BA (Hons) Finance (with Foundation Year option)

Develop a thorough understanding of the workings of national and global capital markets and financial systems with our Finance degree. Areas of focus include the pricing of financial assets, risk management and the behaviours of financial institutions.

UCAS Code:
NN23
Institution:
B50
Delivery:
Sandwich (Thick) out of college.

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With foundation year: NN24

Why study BA (Hons) Finance at BU?

Gain a comprehensive overview of the sector in your first year, with the flexibility to transfer to a different specialism within accounting and finance at the end of your first year
Meet industry-leading practitioners and professionals through guest lectures, seminars and assessment activities
Study abroad at one of our international partner institutions in Australia, Canada or Europe
Gain industry experience and enhance your employability by undertaking an optional 30-week placement which can be completed anywhere in the world.
Follow in the footsteps of successful alumni working for companies such as Barclays Bank Plc, Deloitte and Deutsche Bank
90% of our graduates are either working or studying fifteen months after graduating.

Find out more about the content of this course.

Foundation year: We have a foundation year option for UK students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course. This additional year of study will give you a grounding in the business and management skills required for this course, building your confidence, knowledge and skills for further study. After successful completion of the foundation year, you will progress to the full degree.

Course accreditations

The accreditation bodies on our BA (Hons) Finance course are renowned industry-wide for promoting excellence and the highest standards, all of which is reflected in the BU Business School Experience:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation is a hallmark of excellence that has been awarded to fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) accreditation offers some exemptions from exams required to become a Chartered Accountant.

See what it is like to study at the Business School

Image description — Inside the Fusion Building, which features 27 seminar rooms, three lecture theatres, research space, a 24-station PC laboratory, rooftop terraces and numerous catering facilities, topped with a glass-domed roof. The building has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A and BREEAM Excellent; it features a range of the latest technologies designed to reduce its environmental impact.

Next start date:

September 2021, September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

3 years, or 4 years with a minimum 30-week work placement. Foundation year: 4 years full-time or 5 years with a 30-week minimum placement

Accreditations:

AACSB, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. Foundation year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points.For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Course details

Contact hours and assessment

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 714kb)Download the foundation year programme specification (pdf 286kb)

Flexibility to specialise

This course sits within our accounting & finance framework consisting of a range of specialised courses:

BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
BA (Hons) Finance
BA (Hons) Accounting
MAccFinn (Hons) Accounting & Finance

Each of the courses in this framework will give you those vital core skills, as well as offering more specialist options depending on the pathway you choose to pursue. All courses' first-year units are the same, allowing you the flexibility to transfer to another pathway at the end of the first year if you wish. This keeps your career options open and enables you to make more informed choices.

Foundation year

Core Units:

Fundamentals of Business & Management: This unit aims to develop your understanding of the business context across industry and sectors globally. You will cover the key issues and challenges facing businesses going forward and the essential role of people in dynamic, resilient and complex organisations. You will explore key functional business areas including marketing, finance, accounting, economics, people management, and organisational behaviour.
Academic & Professional Practice: You will build your confidence in both academic and professional skills. This unit will cover the academic skills which will be required at degree level study and you’ll practice them throughout the unit with support from key university services including the library and study skills team. There will also be opportunity for you to reflect on and develop your own professional skills through interactions with employers, careers services and online resources.
Fusion Business Project: You will undertake a business project based on a real issue or problem. The Fundamentals of Business & Management unit will support you in understanding key issues and challenges which could form the basis for your project. Projects will be undertaken in workplaces, community settings or part of research processes related to your chosen field of study. You will be allocated an academic mentor who will support you in developing and undertaking the project.

Year 1

Our particular focus in the first year is to ensure that you understand diverse areas like law, economics, accounting, business management, quantitative analysis and finance in the context of how a business is run, thus focusing on the connectivity between these areas in the world of business.

Core units:

Law for Accounting & Finance: You will study the aspects of Law required to operate in the finance sector. You will acquire knowledge of the sources of law in order to understand the potential impacts each source may have on financial practice.
Economics for Accounting & Finance: You understand the fundamental economic concepts and their applications including the way markets work and their interaction using real-world examples, as well as the impact of economic policies on businesses and society.
Introduction to Accounting: This unit will give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of accounting, together with a basic understanding of the regulatory framework. You will be able to prepare financial statements and use a range of management accounting techniques to aid the business decision-making process.
Quantitative Analysis: This unit will develop your understanding of basic mathematical principles and how they are applied in accounting and finance. It will provide you with the essential techniques used to collect, present, analyse and interpret data and show how quantitative methods may be used to provide reliable management information.
Introduction to Financial Markets: As an introduction to financial markets, you will gain a level of conceptual understanding that will allow you to critically evaluate the fundamentals of finance and its implications in the current scenario.
Business Context: This unit will equip you with the understanding of how to translate knowledge in economics, law, statistics, finance, accounting in a business context.

