MSc Finance and Management

BEAM032: Investment Analysis 1

Summary:

This is the first module of two in Investment Analysis. Its principal function is to ensure that you are able to use the tools available for equity valuation using annual reports. You will learn how to assess the content of annual reports critically.

Additional Information:

Pre-requisite

Basic understanding of accounting and financial statement articulation.

Internationalisation

This module uses International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which apply to more than 100 countries worldwide and therefore prepare you for an international career.

Sustainability

Presentations, PowerPoint slides and tutorial notes are all made available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

External Engagement

The content helps familiarise you with financial reporting concepts and terminology, which are essential to operate in the corporate world.

Employability

You will learn to synthesise information from public sources and to evaluate a firm's performance and financial position. These analytical skills will be directly applicable to roles such as equity or credit analysts and professional investors.

View an example full module specification

BEAM047: Fundamentals of Financial Management

Summary:

Fundamentals of Financial Management will provide you with a thorough grounding in the principles of finance. It will cover the appraisal of models and issues in financial management. This module will introduce you to corporate finance theory and financial management. It covers techniques for capital budgeting, the role of risk and the cost of capital. It introduces the topics of financial markets and market efficiency, portfolio diversification and simple asset pricing models, the pricing of shares and bonds as well as providing an introduction to international finance.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Investment theory and corporate finance are international by nature and the principles taught can be applied in any country. The module also provides an introduction to international finance.

External Engagement

The module is linked with various professional bodies like CISI (Chartered Instituted of Securities and Investment) and CFAI (Chartered Financial Analysts Institute).

Employability

This module covers many different aspects of finance and prepares the students for employment in different financial sectors. Students acquire quantitative skills, analytical skills, problem-solving, and written skills.

Sustainability

View an example full module specification

BEMM068: Managing Competitive Strategy

In this module you will explore strategy and strategic management from a range of different perspectives. In the current business climate there are many significant issues which organisations and their leaders must navigate successfully to survive and prosper. You will have the opportunity to discuss these sources of dynamism and disorder and to think about how strategy has changed over time with many competing theories and schools of practice emerging to provide solutions to the wicked problems facing strategists. If you aspire to a senior management role, to run your own enterprise, or to work in consultancy, this module will help to prepare you to think strategically and to be able to appreciate the long-term view necessary to set the direction for and successfully lead an organisation in the 21st century.

The module focuses on case method for a majority of the time - so you will be working on a variety of case studies applying theory to real world organisations, diagnosing their problems and discussing the actual decisions facing senior managers in those companies as they search for the best solutions. The skills you gain from this are highly valued by employers and provide a good preparation for some styles of interviews and assessment centres used to recruit graduates.

This module is AI integrated, which means there is an expectation that you will use AI during classes and as part of the assessment process

The aims of this module are to

View an example full module specification

BEMM148: Marketing Strategy

The aim of this module is to introduce marketing as a central feature of the strategic planning process. The American Marketing Association defines marketing as the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. A marketing perspective focuses on an in-depth and critical understanding of desires and decision processes of customers and businesses. This module will introduce the stages of an organisation's marketing strategy as: strategic analysis; strategic choice; strategic implementation; and monitoring and control. Understanding the processes involved in these stages, from both theoretical and practical perspectives will develop participant's awareness of the changing role of marketing in today's organisations. The module content is structured around practical examples and case studies that aim to help you develop skills of critical analysis and problem-solving.

NB: This module is only available to students who have the module listed on their programme specification

View an example full module specification

BEAM068: Accounting, Accounts and Accountability: Examining its Everyday Use

This module examines the importance of accounting, accounts and accountability (the '3As') in everyday society. The 3As are significant aspects of day-to-day life, they shape much of what organisations and powerful individuals represent, underpin situations that we see and hear about in the daily news, and a great deal more. They are prevalent and frequently taken-for-granted concepts within the world in which we live.

In undertaking this module you will investigate the multiple characteristics and consequences of the 3As in their broad (e.g., social, economic, political) context and tease out important aspects of 3As through considering topical and real-world issues, plus drawing also on different theorisation. You will gain critically-oriented insight 'beyond the numbers' of accounting, accounts and accountability. Although this module builds on knowledge attained in studying module BEAM025 'Advanced Management Accounting', you will also cover topics which, to varying degrees, feature across other MSc Accounting & Finance modules, such as financial reporting, other corporate reporting such as social and environmental accounts and natural capital accounting, auditing, taxation and governance.

