Module description
The dissertation forms an important part of the assessment of the MSc International Financial
Management Programme, carrying a weighting of four modules (60 credits), i.e., one third of
the entire Programme. The dissertation requires a demonstration of ability to carry out an
original investigation into an area of interest. As such, the process should reflect skills of
formulating research questions, synthesising and analysing data, drawing insights and
conclusions, and written communication.
Aim of the dissertation
The aims of the dissertation are to:
 conduct an independent investigation of an issue relevant to the content of the MSc
Programme of which it forms a component, under the supervision of an academic
member of staff;
 put into practice theories and concepts learned on the Programme;
 provide an opportunity to study a particular topic in depth;
 combine relevant theories and suggest alternatives; and
 enable the student to show evidence of their ability to plan and manage a project within
a given deadline.
Objectives of the dissertation
The dissertation will normally address the following objectives:
 to build on the fundaments of variety of finance topics taught in the compulsory
module;
 to review specific literature on issues relating to the selected area of enquiry;
 to adapt, modify or confirm research questions in light of the literature review;
 to select and justify an appropriate research design;
 to select and employ suitable methods/techniques to investigate the questions;
 to analyse any data collected; and
 to write a report covering an introduction, a review of the relevant literature, the
research questions, an explanation and justification of the design, a description of the
conduct and analysis of the research, and a discussion of the findings in relation to the
literature and methodological issues, drawing insights and/or conclusions.
After completion of the dissertation students should be able to:
 define, design and deliver an academically rigorous piece of research;
 understand the relationships between the theoretical concepts taught in
class and their application in specific situations;
 show evidence of a critical and holistic knowledge and have a deeper understanding
of their chosen subject area;
 appreciate practical implications and constraints of the specialist subject;
 understand the process and decisions to be made in managing a project within
strict deadlines.
BUSM101 Module outline 2019-20
Organisation of module
The main point of information will be through the dedicated module area on QM+. On this page
the student will find:
 a discussion board for questions and queries;
 an explanation of the supervision process and arrangements; and
 a full set of guidelines on different aspects of the dissertation.
Regulatory information
 The Dissertation assessments must each be an individual piece of work in their entirety in full
compliance to the letter and the spirit of Academic Regulations.
 Collection of relevant data, data processing, interpretation and analysis must be carried out
individually by each student.
 Secondary sources could be shared, but the search for secondary sources, and their interpretation
and analysis must reflect the independent work of each individual student.
 Different students could well end up applying the same methodology, but the reasoning for
choosing a specific methodology and the explanation of its implementation and epistemological
implications must be original and independent from the work of other students.
You will need to obtain ethics approval before you can start the empirical work for your dissertation.
If you do not do so, formal supervision will cease and your dissertation will not be accepted for
marking.

Additional information/breakdown regarding assessment details:
Your dissertation will contain:
Introduction
Is the rationale / justification for the research clearly explained?
Is the research question(s) or problem clearly stated?
Literature Review
Has appropriate literature been chosen for review?
Is there sufficient competence displayed in summarising the literature?
Is the literature review broad/extensive enough?
Methods / Data collection
Is there an adequate explanation of the research strategy/approach?
Have appropriate methods been used to tackle the research question/problem?
Has the choice of methods been justified?
Is there a full explanation of how the methods were used?
Is there an adequate explanation of the data collection process and choices made (e.g.
sampling, selection of data base, conceptual framework)?
Is the process, as described, appropriate (i.e. without serious flaws)?
Is there an explanation of any problems encountered and how these were overcome?
Is there an awareness of any limitations in the approach taken?
Analysis & Findings
Has the data been analysed using appropriate techniques?
Is there evidence of the competent use of specific techniques (at a level appropriate for an MSc
student)?
Has the data been analysed sufficiently to meet the research objectives?
Is there sufficient evidence of general analytical competence/insight at a level appropriate for an
MSc student?
Is there an effective use of summaries/tables/diagrams or other appropriate data presentation
devices?
Is there evidence of the ability to draw effective inferences or conclusions from the analysis?
Is the written discussion of the analysis and findings competent?
Conclusion
Are the implications of the results/findings discussed adequately?
Is there an attempt to relate the results/findings to the literature reviewed?
Are the results/findings used explicitly to answer the original question?
Are limitations adequately discussed?
Are areas for possible further study identified?