MSc Financial Management

Attendance

Full-time

Full-time
September start – typically 12 months
January start – typically 15 months but it can be completed in 12 months

At a glance

About this course

We designed this course for the personal and professional development of graduates who want to work in accounting, strategy, finance and management fields.

It is also suitable for other professionals wishing to fill the role of financial management in a private or government organisation.

Strategic financial management integrates the financial management function into business strategy and every other part of an organisations operation.

Applying strategic financial management knowledge and skills improves an organisations effectiveness and efficiency. In today’s highly competitive business environment, both private and government organisations are increasingly putting more emphasis in this area to achieve their objectives.

The course emphasises business awareness, proactive and logical thinking, research and critical analysis to help managers make sound strategic financial decisions on a global scale.

A distinctive course feature is its focus on present-day national and global developments in business strategy, management, accounting and finance.

By studying updated literature, worldwide events, case studies and companies’ financial accounts, you learn how real organisations operate and the strategies and decisions they implement.

You complete in-depth research into various industries when producing presentations, coursework, assessments and dissertations. This real world focus provides immediate value to your present or potential employers.

Helping an organisation compete more successfully through better strategy and financial management can be a rewarding career, in the UK or internationally.

The team delivering the course has strong links with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).

CIMA fast track route
International students who are CIMA passed finalists or qualified accountants can convert their CIMA qualifications to a UK masters on our MSc Financial Management – CIMA Fast Track Route.

Associated careers

Organisations can only sustain and develop their competitiveness by acquiring and effectively using resources.

Successfully completing this course, equips you with financial management knowledge and skills sought by organisations worldwide.

The range of career opportunities includes • finance manager • financial controller • business strategist • financial analyst • strategic accountant • consultant • strategy or financial journalist • researcher • educator.

Professional recognition

Successfully completing the international treasury management module gives you an additional professional qualification awarded by the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).

Course content

Semester one – postgraduate certificate

Finance
In this module you develop your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of finance, and the way in which financial decisions are reflected in financial statements. You develop the ability to critically evaluate and choose between alternative sources of finance. You also enhance your appreciation of the role and application of investment appraisal techniques for companies making investment decisions.

Methods of enquiry
You gain analytical and technical research and consultancy skills. You develop knowledge and a reflective understanding of methodological and philosophical issues in research and consultancy with specific reference to finance.

Understanding markets
This module takes a holistic approach to solving business problems. It integrates your learning from other modules into the process of managing a complex business situation. The module is delivered by action learning and involves the use of computer simulations. You manage strategy development, marketing, finance and human resources. You compete against other teams in managing all aspects of a virtual company in a virtual marketplace.

Financial risk management
This module provides a critical understanding of the identification, measurement and management of financial risk in organisations, together with an appreciation that risk management must always be related to corporate objectives. You apply the concepts and theories from relevant literature to practical situations, developing cost-effective solutions and recognising the need for an enterprise-wide approach

Semester two – postgraduate diploma

Core modules

Corporate finance
You develop your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental theoretical principles of corporate finance. You enhance your appreciation of the practical application of these principles when formulating financial strategy, both at a domestic and an international level. You also develop your ability to understand and offer a critique of financial theory, and develop your technical problem solving ability through a number of numerically-based scenarios.

Corporate governance and ethics
This module develops your understanding of the nature and purpose of corporate governance and control systems, within both commercial and not-for-profit organisations in the UK and internationally. You identify appropriate approaches and solutions to problematic situations which might benefit from the introduction of governance and control processes.

Strategic management accounting for performance enhancement
As the business environment becomes more complex and global, there is an increasing need for managers to understand the role that management accounting plays in supporting strategy and driving performance. This module allows you to explore how management accounting and control practices and systems are shaped by cultural, political, institutional, technological, competitive and environmental factors. You gain the ability to critically evaluate a range of management accounting practices and systems and the specific contexts within which these practices and systems operate and evolve. This understanding enables you to recommend future change to organisations in order for them to remain competitive.

Options
One from • advanced portfolio management • consultancy project 1 • financial analysis • information system auditing • innovation in the digital enterprise • international treasury management*

* Successfully completing the international treasury management module gives you an additional professional qualification awarded by the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). If you choose this module there is an ACT registration fee in addition to your course fees, which you are invoiced separately for.

The options available are subject to demand.

Semester three - MSc

Research methods
This module develops your abilities to critically evaluate published research and develop your own research skills. It provides the key steps in developing your understanding of the nature of the postgraduate dissertation and approaches to undertaking one. On completion of the module you are able to draw up research proposals and undertake your own dissertation research project.

Dissertation
You complete a major research-based project on a topic relevant to your future career development or your academic interest. It enables you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have gained and develop your research skills.

Assessment

• assignments • examinations • dissertation

Entry requirements

You normally need one of the following in a relevant subject
• a good honours degree
• a recognised postgraduate qualification
• an equivalent recognised professional qualification

Relevant subjects include • accounting • banking • business management • business administration • economics • finance • financial services • global trade/business

If you don’t have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience and other formal qualifications.

Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English qualification.

If you do not meet the above criteria you can apply for the Graduate Diploma in Business and English. After passing this diploma we automatically offer you a place on one of our business-related masters degrees.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £5,355 for the course, plus an additional fee of £600 if you choose to study the optional module international treasury management

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £12,060 for the course, plus an additional fee of £600 if you choose to study the optional module international treasury management

2014/15 academic year

Typically £12,150 for the course, plus an additional fee of £600 if you choose to study the optional module international treasury management

How to apply

Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

Contact details

For more information contact Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, Stoddart Building, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB. Phone +44 (0)114 225 2820, fax +44 (0)114 225 5268, e-mail sbs@shu.ac.uk