FM474W Half Unit
Managerial Finance
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Kim Fe Cramer
Availability
This course is available on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange) and MSc in Management and Strategy. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
This course is not open to students in the MSc Accounting and Finance and students from the following departments: Economics, Finance, Mathematics, and Statistics.
This course cannot be combined with FM431 Corporate Finance A.
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access). In previous years we have been able to provide places for all students that apply but that may not continue to be the case.
This course does not permit auditing students.
Please contact finance.teachingmanager@lse.ac.uk with any queries.
- This course is not open to students in the MSc Accounting and Finance and students from the following departments: Economics, Finance, Mathematics, and Statistics.
- This course cannot be combined with FM431 Corporate Finance A.
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access). In previous years we have been able to provide places for all students that apply but that may not continue to be the case.
This course does not permit auditing students.
Requisites
Mutually exclusive courses:
This course cannot be taken with FM429 or FM431A or FM431W at any time on the same degree programme.
Course content
This course is a self-contained introduction to finance and it covers roughly the same topics as FM431. The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive overview of firms' financial decision making. The course is designed to provide an applied and practical approach to finance, enabling the students to address topical issues that modern corporations face. In particular, the course builds on concepts such as valuation and capital structure theories, and applies those tools in a systematic and rigorous way to real-life financial management problems. After a brief introduction to financial markets, the course focuses on corporate finance and business valuation. Topics such as initial public offerings will also be covered.
The course is also related to FM473 (Financial Markets): both are introductory courses in Finance. FM473 focuses mostly on understanding the workings of financial markets, the determination of asset prices, and the decisions made by financial investors. FM474 studies financial decisions from the perspective of firms (i.e., “Corporate Finance”). Although there is some small amount of overlap between FM473 and FM474, both courses can be taken simultaneously or sequentially, in any order.
Teaching
30 hours of lectures 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.
- This course will be taught in two or three separate groups. Each group will meet for a single block of three hours once a week. Each student will be assigned to one group. Students will not be allowed to choose their groups or to switch groups.
- The course requires weekly in-class activities and discussions. Students must prepare for class activities in advance. Attendance is required.
Formative assessment
Weekly homeworks.
Indicative reading
Berk and DeMarzo, Corporate Finance, Pearson International Edition.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: Finance
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 45
Average class size 2024/25: 45
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse 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
- Problem solving
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness