Businessman and his young partner colleagues discuss ideas about start-up project working business plan at the conference.

Available with:

  • Foundation Year
  • Placement Year

Accreditations


Course Summary

Begin a dynamic route to a high-flying career in the world of finance and tackle this ever-changing sector head on. We put your future career in the finance sector at the heart of our course, with inspiring, professionally oriented learning experiences. This course strikes a balance between developing both financial and business analysis skills. It equips you with techniques that help organisations plan and improve their decision-making processes, in both finance and business. The degree is suitable for students interested in the growing 'big data' analytics careers, but it will also prepare you for careers that require financial modelling skills. With this degree you will play a critical role in bridging the technical expertise of 'hardcore' data engineers with the operational expertise of marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, risk, and other frontline managers. 

In this role, you will help ensure that the deep insights generated through sophisticated analytics translate into impact at scale within an organisation. You will be exposed to key concepts in business finance and in areas such as leadership, marketing and people management, strategic management and sustainable entrepreneurship. This solid foundation will support your advanced studies into specialist areas including risk management, financial reporting, analysis for management, and the role of the finance manager. If you’d like to know more about what Chester Business School are up to, you can follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Why you'll Love it


What You'llStudy

Module content:

  • Reading and writing critically.
  • Constructing and evaluating an argument.
  • Note-taking techniques for reading and listening.
  • Understanding plagiarism and academic integrity.
  • Introduction to reflective practice.
  • Preparing for, and delivering, powerpoint presentations.
  • Referencing and citation.
  • Summarising and paraphrasing written sources.
  • Literature searching.
  • Report writing.
  • The culture and expectations of higher education.
  • The assessment process including the role of assessment criteria and feedback.
  • The nature of research journal publishing.

Whilst much of the content above is generic, students will be encouraged to situate skills within the context of the undergraduate discipline they are entering, which leads to some variation in emphasis for certain skills.


Module aims:

1.To raise awareness of the range of study skills required for successful higher education studies, including the process of academic writing, reading strategies, seminar skills, organisation of time and materials, planning for and meeting deadlines, understanding and responding to feedback.

2. To introduce students to concepts such as plagiarism, academic integrity and appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools.

3. To facilitate an effective transition into higher education by exploring, and providing guidance in, the key elements of successful undergraduate studentship including students' understanding of taking responsibility for their own learning.

4. To teach students how to undertake a literature, visual or data review for their discipline and be able to differentiate between a valid, reliable source and an unsubstantiated or irrelevant source.  

Module content:

  • Reading and writing critically.
  • Constructing and evaluating an argument.
  • Note-taking techniques for reading and listening.
  • Understanding plagiarism and academic integrity.
  • Introduction to reflective practice.
  • Preparing for, and delivering, powerpoint presentations.
  • Referencing and citation.
  • Summarising and paraphrasing written sources.
  • Literature searching.
  • Report writing.
  • The culture and expectations of higher education.
  • The assessment process including the role of assessment criteria and feedback.
  • The nature of research journal publishing.

Whilst much of the content above is generic, students will be encouraged to situate skills within the context of the undergraduate discipline they are entering, which leads to some variation in emphasis for certain skills.


Module aims:

1.To raise awareness of the range of study skills required for successful higher education studies, including the process of academic writing, reading strategies, seminar skills, organisation of time and materials, planning for and meeting deadlines, understanding and responding to feedback.

2. To introduce students to concepts such as plagiarism, academic integrity and appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools.

3. To facilitate an effective transition into higher education by exploring, and providing guidance in, the key elements of successful undergraduate studentship including students' understanding of taking responsibility for their own learning.

4. To teach students how to undertake a literature, visual or data review for their discipline and be able to differentiate between a valid, reliable source and an unsubstantiated or irrelevant source.  

Module content:

  • Research and planning skills.
  • Becoming familiar with topics that comprise their undergraduate degree subject.
  • Developing a knowledge base for a discipline of study.
  • Identifying areas of interest.
  • Application and development of critical analytical skills.
  • Development of self-directed study.
  • Use of learning resources.

Module aims:

1. To develop students' skills in planning and writing an essay.

2. To familiarise students with the process of tutor supervision for a written piece of work.

3. To give students an opportunity to focus on a topic within their undergraduate degree subject.

4. To write a piece of work that allows the student to broaden and deepen knowledge on a topic of their choice.

5. To prepare and deliver an academic poster presentation outlining the student's research topic.

Module content:

  • Research and planning skills.
  • Becoming familiar with topics that comprise their undergraduate degree subject.
  • Developing a knowledge base for a discipline of study.
  • Identifying areas of interest.
  • Application and development of critical analytical skills.
  • Development of self-directed study.
  • Use of learning resources.

Module aims:

1. To develop students' skills in planning and writing an essay.

2. To familiarise students with the process of tutor supervision for a written piece of work.

3. To give students an opportunity to focus on a topic within their undergraduate degree subject.

4. To write a piece of work that allows the student to broaden and deepen knowledge on a topic of their choice.

5. To prepare and deliver an academic poster presentation outlining the student's research topic.

Module content:

  • The 'global student' and the ‘global graduate’
  • Introduction to theories of globalization
  • Perspectives on economic, political and cultural globalization
  • Globalized media, the internet & digital tech.
  • Global economy & transnational corporations
  • International organisations & social movements
  • Migration, multiculturalism and interculturalism
  • Introduction to decolonisation & education
  • International security and security issues
  • Introduction to international relations theory

Module aims:

1. To explore issues of global significance.

2. To develop and apply skills in critical thinking, research and communication and apply these to debates within the module's topics.

3. To deconstruct and reconstruct arguments by researching global issues.

4. To develop an awareness of global justice debates.

Module content:

  • The 'global student' and the ‘global graduate’
  • Introduction to theories of globalization
  • Perspectives on economic, political and cultural globalization
  • Globalized media, the internet & digital tech.
  • Global economy & transnational corporations
  • International organisations & social movements
  • Migration, multiculturalism and interculturalism
  • Introduction to decolonisation & education
  • International security and security issues
  • Introduction to international relations theory

Module aims:

1. To explore issues of global significance.

2. To develop and apply skills in critical thinking, research and communication and apply these to debates within the module's topics.

