Management and Finance PgDip

The ever-changing nature of business firms and the markets in which they operate, has made it increasingly important for corporate managers to have a clear understanding of the theory and practice relating to strategic management and the interrelationships between the firm, its employees and its markets, and the implications for corporate financial strategy. Familiarity with the most recent developments in risk appraisal, valuation, marketing, human resource management (HRM), organisational behaviour and strategic management are essential requirements for all those involved directly in business, or in financing business activities, or those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of these important areas.<br/><br/><br/>- Issues you will study as part of your MSc Management and Finance degree programme include:<br/><br/><br/>- How can organisations ensure their own survival in a rapidly changing competitive<br/><br/><br/>- What are the key strategic management problems facing organisations?<br/><br/><br/>- Are organisations as complex as they seem?<br/><br/><br/>- How can you analyse the strategy process, evaluate the strategic choices that may be made and place a value on the strategic options that are available?<br/><br/><br/>- How would you recognise effective approaches to HRM?<br/><br/><br/>- What are the costs and benefits of the alternatives?<br/><br/><br/>- Do contemporary employment practices lessen conflicts and tensions in the employment relationship?<br/><br/><br/>- Which factors are most likely to influence the evaluation and implementation of investment projects?<br/><br/><br/>- How can we calculate a suitable cost of capital to appraise the capital investment decision?<br/><br/><br/>- What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment? Can market risk be priced accurately?<br/><br/><br/>- Can credit risk be priced accurately?<br/><br/><br/>- What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?<br/><br/><br/>- Can futures, options, derivatives and swaps be used to manage the risks involved?<br/><br/><br/>- How can financial forecasts be used in business valuation, and what techniques should be used to improve trend analysis and interfirm comparison?<br/><br/><br/>With these needs in mind, the MSc Management and Finance programme at Bangor are designed to develop participants’ existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants not only with an insight into organisational behaviour and strategic choices in HRM and marketing, but also with an understanding of theoretical developments relating to corporate finance and the capital markets, and competence in the techniques required to assess the consequences for business management. These programmes provide a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of business management and financial techniques in a real-world setting.<br/><br/>**Course Structure**<br/>January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.<br/><br/>September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.