module specification

The module is designed to introduce students to the basic theory of finance and to apply the theory to the selection and management of financial and investments portfolio. The module will help students to understand theories of finance to develop the skills of valuing investments and critically evaluate the frameworks for pricing securities, risks and reward relationships.

These are core module aims to prepare students as follows

1. You will be equipped with a solid grounding in the core principles and theories of finance.
2. You will develop analytical and modelling skills for informed financial decision‑making using industry‑standard tools.
3. You will learn and develop a clear and professional communication skills of financial analysis and recommendations.
4. You will acquire ethical awareness, responsible behaviour, and employability skills valued in finance profession

1 Time Value of Money LO 1, LO 2 Lecture + Excel workshop Formative quiz
2 Finance Profession & Career Skills LO 3, LO 4 Career skills workshop CV & pitch review
3 Efficient Market Hypothesis LO 1, LO 4 Data analysis lab Short reflection
4 Risk, Return & Portfolio Basics LO 1, LO 2 Portfolio Excel lab Spreadsheet assignment
5 Capital Budgeting Foundations LO 1, LO 2 Case modelling workshop Capital budgeting assignment
6 Capital Budgeting Advanced LO 2, LO 3 Scenario memo writing Written memo
7 Cost of Capital & Capital Structure LO 1, LO 2 WACC simulation Modelling test
8 Financial Markets & Instruments LO 1, LO 4 Market simulation exercise Participation grade
9 Foreign Exchange & Risk Management LO 1, LO 2 FX hedging lab FX model assignment
10 ESG & Ethical Finance LO 3, LO 4 ESG case analysis ESG critique
11 Integrated Financial Decision-Making LO 1, LO 2, LO 3 Capstone case study Group presentation
12 Employability Capstone & Interviews LO 3, LO 4 Mock interview & pitch Oral exam

Teaching will take the form of a 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour seminar session. 

The lecture will be used to introduce basic finance concepts and techniques. The seminar sessions will concentrate on problem solving exercises and interpretive skills. Questions will be pre-distributed to allow students to attempt answers in advance of the seminar. Small group of students will attend seminar sessions which provides enough space and time to ensure learning is taking place. Students will be encouraged to engage in the lessons to solve seminar questions themselves with a minimum level of guidance from the lecturer. This will help them to develop independent learning at the intermediate level of their learning progress.

The learning and teaching materials will be available ahead of the lecture and seminar sessions on VLE so students can read and attempt to solve the questions before coming to the class. At the end of each seminar sessions students will have some questions to work on and reflect their learning in the next lesson. 
 

1. Understand and apply core finance concepts—including risk, return, valuation, capital budgeting, and market efficiency—while recognising how AI and automation are transforming financial analysis and decision-making (LO1)

2. Analyse and interpret financial data using tools such as Excel, financial models, and introductory AI-based tools to support informed and efficient decision-making (LO2)

3.  Communicate clearly and professionally in finance contexts, including data-driven recommendations and ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in finance. (LO3)

4. Demonstrate professionalism, ethical awareness, and employability traits—especially adaptability and critical thinking—in response to evolving AI-driven finance roles. (LO4)

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/43C9FC84-A335-A2A8-415C-998D861D2CD3.html

Core Textbooks:
Pilbeam K, Finance and Financial Markets, 4rd edition, 2018, published by Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN-13: 9781137515629

Other Recommended Reading:
Brealey, R, Myers, S & Allen, F, Principles of Corporate Finance, 12th edition, 2017, published by McGraw Hill, ISBN-13: 9781259144387

Elton, E, Gruber M, Brown S and Goetzmann W, Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis, 9th edition, 2014, published by John Wiley, ISBN-13: 9781118469941

Bailey R, The Economics of Financial Markets, 1st edition, 2005, published by Cambridge University Press, ISBN-13: 9780521848275

Journals: 
Library Journal Databases :  Academic Search Complete, Business Source Ultimate, Emerald Management, Science Direct

Websites:
Financial Reporting Council                  www.frc.org.uk
ICAEW                                                  www.icaew.com
ACCA                                                    www.accaglobal.com
ICAEW online journal                            www.accountancymagazine.com
Accountancy Age                                  www.accountanyage.com
Financial Times                                     www.ft.com

Electronic Databases:  FAME