3. To deconstruct and reconstruct arguments by researching global issues.

4. To develop an awareness of global justice debates.

Module content:

  • Introduction to Marketing Strategies
  • Understanding the Marketing Mix (product, price, place and promotion)
  • Influences on Target Market & Segmentation
  • Marketing events

Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to a range of Marketing concepts & principles.
  2. To develop students' understanding of the Marketing Mix in the modern world of business.
  3. To provide a foundation-level knowledge base of business marketing

Module content:

  • Introduction to Marketing Strategies
  • Understanding the Marketing Mix (product, price, place and promotion)
  • Influences on Target Market & Segmentation
  • Marketing events

Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to a range of Marketing concepts & principles.
  2. To develop students' understanding of the Marketing Mix in the modern world of business.
  3. To provide a foundation-level knowledge base of business marketing

Module content:

  • Introduction to business functions (including human resources management, operations, marketing & finance)
  • Examples of leadership and management
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Understanding organisational structures and behaviour
  • Introduction to strategy
  • Influences on business (including contract law & the formation of contracts)
  • Introduction to entrepreneurship

Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to a range of business functions.
  2. To develop students' understanding of operational and strategic practices in the modern world of business.
  3. To provide a foundation-level knowledge base of business and entrepreneurship.

Module content:

  • Introduction to business functions (including human resources management, operations, marketing & finance)
  • Examples of leadership and management
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Understanding organisational structures and behaviour
  • Introduction to strategy
  • Influences on business (including contract law & the formation of contracts)
  • Introduction to entrepreneurship

Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to a range of business functions.
  2. To develop students' understanding of operational and strategic practices in the modern world of business.
  3. To provide a foundation-level knowledge base of business and entrepreneurship.

Module content:

  • Preparation of Financial Statements (including trading profit and loss statement)
  • Presenting graphical information
  • Data handling
  • Percentages, ratios and proportions
  • Analysing business performance
  • Procedures & legal requirements

Module aims:

1. To provide a foundation-level knowledge of mathematics in preparation for progression to an undergraduate degree in Business.

2. To introduce students to fundamental concepts within maths using a selection of applications relevant to Business.

3. To introduce foundation-level knowledge in mathematical applications for finance.

Module content:

  • Preparation of Financial Statements (including trading profit and loss statement)
  • Presenting graphical information
  • Data handling
  • Percentages, ratios and proportions
  • Analysing business performance
  • Procedures & legal requirements

Module aims:

1. To provide a foundation-level knowledge of mathematics in preparation for progression to an undergraduate degree in Business.

2. To introduce students to fundamental concepts within maths using a selection of applications relevant to Business.

3. To introduce foundation-level knowledge in mathematical applications for finance.

In Year 1, you will explore the worlds of business and finance through real case studies and challenges. You will develop your confidence in showcasing your understanding of the financial sector.

Module content:

The module explores a number of key themes to introduce students to the concepts of people management and organisations and supports students to develop core skills for managing people and working in teams.  

  • The development of management and organisations as subjects - changing theories of management and leadership perspectives
  • People in organisations – indicative content: motivation, culture, personality, identity, how people work in groups and effective teamworking, learning in an organisational context
  • Managing people in organisations - indicative content: organisation and job design, talent management, goal setting, communication, perception and the psychological contract, job satisfaction, stress 
  • Skills for managing people in teams and organisations - indicative content: team formation, team working and leading, managing performance, giving feedback, managing conflict

Module aims:

  1. To enable students to examine a range of management themes and activities
  2. To introduce students to theory underpinning organisational behaviour
  3. To enable students to consider the significance of different environmental contexts in which organisations operate, and the effects of the environment on its activities
  4. To enable students to develop transferable skills for managing people in teams and organisations

Module content:

The module explores a number of key themes to introduce students to the concepts of people management and organisations and supports students to develop core skills for managing people and working in teams.  

  • The development of management and organisations as subjects - changing theories of management and leadership perspectives
  • People in organisations – indicative content: motivation, culture, personality, identity, how people work in groups and effective teamworking, learning in an organisational context
  • Managing people in organisations - indicative content: organisation and job design, talent management, goal setting, communication, perception and the psychological contract, job satisfaction, stress 
  • Skills for managing people in teams and organisations - indicative content: team formation, team working and leading, managing performance, giving feedback, managing conflict

Module aims:

  1. To enable students to examine a range of management themes and activities
  2. To introduce students to theory underpinning organisational behaviour
  3. To enable students to consider the significance of different environmental contexts in which organisations operate, and the effects of the environment on its activities
  4. To enable students to develop transferable skills for managing people in teams and organisations

Module content:

  • Preparation of simple financial statements – statement of financial position/income statement. Adjustments-depreciation/sources of finance/accounting conventions and standards.
  • Analysis and interpretation of financial statements – profitability, liquidity, working capital, gearing and investment ratios. Cash flow statement.
  • Budgets/cash flow forecast/forecast profit or loss/profit vs. cash.
  • Product/service costing/absorption costing/overhead allocation, apportionment and absorption.
  • Cost-volume profit analysis, cost behaviour, break-even analysis, simple contribution analysis.

 


Module aims:

  • To equip students with a basic grasp of the underlying principles and concepts of finance and accounting and to be familiar with the relative uses of both financial and management accounting practices.
  • To develop the student’s ability to read and interpret simple financial statements.
  • To introduce students to the process of using and presenting structured financial data to assist the management decision making process.

Module content:

  • Preparation of simple financial statements – statement of financial position/income statement. Adjustments-depreciation/sources of finance/accounting conventions and standards.
  • Analysis and interpretation of financial statements – profitability, liquidity, working capital, gearing and investment ratios. Cash flow statement.
  • Budgets/cash flow forecast/forecast profit or loss/profit vs. cash.
  • Product/service costing/absorption costing/overhead allocation, apportionment and absorption.
  • Cost-volume profit analysis, cost behaviour, break-even analysis, simple contribution analysis.

 


Module aims:

  • To equip students with a basic grasp of the underlying principles and concepts of finance and accounting and to be familiar with the relative uses of both financial and management accounting practices.
  • To develop the student’s ability to read and interpret simple financial statements.
  • To introduce students to the process of using and presenting structured financial data to assist the management decision making process.

Module content:

  • Market system & competitive process - demand & supply / price elasticity / pricing / government intervention / market structures / perfect competition / monopoly / public sector  
  • Economic profit and Accounting profit. Agency theory.
  • Consumer behaviour. Output and costs.
  • Macroeconomic concepts - national income circular flow of model / trade cycle / public finance / government policy / balance of payments / exchange rate policies / globalisation and economic development/Trade organisations.

Module aims:

1. To enable students to acquire an understanding of the conceptual underpinning of business economics.

2. To identify and apply economic concepts and methods to the exploration of business issues.

3. To develop and undertake business economic analysis, incorporating macroeconomic issues.

Module content:

  • Market system & competitive process - demand & supply / price elasticity / pricing / government intervention / market structures / perfect competition / monopoly / public sector  
  • Economic profit and Accounting profit. Agency theory.
  • Consumer behaviour. Output and costs.
  • Macroeconomic concepts - national income circular flow of model / trade cycle / public finance / government policy / balance of payments / exchange rate policies / globalisation and economic development/Trade organisations.

