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International Finance (Top-Up) BSc (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
N301
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Level
UndergraduateUG BSc (Hons)
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Duration
Full Time: 1 Year
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Starting
September
SEP
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£9,535
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£17,000
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Waterside
Updated 31/10/2025
Updated 31/10/2025
Get in touch
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
The BSc International Finance Top Up equips international students with the knowledge, language and practical skills required to operate effectively in economies where there is strong demand for international trade and finance. This highly practical international finance top-up course focuses on contemporary issues in international banking and trading goods globally, and the efficiency of international trade and finance arrangements.
There is a strong focus on English language skills throughout the top up degree in finance, with scaffolded support for language development and opportunities to apply theoretical learning in practical activities.
Highlights
- Strong and balanced focus on international trade, finance and banking on the international finance top up degree
- Bridges the employability gap for careers in finance-related functions in a wide range of industries
- Top-Up your degree to a full BSc International Finance degree.
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Entry Requirements
To apply for this course, you will need to have one of the following qualifications:
- Edexcel / SQA
- HND
- a relevant Foundation Degree
- Advanced Diploma, or
- Chinese Dazhuan Diploma
This international finance top up course welcomes International Students whose first language is not English. Students who do not meet the minimum English Language entry requirements can join a pre-sessional English class before the programme starts.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 5.5 (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
As a one-year top-up programme aimed at international students with a slightly lower IELTS score 5.5, the BSc International Finance programme has been designed with 40 credits in English language (Academic Conventions for Business EDU3062) and 80 credits in Finance. In order to meet the requirements of the QAA Finance Benchmark Statement and Level 6 of UK FHEQ, all the modules are incorporated theoretical considerations and practical applications of a wide range of finance concepts and topics, relating theory to practice, in an international context.
Students who join the finance top up degree will learn and develop knowledge and skills related to the operations of the financial systems, the constituents and structures of the financial markets and the interaction between those constituents and their behaviours. Thus, not only do the students study the technical knowledge and skills related to financial assets, financial instruments and risk management, but they also develop strong critical awareness for social, ethical, sustainability and regulatory issues encompassed in the financial activities and systems.
List of modules
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
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Applying Academic Conventions (20 Credits)
Module code: EDU3066Status: CompulsoryThis module develops students? ability to effectively apply academic conventions in the subject area, focusing on subject-specific and academic language development for a variety of written and spoken contexts. Students acquire reading strategies to engage effectively with academic literature and develop communication skills to enable active contribution to collaborative tasks.
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Global Banking (20 Credits)
Module code: ACC3019Status: CompulsoryThis module explains the place and importance of banking in the context of the global Financial Services industry and covers the practical aspects of international banking and financial markets. The focus is on the evolving structure and regulation of international financial markets, their role and importance to the world economies.
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Import & Export Management (20 Credits)
Module code: ACC3031Status: CompulsoryThe purpose of this module is to equip students with theories and practical knowledge of import & export management, which includes a range of technical knowledge and transferable skills from product sourcing, through financial and risk management, to the completion of an international trade transaction.
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International Finance Project (20 Credits)
Module code: ACC4011Status: CompulsoryThe purpose of this module is to develop students' capabilities to apply a range of financial and non-financial techniques to analyse and compare the performances and competitiveness of different multinational corporations from a variety of perspectives, including finance, investment, sustainability and ethics.
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Academic Conventions for Critical Analysis (20 Credits)
Module code: EDU3067Status: CompulsoryThis module develops language and thinking skills for critical analysis and evaluation in academic and subject-specific contexts. Students analyse and critique academically challenging texts to support academic arguments, making effective use of information from a range of sources and adapting use of language to the purpose and context.
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International Trade Finance (20 Credits)
Module code: ACC3036Status: CompulsoryThis module provides students with the financial knowledge and skills required to manage an international trading business. Students identify, evaluate and manage the various aspects of trading risks that are common to international trade transactions.
How will I learn on the international finance top up course?
Core knowledge will be gained through a mix of workshops, seminars, and directed readings. This is a Level-6 course, so students are expected to take responsibility for a significant proportion of their learning; however, the compulsory EDU3062 – Academic Conventions for International Business and ACC4007 – Banking and Finance Project are designed to provide more intensive support for international learners who may not have been accorded such autonomy in their previous learning. International finance top up students will also be prepared for the requirements of degree level study in the workshops that are held to support the Research Project. The key Finance and Banking modules will be taught using instructional scaffolding approach to promote deep learning, cognitive development and confidence in communication in English through interaction. Student independence is fostered through student-led seminars in some modules, group presentations and group projects which involve collaborative working with peers.
How will I be assessed?
There are a variety of ways in which knowledge is assessed across the different modules on the degree in international finance. Coursework assignments include essays, individual and group projects, and reports ranging from 1,500 to 2,400 words. A compulsory Research Project (4,000 words) also forms part of the overall assessment.
These formal assessments run alongside regular seminars in which students are given the opportunity (and are expected) to articulate their developing knowledge of relevant ideas and theories and show their understanding of how these can be applied.
Students studying at the UON campus in Northampton will also receive an additional 2 hours of assessment coaching per 20-credit module, in line with our Integrated Learner Support model.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- International Full Time: £17,000
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
There are no additional costs for this for this international finance course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. 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 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK Full Time: £9,250
- International Full Time: £16,500
Careers and Employability
The BSc International Finance Top-Up programme has been designed to equip its graduates with transferrable knowledge and skills to enter the following industry sectors under various finance-related functions listed below:
Manufacturing and Commodity trading (Physical)
- Financial management
- Import/export management
- Trade credit control
- Business development
- Treasury
International Trade Consulting
- Strategy consulting
- International trade development
Commercial Banking
- Corporate banking
- Trade financing (Letter of credit, Guarantee, Documentations, etc.)
- Credit control /credit analysis
- Risk management
- Treasury
Investment Banking
- Currency trading
- Commodity trading
- Derivatives
- Structured trade finance
Master’s Opportunities
Our master’s courses are the ideal 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.
Facilities
As a BSc International Finance (Top-Up) degree student you will be able to come on to campus and use our facilities, study areas, and services. These facilities will help support you during your international finance studies at the University of Northampton.