Year 2

The second-year emphasises on embedding subject related skills like a working knowledge of accounting software and excel skills whilst also ensuring that you learn softer skills such as presentation skills, assessment centre practice and CV building experience. The aim is to ensure that you are ready to successfully engage with the placement recruitment process.

Core units:

Asset Valuation: You will gain a thorough understanding of the structural overview of the financial markets, particularly the role and impact of financial market participants. You will be able to analyse and evaluate equity securities market using appropriate valuation concepts and techniques, particularly fundamental analysis.
Accounting Information Systems: You will progress and enhance your IT skills through the use and application of industry-standard software. The unit will also provide an understanding of the accounting profession and put the use of such software into context. You will learn how to apply business process thinking in SAP ERP Information systems as tools within financial and management accounting.
Financial Reporting: You will evaluate and apply the regulatory framework of accounting, prepare basic consolidated accounts in accordance with IFRS, for a simple group and analyse and appraise company performance.
Money Banking & Financial Markets: This unit aims to provide a solid grounding in monetary economics and the financial system. It seeks to provide a basis for understanding and analysing the working of financial markets and for assessing the relative effectiveness of monetary policy as a means of tackling macroeconomic problems.
Corporate Financial Management: This unit presents and discusses the importance of financial management to a corporate entity based on the relevant theories. It analyses the business environment in which the financial management decisions are taken both in the short-run and also in the long-run. Further, it demonstrates how capital and risk are linked to financial management and applies key principles, techniques, tools, and instruments to assist in corporate decision-making.
Management Accounting: You will develop an understanding of basic management account concepts, techniques and practices and the quantitative skills to apply them in an organisational context.

Optional placement year

Final year

The final year will emphasise on embedding research skills, which will ensure that you are able to apply this important transferable skills to your graduate role. We achieve this by exposing you to the impactful research conducted by our senior academics and professors in the department, therefore enriching your grounding in different methods of research. This will then be applied in either a research study context or to the study of a live company, thus ensuring that you can demonstrate research application.

Core units:

Risk Modelling & Management: You will gain a broad awareness and understanding of the risks faced within a modern business environment, alongside the risk management processes necessary to control such risks. You will develop the skills to model and analyse risk scenarios, with the application of such techniques allowing for critical analysis and informed decision making.
Investment Management: This unit will address the theoretical principles and quantitative methodologies which underpin the pricing and valuation of the primary investable asset classes (equities, bonds and property) and their application in practice. It also introduces and differentiates between personal wealth management and institutional fund management.
Contemporary Issues in Accounting & Finance Research: You will develop an appreciation for current research in accounting and finance and become equipped with a broad range of research skills. Key topics will include hypothesis formation; ethical procedures; questionnaire designs; and quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Option units (choose three):

Company Study: You will undertake a project and apply accounting theory to a real example as well as develop your personal skills working within a group such as time management, work-allocation, joint problem-solving, discussion, communication, negotiation, and presentation.
Financial Regulation: The unit will cover the key regulatory theories, forms and rationale of regulation that are highly relevant to those seeking employment within the financial sector. You will engage with, develop and critically analyse regulatory concepts and systems that meet the needs of both the regulator and the regulated.
Corporate Social Responsibility & Environmental Reporting: This unit will equip you with the ability to account and report on environmental topics with emphasis on both regulatory as well as the reporting framework needed to account for environmental issues. You will gain the ability to critically appraise the usefulness of such information.
Derivatives & Alternative Investment: The unit starts with the historical precedents, runs through current developments and emphasises the technical details of valuation of all derivatives and alternative investment. This unit also provides problem-based analysis of Alternative Investment strategies, focusing on governance and valuation.
Entrepreneurship & Business Ventures: The unit covers how individuals and teams build on opportunities to create new businesses or transform existing ones by undertaking entrepreneurial activities. You will learn how to be effective entrepreneurs by looking at the business and personal skills needed to start a business and the critical factors in the survival of start-ups and reasons for failure.
Research Study: The research study will allow you to enhance your independent learning, critical thinking and reflective skills. It will enable you to demonstrate your ability to formulate a research proposal, collect, analyse and evaluate data pertinent to the chosen contextualised research topic and to write up a report documenting the project methodology, management and outcomes.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the university's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in the industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career. That’s why we offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.

The course includes a short 6-week work placement or a 30-week placement that will take place between your second and final year. You can even choose to undertake your placement abroad – giving you the opportunity to develop yourself personally, academically, and professionally and gain skills to help you stand out in the job market.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placements

How placements benefit you

A placement should be a highly rewarding experience for you and the employing company and we do our best to ensure that everyone involved feels that they have got the most that they can from the experience.

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity to:

Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider
Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

What support will be available?

We will provide a great deal of help and support to ensure you achieve a rewarding and satisfying placement. We have strong links to outside agencies and organisations to best support you along your professional development, and dedicated placement officers to support you.

Our students perform very well on placement and a number of firms return to us year-on-year to source BU placement students.

Your application

We want analytical, eager, tenacious students who are going to make a real difference to the course they are studying. Our students learn from each other, as well as their academic staff, so it is really important to us that you can show us how much you care about the course you are interested in. Your UCAS personal statement is a great place to do this. Tell us about your personal achievements or any relevant work experience you have done, and show us how they make you the ideal candidate for a place on the course.