Module aims:

1. To enable students to acquire an understanding of the conceptual underpinning of business economics.

2. To identify and apply economic concepts and methods to the exploration of business issues.

3. To develop and undertake business economic analysis, incorporating macroeconomic issues.

Module content:

Basic mathematics- use of formulae / percentages & proportions / simple equations linear and quadratic equations /graphs

Probability - simple / conditional / rules of addition and multiplication / expected values / risk & uncertainty 

Summarising and analysing data - data & information / tabulation of data / graphs & diagrams / group and ungrouped data / frequency distributions / normal distributions / Pareto / index numbers  

Relationship between variables - scatter diagrams and correlation co-efficients / simple regression

Forecasting - time series based graphical analysis  / trends in time series  / moving averages and linear regression / seasonal factors / additive and multiplicative models / limitations

Financial mathematics - simple and compound interest / present values / annuities & perpetuities / loans and mortgages / sink and saving funds / NPV & IRR calculation and interpretation

Spreadsheets - features and functions of software / use & limitations of software / application


Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to the basic theoretical underpinning of quantitative techniques 
  2. To examine and demonstrate the application of  quantitative techniques including spreadsheets  
  3. To apply quantitative techniques to decision making in organisations

Module content:

Basic mathematics- use of formulae / percentages & proportions / simple equations linear and quadratic equations /graphs

Probability - simple / conditional / rules of addition and multiplication / expected values / risk & uncertainty 

Summarising and analysing data - data & information / tabulation of data / graphs & diagrams / group and ungrouped data / frequency distributions / normal distributions / Pareto / index numbers  

Relationship between variables - scatter diagrams and correlation co-efficients / simple regression

Forecasting - time series based graphical analysis  / trends in time series  / moving averages and linear regression / seasonal factors / additive and multiplicative models / limitations

Financial mathematics - simple and compound interest / present values / annuities & perpetuities / loans and mortgages / sink and saving funds / NPV & IRR calculation and interpretation

Spreadsheets - features and functions of software / use & limitations of software / application


Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to the basic theoretical underpinning of quantitative techniques 
  2. To examine and demonstrate the application of  quantitative techniques including spreadsheets  
  3. To apply quantitative techniques to decision making in organisations

Module content:

Some of the concepts and areas of study and skill development that may be covered include:

  • The internal and external environment in which international businesses operate;
  • The challenges posed by the global business environment;
  • Business economics, demand and supply and market efficiency and failure;
  • Financial markets and money;
  • The management of national economy;
  • The role of governments;
  • The role of international organisations;
  • Economic systems;
  • Corporate Social Responsibility;
  • Ethics;
  • Cultural factors.

n.b. the above list is indicative only and may be varied at any time.


Module aims:

The main aim of the module is to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the global business environment and its impact on the performance and competitiveness of international businesses.

Module content:

Some of the concepts and areas of study and skill development that may be covered include:

  • The internal and external environment in which international businesses operate;
  • The challenges posed by the global business environment;
  • Business economics, demand and supply and market efficiency and failure;
  • Financial markets and money;
  • The management of national economy;
  • The role of governments;
  • The role of international organisations;
  • Economic systems;
  • Corporate Social Responsibility;
  • Ethics;
  • Cultural factors.

n.b. the above list is indicative only and may be varied at any time.


Module aims:

The main aim of the module is to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the global business environment and its impact on the performance and competitiveness of international businesses.

Module content:

  • Financial planning in a changing social and economic context 
  • Income, expenditure and budgeting
  • Debt 
  • Savings and investments 
  • Housing (rent and mortgages) 
  • Pensions 
  • Financial considerations of reducing time in employment, death, divorce and child support 
  • Insurance 
  • Taxation
  • Banking, markets and stock exchange
  • Sources of finance and their relative costs for business (including SMEs).

Module aims:

  1. To develop a provisional knowledge and understanding of personal and business finance by introducing students to the basic theoretical and conceptual underpinning of finance.
  2. To demonstrate the application and importance of financial planning in a changing social and economic context.
  3. To provide the foundations of personal and business finance knowledge which will be developed in later modules. 

Module content:

  • Financial planning in a changing social and economic context 
  • Income, expenditure and budgeting
  • Debt 
  • Savings and investments 
  • Housing (rent and mortgages) 
  • Pensions 
  • Financial considerations of reducing time in employment, death, divorce and child support 
  • Insurance 
  • Taxation
  • Banking, markets and stock exchange
  • Sources of finance and their relative costs for business (including SMEs).

Module aims:

  1. To develop a provisional knowledge and understanding of personal and business finance by introducing students to the basic theoretical and conceptual underpinning of finance.
  2. To demonstrate the application and importance of financial planning in a changing social and economic context.
  3. To provide the foundations of personal and business finance knowledge which will be developed in later modules. 

In Year 2, you will develop a knowledge of specific areas of business and finance. You may also take our Work Based Learning module.

Module content:

The traditional academic programme structure is not applicable in relation to this experiential learning intern-ship opportunity. The experiential content is freely structured and determined by negotiation between the student, placement supervisor and host organisation. It is generally informed by the aims and learning outcomes and by the objective of optimising added value for both the host organisation and the student experience. 

A placement conference will enable peer to peer sharing of experiential learning permit feedback and allow an analysis of the range of skills and benefits derived from the placement, it will also further develop the construction of learning logs and the portfolio.  For those unable to attend, for whatever reason, online via Teams will permit engagement and feedback.  In addition, the conference will provide an opportunity to acquire an overview of final year options and dissertation and/or project research.

For those students where costs or other geographical/logistical difficulties render visits, conference attendance or participation via teleconferencing prohibitive, there will be an augmented portfolio of activities to substitute the conference activities.

All students will engage in the drawing up of a learning agreement on acceptance of the placement that will cover a contact plan and agreed learning outcomes with their designated academic tutor and placement coordinator.


Module aims:

  1. To provide an opportunity for students to apply and enrich their previous theoretical knowledge and understanding of course content through observation in and insights derived from working in an organisation and professional environment. 
  2. To enable students to develop their practical and transferable skills in a business environment and to experience a broad range of tasks and responsibilities in different functional areas. 
  3. To enable students to pursue professional and personal development in a working business environment
  4. To enable students to recognise the nature of tasks, workloads, management problems and working methods in the working environment.
  5. To enable students to inform the tasks, problems and scenarios presented in the business environment with theoretical concerns emanating from their studies and research and vice versa.

Module content:

The traditional academic programme structure is not applicable in relation to this experiential learning intern-ship opportunity. The experiential content is freely structured and determined by negotiation between the student, placement supervisor and host organisation. It is generally informed by the aims and learning outcomes and by the objective of optimising added value for both the host organisation and the student experience. 

