Short Course

Entrepreneurial Finance

This Entrepreneurial Finance short course will equip you with a practical understanding of the principles and techniques of entrepreneurial finance.

The course focuses specifically on understanding and managing working capital including cash flow, budgeting and raising and managing sources of finance with a better understanding of the associated risks.

The course underpins these important skills by providing you with a solid foundation in the financial management skills necessary to make quality business decisions that will ensure the long-term financial sustainability of your business.

Why QMU?

Our staff have real world experience of working in the financial management of organisations.
All our courses blend theory with practice to ensure you are learning skills you can put to use in your work.
Our finance and accounting courses are developed in conjunction with professional bodies such as CIMA which allows you to learn skills that are valued by businesses.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone looking to sharpen their financial management skills to help them make more effective business decisions. Whether you are looking to build a brand-new business or are already running your own business, you will deepen your existing knowledge regarding cash flow planning, budgeting, and using resources in the most effective ways to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

This course is also suitable for recent graduates who want to broaden their knowledge of the finance function in a business firm for career progression or change. In order to undertake this course you will need to have some introductory understanding of business accounting and finance either through practice or from previous study.

Entrepreneurial Finance: The course in brief

What will I learn on the course?

On this course you will learn about the accounting and finance basics that are important to understand when making quality business decisions, for example how to adopt effective working capital management in order to thrive in tough times.

The content of the course emphasises the practicalities of accounting and finance in an entrepreneurial context. You will also learn about the methods available for business/start-ups valuation, the core of the investment pitch, and various sources of external financing and associated risk.

By the end of the course what will I be able to do?

On completion of the course, you’ll be able to:

recognise the opportunities for new product/service development;
understand the dynamics of working capital management including cash flow;
understand the effective ways of raising and managing (external) sources of financing;
understand the uses of accounting and finance knowledge to make quality business decisions; and
understand and interpret cash flows, balance sheets, budgets, and profit and loss accounts as part of long-term financial management, reporting and planning.

How will I be taught?

How is the course delivered?

The course will be delivered in a blended format, with some sessions delivered in person, at QMU’s campus, and the remaining sessions delivered online.

How long does the course last for and how much time will I have to spend on it each week?

The course lasts for three months.
You will be taught through four in person, on campus workshops, which take place on Wednesdays between 10am and 3pm.
You will also be expected to take part in a 2-hour long online seminar each week you are not on campus, which will be on a Wednesday between 10am-12pm, and to contribute to online discussion boards with your peers.
Additionally, you will have drop-in sessions available to support you with your assignment.
In addition to the scheduled-on campus and online classes, you will need to spend around a day a week undertaking independent study that will complement your in-class learning. This will include set readings, guided learning exercises and preparation for your assignments.

Does the course have an assessment and if so what sort of assessment will it be?

This course has one formal assessment that has been designed so that you can explore a new investment opportunity relevant to you own business or the one that you are aiming to set up.

For the assessment you will be required to develop a 3000-word business case for new capital investment of £100,000 – £500,000 and identify the potential source of funding to enable you to secure this investment.

This course carries academic credit.

Who will be teaching me?

The course is taught by two specialist tutors: Dr Ramchandra Bhusal and Dr Mo Yan.

Both are experienced lecturers whose academic teaching is enriched by their own professional expertise from careers in finance and accounting.

What equipment will I need for this course?

You will require access to a computer or laptop, internet connectivity and a webcam.

Student support/access to facilities

For the duration of your course you will be able to make use of our on-campus learning resource centre as well as access to our full range of online resources, including e-books and academic journals.

You will also have limited, mainly online access to Student Services support. Students with particular support requirements can contact the Disability Service.

As you will be studying with us for less than a full academic year you will not be provided with a personal academic tutor (PAT). However, any queries regarding your studies should be directed to the staff member leading the delivery of your course.

Entrepreneurial Finance: Entry requirements, fees and application information

Entry requirements

The course is delivered at SCQF Level 9, which is equivalent to the third year of a four-year undergraduate degree in Scotland. Each applicant must decide if the level of study is suitable for them.

Applicants for SCQF Level 9 study would usually have completed further or higher education up to or above the level of an HND. Alternatively, they would have relevant professional experience that supports study at this level. Applicants that have previously studied outside the UK should check that their qualification has been taught at a suitable level to prepare them for studying a course at this level.

You do not need to provide proof of your previous qualifications.

English Language requirements: This course is taught and assessed in English. Applicants do not need to provide proof of their English Language skills when applying for this course, but all applicants should consider whether they have sufficient English competence to study at this level. Applicants for this level of study would usually be able to demonstrate a level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component score below 6.0.

Fees (and free places)

Fees: £800

Free places are available for any person resident in Scotland, who holds an undergraduate degree (or equivalent professional experience), who is not currently studying for a degree level qualification, and meets at least one of the criteria below:

unemployed or at risk of redundancy
self-employed and working within the creative and cultural industries or hospitality, tourism, and events sector
employed by a Scottish arts, cultural, hospitality, tourism, or events organisation
employed by a Scottish charity or social enterprise

Please note: free places are limited, and subject to availability.

Application

Apply for Entrepreneurial Finance

Application deadline

The closing date for applications is 17 February 2023.