FM415E      Half Unit
Corporate Investment and Financial Policy

This information is for the 2026/27 session.

Course convenor

Prof Dirk Jenter

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Finance (part-time). 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. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

All students on a programme listed under the Course Availability will be given a place. This course is closed to outside students and does not permit auditing students.

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

Requisites

Co-requisites:

Either before taking this course, or in the same year as this course, students must complete:

(FM422E and FM423E)

.

Course content

This case-based course brings together and expands many of the corporate finance and investment valuation tools learned in FM422E and applies them to real-world settings. Particular emphasis will be placed upon understanding the strengths and limitations of different tools when confronting complex real-world problems. We will also discuss when and how these tools are used in professional settings such as private equity/investment banking, buy-side research, and consulting.  The specific set of topics covered evolves over time with industry practice but might include the valuation of startups, risk management, cost of capital estimation for multinationals or privately held firms, leasing vs. buying, and financial market timing by non-financial firms.

Weekly case studies will be assigned and discussed in class.

Teaching

30 hours of seminars in the Spring 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

 

Assessment

Continuous assessment (100%).


Key facts

Department: Finance

Course study period: Spring Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ level: Level 7

Total students 2025/26: Unavailable

Average class size 2025/26: Unavailable

Controlled access 2025/26: 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.