Master of Philosophy in Financial Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of new knowledge at an advanced level in the field of financial management, and to learners' career prospects and the social value of their work. The qualification provides a well-rounded focussed education that equips graduates with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of finance, investments, banking and financial institutions management, as well as risk finance, insurance, and research methodology that enables them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. Learners are required to complete an advanced research project in a chosen area of specialisation in financial management which culminates in the production of an acceptable full dissertation.

Rationale

The rationale for the Maters of Philosophy in Financial Management is to provide in-depth, specialised education, training and scholarship in the field and practice of Financial Management at Postgraduate level. Financial management has become increasingly important due to the greater financial risks businesses are exposed to, including dynamic, volatile local and global economic conditions, socio-political and increasingly complex legal contexts in which businesses have to operate.

This qualification will provide quality academic and career-focused Postgraduate learning as required by many of our Postgraduate learners, as well as research opportunities. It will improve the graduate's ability to research, analyse and deal with complex real world problems, as well as identify global trends in the specialist areas. These skills are also crucial prerequisites for admission to Doctoral Degree studies in this field.

Qualifying learners will be able to apply acquired research and management knowledge, skills and attitudes to holistically manage areas according to required scientific objectives.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the institution's RPL Policy.

The RPL office can supply full details of processes and procedures relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

All such evidence should be judged according to the general principles of assessment described in the notes to assessors. Lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are

• Bachelor Honours Degree in Financial Management or related fields.

Or

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management.

Or

• An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

• Master's dissertation in Management studies with research specialisation in Finance, 156 Credits.
• Master's proposal: Economic and Management Sciences, 24 Credits.

1. Conduct independent research in the field of financial management and its sub-disciplinary field.
2. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
3. Apply disciplinary knowledge and research skills.
4. Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
5. Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the field of financial management.
6. Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge, while demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field of financial management.
7. Have mastered a body of knowledge within a specified area of the field of financial management.
8. Have mastered all relevant research techniques, both general and specific in relation to a particular field of financial management.
9. Summarise clearly, accurately and comprehensively all relevant aspects of an academic debate.
10. Relate or apply existing knowledge in novel contexts.
11. Make an expert contribution to the conduct of business in a particular area of economic activity.
12. Understand and endorse the need for very high standards of rigour in academic research.
13. Apply the techniques of mathematical, statistical and formal logical analysis to a range of problems in the above fields.
14. Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
15. Prepare professional papers for peer review.
16. Write research and funding proposals.
17. Provide technical reports to professional audiences including governments and businesses.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Construct a comprehensive bibliography relating to a particular area of study and demonstrate mastery of the arguments and evidence presented therein.
• Participate and assist in academic research projects.
• Explain and apply scientific and scholarly methods.
• Gather and evaluate empirical data.
• Replicate research results obtained by others.
• Identify flawed reasoning and lack of rigour in the work of others.

Integrated Assessment

Learners are required to undertake a substantial piece of research work. In this, the student is expected to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and technical skills in relation to a particular set of issues of interest and importance for understanding the activities of business people.

The integration of skills learnt in the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Financial Management is assessed by means of a dissertation of approximately 50 000 words. The dissertation must demonstrate competence in the following areas, all of which are assessed in the examination of the dissertation:

• Research problem formulation.
• Integration of literature.
• Appropriate design and execution of research.
• Use of appropriate methods of data collection and analysis.
• Integration of findings.
• Appreciation of the limits of the study.
• Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

The dissertation is subject to external examination. An oral examination may be deemed necessary by the examiners. A progress report by the supervisor is submitted to the Head: Office of Graduate Studies and Research in the College of Economic and Management Sciences at the end of each academic year and, if satisfactory, the candidate is permitted to reregister in the following year.

Learners are required to undertake a substantial piece of research work. In this, the learner is expected to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and technical skills in relation to a particular set of issues of interest and importance for understanding the activities of business people.

The final dissertation should satisfy peer review through the examination process, whereby two independent examiners are appointed, one internal, and the other external.