Courses

Introduction to finance

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Course overview

Learn more about the essential aspects associated with corporate finance, specifically those inherent to the different forms of sources and uses of funds and their respective constraints. As a student you will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of planning, analysis of financial performance and key aspects of financial management.

Course content

  • Time Value of Money (PC1)
  • Financial Markets, Financial Instruments and Institutions (PC2)
  • Risk and Return (PC3)
  • Financial Statement and Performance Analysis of the Firm (PC4)
  • Real Investment Analysis (PC5)

Assessment

You can choose between two evaluation models:

1.) Periodical evaluation

  • with two written midtem tests and a final test:
    • 1st midterm test 40%, covering PC1 and 2
    • 2nd midterm test 40%, covering PC3 and 4
    • final test 20%, covering PC5
  • with an eliminating grade of 6,5 points or less
  • the midterms will be held simultaneously by all sections, in dates to be announced by the instructor
  • the final test will be held in the official final exam date

2.) Final exam

  • examination through a single written test
  • to earn approval, students must have a grade equal to or greater than 10 points

Learning outcomes

After this course you will:

  1. Understand the concept of Time Value of Money. Apply Capitalization and Discounting of Capital;
  2. Caracterize the main financial markets and the features for the most common financial instruments;
  3. Be able to value stocks and bonds and to adequately use exchange rates;
  4. Identify the essential aspects of risk and return and to compute the most relevant measures;
  5. Determine the risk and return of an investment portfolio and learn the relevant criteria in building one;
  6. Know the most important points of historical and forecast financial information;
  7. Be able to understand the financial balance and the return of a firm;
  8. Describe and determine the free cash flows for an investment project and evaluate its implementation, applying the most used decision criteria measures.

Enrollment

Course information

Category

Transversal skills

Format

Online

Target groups

Lifelong learners, U!REKA students

Academic year

Starting month

Language

English

Duration​

September 7, 2026 – February 12, 2027

Contact

Organising institution​

Polytechnic University of Lisbon

Places reserved for U!REKA participants​

10

Assessment

1) Periodical evaluation with two written midterm and one final test or 2) final exam

Credit/degree/certificate

5 ECTS credits

Course fee

U!REKA Students: none / lifelong learners and external students: 250,- €

Prerequisites

None

Level

Bachelor