Course description
This course produces first-class international business executives who possess the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in commercial activities ranging from banking, finance, shipping, insurance, trade and industry to government.
The course is delivered through a wide range of teaching methods including case studies and group work. Lectures and seminars are given by highly qualified practitioners from the business and finance communities. The course covers the latest topics in international business, and is validated by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Many former graduates hold key positions and have eminent careers worldwide in fields such as commercial banking, commodity trading, import-export, government, investment banking, e-commerce, insurance, law, management consultancy, manufacturing, journalism, publishing, real estate, retailing, shipping finance, shipping operations, stockbroking, and university research and teaching.
Course Content - Ahead of the game
Ahead of the game
We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice. Consequently, there may be some change to the detailed content of the modules, and occasionally to module titles.
To satisfy the requirements of the degree programme students must complete:
* nine core courses
and
* five electives
or
* two electives and a Business Research Project
Two Induction Weeks These Masters programmes all start with two compulsory induction weeks, focused mainly on:
* an introduction to careers in shipping, logistics and energy and the opportunity to speak to representatives from over 75 companies during a number of different industry specific fairs.
* a refresher course of basic financial mathematics, statistics, computing and electronic databases.
* Term 1
Five core modules (30 hours each)
International Economics
Explores the economic relationships between nations; international trade relations and benefits; the effects of barriers to trade and income distribution; trade policy; and international monetary relations. The significance of external influences on fiscal and monetary policy, the balance of payments and the theory and evidence of exchange rate determination all form part of this module, which also looks at the response of the exchange rate to monetary and other shocks, and examines the case for fixed exchange rates.
Managerial Accounting
Introduces the principles of accounting and finance in business and the main techniques in management accounting, planning and control. Covers the interpretation and use of annual reports and accounts, financial and ratio analysis, and their use for managerial decision-making, and budgetary control systems.
Principles of Finance
As a first course in finance, addresses the key issues involved in valuing assets and liabilities on the basis of their future earning power. Students are introduced to the problems involved in specifying risky future earnings and the appropriate rate at which to capitalise them. Payoff asymmetry is examined, and options are valued with the help of both the binomial and Black-Scholes models.
Quantitative Methods
Following the induction course, it covers descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as regression analysis techniques. Develops skills that are essential for other modules and the dissertation and is designed to ensure relevance to everyday business problems.
Shipping Economics*
(For Shipping, Trade & Finance and Energy, Trade & Finance students only)
Focuses on the operational environment of the bulk-shipping sector. Subsequently discusses extensively the microeconomic structure of the four main markets (freight, second-hand, shipbuilding and demolition) in dry bulk and tanker shipping, together with the operational characteristics, international regulations and policies which affect these highly competitive, volatile, but nevertheless exciting industries. Continues with an introduction to liner and container shipping economics and concludes with a discussion of the principles of modern supply chain logistics, of which bulk shipping forms an integral part.
Transport Economics
(For Logistics, Trade & Finance students only)
Sets the foundations for understanding the industry by outlining its basic economic structure and organisation in a series of lectures. Topics for discussion include the significance and role of transportation in society; transport demand parameters; |the regulatory framework and transport policies; transport geography and physical location; and the issues raised by vehicle and infrastructure provision. In the spirit of the international scope of this course, examples will be drawn from several regions around the world, with particular emphasis on Britain, Europe and developing countries. Concludes with a series of lectures introducing the concepts of logistics and supply chain management.
*Sponsored by Thanassis and Marina Martinos
* Term 2
Five core modules (30 hours each)
Advanced Quantitative Methods
Builds on the knowledge acquired in Quantitative Methods in Part one and focuses on skills required for advanced analysis in areas such as risk management and forecasting.
Corporate Finance
Builds on the subject matter learned in Principles of Finance in Part one and focuses on the decisions undertaken by the modern industrial corporation, with respect to such areas as expansion, restructuring, capital formation and acquisitions. Applying theoretical concepts to case studies, the student will extend his or her ability to formalise, structure and analyse capital expenditures and investments, including how they are financed and how the risks thereby arising are managed. Topics include mergers and acquisitions; restructuring; investment banking; cost of capital; and the use of futures and options to manage risk.