A placement conference will enable peer to peer sharing of experiential learning permit feedback and allow an analysis of the range of skills and benefits derived from the placement, it will also further develop the construction of learning logs and the portfolio.  For those unable to attend, for whatever reason, online via Teams will permit engagement and feedback.  In addition, the conference will provide an opportunity to acquire an overview of final year options and dissertation and/or project research.

For those students where costs or other geographical/logistical difficulties render visits, conference attendance or participation via teleconferencing prohibitive, there will be an augmented portfolio of activities to substitute the conference activities.

All students will engage in the drawing up of a learning agreement on acceptance of the placement that will cover a contact plan and agreed learning outcomes with their designated academic tutor and placement coordinator.


Module aims:

  1. To provide an opportunity for students to apply and enrich their previous theoretical knowledge and understanding of course content through observation in and insights derived from working in an organisation and professional environment. 
  2. To enable students to develop their practical and transferable skills in a business environment and to experience a broad range of tasks and responsibilities in different functional areas. 
  3. To enable students to pursue professional and personal development in a working business environment
  4. To enable students to recognise the nature of tasks, workloads, management problems and working methods in the working environment.
  5. To enable students to inform the tasks, problems and scenarios presented in the business environment with theoretical concerns emanating from their studies and research and vice versa.

Module content:

  • Introduction to purpose of research
  • The research process 
  • Market research industry, research briefs and proposals
  • Research ethics and code of conduct 
  • Qualitative and quantitative research
  • Primary and secondary research
  • Research in context: design and methodologies
  • Sampling methods
  • Data analysis: Intro to SPSS
  • Interpretation of data 
  • Contemporary issues for research in practice 

Module aims:

The aim of the module is to provide the student with the knowledge, understanding and skills foundation to the level 6 management research project. This module covers the scoping of a research problem, design of appropriate data collection methods, data analysis and data interpretation in order to develop business-relevant recommendations. Whilst this module will provide practical experience of data collection, it will not assess data collection. The aims are as follows:

  1. To understand the reasons that research is undertaken in varying contexts
  2. To provide adequate preparation for scoping a management research project at level 6
  3. To develop knowledge and understanding of the research process, data collection, data analysis and data interpretation
  4. To create practical experience of research design and execution

Module content:

  • Introduction to purpose of research
  • The research process 
  • Market research industry, research briefs and proposals
  • Research ethics and code of conduct 
  • Qualitative and quantitative research
  • Primary and secondary research
  • Research in context: design and methodologies
  • Sampling methods
  • Data analysis: Intro to SPSS
  • Interpretation of data 
  • Contemporary issues for research in practice 

Module aims:

The aim of the module is to provide the student with the knowledge, understanding and skills foundation to the level 6 management research project. This module covers the scoping of a research problem, design of appropriate data collection methods, data analysis and data interpretation in order to develop business-relevant recommendations. Whilst this module will provide practical experience of data collection, it will not assess data collection. The aims are as follows:

  1. To understand the reasons that research is undertaken in varying contexts
  2. To provide adequate preparation for scoping a management research project at level 6
  3. To develop knowledge and understanding of the research process, data collection, data analysis and data interpretation
  4. To create practical experience of research design and execution

Module content:

  • Decomposing costs for decision making
  • Traditional costing – its dangers as a decision tool
  • How Activity Based Costing improves decision-making
  • Short term decision making
  • Cost-volume-profit analysis
  • Marginal costing – for planning, pricing and decision-making
  • Relevant costing – for decision making
  • Using budgets for planning and control through variance analysis
  • Long term decision making – making capital investment decisions - introducing cost of capital
  • Pricing to achieve the organisation's objectives - cost plus pricing, target costing
  • Monitoring and measuring performance – e.g the balanced scorecard
  • Working Capital Management
  • Excel model development for decision making.

Module aims:

  • To enable students to elaborate on key management accounting themes and concepts introduced at Level 4 or equivalent
  • To introduce students to management accounting techniques used for decision making.
  • To enable students to develop analytical and problem-solving skills through the application of management accounting tools to theoretical situations - sometimes incorporating Excel models

Module content:

  • Decomposing costs for decision making
  • Traditional costing – its dangers as a decision tool
  • How Activity Based Costing improves decision-making
  • Short term decision making
  • Cost-volume-profit analysis
  • Marginal costing – for planning, pricing and decision-making
  • Relevant costing – for decision making
  • Using budgets for planning and control through variance analysis
  • Long term decision making – making capital investment decisions - introducing cost of capital
  • Pricing to achieve the organisation's objectives - cost plus pricing, target costing
  • Monitoring and measuring performance – e.g the balanced scorecard
  • Working Capital Management
  • Excel model development for decision making.

Module aims:

  • To enable students to elaborate on key management accounting themes and concepts introduced at Level 4 or equivalent
  • To introduce students to management accounting techniques used for decision making.
  • To enable students to develop analytical and problem-solving skills through the application of management accounting tools to theoretical situations - sometimes incorporating Excel models

Module content:

  • Concept of Data – Data Collection; Information; Big Data; DIKW Hierarchy, Ethics in finance
  • Excel data analysis-inferential statistics
  • Excel-logical statements (IFs, LOOKUPS,
    etc.)
  • Excel-pivot tables and charting
  • Introduction to SPSS and AMOS in finance
  • Introduction to databases-Ms Access in finance
  • MySQL for financial data analysis

Module aims:

This module aims to equip student with the requisite computing skills required for the interrogation of data to build a solid foundation for the understanding of finance and analytical concepts

Module content:

  • Concept of Data – Data Collection; Information; Big Data; DIKW Hierarchy, Ethics in finance
  • Excel data analysis-inferential statistics
  • Excel-logical statements (IFs, LOOKUPS,
    etc.)
  • Excel-pivot tables and charting
  • Introduction to SPSS and AMOS in finance
  • Introduction to databases-Ms Access in finance
  • MySQL for financial data analysis

Module aims:

This module aims to equip student with the requisite computing skills required for the interrogation of data to build a solid foundation for the understanding of finance and analytical concepts

Module content:

This module covers following topics:

-        Data analytics and ‘big data’

-        Generating financial insights with API

-        Association rule mining in business finance

-        Clustering techniques in business finance

-        Introduction to Python

-        Analysing financial data with Python

-        Web scraping and text mining in business finance

-        Financial data visualization


Module aims:

To develop students' ability to identify and apply relevant analytics techniques in order to generate financial intelligence in the age of Big Data.

Module content:

This module covers following topics:

-        Data analytics and ‘big data’

-        Generating financial insights with API

-        Association rule mining in business finance

-        Clustering techniques in business finance

-        Introduction to Python

-        Analysing financial data with Python

-        Web scraping and text mining in business finance

-        Financial data visualization


Module aims:

To develop students' ability to identify and apply relevant analytics techniques in order to generate financial intelligence in the age of Big Data.

