A Perfect Summer for Finance Students

Interested in finance and looking for an enriching experience? If so, the AC215: Business Analysis and Valuation course at the London School of Economics Summer School is for you. Being someone who is deeply enthusiastic about finance and actively seeks out ways to develop my career, taking part in this course has been one of my most memorable experiences to date. It has fostered my academic and professional outlooks by improving my comfort level with advanced financial concepts. Without further ado, I will delve into the reasons why this is the case.

A World Class Setting

Before getting into the course specifics, it is important to highlight the rich environment in which the course will develop. LSE offers world-class instruction and cutting-edge academic infrastructure, right in the heart of London. London is the biggest financial centre in Europe and one of the most influential in the world. This gives you access to one of the largest concentrations of unique human capital not found elsewhere. As with any Summer School programme, the AC215: Business Valuation and Analysis course will be taught to the same high standards as LSE undergraduate courses, which are known for producing top achievers in high finance. This is in part because of the fantastic professors in the accounting faculty at LSE, whom I can confirm are committed to imparting knowledge with passion and current relevance. Dr Xi Li and Dr Kenneth Lee are both top academics and leaders in their fields.

It does not come as a surprise that the AC215: Business Analysis and Valuation course is one of the most popular among the offerings of the LSE Summer School. Many students interested in landing internships or full-time jobs in investment banking, private equity, or consulting will be your classmates, which creates a fantastic opportunity for you to meet like-minded people with similar goals to you. Sharing my enthusiasm for a particular subject resulted in valuable insights that I would not have had otherwise.

Additionally, LSE Summer School offers numerous events that will complement what you are learning in the classroom through Spark, Summer School's professional development programme. From seminars in which financial professionals and journalists share their unique experiences, to entrepreneurship workshops and practice group assessment centers.

Intuitive Course Structure

The 3-week course is structured in such a way that it allows extensive content to be covered while maintaining the quality of information. It is divided into two main parts: Financial Analysis and Valuation Methods. The first part is instructed by Dr Xi Li, and includes content such as due diligence, accounting rules, assessment of performance, and prospective analysis. To put these ideas into practice, various case studies on businesses like Fiat, Walmart, and Zara are explored, where you will utilise Excel spreadsheets and varied data sets, such as annual reports or news reports, to complete the assignments. The afternoon workshops are a great opportunity to clear up any doubts and work in groups to complete the exercises. Dr Xi Li uses group platforms that allow you to log-in and participate interactively throughout lectures. Dr Kenneth Lee oversees the second and final part of the programme. Here you will move from accounting to valuation fundamentals, learning various business valuation methods and when it is best to apply them. With the help of his vast industry expertise, Dr Kenneth Lee demonstrates in the real world how to employ these valuation approaches, allowing you to apply the in-depth analysis of companies you learned about in the first half to arrive at a conclusion.

The entire course is built on clearly presented materials that make it simple for you to practice and review on your own. This is particularly easy to do, as lectures are recorded for you to re-watch later.

Increase Your Learning Potential

One piece of advice I would give is to take your self-study seriously. Lectures give you a clear taste of what the topic is about, while your own practice and reading are where you critically analyse different perspectives. To be able to participate in workshop discussions with your peers and with the academics, you will have to familiarise yourself with the set materials, otherwise you will be sitting there not knowing what everyone is talking about. So, if you want to maximise your learning opportunity, lectures should be used as a detailed guide rather than your only source of information. If you have good time management during your stay in London, based on self-experience, you will have no problem balancing studying, reviewing your lectures, socialising, or sightseeing. Take advantage of LSE’s amazing library! And very importantly, ask for help when you need it. There is always someone willing to help you. Both teachers offered after-class time to answer individual questions, but you can also make good use of your classmates’ knowledge on the subjects!

The AC215: Business Analysis and Valuation course has provided me with key financial knowledge that I can apply in various scenarios. It has nicely supplemented my bachelor's degree while granting me greater confidence to pursue more technical-based work opportunities. LSE made me feel right at home. I had a wonderful experience deeply immersing myself in both the school and London life that I will never forget.

This blog was written by one of our 2022 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.