INTERNATIONAL FINANCE - 2020/1

Module code: MANM200

Module Overview

In today's global financial markets and business activity, managers are increasingly concerned with decision making across borders and in a multi-currency environment. This module examines currency markets and transactions, exchange rate systems and implications for exchange rate volatility, identification and management of currency risks that arise from international operations. It also examines issues that arise when firms seek financing outside their home markets.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

VELEANU Veronica (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 117

Lecture Hours: 22

Seminar Hours: 11

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:



  • Multinational Corporations and the Foreign Exchange Markets 


  • Forward Markets and Transaction Exchange Risk


  • Exchange rate parity conditions – Interest Rate Parity, Purchasing Power Parity, the International Fisher effect


  • Exchange Rate Systems


  • Measuring and managing foreign currency risks


  • Foreign currency derivatives


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
School-timetabled exam/test EXAM MCQ - 50 MIN - CLOSED BOOK 30
Examination EXAM - 2 HOURS - CLOSED BOOK 70

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate through a combination of written and numerical exercises their achievement of the module’s learning outcomes.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • A 50-minute closed-book class test will be held during the mid-term class test week as timetabled.

  • A 2-hour closed-book final exam will be held during the summer exam period as timetabled.



Formative assessment and feedback 


  • Informal advice and discussion during lectures, set activities, tutorials and weekly office hours; timely response to student emails and questions prior to submission of class test and the exam (within a 3 working day window).

  • Suggested solutions to weekly tutorial questions

  • Marks will be available to students within three weeks of the date of the assessment

  • Individual one-to-one feedback on the mid-term class test

  • Students will receive examination marks after marking and moderation


Module aims

  • Critically evaluate the mechanics of currency markets, exchange rate behaviour and their impact on firms.
  • Develop the analytical tools and framework for making or evaluating decisions on financing, investments and currency risk management of firms that operate in a global setting.
  • Identify and select appropriate currency derivatives to the management of firm's exposure to foreign exchange risk.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Appraise the benefits and risks of operating in foreign markets with different exchange rate and governance systems KCPT
002 Assess and quantify exchange rate volatility and its potential impact on firms¿ exposure and decisions KCPT
003 Apply equilibrium parity theories to exchange rate determination KCPT
004 Measure and compare different sources of finance for a multinational KCPT
005 Evaluate various financial derivative instruments and choose appropriate methods to hedge currency risk KCPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to allow students to come to grips with what is essentially a subject of mixed theory and calculations. A mix of  teaching and learning methods will be used that includes:


  • Weekly 2-hour lectures and one-hour tutorials.

  • Regular consultation - module convenor will be available for answering questions from the students during weekly office hours

  • Discussion forums on SurreyLearn to address any issues related to the content, learning and teaching environment, and delivery of the module and/or specific topics.

  • Utilizing online materials and resources available on SurreyLearn, including weekly activities

  • Support lecture material by directed reading in selected textbooks and journal articles.



Before each class session, you will be expected to have done the prescribed reading, allocated exercises and/or cases in order to be prepared for class discussion.  Good participation in class and case discussion is expected

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM200

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Economics MA 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Economics and Finance MSc 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Accounting and Finance MSc 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
International Financial Management MSc 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
International Corporate Finance MSc 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Investment Management MSc 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.