Financial Markets
Covers the global economic and financial environment within which business corporations operate. Globalisation and integration of markets for debt, equity and risk management have created new opportunities in the capital formation process, but pose great difficulties in navigating successfully. Where should capital be raised? How does one manage the risks from certain currencies and certain sovereign regions? In the context of the globalisation of capital markets, considers the structure, functions and performance of financial markets on an international basis and how they facilitate real economic activity; and the role of institutions operating as global intermediaries within these same markets.
International Commodity Trade
Discusses the theory and practice behind the development of modern patterns of trade, focusing on the world's major bulk commodities, such as grains, petroleum, and ferrous and non-ferrous ores. Considers in depth the distinctive microeconomic characteristics of key commodities, such as storability, perishability and seasonalities; pricing mechanisms and methods of adjustment; the role of key producers and key markets in shaping market conditions.
International Logistics and Distribution
(For Logistics, Trade & Finance students only)
Building on the knowledge gained in Transport Economics, this module studies the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods from point of origin to point of consumption.
Using, inter alia, computer-based simulation exercises, discusses such topics as supply chain management, inventory control, multimodal transport management, global distribution, and quality and value in logistics. Case studies are used throughout to illustrate the planning of integrated transport systems, and also to strengthen an appreciation of logistics as a strategic tool. Visits by industry leaders illustrate best practice, affording the opportunity for discussion of timely issues.
Shipping Investment and Finance*
(For Shipping, Trade & Finance students only)
The skills developed in both Principles of Finance and Corporate Finance are applied to the shipping industry while introducing several new and important concepts to develop the ability and the analytical tools to make rational shipping investment and finance decisions. Making extensive use of case studies, areas covered include the fundamental principles of shipping investment and finance; vessel investment and disposal markets; investment feasibility studies; bank credit policy, bank credit analysis and proposals; other sources of shipping finance such as shipyards and capital markets; and risk management in shipping.
Oil and Energy Trading Economics and Finance
(For Energy, Trade & Finance students only)
This module prepares you for a career in the oil and energy industries.
It consists of a combination of the following key aspects of the energy industry. Petroleum - Exploration, production history and cost; Basic hydrocarbon chemistry; Refining economics; Effect of product quality and the environmental issues. Energy - Geopolitcal role of oil, gas and coal; Supply and trading patterns and economics; Demand structure and inter relationship of the energy markets; The role of finance, Price risk management and controls.
You will progress from an understanding of the exploration and development of oilfields to the economic exploitation of the energy markets through refining, gas distribution and power generation, to marketing and trading and the role of finance throughout the supply chain. The integration with the other aspects of the course will lead to an understanding of short term trading, project financing, shipping economics and the use of systems and instruments to risk manage the process both in the short and long term context
*Module sponsored by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
* Term 3
Five electives from the list below (18 hours each)
OR
Two electives and a Business Research Project
Electives
You may choose from a wide variety of electives. For example:
* 6 Sigma for Managers
* Air Transport
* Commodity Risk Management*
* Container and Intermodal Transport
* Crude Oil Supply and Economics
* Dry Cargo Chartering
* E-commerce and IT
* Empirical Finance
* Equity Investment Management
* Finance in Emerging Markets
* Fixed Income Analysis
* Forecasting Investment Markets
* Futures
* International Banking
* Marine Insurance
* Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestments
* Options
* Project Finance
* Risk Management
* Shipping Innovation**
* Shipping Law
* Shipping Risk Management*
* Supply Chain Modelling
* Tanker Chartering*
*Indicates compulsory modules for Energy, Trade and Finance students only.
**Module sponsored by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Research Methods module
This compulsory module trains students to undertake independent research either in the context of a single organisation or by using third-party sources. It provides the necessary tools and skills to initiate, research and write up a business project and includes training in research methodology, availability of data sources, project writing, time-management and presentation skills. These skills will be invaluable to students in their future career whether or not they choose to complete a project.
