling and its use in inference, and applications of sampling in business management.

• Regression and correlation: scatter plots; simple regression; interpreting computer output.

• Forecasting using spreadsheets.

This module builds on knowledge gained from CB367: Introduction to Data Analysis and Statistics for Business. The module is designed to provide a sound mathematical and statistical foundation for studying finance. Students will learn the key mathematical and statistical tools necessary to analyse effectively financial data.

Topics covered include:

• Basics: algebra, linear equations

• Solving simultaneous linear equations

• Rates of change and Differentiation

• Optimization (minimisation-maximisation)

• Introduction to matrix algebra

• The classical simple and multiple linear regression model (estimation – inference)

This module begins by looking at the role of investments and finance in an organisational context. It then considers the role of financial markets and the links between investors and businesses. Students will learn different investment appraisal techniques used in capital budgeting decisions, such as NPV and IRR. The module also covers the basics of any investment decision, such as the relation between return and risk. In the second part of the module, student will learn about short and long term sources (i.e. capital structure) of finance available to businesses and how to determine the cost and value of each source of long-term finance.

Topics covered include:

- Short-term and long term investment appraisal and capital budgeting techniques

- Estimation of return and risk in the context of portfolio theory

- Short-term finance and working capital management

- Long-term finance and the cost of each source of finance

- Capital structure and weighted average cost of capital

- Interaction of investment and financing decisions

This module introduces students to different financial markets and their role in the economy. These markets include equity, bond/debt/interest rate, foreign exchange and derivative markets. In this module, students will also learn about the trading instruments used in these markets. Moreover, the module offers an exploration of current developments in the world's financial markets and institutions, including innovation, globalization, and deregulation, with a focus on the actual practices of financial institutions, investors, and financial instruments.

Topics covered include:

• The development of financial markets and instruments and their role in the economy

• Money, interest and bond markets and their major instruments

• Equity markets, their functions and instruments

• Derivative markets and their instruments

• Foreign exchange markets

The module will cover various aspects of the changing international business environment, and their impact upon business operations and strategy. It will give students an appreciation of the business difficulties faced; the variety of factors influencing the choices and compromises that have to be made in international businesses, and the implications of those for the future viability and effectiveness of the organisations concerned.

An indicative list of topics is given below:

• Globalisation: Definition, Evolution, Implications for countries, firms and people

• The International Business Environment: World Institutions, Patterns of International Trade and FDI Activities

• The Triad: European Union, United States, Japan - Investment, Trade, Relations

• Developing and Emerging Economies: Opportunities and Challenges

• Cultural Frameworks for International Business

• Entry Modes: Theory and Practice

• Internationalisation Theories

• International Expansion Strategies

• International Stakeholders – Ethical Issues

The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on the importance of law in governing transactions between individuals and businesses; what is required for legally compliant contracts; what the law expects of organisations in terms of protecting the consumer, and how businesses manage and avoid disputes. By enabling students to become familiar with those parts of the law they are most likely to encounter in their careers and in business the module helps them better understand the obligations that parties have to each other in law.

The module covers the following topic areas:

• The English Legal System

• The Legal Process and Dispute Resolution

• Law of Contract – including:

• Formation

• Contract terms

• Vitiating elements, such as misrepresentation and economic duress

• Performance and discharge of contract, including frustration

• Common law and equitable remedies, including damages

• Consumer Protection

A synopsis of the curriculum

• Introduction to Business/Management Projects

• Research Methodologies

• Literature search and Literature Review

• Data collection and questionnaire

• Structuring a Project Report

• Data Analysis

• Presentations

The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on how businesses fulfil their legal obligations to customers, suppliers and their workforce. As well as exploring how businesses are structured and the duties on directors and partners it also considers the legal obligations individuals and organisations have over those to whom they have a duty of care. The module further covers the main laws governing the employment of staff and contractors. By applying the law to real-world business situations students are able to fine-tune their problem solving skills and their ability to construct well-reasoned and persuasive arguments.

The module covers the following topic areas:

• The English Legal System, Legal Process and Dispute Resolution;

• Law of Negligence – including general principles and negligent mis-statement

• Law of Business Organisations - classification of business organisations; main principles applying to general and limited liability partnerships and registered companies, and directors' duties

• Employment Law - the general scope of the legal obligations owed by employers to employees, including the employment contract, discrimination and dismissal