Module content:

 1 Financial management function - nature and purpose of financial management / financial objectives and relationship with corporate strategy / organisational objectives including in not-for-profit organisations / stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives / key decisions and linkages of financial management / modelling and forecasting, cash flows, variable, sensitivity / financing / shareholder value / financial reporting

2 Financial management environment – economic environment for business / nature and role of financial markets and institutions

3 Working capital management - nature, elements and importance of working capital / management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash / determining working capital needs and funding strategies

4 Investment appraisal - evaluation of investment opportunities including investment appraisal techniques / inflation and taxation in investment appraisal / adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal / rates of return / lease or buy decision / asset replacement / capital rationing

5 Business finance - sources of, and raising business finance / estimating the cost of capital, including WACC / sources of finance and their relative costs / capital structure theories and practical considerations / financing mechanisms effect on Balance Sheet structure / finance for small and medium-sized entities

6 Business valuations - nature and purpose of the valuation of business and financial assets / models for the valuation of shares / the valuation of debt and other financial assets / Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the valuation of shares


Module aims:

To identify the principal concepts in the theory and practice of strategic financial management
To analyse and evaluate financial strategies through the application of appropriate tools in relation to management needs and policies
To synthesise argument and consolidate knowledge by the presentation of strategic financial decisions, in a coherent format, suitable for relevant users

Module content:

 1 Financial management function - nature and purpose of financial management / financial objectives and relationship with corporate strategy / organisational objectives including in not-for-profit organisations / stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives / key decisions and linkages of financial management / modelling and forecasting, cash flows, variable, sensitivity / financing / shareholder value / financial reporting

2 Financial management environment – economic environment for business / nature and role of financial markets and institutions

3 Working capital management - nature, elements and importance of working capital / management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash / determining working capital needs and funding strategies

4 Investment appraisal - evaluation of investment opportunities including investment appraisal techniques / inflation and taxation in investment appraisal / adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal / rates of return / lease or buy decision / asset replacement / capital rationing

5 Business finance - sources of, and raising business finance / estimating the cost of capital, including WACC / sources of finance and their relative costs / capital structure theories and practical considerations / financing mechanisms effect on Balance Sheet structure / finance for small and medium-sized entities

6 Business valuations - nature and purpose of the valuation of business and financial assets / models for the valuation of shares / the valuation of debt and other financial assets / Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the valuation of shares


Module aims:

To identify the principal concepts in the theory and practice of strategic financial management
To analyse and evaluate financial strategies through the application of appropriate tools in relation to management needs and policies
To synthesise argument and consolidate knowledge by the presentation of strategic financial decisions, in a coherent format, suitable for relevant users

Module content:

Part A:      

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the university of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

  • The multiple facets of Global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication

Theories, models and strategies of learning

  • Theories and models Intercultural competence
  • Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
  • Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
  • Experiential learning models
  • Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

  • Enhanced independence
  • Improved command of multicultural behaviour
  • Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development
  • Team building and team work

Part B:            Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 


Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to enhance students’ prospects of completing an overseas placement to the best of their ability consequently it aims to:

  • To equip participants with appropriate knowledge and skills to study or work in a different cultural, linguistic and/or social environment; enhancing ethical, cultural and intercultural awareness.
  • To enhance students understanding of the ethical issues related to living and working abroad.
  • To increase students Global Citizenship skills
  • To provide an opportunity for students to reflect critically on their experience of living and learning within an unfamiliar culture, to their 'home' culture or ethnic group.

To challenge students to learn about themselves as global citizens in terms of life skills, career choices and academic development outside the classroom.

Module content:

Part A:      

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the university of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

  • The multiple facets of Global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication

Theories, models and strategies of learning

  • Theories and models Intercultural competence
  • Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
  • Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
  • Experiential learning models
  • Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

  • Enhanced independence
  • Improved command of multicultural behaviour
  • Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development
  • Team building and team work

Part B:            Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 


Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to enhance students’ prospects of completing an overseas placement to the best of their ability consequently it aims to:

  • To equip participants with appropriate knowledge and skills to study or work in a different cultural, linguistic and/or social environment; enhancing ethical, cultural and intercultural awareness.
  • To enhance students understanding of the ethical issues related to living and working abroad.
  • To increase students Global Citizenship skills
  • To provide an opportunity for students to reflect critically on their experience of living and learning within an unfamiliar culture, to their 'home' culture or ethnic group.

To challenge students to learn about themselves as global citizens in terms of life skills, career choices and academic development outside the classroom.

Module content:

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
  • Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

  • Critical thinking skills, experiential learning       and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

  • Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

Students will undertake study at one of UoC’s partner universities; it is expected that students will choose a series of modules at the university abroad, which equal a full-time study load. This must be agreed by the host institution and the International Tutor. Students must supply details of their courses/modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university, note students who fail to supply this within 4 weeks may have the opportunity withdrawn.


Module aims:

  1. To experience academic life in country outside of the EU, enhancing cultural and intercultural awareness and increasing transversal skills.
  2. To reflect on the impact of the experience in their destination on one’s own personal, academic and professional development.
  3. To engage with the experience of study at a partner university to gain extensive first-hand knowledge and understanding of the relevant society from the perspective of the resident.
  4. To further develop independent learning techniques.
  5. To foster critical evaluation.

Module content:

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
  • Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

  • Critical thinking skills, experiential learning       and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

  • Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
  • Effective time management and organisational skills
  • Project management – working away from University and independent study
  • Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

Students will undertake study at one of UoC’s partner universities; it is expected that students will choose a series of modules at the university abroad, which equal a full-time study load. This must be agreed by the host institution and the International Tutor. Students must supply details of their courses/modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university, note students who fail to supply this within 4 weeks may have the opportunity withdrawn.


Module aims:

  1. To experience academic life in country outside of the EU, enhancing cultural and intercultural awareness and increasing transversal skills.
  2. To reflect on the impact of the experience in their destination on one’s own personal, academic and professional development.
  3. To engage with the experience of study at a partner university to gain extensive first-hand knowledge and understanding of the relevant society from the perspective of the resident.
  4. To further develop independent learning techniques.
  5. To foster critical evaluation.

Module content:

  • The multiple facets of global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication
  • Culture shock
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
  • Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
  • Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Module aims:

This module promotes a reflective and critical approach to interculturality and aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining overseas graduate employment, which will enable them to:

  1. Examine and evaluate a chosen aspect of the society of a target country
  2. Enhance cultural and intercultural awareness and further develop related skills.
  3. Articulate clearly their career plans and take steps to prepare for their first paid overseas graduate role,
  4. Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of identified employability skills,
  5. Articulate, orally and in writing, their findings and their employability skills.

