MSc International Accounting and Finance

The main aim of the module is to enable students to understand and critically evaluate the mapping between underlying economic events and the information in financial statements, and how this mapping affects inferences about the economic activities and position of the firm. The curriculum puts a strong emphasis on the wider social and political implications of financial reporting practice. Students are encouraged to relate economic events to diverse practices in financial statements, and to think critically about ongoing controversies and debates.

The module aims to equip students with the main principles of Investment Theory. It begins with an overview of the interaction between users and suppliers of capital and the theory behind investor behaviour towards financial risk and reward.

This module focuses on fixed income and equity securities evaluation and provides an introduction to international financial markets and an overview of financial institutions.

Management accounting is a collection of diverse techniques used to measure and analyse the resources, processes and outputs of organisations. While it is important to understand the techniques, it is equally important to study how those techniques are used. A good understanding of costing techniques is assumed as the module explores beyond these to their application in practice and questions their use(s) and role(s) in organisations from a theoretically informed perspective. Much of the research in management accounting and sustainability explores the role of the management accountant and the application of management accounting techniques in practice, through a variety of theoretical lenses. The module will draw on published case studies to analyse contemporary management accounting in practice.

Students will critically evaluate the relationship between economic events and the information in sustainability reports, and how this affects inferences about the economic activities and position of the firm. Students will discuss the wider social and political implications of sustainability reporting practice, viewing sustainability as a social and institutional practice. Students are encouraged to relate economic events to diverse practices in accounting for sustainability, and to think critically of ongoing controversies and debates.

This module aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in financial reporting, management accounting, business finance and finance technology (Excel modelling) through their application to real-world business problems and case study scenarios.

Students must choose 20 credits

The aim of this module is for students to understand the key concepts in data and information management and to be able to critically assess the role of information systems in accounting and finance, including governance, risk and compliance activities within firms.

This is a very practical course focusing mainly on option/volatility trading and risk management. The seminars all take place in the dealing room, and students will manage the risk of equity options portfolios on ICTrader. There are also 4 practical Excel based case studies (Option Strategist) which focus on option value and risk analysis.

This module is positioned in the cross-section of Finance and Psychology. It provides an alternative framework to that of traditional neo-classical finance principles in explaining market behaviour and interpreting stylised characteristics. A variety of psychological principles and well-established cognitive biases are examined and connections are made with the influence they have on the investment (and corporate) decision making process. Market anomalies and puzzles are interpreted based on these connections.

This investment portfolio management module covers key topics, techniques and discussions, including investment styles, in relation to constructing and maintaining an optimal investment portfolio. The teaching approaches all topics from academic and market, practical perspectives. More detailed aims and learning outcomes are included below.

The aim of this module is for students to be able to evaluate the business value in utilising AI and data analytics and develop business technology solutions with an appreciation of AI and data analytics methods and technologies.

Students must choose 20 credits

This module is designed for advanced Master’s students and doctoral students. It has a very high technical content. It aims to equip the students with the foundations of theoretical asset pricing and with the relevant skills for performing empirical tests. The objective of the module is to prepare students to become independent and quality researchers.

The aim of this module is to give students an understanding of the very large and important global financial markets in futures on national stock market indices.

This module gives students the opportunity to pursue a work placement with an external organisation broadly related to the general sphere of their degree studies. The aim of the module is to allow participants to gain work experience in a career path of interest, develop a wide range of employability skills, build their network and enhance market awareness.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of financial decision making in the context of alternative investments and to introduce the key principles and techniques of financial engineering used in structured product design.

Students must choose 20 credits from Basket A

This module provides students with a critical understanding of contemporary issues in corporate governance and accountability, with a focus on the need for ethical corporate conduct.

The module begins with a review of corporate governance theories and development of codes and regulations, in the wake of ongoing corporate scandals. The key roles of institutional investors, board effectiveness, non-executive directors, executive remuneration, risk management, internal control and transparency in achieving good corporate governance are evaluated. An international comparative perspective enables students to evaluate a range of different corporate governance systems around the world. The evolving concept of holistic governance and the broader context of corporate governance, including the increasing need for stakeholder accountability, are examined. Illustrations from real-world practice and reference to a wide range of academic research are core elements of this module. Students are encouraged to explore how corporate governance and accountability may be enhanced and a more ethical business environment nurtured.

This module aims to provide an opportunity for students in PG programmes to develop relevant skills to manage an independent research project, in terms of critical evaluation of existing literature, and appropriate collection and analysis of accounting and finance information. The completion of the project will be guided and supported by supervisors with relevant expertise in accounting, financial management and business analytics.

To give students an awareness of the appropriate use of methodology, theory, data, literature review, and original research in a Masters dissertation. To enable students to produce a piece of original research that would contribute to the relevant body of knowledge within accounting, financial management and/or business analytics.
This module is particularly relevant for students who might wish to consider pursuing further academic career.