International Finance (Top-Up) BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  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 programme 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 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • Stage 1
    • Global Banking (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3019

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides a comprehensive framework to evaluate the role of the banking industry in the global financial makets. Through a combination of case studies and theories, the module covers a wide range of comtemporary banking and financial markets issues, from asset & liability and risk management of financial institutions, through financial crises and regulation, to financial technology and innovation.
    • Import & Export Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3031

      Status: Compulsory
      This module equips students with theories and practical knowledge of import & export management, including product sourcing, financial and risk management, and the completion of an international trade transaction. The module combines financial and logistical perspectives of international trade within the context of ethical and sustainability challenges.
    • International Trade Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3036

      Status: Compulsory
      This 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.
    • Banking and Finance Project (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC4007

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to apply knowledge gained on the programme to carry out an independent project in international banking and finance. The focus is on the implications of environmental changes to the structure and performance of global banking groups.
    • Applying Academic Conventions (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3066

      Status: Compulsory
      This 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.
    • Academic Conventions for Critical Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3067

      Status: Compulsory
      This 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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• Entry Requirements

  Edexcel / SQA, HND, a relevant Foundation Degree, Advanced Diploma, Chinese Dazhuan Diploma.

  This course can only consider International Students whose first language is not English. Students are expected to 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.

  English Language Requirements

  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.

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• Fees and Funding

  23/24 Tuition Fees

  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
  • International Full Time: £15,500

  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 2023. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  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
  • International Full Time: £14,500

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• FAQs

  How will I learn?

  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. 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. 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.

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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

Postgraduate Opportunities

Our postgraduate courses are the ideal way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Our postgraduate qualifications will give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

• Accounting and Finance MSc
• Financial and Investment Analysis MSc