International Corporate Finance

MSc/PgDip/PgCert

School - Salford Business School

Subject area - International Finance, Accounting and Economics

Start Date(s): September; January; March; June; November; July

Duration:

MSc (one year full-time or two years part-time)
PgDip (eight months full-time or two years part-time)
PgCert (four months full-time, one year part-time)

Fees:

Part-time - £1,425 per 30 credit module

UK - £8,550

International - £14,400

View all fees...

In Brief:

Develop your knowledge and skills to manage complex financial situations at a global level
Programme informed by professional bodies to ensure your learning provides therelevant skills employers are looking fo
Access to the School’s Bloomberg trading suite gives you industry–relevant skills through hands-on use of real-world trading terminal
Part-time study option
Work/industrial placement opportunity
International students can apply

Programme updated for September 2018 entry

This programme has recently been through our regular programme review; this ensures it addresses the current and future needs of students and employers. Applications are now open for our September course.

Course Summary

This course gives you the opportunity to develop a detailed understanding of the practical applications of modern finance theories in the financial world. The programme follows the CFA syllabus and complements this with additional skills such as coding, experience in using databases and empirically testing complex financial models.

In this way, the programme combines a strong academic emphasis with a professional syllabus to enhance your employability. Learning from specialist staff with expertise in accounting, finance, economics and management, you will gain fundamental insights into strategic corporate decision-making within an international context; consider the principles of portfolio analysis and financial instruments selection; understand, apply and critically evaluate the modern equity valuation and the concepts behind financial reporting; understand, apply and critically assess modern corporate governance, modern capital structure theory and its relevance to the structure of the contemporary business environments.

On completion of your course you will be able to make key financial and strategic decisions in the daily operations of any organisation. You will also be able to apply your skills in areas including valuation, investment and financial decision-making, risk management and derivatives, financial instruments and markets, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring in developed and emerging markets.

The course also offers a distance learning option through our official partner Robert Kennedy College, Zurich, Switzerland.

Awards and Accreditation

Course Details

The programme is block delivered and there are several entry points throughout the year. Students will take the modules below in a sequence dependent on their start date.

The course is delivered in four blocks of intensive study periods. For each block, you study a single module for a 6-week period. Face-to-face teaching is delivered on campus for 6 hours each week. In addition, you will attend the taught element of the Industry Collaboration Project each Wednesday afternoon during the 6-week blocks. During this period, you will also undertake independent study in your own time with online support through the University’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard.

Part time students study alternate modules (one module on, one module off) to complete their degree in two years.

For the final third of your studies, you will work on your Industry Collaboration Project, working with your own or another organisation on a live brief.

Semester 1

Risk, Portfolio and Investment Analysis

Risk Portfolio and Investment Analysis aims to help you understand and apply the general principles behind modern risk management approaches. In this module, you will devise strategies to use modern portfolio management approaches and critically evaluate the limitations of modern statistical techniques in making financial decisions.

Corporate and Quantitative Finance

In this module, you will critically assess modern corporate governance in light of the recent financial crisis and review the ethical issues in running modern firms. You will also critically assess modern capital structure theory, the risks and opportunities involved in mergers and acquisitions and the limitations and applications of statistical methods in finance.

SEMESTER 2

International Finance and Corporate Financial Strategy

You will examine the impact of factors such as exchange rates, inflation rates and interest rates on the performance of firms to assess their significance in decision making in an international context. You will explore the most important issues in corporate finance and critically evaluate principles and practices guiding financial management of multinational enterprise.

Equity Valuation and Financial Statement Analysis

This module involves the evaluation of the theoretical basis of modern equity valuation and the concepts behind financial reporting. You will examine the impact of market and accounting based factors on the performance of firm equity value and devise strategies to minimise the risks associated with equity valuation.

SEMESTER 3

Industry Collaboration Project (ICP)

This module accounts for the final 60 credits of your degree and gives you the opportunity to examine an issue that is important to an organisation. The Industry Collaboration Project offers four different options: a Work Placement, a three month Internship, the applied Dissertation and, from September 2019, the Entrepreneurship path. You will be allocated a supervisor to mentor you through your chosen project and receive support wherever necessary from the Salford Business School Employability Team. For all options students are encouraged to address a real organisational issue, and to disseminate their work to a wider audience, meaning that you can create real impact through your Industry Collaboration Project.

Work Placement

The Work Placement gives you the chance to undertake a six month project with an organisation located regionally, nationally or internationally. By exploring a key issue impacting an organisation, you will apply the theoretical knowledge gained through your studies and develop and use appropriate problem-solving skills in a real-world environment. Your work placement will be assessed primarily through the production of a project proposal and an 8,500 – 10,000 word portfolio.

Internship

The Internship option of the Industry Collaboration Project aims to equip you with the relevant practical skills to critically identify and evaluate key issues impacting organisations and their environments either in the UK or overseas. Over a three month period, you will work alongside an organisation to identify and explore a real organisational issue. Through your project, you will apply your theoretical knowledge in the development of solutions to the identified issue, produce a project proposal and finally an 8,500 – 10,000 word portfolio.

Dissertation

An advanced-level research pathway based on a real-world business problem. You will create an initial research proposal then produce a 12,000 – 15,000 word dissertation for assessment.The Dissertation path gives you the opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge gained from the taught elements of the programme to a current organisational issue and deploy and effectively use appropriate problem-solving skills through critical self-reflection and methodical, systematic research.