View an example full module specification

BEAM007: Investment Analysis Dissertation

This module centres on an investment analysis of a real, topically interesting company. You will produce a detailed analyst's company report, using a range of company stock valuation methods to determine the market value of the company, employ financial analysis tools and analyse the macroeconomic and competitive markets in which the company operates.

The module aims to enable you to conduct an in-depth investment analysis case study on a single company drawn from a list of topically interesting companies selected by the module leader. The case study exercise aims to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate, in the development of a detailed analyst's company report, the skills and knowledge acquired in the area of investment analysis.

View an example full module specification

BEAM038: Investment Analysis 2

This module involves developing and appraising critically a set of competing models of corporate valuation, including the dividend discount model (DDM), the discounted free cash flows (FCFE) model, the residual income valuation model (RIVM), the abnormal earnings growth model (AEG), and their reconciliation. It covers forecasting of earnings and estimating the discount rate in valuation. It also establishes links between fundamental valuation models and value multiples. Finally, it discusses equity investment informed by the firm's fundamental analysis.

Additional Information:

Research in Teaching

The whole module is informed by academic research, in particular by the module lead.

Investment Analysis 2 aims to teach you various equity valuation techniques and apply them to the valuation of equities in major industrial sectors. The variety of geographic, industrial and other specialised circumstances requires careful selection of appropriate valuation methods and the interpretation of different standards of financial reporting and disclosure. This involves developing and appraising critically a set of competing models of corporate valuation critically. Ultimately, the aim is to give you the ability to produce equity research reports to professional standards.

View an example full module specification

BEAM079: Coding Analytics for Accounting and Finance

Using Python as its core language, students will engage in an intensive program of coding and analytics using up-to-date software and methodology . You are not required to have any previ ous coding experience but the module would be suited to those with a good level of analysis, statistics, and problem - solving abilities. By the end of this module you will have undertaken several projects and challenges related to the Accounting and Finance literature, with the skills and knowle dge acquired being easily transferable to other disciplines and pathways. Python will be used to perform complex analytics on various contemporary Accounting and Finance research areas such as fraud detection, social network analysis and textual/sentiment analysis. By the end of this course you will h ave a good understanding of up-to-date research methods and be able to use software and technologies in order to independently tackle complex problems. With the fast evolution of AI, analytics and data science within the workplace, this module is an ideal way to equip you with the tools and knowledge required to stand out in an increasingly competitive employment market.

View an example full module specification

BEAM101: Sustainable Finance Project

Sustainable finance integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into financial decisions. This module will introduce you to the latest developments in theory and practice in sustainable and responsible finance. You will develop an understanding of the principles underlying sustainable and responsible decision-making in finance, their theoretical underpinning, and how to apply them in business and investment practice. This module is delivered in an intensive block over two weeks. Content is delivered by experts in their field, and you will have opportunities to share, reflect, and engage with practitioners in workshops. At the end of the module, you will complete a sustainable finance project and develop an action plan that promotes sustainable finance in your professional or organisational context.

The module aims to:

• introduce you to cutting-edge theory and practice in sustainable and responsible finance
• develop your in-depth insight into the strategic implications of environmental and sustainability challenges for financial systems
• enhance your employability by engaging you with the latest developments in sustainable and responsible finance and their implications for business and investment practice
• develop your critical understanding of how sustainability principles are applied in practice
• equip you with practical application and technical knowledge relevant to the CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate (optional)

View an example full module specification

BEMM384: International Business Plan

The International Business Plan Experience is designed as a cap-stone course that will help you to integrate the knowledge that you have gained over the course of terms one and two and apply that knowledge towards a Business Plan model. Building from the foundational and applied knowledge that you have developed over terms one and two from the disciplines of Marketing, Accounting , Management, Leadership , , Entrepreneurship, and International Business, you will be offered the opportunity to write an individual business plan. This project will use an applied, simulated, data-driven approach to understanding an international business issue. This practice-based approach will help to equip you with the skills research consultants and brand managers use in developing international business strategy.

