Current active course description (last updated 2026/27)
Corporate Finance
FIN5003
Current active course description (last updated 2026/27)
Corporate Finance
FIN5003
The course deals with contemporary issues in corporate finance theory and related empirics. The main objective is to provide an advanced background and deeper understanding in the mainstream issues of modern corporate finance, such as capital structure, corporate financial strategy, payout policy, corporate restructuring, corporate governance, and sustainable value creation. The course covers theoretical and legal issues, as well as empirical research and insights.
Topics covered in the course:
- Agency conflicts
- Linear regression and endogeneity
- Capital structure
- Dividends and share repurchases
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Bankruptcy and financial distress
- Venture capital and private equity
- IPOs
- Corporate governance
- Family firms
It is possible to apply for admission to the course as a single course. There are reservations about the available capacity on the course. The applicant must meet the current admission requirements for the Master of Science in Business.
Available for students admitted to the program MSc in Business.
Knowledge
The student:
- Has advanced knowledge in the field of corporate finance and governance, and specialized insights in the financing, investment and payout decisions.
- Has thorough knowledge of the main theories and empirical strategies used in the field.
- Can apply knowledge to new areas within the field of corporate finance.
- Can analyse academic problems based on theoretical foundations of corporate finance.
Skills
The student:
- Can defend and/or argue against corporate decisions with structured, evidence-based arguments.
- Can analyse and critically evaluate existing theories and methods used in corporate finance and governance.
- Can interpret advanced analyses and conclusions from academic literature in corporate finance.
- Can carry out independent, limited research within the corporate finance field, and communicate the results of the analyses in a comprehensible manner.
- Can respond to questions and engage in academic dialogue by applying relevant theories and evidence.
- Can actively participate in academic discussions and group-based problem-solving, contributing constructively to collective learning processes.
General competence
The student:
- Can apply knowledge and skills to complete advanced assignments within the corporate finance field, both individually and in groups.
- Can ask critical questions and reflect on key assumptions in theories and methods used in corporate finance and governance.
- Can convey the information about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the corporate finance field, both with specialists and general public.
- Can communicate, both in writing and orally, group and independent work in a comprehensive manner.
- Can contribute to and benefit from a structured academic environment by collaborating with peers in class discussions and presentations.
- Can contribute to innovative thinking in the field of corporate finance.
Paid semester fee and syllabus literature. It is also required that students have a laptop at their disposal.
Main profile, elective course
Lectures on campus
The study programme is evaluated annually by students by way of course evaluation studies (mid-term evaluation and final evaluation). These evaluations are included in the university’s quality assurance system.
Composite assessment, grading rule Letter grades:
- Course requirement, counts 0/100 of the grade, grading rule Pass/ Fail.
- Course requirement, counts 0/100 of the grade, grading rule Pass/ Fail.
- Written school exam, 4 hours, counts 100/100 of the grade, grading rule Letter grades.
Simple calculator. Two bilingual paper dictionaries are allowed.
Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer is considered cheating. Students must otherwise comply with Nord University's guidelines for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in studies.
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Two bilingual paper dictionaries are allowed.
Simple calculator is allowed.
Artificial intelligence may only be used in accordance with Nord University’s guidelines for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in studies, unless otherwise specified in the course description.
Must fulfil the requirements for admission to the second semester of Master of Science in Business programme.