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Finance BSc (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    N300

  • Level

    UndergraduateUG BSc (Hons)

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 Years
    Part Time: 4 - 6 Years

  • Starting

    September

Updated 11/10/2024

Updated 11/10/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

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BSc Finance at the University of Northampton provides you with the essential and advanced 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 with a strong focus on decision-making in line with regulatory, ethical and sustainability standards.

UON has invested significantly in database resources to give you access to live and historical financial data for developing employability skills whilst studying this finance degree. Throughout this programme, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters terminals, Financial Times, MarketLine, and Orbis will be used to enhance your learning experience by implementing theories into practice with real-world scenarios.

Professional Body: Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute

Highlights


Entry Requirements


A typical offer for this BSc Finance degree would be:
  • BCC at A Level or
  • DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level.

We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

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.

  • All International and EU students applying for a course with the University of Northampton 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.

Course Content


  • The University of Northampton’s BSc Finance degree 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 university finance course will equip you with the strong theoretical and technical skills required for the highlighted career paths and professional finance accreditations.

    In addition, teaching on this Finance degree 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.

    Throughout this finance university degree, Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters terminals will be used to enhance your learning experience by implementing theories into practice with real-world scenarios.

    Industry Placement

    If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take an accounting and finance 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 in finance. The University of Northampton offers support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

    The Faculty of Business and Law have a dedicated Placements team who will support you through the process of taking a placement year. You can follow the Faculty of Business and Law Placements Team to hear more about their services.

    List of modules

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

    • 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 Finance BSc modules, that provide an essential foundation in accounting, finance and economics as well as necessary numerical and academic skills.

      • Module code: ACC1017
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to introduce 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.
      • Module code: ACC1018
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to introduce 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.
      • 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.
      • Module code: ACC1020
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to develop students? 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.
    • 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.

      • Module code: ACC2034
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to focus on the application of financial theory to investment management. Students review a variety of theories, and approaches and their use in investment decision making. Students will apply the theoretical constructs of investments to current industry practice.
      • Module code: ACC2035
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is provide students? with a theoretical and practical understanding of the procedures and standards that govern financial reporting 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.
      • 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.
      • Module code: ACC2045
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to provide indepth understanding of the characteristics, analysis and valuation of equity securities and markets. Students develop the knowledge about equity investment concepts and apply equity valuation techniques to facilitate investment decision making in different scenarios.
      • Module code: ACC2046
        Status: Compulsory
        The aim of this module is to develop students? understanding of the elements that define fixed-income securities as well as the operations and markets in which they are traded. Students learn and examine the main theories and techniques to evaluate fixed-income securities and their application in investment and financing decisions in different scenarios.
      • Module code: ACC2047
        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.
    • 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.

      • Module code: ACC3007
        Status: Designate
        The purpose of this module is to appraise 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • Module code: ACC3033
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to look beyond traditional investments to explore various alternative investment vehicles, methods and industries, including hedge funds, commodities, real estate and private equity. The module focuses on the workings of the industries classified under alternative investments and examining their incentives and subsequent transactions.
      • Module code: ACC3034
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to examine key issues in asset allocation and modern portfolio management techniques. Students plan, construct and evaluate potential asset allocation for different types of investors to achieve the desired investment performance.
      • Module code: ACC3035
        Status: Designate
        The purpose of this module is to provide a strong understanding of tools and techniques used in risk management in relation to securities valuation. Students build and apply risk modelling in markets characterized by increasing complexity and intensive use of technology.
      • Module code: ACC4009
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to support the development of independent learning through the conceptualisation of a piece of research. Students will develop an ability to present fundamental and technical analysis of listed companies in a critical manner.
      • Module code: ECN3018
        Status: Designate
        The module provides students with the opportunity to explore contemporary tools for making economic and business decisions at both micro and macro levels. Students develop analytical skills through exploration of key topics in moder micro and macro economic theory, macroeconomic behaviour and stabilisation, and their application to business decision making.
  • Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programme

    Our programme is a member of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Affiliation Programme and 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 with UON, 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 at the University of 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 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 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.

    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.

Fees and Funding


2024/25 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • International Full Time: £15,200
  • There are no additional costs for the BSc Finance course for students beginning their studies in September 2024. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

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

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK Full Time: £9,250
    • UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • International Full Time: £14,750

Staff


Placeholder image for I-Chen Lu, Senior Lecturer in Finance

Senior Lecturer in Finance
Faculty of Business and Law

I-Chen Lu
Placeholder image for Stuart Farquhar, Senior Lecturer in Governance & Finance

Senior Lecturer in Governance & Finance
Finance BSc (Hons)

Stuart Farquhar
Placeholder image for Ali Khan, Senior Lecturer in Finance

Senior Lecturer in Finance
Finance BSc (Hons)

Ali Khan
Placeholder image for Elham Masoumi, Lecturer in Accounting

Lecturer in Accounting
Finance BSc (Hons)

Elham Masoumi

Careers and Employability


Graduates with a BSc finance university degree have many options for a career, including:

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.

Master’s Opportunities

On successful completion of your BSc Finance degree, you will have the opportunity to further your education and knowledge by studying one of the University of Northampton’s master’s degrees. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

Some of our industry-relevant master’s degrees are:

University Facilities


Discover the facilities that you will use if you study a BSc (Hons) Finance course with us. One of our bespoke facilities includes the the Bloomberg Finance Lab, where you have access to specialist analytical computer equipment.

Bloomberg is the industry standard for economic, financial and other data provision and analysis.

Bloomberg Finance Lab Facilities

The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

Learning Hub

The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.

Senate Building

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