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DIPLOMA IN FINANCIAL
STRATEGY
WWW.SBS.OXFORD.EDU
EDUCATING LEADERS FOR 800 YEARS
The Oxford Diploma in Financial Strategy is a postgraduate qualification that provides expertise in finance,
strategy and corporate valuation. It is a unique opportunity
to broaden and enhance skills and professional experience
while gaining an Oxford qualification.
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE DEAN
Professor Colin Mayer The Oxford Diploma in Financial Strategy
Dean, Sad Business School is an opportunity for finance professionals
University of Oxford to acquire an Oxford qualification and
experience the intellectual challenge of
a masters-level programme. Participants
develop a thorough understanding of the
principles of finance, strategy and valuation
which enables them to take their careers to
the highest level.
The study of finance is at the core of
the Sad Business Schools mission. This
postgraduate diploma, and the professionals
who take it, make a significant contribution
to its success.
WWW.SBS.OXFORD.EDU/DIPFINANCE
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PROGRAMME
OUTLINE
The Sad Business School has particularly rich expertise in the areas of
finance and strategy. The Oxford Diploma in Financial Strategy draws these
together to provide professionals with a distinct intellectual edge combined
with a practical understanding of business and value creation.
STRATEGY
Strategy is the art of creating superior
performance. It defines the business the
organisation is in, and how to structure
and manage the organisation for long term
success. This module explains the process
and practice of formulating the strategy
of individual business units competitive
strategy and the nature of strategy for the
multi-business firm corporate strategy.
Participants develop the ability to apply
FINANCE I
This module identifies the sources of
investor value, and uses them to think about
portfolio composition, investment choices,
and corporate financial decisions.
Participants acquire a detailed
understanding of risk and return. They
use the Capital Asset Pricing Model as
the framework for a detailed discussion
of portfolio theory and the cost of capital.
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ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT
All four modules are assessed, either
by a project or a written examination.
Examinations are scheduled within
the module dates. Participants must
successfully pass all four modules and the
business project report to be awarded the
Diploma qualification.
FINANCE II
In this module we study applied topics
which exemplify the key principles
of finance. Participants develop an
understanding of how and why firms go
public, raise equity and debt, acquire each
other and go bust. We also study financial
options and risk management techniques,
BUSINESS PROJECT
The Diploma concludes with a project report
that integrates and applies new insights
gained from the taught modules. The report
should be up to 10,000 words and based
on a strategic or financial issue facing the
participants organisation or sector. The
subject is selected by the participant,
ensuring that they or their organisation
can directly benefit from the programme
by this valuable piece of consultancy
work. Participants are allocated an expert
supervisor to help them structure their
project and research.
CORPORATE VALUATION
This concluding module incorporates
knowledge developed throughout the
programme and provides the in-depth
understanding and ability to make optimal
strategic investment decisions. In explaining
the mechanics of corporate valuation, we
also discuss how to create (and destroy)
corporate value. We demonstrate that
valuation is not a precise science, and that
the strategic fit and successful integration
of projects is as important as the calculation
and analysis of a number.
WWW.SBS.OXFORD.EDU/DIPFINANCE
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WHY THIS
PROGRAMME?
The Diploma is a unique education programme that allows experienced
executives to undertake high level professional development alongside a
senior level role and to gain a postgraduate Oxford qualification.
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS
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ALBERT LI
Investment Banking
WWW.SBS.OXFORD.EDU/DIPFINANCE
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YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
0%
10 20
30+ YEARS
21 TO 25 YEARS
14
16 TO 20 YEARS
11 TO 15 YEARS
32
5 TO 10 YEARS
41
30 40 50
QUALIFICATIONS ON ENTRY
0%
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
14
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION
34
MASTERS DEGREE
25
MBA
18
PHD
14
21 28 35
GLOBAL PARTICIPANTS
0%
AFRICA
AMERICAS
16
ASIA
28
MIDDLE EAST
UK
36
10
20
30
40
THE DIPLOMA
CANDIDATE
TESTIMONIAL
LYNZI HARRISON
Financial Services
08
WWW.SBS.OXFORD.EDU/DIPFINANCE
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FACULTY
The Diploma is taught by members of Oxfords
outstanding finance and strategy faculty team.
