Finance BSc (Hons)

Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programme

This course is a member of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Affiliation Programme and is aligned to key investment and risk management professional qualifications. We cover more than 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provides excellent preparation for you to pursue an international career in the finance industry. During your study, you will benefit from free access to the CFA learning resources, including industrial webinars and exam review study guides. In addition, our final year students with outstanding academic performance can be awarded CFA Program Student Scholarships, after graduation.

At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

If you join our full-time BSc Finance degree, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your finance course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for the accountancy degree, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme that includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.

The optional placement year enables you to put into practice what you have learned on your degree and gain practical industry experience. Your Finance degree is extended to four years and the placement is undertaken at the end of your penultimate year, this is for one year (48 weeks) and paid. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

Where have previous Finance students worked during their placement year?

• Travistock Investments PLC

Hear from previous Finance students about their placement experience

• Student Quote (Associate Financial Planner Placement): ‘This is a great opportunity to understand what you want to do, but also what you do not want to do.’
• Student Quote (NHS Finance Placement): ‘I really enjoyed my placement year, it has taught me a lot about how finance works. I had a mentor who made sure I was settling in, and my bosses and colleagues were all supportive too. They were happy to answer questions on areas I am interested in and encouraged development. It is a lovely place to work and gives lots of varied experience to begin my career.’

How will I be assessed on the BSc Finance degree?

Assessment will be a mix of case-based reports, essays, examinations, group activities, presentations, and a research project. The Finance degree combines the rigour and validity of the examination process with the opportunity for you to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes by conducting in-depth research. You will prepare and submit a final year project.

Are there any specialist facilities to support my learning?

Yes, our BSc Finance degree uses the Bloomberg Finance Lab, which includes Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters terminals. These are used to enhance your learning experience by implementing theories into practice with real-world scenarios.

Is doing a finance degree worth it?

Studying a finance course at university level provides students with a range of skills that open up various pathways within the financial sector.

For a career where you will be responsible for managing money, the skills gained on a finance degree will be invaluable and enhance your future employability.

What are the assessments for this BSc Finance course?

Your assessments will be a mix of case-based reports, essays, examinations, group activities, presentations, and a research project. The programme combines the rigour and validity of the examination process with the opportunity for you to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes by conducting in-depth research. In Year 3, you will prepare and submit a final year project.

Who are the Student Support Team?

The Student Experience Support Team are a team of previous graduates of the University of Northampton, they are here to support all Faculty of Business and Law students by offering a friendly listening ear and ensuring students are aware of the numerous support systems that the University has to offer. The team provide confidential 1-1 meetings in person and online where they will signpost the students to the relevant support teams to ensure they are aware of the support available for them throughout their studies. You can follow the Student Experience Support Team to see the services they offer.