Module content:

  • The multiple facets of global citizenship
  • Ethical engagement and practice
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
  • Intercultural communication
  • Culture shock
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
  • Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
  • Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Module aims:

This module promotes a reflective and critical approach to interculturality and aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining overseas graduate employment, which will enable them to:

  1. Examine and evaluate a chosen aspect of the society of a target country
  2. Enhance cultural and intercultural awareness and further develop related skills.
  3. Articulate clearly their career plans and take steps to prepare for their first paid overseas graduate role,
  4. Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of identified employability skills,
  5. Articulate, orally and in writing, their findings and their employability skills.

Module content:

Pre-placement:

  • Structured approaches to researching, selecting and securing a suitable work placement relevant to the student’s interests and career aspirations*.
  • Writing an effective CV. Constructing a letter of application.*
  • Interview skills.*

 *Note: Students are required to undertake these pre-placement tasks during term 1 level 5, as part of the placement acquisition process and will be supported by the Work Based Learning team and the Careers and Employability department.

 Induction Programme and Placement:

  • The organisational context: research-informed analysis of the placement organisation’s aims, structure, culture.
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess. (Employability Skills: e.g. verbal and written communication, analytical / problem solving capabilities; self-management; team working behaviours; negotiation skills; influencing people; positive attitude, resilience, building rapport).
  • Devising a strategy for integrating into the workplace and work based teams
  • Completion of online assignment tasks covering sourcing and obtaining placement; health and safety procedures in general; general workplace integrity; placement requirements. 

During and post-placement: Learning effectively in and from the workplace:- 

  • Devising and implementing strategies to improve own approach and performance
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of approach to skill development and performance in the workplace;
  • Influencing the Placement Provider’s appraisal;
  • Devising an action plan to develop gaps in transferable skills based on the placement experiences;

Module aims:

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment through engagement with a University approved work placement**, which will enable them to:

  • Develop their understanding of workplace practice and lifelong learning;
  • Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through development of transferable skills;
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills;
  • Articulate, in writing, their employability skills.

Module content:

Pre-placement:

  • Structured approaches to researching, selecting and securing a suitable work placement relevant to the student’s interests and career aspirations*.
  • Writing an effective CV. Constructing a letter of application.*
  • Interview skills.*

 *Note: Students are required to undertake these pre-placement tasks during term 1 level 5, as part of the placement acquisition process and will be supported by the Work Based Learning team and the Careers and Employability department.

 Induction Programme and Placement:

  • The organisational context: research-informed analysis of the placement organisation’s aims, structure, culture.
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess. (Employability Skills: e.g. verbal and written communication, analytical / problem solving capabilities; self-management; team working behaviours; negotiation skills; influencing people; positive attitude, resilience, building rapport).
  • Devising a strategy for integrating into the workplace and work based teams
  • Completion of online assignment tasks covering sourcing and obtaining placement; health and safety procedures in general; general workplace integrity; placement requirements. 

During and post-placement: Learning effectively in and from the workplace:- 

  • Devising and implementing strategies to improve own approach and performance
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of approach to skill development and performance in the workplace;
  • Influencing the Placement Provider’s appraisal;
  • Devising an action plan to develop gaps in transferable skills based on the placement experiences;

Module aims:

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment through engagement with a University approved work placement**, which will enable them to:

  • Develop their understanding of workplace practice and lifelong learning;
  • Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through development of transferable skills;
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills;
  • Articulate, in writing, their employability skills.

In Year 3, you will use the knowledge you gained in Year 2 to take a more strategic view of business and finance.

Module content:

  • Introduction to the research process
  • The importance of research justification and scoping
  • Methodological foundations of research
  • Moral and ethical issues in research
  • Effective project management
  • Rigour and feasibility issues in research
  • Quantitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
  • Qualitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
  • Writing and reporting research in context

Module aims:

The Management Research Project aims to draw together specific subject knowledge and skills, with a particular focus on improved self-awareness and preparation for business, by challenging students for personal and academic development to management positions and and to employability on general. 

  • To undertake a research project that is 'scoped and framed' within a required degree programme of study.
  • To enable the student to design and conduct appropriate in-depth research in an elected area of study.
  • To provide the student with the opportunity to acquire, consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge, methodologies, and research approaches in a ‘real world’ environment.
  • To enable the student to develop and utilise skills in critical investigation; analysis and synthesis of evidence; reflection and autonomous learning.

Module content:

  • Introduction to the research process
  • The importance of research justification and scoping
  • Methodological foundations of research
  • Moral and ethical issues in research
  • Effective project management
  • Rigour and feasibility issues in research
  • Quantitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
  • Qualitative methodology: Research design, data collection and analysis
  • Writing and reporting research in context

Module aims:

The Management Research Project aims to draw together specific subject knowledge and skills, with a particular focus on improved self-awareness and preparation for business, by challenging students for personal and academic development to management positions and and to employability on general. 

  • To undertake a research project that is 'scoped and framed' within a required degree programme of study.
  • To enable the student to design and conduct appropriate in-depth research in an elected area of study.
  • To provide the student with the opportunity to acquire, consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge, methodologies, and research approaches in a ‘real world’ environment.
  • To enable the student to develop and utilise skills in critical investigation; analysis and synthesis of evidence; reflection and autonomous learning.

Module content:

This module covers following topics:

  • Principles of business and financial planning
  • Introduction to financial modelling for business finance
  • Techniques of quantitative financial analysis
  • Scenario analysis in finance applications
  • Linear programming applications in finance applications and their computer solution
  • Decision Making Under Risk and Uncertainty
  • Analysing and interpreting the financial performance

Module aims:

The module aims to develop students' ability to apply financial models and related advanced analytical techniques to inform business decisions and to evaluate possible decision outcomes in a competitive business environment.

Module content:

This module covers following topics:

  • Principles of business and financial planning
  • Introduction to financial modelling for business finance
  • Techniques of quantitative financial analysis
  • Scenario analysis in finance applications
  • Linear programming applications in finance applications and their computer solution
  • Decision Making Under Risk and Uncertainty
  • Analysing and interpreting the financial performance

Module aims:

The module aims to develop students' ability to apply financial models and related advanced analytical techniques to inform business decisions and to evaluate possible decision outcomes in a competitive business environment.

