6QQMB312 – Private Equity

Individual Coursework (100% of Module Grade)

Lead Instructor: Anthony Gahan
Instructor Email: [email protected]

Submission Deadline:

• KEATS by 10:00 AM, Thursday 18th December 2025

Submission Checklist

1. File saved as: [ModuleCode_CandidateNumber]
2. Word count: 3,500 words
3. File format: .docx

Assessment Overview

This assessment has two components:

Part 1 – Investment Paper (75%, up to 2,250 words)

You are required to assume the role of an executive in a private equity (PE) firm and write an abridged investment paper recommending a buyout.

Key Instructions:

• Write as if addressing PE colleagues who are familiar with private equity.
• Focus on commercial and technical aspects, not on explaining PE theory.
• Select your company from the list provided in the module (do not choose other companies).
• Assume the company is private, family-owned, and debt-free at acquisition.

Content Requirements:

1. Introduction/Executive Summary
2. Commercial Opportunity – your proposed business plan post-investment
3. Market Context
4. Risks
5. Valuation and Investment Returns – using the simple buyout returns model provided
6. Exit Options

Notes:

• Include original thought on growth opportunities.
• Focus on valuation, risk, transaction structure, management incentives, and investor returns.
• Do not create additional financial models; only use the template provided.

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Part 2 – Academic Reflection (25%, up to 1,250 words)

Critically evaluate your Part 1 investment using an academic and contextual lens.

Instructions:

• Shift perspective to that of an academic finance scholar.
• Focus on two of the following four topics:
  1. Capital structure and leverage
  2. Creation, capture, and destruction of value
  3. Corporate governance: management incentives and boards
  4. Realization of value: information asymmetry, market timing, and PE exit

Content Requirements:

• Demonstrate critical thinking and application of module knowledge.
• Discuss implications for your chosen company/sector and wider societal/business context.
• Use proper name-year referencing format and include a bibliography for sources cited.

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Module Learning Outcomes Assessed

1. Understanding private equity and investment approach
2. Commercial analysis of target buyouts and application of original thought
3. Academic and contextual understanding of private equity

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General Submission Requirements

• File format: .docx
• Word count: 3,500 words (Part 1 = 2,250; Part 2 = 1,250)
• Word count excludes diagrams, tables, headings, and references.
• Part 1: No academic references required
• Part 2: References required if using academic/non-academic sources

Important:

• Proofread before submission; errors will negatively affect your grade.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.

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Assessment Support

• Tutorials: Case studies will help guide your understanding of Part 1 and Part 2.
• Guidance/Revision Sessions:
  • 11th November 2025, 6 PM – Strand S-2.18
  • 16th December 2025, 4 PM – BH Auditorium (N0)

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Marking Criteria

Criterion	Weighting	Notes
Understanding of Private Equity	25%	Demonstrate knowledge of PE investment process
Logical, holistic investment case (Part 1) / incisive academic analysis (Part 2)	30%	Use relevant data points and apply critical thinking
Original thought	30%	Creativity and insight in both commercial and academic components
Presentation & Business English	15%	Clarity, professionalism, grammar, and structure

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