Finance BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Our BSc Finance programme is ideal for those who intend to work in the investment management profession and obtain a professional financial designation with well-known investment credentials.

  This specialist programme will equip you with the strong theoretical and technical skills required for the highlighted career paths and professional finance accreditations such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) and Institute of Risk Management (IRM).

  In addition, teaching on this programme will be enriched by the latest research in finance that is linked strongly with practitioner application of concepts, including corporate responsibility, regulation, and policy-guiding practice.

  BSc Finance provides you with the rigorous and essential financial, quantitative and analytical skills necessary for professional careers in banking, asset management and financial research.  You will examine core concepts in economics, financial analysis, security valuation, portfolio theory and risk management.  There is a strong focus on decision-making in line with regulatory, ethical and sustainability standards.

  Year 1

  In the first year, you will be allocated a personal tutor, a member of the academic staff, who provides academic guidance and support through the course. During the first year of study, you will complete six compulsory introductory modules, that provide an essential foundation in accounting, finance and economics as well as necessary numerical and academic skills.

  Year 2

  In the second year, you will build your knowledge on the foundation of the previous year by taking six compulsory specialist modules. At this stage, you will be introduced to a range of finance subfields, including investment, ethical and professional standards, and risk management.

  Year 3

  In the final year, you will gain in-depth knowledge by studying the more specialist areas of investment. You will take four compulsory modules and up to two designated modules. You can tailor your studies to reflect your areas of expertise and specialisms at this stage by selecting from a range of designated modules in areas such as economics, international finance, and risk management.

  List of modules

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • Stage 1
    • Introduction to Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1017

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces the key principles in financial markets and corporate finance. Students use a range of analytical tools to analyse the main sources of finance, associated risk and alignment with organisational goals.
    • Contemporary Issues in Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1018

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to contemporary issues in finance including fintech, ethical issues in finance, regulations, and financial crises.. Students develop academic and professional skills to collect, present, analyse and evaluate information relating to these issues in a reflective and critical manner.
    • Statistics and Data Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1019

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? understanding and use of essential numerical and statistical techniques required to analyse real life financial data.Students summarise and analyse case studies data to provide appropriate estimations and information necessary for decision making.
    • Introduction to Accounting (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1020

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables students to develop knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and concepts involved in financial accounting. Students develop technical proficiency in the use of double-entry accounting techniques, and the preparation and analysis of financial statements.
    • Financial Mathematics and Quantitative Methods (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1021

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? understanding and knowledge in data analysis and quantitative methods to support decision making. Students select and collect quantitative data, and then apply appropriate numerical techniques to solve hypothetical and practical financial problems.
    • Introduction to Economics (20 Credits)
      Module code: ECN1020

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with an overview of key micro and macro economics concepts and how market participants are affected by market forces. This module enables students to understand the operation of markets and the wider economy and apply economic principles to a variety of situations.
  • Stage 2
    • Financial Economics (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide indepth understanding of financial management theories and their application to finance. The main focus is on developing and applying techniques to facilitate investment, finance and distribution decision making.
    • Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2032

      Status: Compulsory
      The module develops understanding of the roles and functions of financial markets within which the financial institutions/intermediaries operate. Students examine the main theories and models for valuing financial market instruments and consider financial regulation and ethical conduct and their implications for the wider economy.
    • Ethical and Professional Standards in Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2033

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of the importance of ethical behaviour in the investment industry. The module combines professional Code of Ethics and international best practice in examining ethical issues within the investment profession.
    • Fundamentals of Investment (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2034

      Status: Compulsory
      The module focuses on the application of financial theory to the issues and problems of investment management. Students review a variety of approaches and their use in valuation of stocks, bonds and derivative securities. Students will apply the theoretical constructs of investments to current industry practice.
    • Financial Reporting and Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2035

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the procedures and standards that govern financial disclosures and associated risks. Students select and apply a range of tools and techniques to analyse individual and group financial statements and make informed judgements about company performance.
    • Fundamentals of Risk Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2036

      Status: Compulsory
      Understanding risk is fundamental to successful financial management. This modules explores the concepts and principals underpinning risk management. Starting with discussion on fundamentals of risk and reward, students learn identification and assessment of different categories of risk and build a foundation knowledge of tools and techniques of risk management.
  • Stage 3
    • International Money and Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3007

      Status: Designate
      This module appraises the increasingly important aspect of multinational financial management in dynamic international business. It critically analyses the attractions and limitations of doing business in a global market, identifying the additional inherent risks that global market exposure produces and strategies in managing the global firm.
    • Contemporary Issues in International Banking (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3026

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to develop students' understanding of the complexity of the international financial systems and the issues multinational banks face in different jurisdictions. The module will cover historical and current developments towards the development of the `new? financial systems architecture and the challenge for harmonisation.
    • Corporate Financial Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3032

      Status: Compulsory
      This module examines corporate finance theory in relation to investment financing and distribution decisions and its application to real world scenarios. It also explores the connection between strategic corporate finance decisions corporate governance mechanisms and the conflicting demands of stakeholders.
    • Alternative Investments
      Module code: ACC3033

      Status: Compulsory
    • Asset Allocation and Investment Strategies
      Module code: ACC3034

      Status: Compulsory
    • Risk Management and Modelling
      Module code: ACC3035

      Status: Designate
    • Finance Project
      Module code: ACC4009

      Status: Compulsory
    • Economics for Decision Making
      Module code: ECN3018

      Status: Designate

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply to this course. A typical offer is around BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. You will also require a GCSE in Maths at grade C / 4 or above.

  For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

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• Fees and Funding

  22/23 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
  • International Full Time: £14,000

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2022. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  21/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,465 per 20 credit module
  • International Full Time: £13,000

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2021. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

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• Postgraduate Opportunities

  Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

  • Accounting and Finance MSc
  • Financial Investment and Analysis MSc

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• Student Perks

  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 this full time degree at Northampton 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 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.

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• FAQs

  How will I be assessed?

  Assessment 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. You will prepare and submit a final year project.

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Careers and Employability

Brokers and Traders, Compliance Managers, Financial Advisors, Financial Sales and Client service professionals, Financial Analysts, Financial Planners and Consultants, Fund Managers, Investment Bankers and Researchers, Investment Consultants and Strategists, Pension Specialists, Portfolio and Wealth Managers, Project and Programme Risk Managers, Regulatory Consultants, Risk Analysts, Risk Specialists.