Örebro University School of Business

Course Syllabus

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Knowledge and understanding

After completing the course, students shall be able to
- comprehend the relation between the firm's real assets and financing
- know fundamental theories and models relating to firms' financing.

Competence and skills

After completing the course, students shall be able to
- use different techniques to value projects and firms
- make rational decisions that relate to firms' financing.

Judgement and approach

After completing the course, students shall be able to
- assess the theoretical importance of central models in firm financing and critically relate to their practical limitations.

The main course contents are the time value of money, financial calculations, decisions under risk and uncertainty, investment decision rules, cost of capital, company valuation, the financial structure of firms and dividend policy. The course also analyzes conflicts between shareholders and debt holders and conflicts between shareholders and management.

Lectures. Mandatory guest lectures occur.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Final grade:
To achieve the final grade Pass the student must Pass all examinations. To achieve Pass with distinction, in addition the student needs to Pass with distinction on the Written examination.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

First-cycle courses of 75 credits in Business Administration including an independent project of 15 credits, or first-cycle courses of 75 credits in Economics including an independent project of 15 credits. Statistics, Basic Course, 15 credits and 7,5 credits in regression analysis/econometrics/scientific method within economic or statistics. Economics, Basic Course, 30 credits. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

The course will be given in English.


Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Required Reading

See this Course Syllabus as PDF