StudyQA — Master: Financial Management

Photos of university / #edinburghuniversity

Description Contents Requirements

Financial Management is one of the key disciplines necessary for the successful management of business corporations.

Studying the theories underlying Financial Management practices allows students to recognise the financial behaviours of corporations. An understanding of the practices of this course will equip students with the knowledge and comprehension necessary to apply this knowledge to real-life business situations.

Financial management

In an organisation financial management is split into two principal roles:

The accounting function - usually under the direction of the financial controller. It is concerned with the provision and interpretation of information for economic decision-making.
The corporate finance function - directed by the treasurer

Accounting

The programme focuses on three roles within this area:

Management accounting, the internal facing function, which services the information needs of the organisation's management
Financial accounting, the external facing, highly regulated, function. It provides information for investors, the general public and regulatory bodies.
Corporate finance function is concerned with managing the finances of the organisation. It involves cash management, asset allocation, capital structuring and financial risk management. These may be applied to areas such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity trading.

The programme is structured so that students specialise through courses within choices including:

Advanced corporate finance
Advanced finance theory
Behavioural finance and market anomalies

Derivatives
Investment management
Public sector financial management.

The MSc in Financial Management also focuses on academic orientation. Apart from being suitable for those who enter a business career, it is also a valuable preparation for further research at PhD level. It is both academically rigorous and closely in line with professional practice.

Semester 1

September - December

Induction
Statistics for Finance
Analysis of Corporate Financial Information
Financial Markets and Investments
Treasury Management and Corporate Finance

Semester 2
January - May

Accounting, Planning and Strategy
Research Methods (dissertation preparation module)

Summer
June - August

Dissertation

Details of core courses

Statistics for Finance

This course will train students in the basic tools of Statistics for Finance. Statistics for Finance builds on such topics as elementary probability, simple sampling theory and statistical inference. Moments, Quantiles and distributions are introduced. Lectures are supported by weekly problem solving classes.

Analysis of Corporate Financial Information

The course aims to allow participants to analyse financial statements of corporation from around the world and to show the links between accounting statements, valuation methods and investment analysis. Participants will be comfortable reading financial statements, calculating and understanding accounting ratios, extracting information to make forecasts and valuations. Participants will also gain understanding of the limitations of financial statements and methods for evaluating the quality of these statements.

Financial Markets and Investments

The course is aimed at students wishing to become financial executives in companies and other organisations. In that role they will need to know about the main theories and practice of financial markets, including the equity, bond, money and foreign exchange markets. The programme considers finance and accounting primarily from the companys point of view, but company treasurers need to know something about financial markets from the perspective of institutional investors and financial intermediaries such as brokers and investment banks. The course will provide the necessary background for students wishing to take the option in Investment Management in the second semester.

Treasury Management and Corporate Finance

The course combines core topics in corporate finance with several more technical topics in company financial management. Two topics in particular will be considered in some detail, namely capital budgeting, and techniques of risk management from a companys point of view. Other topics
focused on financial management are the management of debt, working capital, and international companies.

Accounting Planning and Strategy

This course is focussed on teaching the principal discipline within the Financial Control function, that of Management Accounting. In the management of a business within a competitive environment Management Accounting fulfils a highly significant strategic role and so this course is designed to teach the principles of management accounting within the strategic context.

You will need a UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree from a good university in one of the subjects below, or an equivalent overseas qualification.Academic backgroundAn undergraduate degree in any subject is normally required.Students are expected to have taken some courses in basic mathematics or statistics.International qualificationsThe minimum academic requirement is a UK 2:1 honours degree in a related subject or an equivalent international qualification.Some examples of equivalent qualifications:Canada: mid B+; 3.3+ (4 point scale); 7.3/8+ (9 point scale)China: 80-85%+; B+Germany: 2.5+ (reverse 5 point scale); Sehr Gut/GutIndia: 1st Class degree (60%+)Nigeria: 2:1South Africa: 2:1/1stUSA: GPA 3.25+ (4 point scale)If your home country is not listed above, consult the minimum grade point average (GPA) required by following the link below.Minimum English language requirementWe require all applicants to meet one of the following English language requirements:You are a national of a majority English-speaking country as defined by the Home Office.You have completed an academic qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree, which was taught in a majority English-speaking country.You have or will have achieved the minimum required score in one our accepted English language tests.All tests or methods of assessment must be dated within two years of the start date of the programme.Please refer to the UK Home Office website for a list of majority English-speaking countriesAccepted Secure English Language TestsWe accept results from the following English language tests:IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 7.0 (with no score lower than 6.0 in each section)PTE (Pearson Test of English): 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): Grade BCAE (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English): Grade ATOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT: 100 (with scores no lower than 20 in each section) English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) TOEFL iBT® test: 100 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.