Postgraduate Certificate in Finance

The qualification provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this qualification you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:

• The scope of financial knowledge and its application within a wide range of national and multinational organisations

• The fundamentals of financial analysis and corporate finance theory

• Organisational performance in terms of return on investment, investment risk and capital structure management

• The implications of corporate governance, agency theory and the related role of stakeholders.

• The links between corporate finance theories underpinning the cost of capital, dividend policy and efficient markets

• Quantitative finance and its practical applications to project appraisal, company valuation

• The core features of Islamic finance

• The various financial risks faced by corporations and financial institutions and ways to manage those risks and become aware of the trends in finance theory and its applications.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this qualification you will be able to:

• Critically assess alternative methods for valuing companies, prepare and evaluate financial projections of projects and carry out sensitivity analysis

• Calculate the cost of capital using different methods, evaluate capital structures that may be applied by companies and the implications of these structures for the cost of capital and valuation

• Select, access and evaluate relevant published research and information across a range of areas relevant to finance theory and its application accessed digitally through the OU library and other web-based resources.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this qualification you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of financial theory and its application in strategic decision-making

• Appreciate the governance and ethical issues encountered in the finance profession

• Identify the financial data and analytically present the same, prepare a financial appraisal of projects and comment and advise on the mergers and acquisition valuation

• Use Excel to solve problems related to investing and financial analysis.

Key skills

On completion of this qualification you will be able to:

• Carry out financial calculations for use in corporate finance decisions (for example, investment analysis), including the use of computer spreadsheets

• Analyse and interpret financial statements and carry out valuation of companies

• Show evidence of digital scholarship by finding, using, managing and sharing information and literature using digital resources.

To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits from the following:

Compulsory modules

• Financial markets and the financing of organisations (B815)
• Financial strategy and governance (B816)

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B858, and B859.

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

The qualification offers an integrated learning experience using a wide range of teaching and learning resources and assessment approaches.

This will include study materials supplied by the OU, online tuition provided by a dedicated subject specialist tutor, activities including practical exercises, critiquing and collaboration with other students and finally, assignments and end-of-module assessments.

The study materials will include a comprehensive range of specially written module materials, case studies, original texts, video, audio and interactive software.

The tutor is your first point of contact throughout your study. They will answer questions on materials, mark assignments and run online tutorials. You will be part of an online tutor group forum where you will undertake learning activities and can explore topics as you study them.

You will be expected to engage in a range of activities including reading texts, solving numerical problems and scenarios, researching and using relevant literature on contemporary issues in finance and applying theories to practical situations. Cognitive and practical skills are developed through a range of activities within the modules including prompted and guided search and retrieval of information, literature and databases.

The materials and the tutor support will help you to develop your skills in managing workloads. You will spend a large percentage of time working under your direction and initiative. Your progress and learning are measured by tutor-marked assignments and examinations. Assignments and examinations will demonstrate your understanding of principles and relevant theories and their application to problem-solving situations.

In addition, these will demonstrate your ability to critically read and comment on academic literature in cognate areas. They will also require evidence of practical and professional skills as well as demonstrated levels of knowledge and understanding.