In this module we begin by looking at the types and sources of finance for a company. Next we seek to understand the cost of capital and the major theories that guide us. Next comes sources of long-term finance: capital, debt and hybrid finance. Finally, we study Asset-Backed Securitisation and Covered Bonds which are newer sources of long-term finance.
The overall aim of this module is to provide an overarching understanding of the financial management of corporate organisations. Specifically, the module will firstly give students an overview of the importance of accounting processes as key parts of wider corporate financial management decision-making processes, taking into account both internal and external stakeholders. Following this underpinning, the module will continue to explore corporate finance as a key part of the successful development and effective organisation of any corporation in a highly interdependent global business environment. This section of the module will look into how corporations strive to maximise shareholders' wealth, assess investments and determine the costs of capital when making financing decisions.
This module examines corporate governance as the system by which companies are directed and controlled. A particular focus is on the role and contribution of boards and individual directors in governing organisations around the world. The module will shine a light on poor behaviour within the boardroom and consequences that such behaviour can have on the organisation board directors govern. The mechanisms/controls that organisations and behaviours that individual board directors can use to improve the conduct and performance of boards will also be considered, including a discussion about what constitutes an effective board. Students will develop critical perspectives on the what, the why and the how of good board governance in different organisational and national contexts. The theoretical foundations of corporate governance will be illustrated with examples, and integrated with practical exercises to help students develop their knowledge, skills and capabilities to assume a top management / board director role within an organisation and demonstrate ethical and responsible behaviour in that role.
Companies are the business vehicle of choice world-wide and one of the key issues both for investors and for regulators is the structure, composition and responsibilities of the board of directors. The real power in a company tends to be concentrated in the board with the result that directors may be inclined to advance their own interests rather than the interests of the investors (while risking the investors’ money, of course). When companies collapse, often with substantial losses to investors and creditors, regulators too want to know why the board failed to manage the business in a sustainable way. Hence, corporate governance is the key issue in the sustainability of large enterprises. Corporate governance is about the structure and composition of boards of directors, especially in traded companies (i.e. companies with shares traded on stock exchanges). Much of the UK Corporate Governance Code, which leads the world in this regard, is focused on the structure, role and responsibilities of the board. The Code is ‘soft’ law, but is a significant regulatory tool coupled with the framework of hard law regulation of traded companies (statute and stock exchange rules). Practically every developed economy has a corporate governance code, most are based on the UK Code, and there are international examples as well, such as the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance. All focus on the role of the board. This module will focus on board governance issues, from composition and structure, to tasks and responsibilities, particularly with respect to risk management, strategy, long-termism and sustainability.
The module provides an introduction to corporate governance from organisational, economic and accounting perspectives.
This module covers the development of the concept and the meaning of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business (SB); how CSR and SB models are being implemented in today’s corporations, its impact and likely future directions. The module summarises the latest thinking of the strategic significance of CSR and SB, and how CSR and SB go to the heart of the way in which businesses make decisions and conduct their activities. In the process, the module demonstrates how CSR and SB can lead to innovation, new business opportunities and towards solutions to many of today’s long-standing business, social and environmental problems. The module additionally includes perspectives that critique CSR in terms of being about reputation management rather than socially responsible business practices. Content is regularly updated to reflect the challenges organisations face in meeting the transition to net zero and presents latest examples of circular economy approaches.
This module covers topics such as investment appraisal, evaluation of corporate investment, M&A, corporate governance issues in both theoretical and empirical aspects, and thus provides the knowledge which may be required for managers. The materials may be extended by including new findings in the research literature and students can get more up-to-date knowledge in the corporate finance area.
The module introduces the foundations of corpus linguistics and the role of corpus linguistics in language teaching, which plays an increasingly important role in TESOL. The theoretical underpinnings of data-driven learning and diverse applications of corpus linguistics in language teaching are explored. The module will also enable students to gain practical skills in using corpora and corpus tools to increase their language awareness and inform their language teaching practices and materials.
In this module, we introduce corpus linguistics as an approach to and method for analysing large-scale text data. We will develop an understanding of building and curating datasets, annotating data, and using quantitative and statistical measures for text analysis. We will explore the uses, advantages and disadvantages of applying semi-automated methods in research. As we move through the module, we will experience each step of the process of doing research with large-scale text data, considering the choices we make in research and how we can justify them in light of our aims.
Modern cosmology is a fascinating and fast-developing field, with intense research activity fuelled by major discoveries made in the last decade. These have overturned our understanding of the Universe’s properties and established a new standard cosmological model that, however, poses challenging puzzles for fundamental physics, such as the nature of Dark Matter, the current acceleration of the Universe’s expansion and the occurrence of an inflationary stage in the first moments of the Universe. The course will draw upon a diverse range of core physics material as well as introducing new physics; it will not require specialist astronomical knowledge.
This module gives an introduction to the theory and practice of genomic counselling. It will equip students with the knowledge, communication and counselling skills, appropriate attitudes and behaviours towards the diagnosis and management of patients whose care will be influenced by genomic investigations. Given the interactive nature of the module, in-person attendance is essential for successful completion of the module.
