M. Com Masters in Financial Management – Programme Code: CM015
Introduction
Students are required to complete either Option 1 or Option 2 in order to fulfil the requirements of the MCom Programme
Option 1
- Year 1: ACC5002W Coursework
- Year 2: ACC5003W Dissertation
Option 2
- Year 1: ACC5002W Coursework
- Year 2: ACC5028W Advanced topics in Corporate Finance, and/or Capital Markets and/or Strategic Cost Management (2 of 3 modules ) and ACC5029W Research Paper
Application requirements & registration process 2010/2011
Application
Ideally you should
- be a graduate (preferably have an honours or equivalent professional qualification)
- have at least 2 years relevant work experience.
- have evidence of language proficiency in written English (see University requirements)
The course is run every year.
The closing date for applications for 2010/2011 will be Monday 16 November 2009. Applicants will be notified of an intention to offer a place by the end of December.
Download departmental forms here
Download the official University application forms here
Process
All applications will be processed and the applicants will be notified of an interview timeslot if applicants meet preliminary criteria. Once all interviews are complete, all the applicants will be informed by way of “intention to offer placement” letter when they have been accepted. Those who have not been accepted will receive a letter to this effect.
ACC5002W Course Content
Find the Provisional Lecture Topics Programme for 2010/2011 here
ACC5003W
Masters in Financial Management Dissertation (February 2010 to August 2011) Students will be required to submit a dissertation of a maximum of 25 000 words on a topic to be selected by the student and approved by the course supervisor. Students will be required to formulate detailed proposals and are advised to start their research during the vacation in December 2010 at the latest. The dissertation should be submitted in August 2011. This hand- in date may then allow you to graduate in December 2011. Otherwise, students are required to hand-in the dissertation by 28 February 2012.
This hand- in date may then allow you to graduate in December 2011. Otherwise, students are required to hand-in the dissertation by 28 February 2012.
In order to be awarded the degree a candidate must pass both the coursework and dissertation components. To be awarded the degree with distinction a candidate must achieve at least 75% for the coursework and at least 80% for the dissertation.
The marks obtained for the dissertation will count 50% of the final mark for the course.
ACC5028W
Modules in Advanced Corporate Finance / Capital Markets / Strategic Cost Management
Find the Provisional Lecture Topics Programme 2010/2011 here.
ACC5029W
Masters in Financial Management Research Paper
Students will be required to submit a research paper of a maximum of 15 000 words on a topic to be selected by the student and approved by the course supervisor. Students will be required to formulate detailed proposals and are advised to start their research during the vacation in December 2010. The research paper must be submitted preferably by 30 September 2011 but no later than28 February 2012.
This hand in date may then allow you to graduate in December 2011 or June 2012.
The marks obtained for the research paper will count one third of the final mark for the course.
Course Duration
The programme extends over four semesters. Semester 1 and 2, in the 2010 academic year comprises weekly class meetings, which are held on Tuesday evenings from 18.00 to about 20h30 in 6.14, Leslie Commerce Building as well as Saturdays, 09.00 – 11.30 in the same venue. In Semester 3 and 4, in the 2011 academic year, participants engage either in the preparation of a half-thesis (ACC5003W) or undertake the structured 2nd year programme (ACC5028W & ACC5029W) which consists of completing two of three modules and undertaking a research paper in order to fulfil the requirements for the MCom degree. Saturday mornings are used for additional lectures and tests and examinations.
The proposed programme is as follows, but may be subject to change:
- Semester 1 and 2: (2010 Academic Year)
- Semester 3 & 4: (2011 Academic Year)
Students are required to reregister at the beginning of the 3rd semester. Class, or individual sessions may be held to consider proposals for and/or discussions on Research Proposals. Staff will be available during this semester for assistance with Research Proposals. Students undertaking the 2nd year structured programme (ACC5028W and ACC5029W) will undertake two modules on Capital Markets, Advanced Corporate Finance or Strategic Cost Management - until the 30 June and will then be required to complete the research paper component of the programme.
Methods of Assessment
The coursework component, which includes case study submissions, examinations and tests, and assignments, will count 50% of the total grade over the two years and the half-thesis (ACC5003W) or the 2nd year structured programme (ACC5028W and ACC5029W) will count 50%.
|
|
ACC5002W & ACC5003W |
ACC5002W, ACC5028W & ACC5029W |
|
Examinations/tests |
18% |
18% |
|
Valuation research project |
17% |
17% |
|
Group Casework submissions |
15% |
15% |
|
Module 1 |
|
8% |
|
Module 2 |
|
9% |
|
Research Report |
|
33% |
|
Half-Thesis |
50% |
|
|
|
100% |
100% |
Medical Certificates
Please click here to view the Accounting department’s policy on medical certificates.
Study Material
The reference material is drawn mainly from three sources. Firstly, prescribed texts, which provide a basic reference document on selected issues. Secondly, the libraries with vast resources of books and journals (access is available to the Jagger Linear Library and UCT’s electronic journal and database resources). Thirdly, it is expected of students to remain current with reporting in the local financial press. It is included in the objective of the course that participants should develop the ability to find relevant reference material from the library and other sources.
The prescribed texts which should preferably be purchased are:
- Correia, Flynn, Uliana & Wormald, Financial Management, 6th ed., Juta & Co.
- Bruner, Robert F, Case Studies in Finance - Managing for Corporate Value Creation, Irwin McGraw-Hill, 5th Edition
- Van Zyl, C. Botha, Z. & Skerrit, P. Understanding South African financial markets, 2006, 2nd ed., Van Schaik Publishers
 
Guest Lecturers
The programme makes extensive use of guest lecturers to present seminars on specialised topics such as Economic Value Added, BEE Financing Structures, Global Financial Markets, Private Equity, Portfolio Theory, Economics, Corporate Failure Prediction and Default Probabilities. We also have a series of lectures by CEO’S or past CEO’S of major SA companies.
Guest lecturers have included:
- Prof. Joel Stern of Stern Stewart
- Prof. Dave Bradfield of UCT and Cadiz FSG
- Robbie Gonsalves of Cadiz FSG
- Jannie Durand, CEO of Venfin
- Prof Ed Altman of NYU
- Ivan Clark past CEO of Grindrod
- Roddy Sparks past CEO of Old Mutual
- Prof Brian Kantor of Investec
- Kokkie Kooyman of Sanlam Global Investment Fund
|
|