The programme leaders bring access to worldleading research and a wealth of industry
experience.
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HOWARD JONES
ALAN MORRISON
Finance
HAN OZSOYLEV
JOSE MARTINEZ
Finance
Finance
MUNGO WILSON
THOMAS POWELL
RICHARD WHITTINGTON
KATHY HARVEY
Finance
Strategy
Strategy
WWW.SBS.OXFORD.EDU/DIPFINANCE
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MARCIA
FAVALE-TARTER
Financial Consulting
governments or companies on
financial matters. I am currently
advising the government of
Kazakhstan on restructuring their
banking sector, with specific
responsibility for two banks with
US$18bn under advisory.
I attended the Diploma in
Financial Strategy because I
wanted to re-test my financial
knowledge and re-challenge certain
concepts. It is good to test yourself
with colleagues who have a lot of
experience. Its one thing to learn
the theory when you are 21 but
quite another when you revisit
those concepts with 17 years of
NETWORKS
For centuries, the University of Oxford has produced some of the most
influential and respected people in business. Oxford graduates are
represented in every Fortune 500 Company, country and government
in the world.
THE OXFORD BUSINESS
ALUMNI
The Oxford Business Alumni
provides a focus for Oxonians who
have a special interest in the world
of business. Regional chapters
span every continent across the
world.
As a member, graduates of
the Oxford Diploma in Financial
Strategy will be entitled to access
the alumni search directory, an
invaluable tool for networking with
organisations throughout the world.
Alumni are invited to attend
regular seminars, lectures and
other networking events, giving
current participants and alumni
the chance to meet, exchange
ideas and get to know each other.
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SYED SHAHZAD
Investment Banking
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GARY MINTER
Real Estate
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
To be considered for a place on the programme, candidates
must be able to demonstrate the following:
INTELLECTUAL ABILITY
A good undergraduate degree
(at least 2:1) or equivalent is
required. Relevant professional
qualifications, particularly in
accounting, may be accepted in
place of a prior academic degree.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PROFICIENCY
The programme is taught in
English.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The majority of candidates will
be financial professionals. They
may be qualified accountants or
have other equivalent professional
qualifications. Candidates will be
expected to be familiar with the
challenges of business strategy,
management reporting, policy
formulation, competitive analysis
and organisational change. Ideally,
candidates will have also been
involved in their organisations
budgetary cycles. Candidates
require a minimum of five years
professional experience, though
many will have substantially more.
HOW TO APPLY
Admissions are processed through
a system of review before a
final decision is reached by the
admissions committee.
The Sad Business School
reserves the exclusive right to
accept or reject applicants
without explanation.
Candidates should apply online at
www.sbs.oxford.edu/apply.
You will need to prepare a personal
statement of up to 500 words
which addresses your aims for the
programme and how you envisage
being able to apply the learning
to your organisation, or an area of
research of personal interest.
You will also be asked to supply
details of two people who can
PLEASE NOTE
The entire application, including
the personal statement is held in
the strictest confidence and is not
subject to review.
PRICING AND PAYMENT
SCHEDULE
The programme fee covers tuition,
course materials, essential reading
texts, examinations, assessments
and supervision. Lunch and
refreshments are provided and
there will be a dinner at a selected
historic Oxford College during each
module.
A 20% deposit is required to
secure the place on acceptance.
The tuition fees must be paid in
full, six weeks prior to the start of
the first module.
ACCOMMODATION
The programme fee does
not include accommodation.
Participants make their own
arrangements to stay in Oxford
during the four modules. A list
of suitable accommodation is
provided for applicants.
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