Course syllabus - International Finance

Objectives

The course aims to prepare the students for a career in international financial management and executive positions in a multinational enterprise context. The globalisation of product design, production and marketing affects business enterprises in all countries with increasingly complex financial implications. The contents cover both the theory and practice of international finance, with an emphasis on applications of concepts and techniques for improved decision making and effective management in a multinational context.

Learning outcomes

After the course the student shall be able to:

- understand the concepts and theories related to the international monetary system, foreign exchange rate determination, currency markets, foreign exchange related derivatives, risk exposure and risk management, the financing of multinational firms and foreign investment decisions,

- apply the concepts and theories in analysis of management decision making related to international business finance

Course content

The first part of the course takes a macro-level perspective and covers the theoretical aspects of the global financial environment, including foreign exchange theory, theory and strategies related to foreign direct investment and the international monetary system.

The second part examines financial strategies at the level of the firm, including accounting aspects, capital sourcing, foreign direct investment decisions, the assessment and management of political risk, multinational taxation and cross-border acquisitions and mergers.
Examples of multinational management and international trade are analysed and discussed.

Tuition

The course is based on literature, lectures and active participation of the students, involving student-led seminars reflecting literature review, presentation of a paper and discussion of papers by other students.

Specific requirements

Degree of Bachelor of at least 180 credits in business administration, social sciences or technology. Alternatively Business Administration 90 credits with progression. At least 75 credits must be completed by course start. At least 30 credits must be on level G1N, including at least 5 credits of management accounting, 30 credits on level G1F and at least 15 credits on level G2F. In addition, Sv B/course 2 and En A/course 5. In cases where the course is offered in English, exemption from the Sv B/course 2 is given.

Examination

Seminars (INL1), 5 credits, marks Pass (G)
Exercise (PM01), 10 credits, marks Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The assessment of the students is based on the quality of the paper (PM01) and the performance during the seminars (INL1).