View an example full module specification

BEAM045: Accounting for International Managers

Summary:

Managers are constantly making decisions which have financial consequences:

• How much to charge for X?
• How much does Y cost to make?
• How much profit could be made if...?
• Should there be investment in this new venture, product, or market?

Questions are always being asked by a wide range of stakeholders:

• How successful is the business?
• Should I invest in it?
• Work for it?
• Buy from it?
• Sell to it?
• Lend to it?

Management and financial accounting information support internal and external business decision-making by all those with an interest and influence.

BEAM045 recognises that good managers need to be able to appreciate and use a variety of accounting information and techniques with professional scepticism in business decision-making.

This module also introduces and encourages skills in providing and professionally communicating content that is relevant and understandable to a range of non-financial clients.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation:

• The concepts and techniques explored in this module have global application; Learning is undertaken in an international context, and you are encouraged to share knowledge and experiences from your own and other countries.

Ethics and Corporate Responsibility:

• These are embedded within all topics studied: concepts and techniques are taught to reflect that it is the responsibility of all organisations to make ethical financial decisions and actions, and to provide financial information so that stakeholders can make their own informed decisions.

Employability:

View an example full module specification

BEAM050: Advanced Corporate Finance

Summary:

This module has two aims. Firstly, it extends the material covered in BEAM047 and introduces you to a number of additional topics in corporate finance theory, including debt financing, mergers and acquisitions and pensions.

Secondly, the module illustrates the application of corporate finance theory to practical problems in corporate valuation and strategy, through the use of practical exercises and case studies.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

This is a theoretical module discussing various aspects of financial theory which is relevant across the world and relates theory to current issues appearing in the news.

Employability

You will have the opportunity to develop a number of valuable skills, including essay writing, critical thinking, and the ability to apply finance theory to the real-world.

View an example full module specification

BEAM052: Corporate Governance and Finance

Summary:
The module bridges the gap between corporate finance and corporate governance. It introduces the concept of corporate governance, discusses its theoretical underpinnings, and details the role of various internal and external governance mechanisms in addressing agency problems arising in modern corporations. The module also highlights the differences between governance systems across the world. The course material is based on seminal readings as well as more recent academic research in the area and it demonstrates the relevance of corporate governance issues to both business and policy makers. The teaching is organised in the form of lectures and smaller-group seminars.

Additional Information:
Internationalisation
Cross-country differences between governance systems around the world are one of the key issues the module focuses on. In particular, the syllabus highlights the variation in relevance and prevalence of various corporate governance mechanisms in different legal systems.

Sustainability
All of the resources for this module (except for the core textbook) are in electronic form only. The syllabus covers some aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its relevance for corporate governance while discussing emerging topics in corporate governance.

Employability
Students learn to apply insights from the recent academic literature in the context of real-life governance problems. They also develop their skills in team-working, presentation, and independent thinking in this module.

View an example full module specification

BEMM059: International Human Resource Management

The aim of this module is to equip you with a solid understanding of the complexities of international human resource management (IHRM) as well as with the strategic knowledge needed to manage these complexities. The context, theory and practice of IHRM will be explored, e.g. cultural and institutional theoretical frameworks to understand differences across global contexts, comparative HRM practices around selected countries as well as challenges of managing expatriation, global staff and multi-cultural teams. The module also aims to foster critical perspectives on sustainability and ethics within the realm of IHRM by addressing CSR in Multinational companies and drawing attention to international labour practices and human rights. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it encourages you to reflect on how IHRM can promote 'Decent Work and Economic Growth' (SDG 8), and 'Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10).

Internationalisation
This module looks at International Human Resource Management and how it responds to globalisation, so countries all over the world are brought into consideration. How companies manage their expatriated staff in international assignments is a major theme in this module.

View an example full module specification

BEMM114: Managing Operations

Summary:

The aim of the module is to introduce you to the importance of the operations functions of an organisation and how operations performance can impact on the success of the whole organisation. The module discusses the role played by operations managers in setting an operations strategy through which products and services can be designed and delivered. The module focusses not only on systems, processes and facilities in the production and flow of goods and services, but also on the general principles an organisation can use to guide its decision-making. Particular attention is given to operational objectives, capacity management, project management and the process choice decisions facing organisations in pursuit of 'delighting' the ever demanding customer; the customer who today typically expects; quality, value for money, and consistently excellent customer service.

