FM407      Half Unit
Mergers, Buyouts and Corporate Restructurings

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Prof Amil Dasgupta

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Finance (full-time), MSc in Finance (full-time) (Work Placement Pathway), MSc in Finance and Private Equity and MSc in Finance and Private Equity (Work Placement Pathway). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.

All students on a programme listed under the Course Availability will be given a place. The course is not capped.

Please contact finance.teachingmanager@lse.ac.uk with any queries.

This course is not capped, any eligible student that requests a place will be given one.

This course does not permit auditing students.

Requisites

Co-requisites:

Students must complete FM422 and FM423 either before taking this course or in the same year as this course.

Course content

  • Financial analysis of corporate transactions
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Leveraged buyouts
  • Corporate restructuring in financial distress
  • Shareholder activism

This course focuses on the strategy, valuation and execution of corporate deals. In particular, the course examines several key types of transactions including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, restructuring in financial distress, and shareholder activism. The course combines in-depth analysis based on financial economics drawing on academic research with a sustained focus on institutional details, utilizing a number of case studies to support the learning process.

Teaching

30 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.

This course is taught in the interactive lecturing format. There is no distinction between lectures and classes/seminars; there are “sessions” only, and the pedagogical approach in each session is interactive.

Formative assessment

Students will be expected to complete coursework regularly.

 

Indicative reading

A course pack will be distributed that includes case studies as well as additional readings such as textbook chapters, and practitioner articles.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (100%)


Key facts

Department: Finance

Course Study Period: Winter Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 106

Average class size 2024/25: 53

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Specialist skills