This module provides a grounding in the core areas of corporate finance and enables you to gain a basis on which to build the specialist financial expertise that you'll develop through your MSc in Finance. You'll examine financial statements and explore how these can be employed to measure the performance of organisations. You'll then look at the business environment that organisations work within and its impact on their financial decision making. You'll also explore how organisations finance themselves and the factors that determine their cost of funding.
What you will study
This module aims to equip you with the necessary theoretical, applied and critical skills to be prepared to take financial management responsibilities within an organisation. The first part of the module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the financial information provided in organisations’ annual reports which are a major source of information for investment analysts, investors and other stakeholders. You'll be able to use financial analysis tools to analyse, interpret and better understand the financial performance of organisations. You'll also learn certain of the implications of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the reported financial performance.
In the second part of the module you'll explore the impact that the business environment has on financial decision making, the processes for cash flow forecasting and other aspects of business forecasting.
The module then moves on to provide the theoretical, analytical and practical knowledge required to make financial policy decisions on financing the organisation. The focus will be on one of the key financial policy decisions that a chief financial officer or financial director has to take - how to structure and mobilise the funds required to finance the organisation.
The main topics covered in this module are:
- how to understand annual reports and financial statements
- financial analysis: ratios, trend analysis and forecasting
- the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on financial reporting
- the time value of money
- corporate finance theory
- the sources of finance, capital structure and the cost of capital
- the capital and money markets
- equity and fixed income (bond) valuation.
It will enable you to:
- understand, analyse and interpret financial statements
- analyse the performance of organisations
- evaluate how the financial environment impacts upon an organisation’s financial strategy
- understand the capital structure of organisations and the determinants of the cost of capital
- examine how organisations finance their business and the financial markets they access to do so.
Vocational relevance
Introduction to corporate finance will be of particular interest to you if you are working, or planning to work, in the finance sector of an organisation or in the finance division of a company or public sector/not-for-profit organisation. It will also benefit individuals who work, or intend to work, outside of the finance domain but who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in order to increase future opportunities.
Entry
All entrants to must hold a BA/BSc degree awarded by a recognised university, or equivalent.
Various higher education and professional qualifications are considered equivalent to a degree. If you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree you should contact us. The Open University Business School Masters Programme Committee is responsible for judging whether applicants’ qualifications meet the requirements for admission.
You will also need an appropriate facility in English language, sufficient to be able to work effectively at postgraduate level; generally this means capability equivalent to an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5. To assess your English language skills in relation to your proposed studies you can visit the IELTS website. If you think either of these possibilities may apply to you, please speak to an adviser.
It is strongly recommended that you are comfortable with the use of numerical methods and use of spreadsheets. If you're unsure about these skills we suggest you familiarise yourself with illustrative numerical skills and methods prior to study. To help you decide whether you're ready, you might like to try this diagnostic quiz.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Qualifications
B858 is a compulsory module in our:
B858 is an optional module in our:
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
This module is delivered online and time spent using a computer and the internet will therefore be extensive. Written transcripts of any audio components are available, as are printable versions of the online text-based material. Some online material may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader (and mathematical and scientific materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way). Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.
Study materials
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- course-specific module materials
- audio and video content
- assignment details and submission section
- online tutorial access
- published articles
You’ll also be provided with a printed module book as well as access to The Open University library.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
Your tutor will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your assignments and provide advice and guidance. You'll be able to contact your tutor by email, telephone or via your tutor group forum on the B858 website.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
Future availability
Introduction to corporate finance starts once a year – in November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2021 when we expect it to start for the last time.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.