View an example full module specification

BEAM033: Banking and Financial Services

Summary:

Banks and financial institutions facilitate transactions between savers and borrowers, enabling the efficient allocation of financial resources without the need for direct interaction. This module examines the process of financial intermediation and the evolving financial services through which it takes place, including commercial banking, insurance, pensions, and mutual funds. Theoretical and applied concepts are used to develop an understanding of how financial institutions operate, their economic significance, and their role in financial stability. Contemporary developments in financial innovation, digitalisation, and sustainable finance are integrated throughout. There are no pre- or co-requisites, although prior knowledge of introductory finance would be an advantage.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Students engage with up-to-date examples from international banking and financial markets, enabling them to apply concepts across different regulatory, institutional, and economic contexts globally.

External Engagement

The module features guest speakers from industry. Previous contributors have included the South West Agent of the Bank of England and financial services practitioners.

Employability

View an example full module specification

BEAM103: Climate Finance and Investments

Climate finance and investment refer to the allocation of financial resources and investment activities towards projects and initiatives that address climate change mitigation and adaptation. This module introduces you to the role of finance and investment in the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy, the sources of financial risk and opportunity related to climate change and sustainability, and how organisations navigate them. You will explore the science of climate change and its related economic and environmental impacts. You will learn about climate and sustainability public policy developments, their economic impacts, and carefully examine the financial tools that can be used to mitigate and adapt to climate change. You will gain an overview of the key concepts, strategies, and challenges associated with mobilising and deploying financial resources to support climate action, and with managing and disclosing climate- and sustainability-related financial risks and impacts.

Module aims:

View an example full module specification

BEAM104: Sustainable and Responsible Finance

This module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and frameworks related to sustainable and responsible finance. The module aims to explore the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into financial decision-making processes, with a focus on sustainability and responsible investing. You will examine the role of financial institutions, investors, and regulators in promoting sustainable and responsible practices in the global financial system. The module will also address the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable finance and the transition towards a more sustainable economy. You will understand the ways in which the finance sector can support the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

• To introduce cutting edge sustainable and responsible finance theories and practices through research-led teaching.
• To boost student employability by engaging students with the latest developments in sustainable and responsible finance along with their implications for business and investment practices.
• To apply ESG considerations to financial analysis and decision-making effectively. To critically analyse the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable finance.
• To present the potential impact of sustainable finance on corporate performance and investment returns.
• To outline the methods for enhancing sustainable and responsible practices in the finance industry.

View an example full module specification

BEMM126: Purchasing and Supply Chain Management

In today's global business environment, firms compete through complex supply chains rather than as isolated entities. Purchasing & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) is crucial for cost efficiency, supplier collaboration, risk management, and sustainability. This module provides a structured approach to PSCM, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical industry applications, focusing on value creation, strategic sourcing, and supply chain resilience.

Through lectures, case studies, and interactive exercises, students will analyse procurement decisions, risk mitigation strategies, and supplier management, exploring challenges faced by companies as well as public sector complexities. The module integrates cutting-edge research on low-carbon procurement and closed-loop supply chains.

Designed for students from diverse backgrounds, it balances academic research with industry best practices and aligns with Chartered Institute for Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) standards. By the end, students will be equipped to drive sustainable and competitive supply chain strategies.

View an example full module specification

BEMM265: Sustainability and Behaviour Change

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, social change, and behaviour change theories and their real-world application in promoting social and environmentally responsible behaviour and sustainable choices at personal, organizational, community and institutional levels. It covers cutting-edge research in fields such as marketing, economics and psychology that examine the most effective strategies for promoting sustainable behaviour, including promoting ethical consumption and healthy lifestyles. The module utilises the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically responsible consumption, gender equality, and quality education, as a framework for introducing course content.

