MSc in Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions

MSc in Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions Mergers and Acquisitions play a major role in shaping organizations of all sizes. Therefore this programme will address the importance of the organizations mergers and acquisitions decisions as well as the value of the merging or acquiring firms. The complexities of achieving success in this realm require competent professionals who understand the interlaces of merger and acquisition activity that will be provided to you in that programme therefore will provide you with the skills to analyze and value companies on a more advanced levels of an M&A scenario.

The MSc in Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions programme consists of four core Finance modules and two specialization modules: Valuation of Mergers and Acquisitions and Buy-Out Strategies: Leveraged buy-out and Management buy-out.

Programme structure

Specialisation module 1: Valuation of Mergers and Aquisitions

Throughout this module you will address the importance of merger and acquisition decisions. The value of a merger or acquisition is determined using various models such as combination of tax, legal, cash outflow and inflow issues. This course is designed to provide you with the skills to act as analysts in an M&A scenario.

You will be exposed to the analysis of financial statements and data using both hypothetical and real life data, which allow you to learn how to use a more advanced level of analysis in order to analyse and value companies in an M&A scenario. 

Learning outcomes:

• Identify tools and methods in valuations for mergers and acquisitions
• Determine contextual and contemporary issues in current mergers and acquisitions
• Demonstrate deep and systemic knowledge in the sphere of mergers and acquisitions and the challenges of valuation and harvesting M&A synergies
• Use skills learnt to critically understand mergers and acquisitions and the flaws in valuation models, theories of M&A, management hubris and synthesis these knowledge in the context of value creation through M&A
• Demonstrate effective approaches of mergers and acquisitions (valuation and creating value), using skills learnt on the course or developed individually or in groups
• Possess the ability to plan and implement tasks at professional level; make decisions in the complex and unpredictable context of mergers and acquisitions

Specialisation module 2: Buy-Out Strategies: Leveraged Buy-Out & Management Buy-Out

This is a module designed to address the issues of Leveraged Buy Outs (LBO) and Management Buy Outs (MBO) modelling, and how to tackle their complex and topical issues. These are one of the most difficult to value as they are surrounded by varying issues of complexity. In order to gauge the feasibility of an MBO or LBO, a full valuation is required.

Learning outcomes:

• Identify the different issues and challenges in Leveraged Buy Out and Management Buy Outs including the essential “Self Interest” need generated by the MBOs
• Determine and evaluate LBOs and MBOs and understand the use of these strategies for entry and exit in business
• Demonstrate deep and systemic knowledge in the sphere of LBOs and MBOs, and how they can best be used for creating value for the “participants” and other parties involved
• Use skills learnt to critically evaluate LBOs and MBOs, the downside risk in them, how to mitigate these risks, and avoiding “destroying value” rather than “creating value” in LBOs and MBOs
• Demonstrate effective approaches of using LBOs and MBOs in a practical context, using skills learnt on the course or developed individually or in groups
• Possess the ability to plan and implement tasks at professional level; make decisions in the complex context of LBOs and MBOs

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