For this course we are looking for applicants who can:

Demonstrate excellent problem solving skills.
Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills.
Think logically and have an appreciation of mathematical concepts.
Show self motivation and effective time-management skills.

How to apply

What we're looking for

Selection methods

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our offer-making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Entry requirements

Full entry requirements

Our main entry requirements for the degree are outlined below. If you do not meet these you may want to consider our foundation year, a one-year course that will prepare you for degree-level study.

We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

We have outlined our entry requirements below using the most common qualifications that we consider for this course. If your qualification is not on the UCAS tariff or listed below, please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team who can advise accordingly. You can also find out more about how we consider your application in our offer-making process section.

For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

Numeracy and Literacy requirement: GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all the equivalencies.

A-level and AS levels: 104 – 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels.

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Access to HE Diploma: 102 – 118 UCAS tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.

BTEC National:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: This qualification is accepted as part of the overall tariff

Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.

Cambridge Technical:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Introductory Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff

Extended Project Qualification: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

International Baccalaureate Certificates: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.

International Baccalaureate (Diploma): An overall score of 28 - 31 points.

Scottish Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.

Scottish Advanced Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

T Levels: We will recognise T Level qualifications at a suitable level (and in a suitable subject, if applicable).

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Foundation year entry requirements

We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: 48-72 UCAS tariff points.

Numeracy and Literacy requirement: There are no GCSE requirements. The foundation year will cover these skills in preparation for degree study.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2021 and September 2022 entry:

Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 61-71%. Grade depends on the course
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma (4,4,3 to 4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course
All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 60-70%
Italian Esame di Stato with 60-70%. Grade depends on the course
Titulo de Bachillerato with 6 or 7. Grade depends on the course

We offer a number of preparatory programmes through Bournemouth University International College. These courses offer you progression from High School in your home country to a Bachelor’s degree at BU.

Options include:

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Careers

A degree in Finance will prepare you for a variety of roles in organisations of all sizes and from many sectors. You’ll have an excellent grounding in finance before going on to specialise in your second year, ensuring that you keep your career options open. Some of our alumni go on to work for companies such as Airbus, Arcadia, Barclays Bank Plc, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, HMRC, IBM, Miscox, Threadneedle Investments and Vodafone.

Within fifteen months of graduating, 90% of our graduates are employed or continuing their studies.

Typical starting job roles

Your learning across finance – complemented by options to specialise in particular areas – means this course can open up a wide variety of opportunities.

Graduates work for a broad spectrum of organisations, taking up roles such as:

Business Development Adviser
Finance Executive
Graduate Financial Adviser
Business Analyst
Capital Management Analyst
Audit Associate

The skills you learn stand you in good stead for your continuing professional development too – giving you more control over your career direction.

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be. You’ll also find you could benefit from a range of discounts as a student.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Laptops, tablets and mobile devices.
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website.
Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation.
Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
Travel costs, outdoor wear and footwear for optional field trips.
Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement.
SportBU membership.

Repeat units

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Dr Suranjita Muhkerjee - Programme Leader

Suranjita joined Bournemouth University in September 2011. She is a Senior Lecturer in the area of Accounting and Finance and has 12 years of university teaching experience at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. As an experienced academic she is passionate about using new technology and inventive teaching techniques like Panopto, Padlet, podcasts and use of innovative assessments to emphasise conceptual understanding of the subject matter.

She has extensive experience in curriculum planning with proficiency in programme development of a specialist undergraduate and a specialist integrated master’s degree in accounting and finance. Suranjita has been a programme director in varied academic roles including academic liaison tutor with FE colleges, programme leader of a specialist finance and accounting programmes. Her ongoing research interest is in corporate governance, corporate finance and Tax.

View Dr Suranjita Muhkerjee's staff profile

 Spencer Barnett - Lecturer

Spencer graduated from Bournemouth University in 2003 with a first-class honours degree in Accounting & Finance and have subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant.

Before starting at BU in 2000, he was an equity analyst and arbitrageur at a major European investment bank.

Spencer’s research interests lie within the field of equity arbitrage, particularly surrounding mergers and acquisitions.

View Spencer Barnett’s staff profile

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

BA (Hons) Finance (with Foundation Year option)

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Why study BA (Hons) Finance at BU?

Course accreditations

See what it is like to study at the Business School

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Accreditations:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Scholarships

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Course details

Flexibility to specialise

Foundation year

Year 1

Year 2

Optional placement year

Final year

Programme specification

Placements

How placements benefit you

What support will be available?

Your application

What we're looking for

Selection methods

How we assess your application

Our offer-making process

Entry requirements

Full entry requirements

Foundation year entry requirements

International entry requirements

Careers

Typical starting job roles

Further study

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Repeat units

Our staff

Dr Suranjita Muhkerjee - Programme Leader

Spencer Barnett - Lecturer

 Spencer Barnett - Lecturer