Module aims - intentions of the module

1. Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, social change, and behavioural change theories, and how to apply these theories to real-world situations to promote sustainability and behaviour change at different levels: personal, organizational, community and institutional.
2. Introduce students to cutting-edge empirical research in fields such as marketing, psychology and economics that examine the most effective strategies for promoting sustainable behaviour.
3. Encourage students to take a critical approach and designing effective interventions to promote sustainability and behaviour change in real-world situations.
4. Help students understand the role that behaviour changes play in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

View an example full module specification

BEMM394: Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation

This module introduces both the theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurship and new venture creation. It adopts various perspectives to provide a holistic picture of the entrepreneurial process, including, but not limited to, the practical aspects of the intellectual, behavioral, and emotional demands of starting a new venture. The module is intended to provide rigorous insight into the realities of entrepreneurial activity and an understanding of the role that small and medium-sized businesses play in the modern economy. This may be achieved by creating a new independent firm or organizing a new enterprise within an existing firm.

If you already have an idea for a new business or are working on one, this module offers an opportunity to develop, refine, and test it.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

You will have the opportunity to develop the ability to think globally and understand international cultures through working on global sustainability problems with classmates from diverse cultures. Diverse teams enable understanding of global problems from multiple perspectives and the development of viable solutions.

External Engagement

This module draws on academic and entrepreneurial experts to enrich your learning journey.

Sustainability

You are encouraged to tackle sustainability-related issues in your group activities and individual assignments.

Employability

View an example full module specification

BEMM786: Service Design and Innovation

This module offers an interdisciplinary and applied introduction to service innovation, with a strong focus on how organisations can design, analyse, and improve services to enhance customer experience and remain competitive. It is particularly relevant if you are interested in the practical challenges of creating value in today’s service economy and in using digital techniques and technologies to inform service innovation.

Building on core ideas from operations management and marketing, the module introduces you to the concept of the service delivery system and explores how customer experience shapes service design, delivery, and evaluation. You will develop technical and consultancy skills that will equip you for the workplace, using real-world data and service improvement examples throughout the module.

The module is research-led and draws on insights from the VISTA AR project, a €7.8m ERDF-funded project focused on digital innovation in cultural heritage sites. This gives you the opportunity to engage with contemporary service challenges and examples of innovation in practice.

There is a strong applied focus throughout, with lectures and practical workshops introducing tools for customer experience analysis and advanced approaches such as eye-tracking and natural language processing. As part of the assessment, you will analyse real-world service examples and make recommendations for improvement and innovation.

View an example full module specification

BEMM839: Unlocking Innovation

Research demonstrates that innovative organisations outperform those that fail to innovate, whatever environments they are operating in. Innovation is often misunderstood as a distinctive "flash of genius," but for successful organisations, it is a disciplined management process essential for survival in a volatile global economy.

Unlocking Innovation serves as the backbone of your study of innovation and its management, moving beyond buzzwords to master the fundamental mechanics of bringing new value to life. In the module you will adopt the core process model (Search, Select, Implement, and Capture) to navigate the journey from a raw idea to a market-ready reality. You will learn how to scan the environment for opportunities (Search), make tough strategic choices on where to invest resources (Select), manage complex project development (Implement), and sustain value from your efforts (Capture).

The module bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application. Whether you aspire to launch and scale a disruptive start-up or drive transformation within an established multinational or public sector organisation, you will develop the "dynamic capabilities" required to manage risk, navigate uncertainty, and turn global challenges into competitive advantages.

The management of innovation is professionalising fast. This is your essential toolkit for becoming a proactive innovation manager in a digital, sustainability-focused world.

View an example full module specification

BEMM841: Protecting Innovation

Innovation operates within competitive and dynamic environments shaped by rapid socio-economic change associated with technologies such as artificial intelligence, sustainability challenges, market uncertainties, evolving innovation policies, and geopolitical pressures. In this context, the ability to protect innovation is central to long-term organisational success.

In this module, you will explore how organisations and governments protect, manage, and responsibly share innovation while safeguarding it from imitation and misappropriation. You will examine both the strategic importance of innovation protection and the practical tools organisations use to secure and sustain competitive advantage.

The module introduces formal and informal protection mechanisms and covers key contemporary themes, including national and regional innovation strategies, innovation policies, intellectual property (IP) regimes, global production networks, and technology sovereignty. These topics provide the foundation for understanding how innovation protection strategies are shaped by technological, economic, geopolitical, legal, and related contexts.

Through case studies, applied exercises, and analytical discussions, you will learn how organisations and governments protect innovation, anticipate and respond to emerging risks and uncertainties, opportunities and shifts in the innovation landscape.

View an example full module specification