Entrepreneurship

Please note, this option is available from September 2019
Through this option, along with applying your theoretical knowledge from the taught elements of the programme, you will develop the transferable skills and qualities required for entrepreneurial behaviour and work on your own innovative business idea. You will reflect on business opportunities, challenges and strategies with the aim of establishing a new businesses, or incorporating entrepreneurial thinking into the management of an existing organisation. The three month Entrepreneurship path will be assessed through the development of an Initial Business Proposal and an 8,500 word Comprehensive Business Proposal accompanied by a 30 minute presentation.

Entry Requirements

Normally a minimum 2:2 honours degree or equivalent or successful completion of the Graduate Certificate International Management.

A wide range of professional qualifications are also accepted either in partial or complete fulfilment of entry requirements.

Where a student has gained a recognised Honours degree but does not meet the normal entry qualification requirement, they may still be considered for entry if they can demonstrate relevant work experience of a minimum two years duration post study and acceptable level of responsibility.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

English Language Requirements

International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this.

If the English language qualification is slightly below this level candidates may be able to take one of the many English courses available in the University. For more information search for English on Course Finder.

Suitable For

This course is ideal for graduates who have studied economics, finance, accounting, business studies, management and any other related disciplines. Suitable work experience will also be considered.

Applicant profile

This course offers excellent scope for aspiring and existing managers who want to improve their career development opportunities and employability.

You will ideally be a graduate with a background in accounting, finance, economics or management who wants to work in either the banking or corporate sector.

If you want to progress into a senior position in the public, private or third sectors this course will offer you the chance to gain skills which are highly sought by employers across a wide variety of organisations.

Fees 2018-19

Type of Study	Fee
Full-time	£8,550
Part-time	£1,425 per 30 credit module
Full-time International	£14,400

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships and Bursaries

For more information please see our funding section. Please note, students on the distance learning option through our partner, Robert Kennedy College, are not eligible for a student loan.

Teaching

Face to face teaching is delivered on campus for two half days each week. In addition, you will attend the taught element of the Industry Collaboration Project each Wednesday afternoon during the 6 week blocks, with independent study completed in your own time through the University’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard. Individual student timetables will be provided during induction week.

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, using a wide range of learning activities.

Assessment

Over the duration of your course a range of assessment techniques will be used. Types of assessment include; essays, assignments, exams, multiple choice tests, online tests, group reports, and portfolio work. The weighting between exams and coursework varies between modules and years, but exams still play a major role.

Postgraduate Staff Profile

Dr. Jia Liu
Reader in Finance

Jia is Reader in Finance at Salford Business School. She is Postgraduate Programme Director of International Finance, Accounting and Economics Academic Unit. She obtained her PhD degree in Economics from the University of Birmingham. Her research interests include financial economics, corporate finance and market-based accounting research. She publishes in business, economics, finance and accounting journals. She is a member of several international academic bodies. She acts as an academic referee for a number of journals and publishers.

Employability

This is an advanced degree in corporate finance and can lead you to a wide range of career opportunities and roles, such as finance director, new business development manager, treasury manager, financial controller, financial planning manager, stock market financial analyst, funds portfolio manager, and global hedge fund manager. It also provides a thorough preparation for academic research in finance and corporate finance.

On successfully finishing this programme, you will be equipped with the skills and understanding necessary to effectively and efficiently perform tasks in a managerial or consulting role. As well as your academic learning, you will develop your ability to work well in teams and independently, to evaluate critically, think creatively and communicate effectively with respect to issues in the industry; and to recognise good practice in the analysis, planning and management of international banking and finance products and services. You'll also develop an advanced level of understanding of research methods and their application to a wide range of international banking and finance problems.

Recent graduates have joined the international banking and finance industries, corporate sectors and academic communities with leading companies including:

Inland Revenue Services
ING Bank
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
PwC
Think Money Group

Alumni Profile

Stephen Gammon

“I really enjoyed my time at Salford on the Corporate Finance degree. I found the course interesting and stimulating and believe it provided excellent preparation for my training as a chartered accountant.

The course blended both the theoretical and practical elements of finance and accounting and enabled me to obtain maximum exemptions from the ICAEW.

The business skills developed as part of the course, such as presentation skills, played a significant part in my successful application for a graduate placement at KPMG. Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend the course to anyone considering a career in finance and/or accounting.”

Links with Industry

The University of Salford grew out of the institutes of the late 19th century that provided a talented, technically proficient and professional workforce to support the UK’s rapidly growing industries. In the 21st century, this still holds strong. Whilst industry has changed significantly, the need for industry-focussed education is equally relevant today.

We teach the skills that employers need and as a result, our graduates enjoy excellent international career prospects.

The curriculum across our postgraduate courses balances academic teaching and professional experience. Our industry partners give us their input into the curriculum so that the teaching reflects industry’s current and future needs and you develop the skills that employers want. The Industry Collaboration Project, which forms the final third of your study, is designed to give you real-world experience so you can apply the theory you have learned.

Further Study

Find out more information about research opportunities here.

Facilities

Salford Business School is located at the heart of the University’s Peel campus in the newly refurbished Lady Hale Building, and the Chapman Building, offering state-of-the-art facilities for the Business School’s student learning community and just minutes from Manchester city centre. Chapman is a stylish modern space with six lecture theatres equipped with the very latest technology and large screen displays, a series of communal learning and breakout spaces, plus a Fairtrade café with panoramic views across the campus.

Lady Hale is the home to all dedicated business school student support including the school office, an employability hub, a base for the Business School society, and several open study spaces.

All University of Salford students also have access to the MediaCityUK campus including its study facilities. MediaCityUK is home to major BBC and ITV departments and over 80 businesses across the creative and digital sectors. It is recognised as one of the most innovative developments in Britain and is a vibrant place in which to live, work, socialise and study.

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