APPLIED TOPICS IN FINANCE - 2024/5

Module code: MAN3214

Module Overview

The module discusses a wide range of topics in finance and presents the theory behind these topics as well as the empirical/anecdotal evidence and the practical application related to these theories through recent research papers and articles in the press.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

MAVROVITIS Christos (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 100

Lecture Hours: 10

Tutorial Hours: 20

Guided Learning: 10

Captured Content: 10

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Financial Management (MAN3080) 

Module content

Indicative content includes, but not exhausted to:


  • Corporate Governance

  •  Firm Valuation

  •  Behavioural Finance

  •  Economics Analysis

  •  Industry Analysis


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Online Scheduled Summative Class Test ONLINE TEST 50 min 30
Coursework GROUP REPORT 50
Coursework GROUP PRESENTATION 20

Alternative Assessment

Individual Report instead of Group Report. Individual Video Presentation instead of Group Presentation.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate: learning in all the topics and will be in three parts; the online test, the group report, and group presentation. the student's ability to comprehend, critically discuss the relevant theoretical concepts of applied corporate finance, and present their work.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • Online Test that addresses learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3.  

  • Group Report that addresses learning outcome 4.

  •  Group Presentation that addresses learning outcome 5.



Formative assessment.

Frequent online quizzes provide students with the opportunity to assess their understanding in the various topics covered. In addition, the structure of the seminars allows students to practice their presentation and communication skills on a frequent basis.

Feedback:

Live sessions provide a platform of frequent feedback in the topics covered, therefore, preparing students for their success in the assessments. Additionally, the module offers a platform for students to give and receive feedback via SurreyLearn. Finally, weekly feedback and consultations hours aim to provide additional feedback and assist students with their queries.

Module aims







  • The theory behind major corporate finance decisions and their practical application.
  • The theory behind major corporate finance decisions and their practical application.
  • The recent trends and the managerial implications in various applied corporate finance areas.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Identify the fundamentals of the economy and industry. CK
002 Analyse and evaluate the value of the company's equity using different estimation models. CT
003 Identify the implications of corporate governance and describe the conflicts of interest arising in corporations. C
004 Evaluate the theoretical background and empirical and anecdotal evidence in various corporate finance topics. CT
005 Develop, evaluate, and integrate, where possible, key characteristics of practical skills in presenting findings. PT

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: 

Enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking to be able to engage with corporate finance-related issues in different contexts, through using their experience in the group interactions and the case study discussions in seminars. 

Engage students with different learning backgrounds and maximise their learning by drawing on their own experiences and contributions to group discussions.

Develop students cultural awareness, digital literacy, confidence and competence in working with others, leadership, communication skills, employability, and professionalism.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Lectures, seminars, independent learning, and self-reflection. Specifically, the lectures (pre-recorded material is made available to students prior to seminars) intend to introduce theories with support materials and reinforcement covering the topics in the above. In seminars, students will undertake interactive exercises such as group discussions and presentations in order to demonstrate the application of theory, team-working, professionalism, confidence, and communication skills.

It is expected that students will conduct wide readings, work with peers on the development of the group presentation, individual research, and reflective review in their independent learning. Formative feedback will be provided to students during these interactive sessions.

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: MAN3214

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 provides a variety of tasks and authentic assessments that mimic professional life. Key to this, students develop the ability to critically evaluate the problem at hand, interact with their group members, and present their findings. As a result, students develop and enhance the interpersonal and professional skills. Global and Cultural Capabilities: The module is taught in an interactive and collaborative way, in a cohort that commonly represents a wealth of nationalities and backgrounds. Students are encouraged to engage with, and learn from, diverse perspectives through interaction and teamwork. Students will develop their ability to work in groups effectively with other students from diverse backgrounds to broaden their world view, own perspectives and interpretations and reinterpreting issues against a broader spectrum of ideas and representations. Digital Capabilities: Throughout the module students learn to navigate and utilise the Virtual Learning Environment @ Surrey (SurreyLearn) and other digital resources and online databases to aid their learning and undertake research. Students are encouraged to use current media such as Whatsapp, Teams, Zoom, and utilising cloud/file sharing for communication and team working. Students will develop proficiency in these aspects of digital engagement. Resourcefulness & Resilience (R&R): Students will develop attributes such as confidence, adaptability, self-regulation, self-efficacy, problem solving and decision-making abilities, through interacting in their groups, engaging with their group members, and presenting their findings in front of audience. The effectiveness of the R&R will be inherent in assessment design.

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Accounting and Finance (Dual degree with SII-DUFE ) BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% 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 2024/5 academic year.