Public Sector Financial Management (10)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI4013 | Sociology and Social Policy | 4 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- SOCI4013
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
The module will study the application of modern financial management techniques in the public sector at governmental, sectoral, organisational and unit levels. It will look at broader contextual issues as well as practical issues relating to budgetary cycles, financial and budget controls, partnerships and outsourcing, project appraisal, cost benefit and cost effectiveness analysis, and financial and political accountability. It will look at both theoretical and practical methods as well common developments in government policies.
Target Students
Available to all PGT and PGR students including subsidiary students from outside the school. Also available to Postgraduate Exchange students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: 2,000 words.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
To equip participants with an understanding of public sector financial management concepts, analysis and data, including historic and comparative analyses.Graduates of the MA programmes should be able to competently and critically examine financial management systems and to understand and use financial management information in a public organisation and programme context.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- Participants will gain knowledge of public sector financial management systems and their uses in managing public organisations and programmes, including budgetary systems, budget control, programme appraisal and audit.
Intellectual Skills
- Participants will learn to critically examine financial management systems and the information and analyses they generate.
Professional and Practical Skills
- Participants will learn how to utilise financial analyses in understanding implications for the strategic and operational management of public sector organisations and programmes.
Transferable Skills
- Critical and analytical skills gained in the module will be applicable across a range of other situations in both academic and professional situations.
- To equip participants with an understanding of public sector economic concepts, analysis and data, including historic and comparative analyses. Graduates of the MA programmes should be able to competently and critically examine economic analyses of public expenditure and to understand trends and policy implications including benefits and costs of different policies.
The method of teaching will be based on developing students’ understanding through the application of knowledge and skills development. The introduction of current policy issues which are not published as case studies will encourage real application from the students.