International Finance (Top-Up) BSc (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    N301

  • Level

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time: 1 Year

  • Starting

    September

  • UK Fees 24/25

    £9,250

  • International Fees 24/25

    £16,500

  • Location

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 893981

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.

Updated 19/03/2024

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.

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 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

      • Module code: ACC3019
        Status: Compulsory
        This 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.
      • Module code: ACC3031
        Status: Compulsory
        The 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.
      • 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.
      • Module code: ACC4011
        Status: Compulsory
        The 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, sustainablity and ethics.
      • 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.
      • 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.
  • Edexcel / SQA, HND, a relevant Foundation Degree, Advanced Diploma, Chinese Dazhuan Diploma.

    This international finance top up 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.

  • 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
    • International Full Time: £16,500

    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.

    Additional costs

    There are no additional costs for this for this international 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.

    2023/24 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
  • 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.

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.

Learning Hub


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

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Senate Building


The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.

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