Module content:

  • Financial Statement Analysis: Special emphasis on ratio analysis and other techniques on the financial statements of single companies and / or groups, including the use of cash to measure return; the interpretation of financial statements of singles companies and / or groups and the explanation of the implication of accounting standards on the financial statements
  • Valuation: The use and appraisal of methods of equity analysis for different types of business entity and industry sectors, indicating each method’s problems and limitations
  • Debt and Equity: Terms, rights, conditions of use and the factors concerning valuation of various instruments; unquoted sources of finance including its appropriateness for different businesses and ventures; financing a company’s needs through different finance options such as rights issues, placings and vendor placings; dividend policy considerations and their impact on issuers and stakeholders; financing options for a company’s pension fund deficit; use of derivatives in debt and equity and the incorporation of these instruments in financing options
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals – including international businesses: Commercial and financial rationales for acquisitions and disposals; disposal processes; detailed stages of an acquisition; detailed processes and considerations of mergers, acquisitions and disposals; advanced valuation; financial effect of mergers and acquisitions on the larger group; creation of shareholder value from mergers and acquisitions; restructuring; preparing for a sale; and due diligence 
  • Corporate Strategy: Analysis of business entities and evaluation of strategy including SWOT and PEST analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces; Advising on business strategy, growth by acquisition versus organic growth, disposals and the disposal process and public and private partnerships
  • Corporate Performance and Reconstructions: Analysis and evaluation of information relating to business entities including advanced corporate performance, including Economic Value Added (EVA); reconstructions and business recovery; schemes of arrangement and the role of private equity

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to :

  • Provide students with a thorough understanding of techniques, theories and issues found in practical corporate finance situations. 
  • Enhancing the students’ capabilities and competency in undertaking a high level analysis of financial statements; valuing a range of undertakings across industry sectors; conducting an advanced analysis of debt and equity requirements in given situations;
  • Examine and evaluate how and whether value is created in both domestic and international mergers, disposals and acquisitions; corporate strategy and corporate performance and reconstructions.

Module content:

  • Financial Statement Analysis: Special emphasis on ratio analysis and other techniques on the financial statements of single companies and / or groups, including the use of cash to measure return; the interpretation of financial statements of singles companies and / or groups and the explanation of the implication of accounting standards on the financial statements
  • Valuation: The use and appraisal of methods of equity analysis for different types of business entity and industry sectors, indicating each method’s problems and limitations
  • Debt and Equity: Terms, rights, conditions of use and the factors concerning valuation of various instruments; unquoted sources of finance including its appropriateness for different businesses and ventures; financing a company’s needs through different finance options such as rights issues, placings and vendor placings; dividend policy considerations and their impact on issuers and stakeholders; financing options for a company’s pension fund deficit; use of derivatives in debt and equity and the incorporation of these instruments in financing options
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals – including international businesses: Commercial and financial rationales for acquisitions and disposals; disposal processes; detailed stages of an acquisition; detailed processes and considerations of mergers, acquisitions and disposals; advanced valuation; financial effect of mergers and acquisitions on the larger group; creation of shareholder value from mergers and acquisitions; restructuring; preparing for a sale; and due diligence 
  • Corporate Strategy: Analysis of business entities and evaluation of strategy including SWOT and PEST analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces; Advising on business strategy, growth by acquisition versus organic growth, disposals and the disposal process and public and private partnerships
  • Corporate Performance and Reconstructions: Analysis and evaluation of information relating to business entities including advanced corporate performance, including Economic Value Added (EVA); reconstructions and business recovery; schemes of arrangement and the role of private equity

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to :

  • Provide students with a thorough understanding of techniques, theories and issues found in practical corporate finance situations. 
  • Enhancing the students’ capabilities and competency in undertaking a high level analysis of financial statements; valuing a range of undertakings across industry sectors; conducting an advanced analysis of debt and equity requirements in given situations;
  • Examine and evaluate how and whether value is created in both domestic and international mergers, disposals and acquisitions; corporate strategy and corporate performance and reconstructions.

Module content:

The module will enable students enhance their Ms Excel skills through the use of advanced spreadsheet modelling techniques available for financial analysis. It will build upon key concepts captured in Finance and Accounting modules such as BU4002
(Finance for Managers), BU4010 (Quantitative Techniques in Finance), BU5032 (Corporate Finance), BU5016
(Financial Decision Making). These include:

Financial Data - databases (such as FAME and Yahoo Finance), types of financial data with emphasis on big data, ethics in data handling, annual reports and other opensource

Data Visualisation Techniques in Excel-creation of dashboards using pivot tables, lookups and logical statements, use financial ratios to conduct performance analysis of companies with data on available databases.

Financial Decision Making in Excel-capital investment appraisal techniques (NPV and IRR), What if Analysis, Loan Amortisation, Break-Even Analysis, Cost of Capital (special emphasis on WACC through curvilinear regression)

Financial Statistics in Excel - use the 'Analysis ToolPak' - descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance), Anova (single factor, 'with and without' replication), correlations, regressions, T-Test, and solver (for linear programming).

Financial Markets in Excel - market sensitivity (beta estimation), portfolio diversification (variance and covariance matrix), market reaction to announcement (event study-single and multiple events), market efficiency (use time series models such auto-regression and moving average concepts). 


Module aims:

Equip students with the relevant practical skills through the application of advanced Ms Excel techniques, to analyse financial variables to address complex financial problems.

Provide students with the critical skills required to collect and analyse financial data; and its presentation by means of relevant Ms Excel Data Visualisation techniques to facilitate the process of  financial decision making.

Module content:

The module will enable students enhance their Ms Excel skills through the use of advanced spreadsheet modelling techniques available for financial analysis. It will build upon key concepts captured in Finance and Accounting modules such as BU4002
(Finance for Managers), BU4010 (Quantitative Techniques in Finance), BU5032 (Corporate Finance), BU5016
(Financial Decision Making). These include:

Financial Data - databases (such as FAME and Yahoo Finance), types of financial data with emphasis on big data, ethics in data handling, annual reports and other opensource

Data Visualisation Techniques in Excel-creation of dashboards using pivot tables, lookups and logical statements, use financial ratios to conduct performance analysis of companies with data on available databases.

Financial Decision Making in Excel-capital investment appraisal techniques (NPV and IRR), What if Analysis, Loan Amortisation, Break-Even Analysis, Cost of Capital (special emphasis on WACC through curvilinear regression)

Financial Statistics in Excel - use the 'Analysis ToolPak' - descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance), Anova (single factor, 'with and without' replication), correlations, regressions, T-Test, and solver (for linear programming).

Financial Markets in Excel - market sensitivity (beta estimation), portfolio diversification (variance and covariance matrix), market reaction to announcement (event study-single and multiple events), market efficiency (use time series models such auto-regression and moving average concepts). 


Module aims:

Equip students with the relevant practical skills through the application of advanced Ms Excel techniques, to analyse financial variables to address complex financial problems.

Provide students with the critical skills required to collect and analyse financial data; and its presentation by means of relevant Ms Excel Data Visualisation techniques to facilitate the process of  financial decision making.

