FINANCE - 2024/5

Module Overview

The prime motivator in business activity is sustainable profitability for shareholders' wealth maximization. It follows that all managers are likely to perform better towards that goal if they understand the mechanisms for achieving sustainable profit by acting in the interest of stakeholders. This module is designed to give students the necessary basic background in finance to enable them to be effective business managers. It covers the fundamental principles of corporate finance and investment in bonds, stocks, and projects, along with day-to-day working capital management.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

KATSOULIS Vasileios (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introduction to Business Finance


• Corporate Governance


• Financial Analysis and Planning


•  Includes ratio analysis.


•  Working Capital Management


• includes management of inventories, accounts payable, accounts receivable and cash as well as determining working capital needs and funding strategies.


• Time Value of Money


•  includes discounted cash flow valuation.


•  Asset Valuation


• includes valuing bonds and equities


• Capital Investment Appraisal


• Includes introduction to average accounting return, internal rate of return and net present value

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

Assessment strategy:

Assessments will include both quantitative and qualitative questions. Quantitative questions are designed to assess numerical, application of knowledge and analytical skills related to the module content. Qualitative questions will assess application of knowledge, synthesis, creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will be expected to demonstrate an adequate level of achievement of the learning outcomes previously described.

There are two summative assessments for this module: a class test and an end of semester examination.

• Class test The class test will comprise of multiple choice questions and/or questions requiring short written answers. The class test will cover only the module content taught during the first half of the module, which is broadly in line with learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3.


• Examination The exam paper will include scenario questions. Questions may contain several parts (part (a), part (b) etc). The exam paper will cover the entire module content.

Formative assessment and feedback:

Formative assessments such as a sample class test and exam paper will be available to support students in preparation for summative assessments and to provide ongoing feedback.

Such feedback will help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and help develop revision plans for the summative assessments. Students are also expected to engage with other feedback provided during seminars and feedback and advice hours throughout the semester.

Module aims

• Develop an understanding of the principles of financial management and an appreciation of the role of the finance function in the commercial life of a global business.
• Explore techniques and digital capabilities for use in evaluating the financial needs of a business and in financial planning.
• Explore and compare different investment opportunities and sources of short and long-term finance, including sustainable finance.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is based on a hybrid teaching model, incorporating elements of both live and on-demand learning.

The teaching strategy will cover real life examples of asset valuation and investment appraisal techniques during the seminars, while providing a strong theoretical background during the lectures.

On-demand learning is designed for students to explore the topics in their own time and includes a range of guided learning activities.

Guided learning activities may include pre-recorded videos, practice questions & solutions, quizzes, discussion forum and links to further reading.

Live learning allows students to explore and engage in discussions on the topics, including current developments in the financial markets, and also to practise more complex questions and receive answers and feedback to queries from their tutor.

This learning and teaching strategy provides students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and to understand the relevant theory in the context of current developments in the financial markets and develop effective solutions for decision making in the context of case study scenarios.

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: MAN2202

Other information

Surrey Business School is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities particularly in the following areas: Employability: The module aims to develop financial awareness and financial modelling skills that are highly sought after by employers. During module delivery, students develop the ability to evaluate problems, devise solutions, and critically analyse the solutions. As a result, students build and enhance individual and professional skills. Sustainability: The module discusses stakeholders and ethical issues in the form of corporate governance, a key issue in environment, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Students are familiarised with governance problems that can affect the well-being of shareholders, employees, and outside stakeholders. Afterwards students attempt to devise solutions to the sustainability problems. Global Capabilities: Students from a diverse nationalities and backgrounds are encouraged to collaborate with one another and freely exchange their views on business finance issues. They learn intercultural difference and appreciate the value from different culture by cooperating with one another to solve different tasks. Resourcefulness & Resilience: Since the introductory finance module builds on concepts from basic accounting module, the module reinforces and further develops knowledge and skills related to financial modelling. Students solve problems as well as critically analyse the solutions, thereby fostering an openness to different perspectives and developing their own viewpoint. In addition, through the independent and guided learning, students develop attributes such as confidence, adaptability, self-regulation, self-efficacy, problem solving and decision-making abilities. Digital Capabilities: Students will use excel to better understand time value of money concept and capital budgeting decisions. The excel skills aid in the development of finance related modelling and enhance their digital capabilities. Students are encouraged to use Zoom and Microsoft Teams to do group tasks. They are also encouraged to search information on the digital platforms (University of Surrey Library, yahoo finance, financial times, etc.) to facilitate their independent learning.

Programmes this module appears in

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 2024/5 academic year.