Laboratory Exercises This part of the coursework module provides: - An introduction to experimentation, data collection, and error analysis. - Opportunities to complete formal reports based on laboratory work. Computer Applications This part of the coursework module provides: - An introduction to the digital world in the context of academic study within the UK Higher Education system. - An introduction to programming in Python. - An opportunity to work in a group using software development cycles.
Elizabeth I is regarded by many as the most influential of the Tudor monarchs but how did she and those around her, including her parents, tutors, and courtiers, fashion her into the queen we know as Gloriana? While presenting her as a pious, just and legitimate ruler were essential, Elizaeth and her court also drew upon many facets of the Ancient World to help bolster her position as a queen regnant. They also took inspiration from late 14th century reception of the ancient world in the form of lists of the Nine Worthy Women which consisted of three classical queens and leaders, alongside three Jewish and three Christian inspiring women. Elizabeth received a very good humanist education to help shape her as a female prince. She studied classical texts and learnt Greek and Latin, and once queen she made use of Roman oratory in her writing and speeches. During this module we will explore how Elizabeth and those around her drew up classical mythology, female role models from the Bible, powerful women such as Cleopatra and Arthurian legends from the 5th century CE to create many of the most famous portraits, plays and poems that celebrated Elizabeth I as queen.
This module introduces you to principles of programming for creative applications. Using accessible platforms including block-based coding, simple robotics and front-end web design you will work on exercises that will quickly develop your technical skills and allow you to experiment with creative ideas.
In this module you will build on your technical and creative practice in programming to explore the possibilities of applied and pervasive computing. Through workshops you will experiment with hardware and material systems that might include wearable tech, locative applications or simple robotic or Arduino systems. You will consider the social and ethical implications of creative technical systems and applications.
This module introduces you to Creative Design Interpretations across Textiles, which considers the principles of the programme - Sustainability, Luxury and Ethical Artisanship in relation to Textiles. You will creatively interpret the contexts, theory, techniques and materials introduced in the adjacent module ‘The Principles of Sustainability, Luxury and Artisanship’ across knit, weave, print and dyeing textiles through a series of creative design and making workshops. You will explore and play with colour and dyeing, fibres and yarns and get a feel for the diversity of fabric textures, effects and uses. This module allows you to explore your creativity, experiment with materials, and visually interpret inspirations, objects, images, pattern and structures. You will make drawings, experiments, photographs and learn how to interpret these into creative textile designs and structures. This module will provide you with digital resources and training workshops to develop your digital skills for different purposes. You will learn about academic study, research and referencing, integrity, critical thinking and reflective practice. You will research, collect, record and interpret to generate original creative design ideas for textiles.
This module offers you the opportunity for further investigation, risk-taking and critical self-assessment as you develop and define your unique fashion identity. Working towards a pre-collection will allow you to examine new ideas and test innovative solutions, culminating in a substantial body of preliminary research and initial design development that will inform the research proposal relating to your Final Major Project.
This module offers you the opportunity for further investigation, risk-taking and critical self-assessment as you develop and define your unique textile design identity. Working towards a pre-collection will allow you to examine new ideas and test innovative solutions, culminating in a substantial body of preliminary research and initial design development that will inform the research proposal relating to your Final Major Project.
This module asks you to engage with and critically reflect on areas of the creative and cultural industries in relation to your career aspirations and with consideration of issues of sustainability and EDI. You will undertake short projects in response to live briefs set by industry partners, study and apply industry-standard methods of project management and user testing. You will conduct your own research into aspects of industry and employment that interest you and relate to your professional development and identity as a creative technologist.
On this module, you will identify and develop research on an areas of the broad field of creative technologies industry that connects with your creative or vocational interests and trajectory. This could be an organisation in the creative and cultural sector, a mode of design or art production, NGOs and activism, etc. You will consider issues of ethics and sustainability in your chosen sector, and reflect on your own professional ambitions.
This is the culmination of your MA programme. It gives you the opportunity to carry out a sustained piece of writing independently, and bring to bear the ideas, skills, and insights that have been learned on the programme. You will do this under the guidance of a supervisor who will meet with you at three times during the project, and read a draft of the final work in time for a period of revision. The final submission will include extended discussion of a technique, critical issue, literary genre, or piece of research explored in the creative submission.
The Creative Writing Skills Workshop is the heart of the Creative Writing MA. It is a supportive, exacting space for mini-lectures on craft, guided group feedback, and individual mentoring. It is a two-semester module that runs weekly. All students on the MA Creative Writing take part in this workshop. The Workshop is based around close reading of a current draft of your work-in-progress, seeking to develop it in keeping with your aims as a writer. Through this, you will be encouraged to develop your awareness of the contemporary literary scene, and a deepen your understanding of genre. You will also be encouraged to develop skills in critical reading and listening to the work of your peers. There will be in-class writing prompts, focussed homework exercises. All students will meet with their tutor for one-on-one mentoring during the semester.
In this module you will explore principles of programming and creative production for innovative technological applications. Using accessible platforms including block-based coding, simple robotics and front-end web design you will work on exercises that will quickly develop your technical skills and allow you to experiment with creative ideas.