Module content:

Students will ideally have studied some finance or accounting prior to undertaking this module, for example BU4002, BU4010 or BU5016

  • The international financial environment: The nature, concept and financial structure of Multinational corporation
    (MNCs), the economic environment and the influence of the international flow of funds
  • The background of international financial markets
  • Currency Derivatives and Hedging (Hedging techniques for foreign currency risk and interest rate risk)
  • Exchange rate determinants and behaviour
  • Exchange rate risk measurement and management
  • Long term asset and liability management - Foreign Direct Investment / country risk analysis/Long term financing - multinational capital budgeting, cost of capital and capital structure
  • Short term asset and liability management –financing international trade, short term financing , international cash management

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to :

  • critically evaluate the international financial environment of a multinational corporation, including financial institutions, financial markets and exchange rate systems.
  • critically examine and evaluate the principal concepts in the theory and practice of international financial management
  • analyse, apply and evaluate financial strategies through application of relevant analytical tools to examine and assess major issues and developments in international financial management
  • provide a critical understanding of the principles of risk exposures and the management of its international financial operations

Module content:

Students will ideally have studied some finance or accounting prior to undertaking this module, for example BU4002, BU4010 or BU5016

  • The international financial environment: The nature, concept and financial structure of Multinational corporation
    (MNCs), the economic environment and the influence of the international flow of funds
  • The background of international financial markets
  • Currency Derivatives and Hedging (Hedging techniques for foreign currency risk and interest rate risk)
  • Exchange rate determinants and behaviour
  • Exchange rate risk measurement and management
  • Long term asset and liability management - Foreign Direct Investment / country risk analysis/Long term financing - multinational capital budgeting, cost of capital and capital structure
  • Short term asset and liability management –financing international trade, short term financing , international cash management

Module aims:

The purpose of this module is to :

  • critically evaluate the international financial environment of a multinational corporation, including financial institutions, financial markets and exchange rate systems.
  • critically examine and evaluate the principal concepts in the theory and practice of international financial management
  • analyse, apply and evaluate financial strategies through application of relevant analytical tools to examine and assess major issues and developments in international financial management
  • provide a critical understanding of the principles of risk exposures and the management of its international financial operations
BA (Hons) Business Finance

BA (Hons) Business Finance

Who you'll Learn from

Langton Mburayi

Programme Leader for Business Finance
Langton Mburayi

Mary Bagby

Senior Lecturer
Mary Bagby

Dr Vivian Ariguzo

Programme Leader in Banking Finance
Vivian Ariguzo

Dr Ahmed Kholeif

Programme Leader MSc International Finance
Dr Ahmed Kholeif

Dr Anna Sung

Programme Leader for MSc FinTech and Business Analytics
Anna Sung

Dr Brian Gibbs

Deputy Head of Division-Business, Management, Accounting & Finance
Brian Gibbs profile photo

Prof Kelvin Leong

Professor of Financial Technology and Data Analytics, PGR Director
Prof Kelvin Leong

Lewis Jones

Lecturer
A dark grey silhouette on a light grey background

Dr Muhammad Sanusi

Programme Leader for MSc Accounting (ACCA Pathway)
Dr Muhammad Sanusi

How you'll Learn

This course uses a combination of learning and teaching methods, including formal lectures, seminars, group discussions, digital activities, individual and group tutorials, presentations, work-based activities, and directed and independent study (e.g., using online materials). Modules are assessed through a combination of assignments and examinations, and through both group and individual projects. Our teaching directly supports the development of the key skills, knowledge and understanding that are relevant to all assessments.  

Please note, our programme is flexible, so you can choose a three-year course, or a four-year course which includes a one-year business placement. This placement can either be study or work based, with the option to go abroad. We offer study abroad opportunities in the USA, Australia, and a host of European countries. 

Beyond the Classroom

On this course, you have the opportunity to spend five weeks working for a host organisation via our innovative  Work Based Learning module. You’ll have the chance to test-drive a future career, boost your CV and gain real work experience. 

On this course, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake an Experiential Learning module, where you’ll apply what you’ve learnt on the course to real life scenarios and projects. 

Our Experiential Overseas Learning module offers a unique opportunity to participate in a short-term placement around the world. 
 
This course offers the exciting opportunity to study abroad for a full academic year at one of our bilateral exchange partners or through ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs), a network of over 300 additional higher education institutions worldwide. 

If you choose a degree with a Placement Year, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year’s paid professional placement at the end of your second year, where you’ll experience the workplace, apply your learning and build connections for your future. 
 
On this course, you’ll spend time out on placement where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career. 

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

26 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers: BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

T Level  - Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. A GCSE grade C/4 (or above) in Mathematics is required.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements

72 UCAS Points

UCAS 

72 UCAS points

GCE A Level 

72 UCAS points overall including a D at A Level

BTEC 

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

BTEC Diploma: MM

Irish / Scottish Highers 

Irish Highers - H4, H4, H4, H4

Scottish Highers – CCCC

International Baccalaureate 

24 points

Access requirements 

Access Diploma - Pass overall

Extra Information / General Entry Requirements 

Other vocational qualifications at Level 3 will also be considered, such as NVQs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. Please note, certain courses may require that you have studied a specific subject at GCE A Level (or acceptable alternatives), or at GCSE. Please see below: 

  • Accounting and Finance - GCSE Maths at grade C/ 4 or above. 
  • Business Finance - GCSE Maths at grade C/ 4 or above. 
  • Early Childhood Studies - GCE Grade C/ 4 or above in English (or equivalent). Maths GCSE grade C would need to be gained by the end of the course to progress directly into working with babies and young children. DBS check also required. 
  • Economics - At least one GCE A Level at grade C. GCSE Maths at grade B/ 5 or above. GCSE grade C in Maths will be acceptable if applicants are studying Core Maths at A Level. 
  • Economics and Business - GCSE Maths at grade B/ 5 or above. 
  • Forensic Psychology - GCSE Mathematics and English at grade 4/ C or above is essential. 
  • Geography - A Level Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or World Development, or BTEC in Applied Science (Environmental). Other social science subjects may be considered. 
  • Psychology - GCSE Mathematics and English at grade 4/ C or above is essential. 

Where you'll study Queen’s Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2024/25 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU starting in or after the 2021/22 academic year will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£13,950 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £13,950. 

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Our graduates have opportunities to go on to work as financial analysts, industry experts, data analysts, business development advisers and account executives. 

Chester has a growing business and finance sector and is home to some well-known finance businesses like M&S Money, Bank of America, Merill Lynch, MBNA International, and Airbus. The Chester Business School has strong links with the business community, and these links help you to find work-based placements and enhance the relevance of your degree for your future employer. 

Progression options

  • Accounting MSc 
  • Banking and Finance MSc 
  • International Business MSc 
  • International Finance MSc 
  • Management MSc / PGDip , MSc / PGDip / PGCert 
  • Master of Business Administration MBA

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.