The course focuses on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) in modern financial markets. The course starts with a general overview of markets for corporate control and recent market developments. Based on the strategic rationale of M&A deals, students will learn the foundations of transaction processes and of deal financing. A vital part of this process is the pricing of the deal. Company valuation will, therefore, be an important part of the course.
- Why companies engage in M&A transactions
- The characteristics of different kinds of M&A deals: mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, divestitures, carve-outs etc.
- How M&A processes are structured
- How hostile takeovers work and how companies can defend against them
- How valuations work (relative and intrinsic)
This course is part of the prestigious part-time Master in Finance program, conducted in English on Fridays and Saturdays on Campus Westend. It offers a valuable opportunity to network and gain expertise without committing to a full degree program. Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Participation. As the number of seats is limited, we recommend to register early. If you're a GBS or Goethe University alum, explore our attractive alumni discount options.
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Carsten Bienz
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Carsten Bienz joined the Norwegian School of Economics in 2006. He became a tenured Associate Professor in 2009. Carsten holds a Diploma in Economics from Eberhardt Karls University Tübingen and a doctorate in Finance from Goethe University Frankfurt. Prior to coming to NHH, he spent a year as a post-doc at the London School of Economics from 2005-2006. His research focuses on Private Equity, Venture Capital, Fixed Income, Financial Contracting, and Compensation in the Finance Industry.
Next course offering: Summer Semester 2026. New dates will be announced soon.