Economics, Finance and Banking BSc (Econ) (Hons)

Prepare for a career in the well-paid and fast-moving sectors of banking, finance and risk management with this BSc Economics, Finance and Banking degree.

Economics is the study of how societies produce, distribute, and consume goods and services. Finance examines financial systems and how money moves around, including banks, loans and investments.

This degree equips you to be a finance professional. You'll learn core economic theory using real, topical data from organisations such as HSBC, Barclays, the Bank of England and the UK Government's annual budget. You'll also learn how finance systems work, including:

• futures, forwards, swaps, and options markets
• monetary policy and financial regulation
• portfolio management and stock selection
• contemporary issues in finance and banking
• behavioural finance and the psychology of investment

You can apply this knowledge during an optional paid placement year after your second or third year. Previous students have worked at places like Lloyds Bank, Santander and BMW.

The skills you learn on this degree are in high demand in the public and private sectors.

When you complete the course, you'll be prepared for work in areas including commercial and investment banking, tax consultancy and risk management. Through your choice of optional modules during the course, you could also set yourself up for further study and prepare for accountancy exams.

Graduates of this course have gone on to jobs as:

• Banker
• Business analyst
• Project manager
• Associate financial data analyst
• Account analyst
• Trainee accountant
• Quantitative researcher - machine learning/ AI
• Treasury solutions executive
• Financial recruitment

Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:

• Bank of Ireland
• State Street Bank & Trust
• J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
• Bank of East Asia
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Barclays
• Santander UK
• Accenture PLC
• S & P Global (data insights)
• Fujitsu (global IT)

You could also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level, or set up your own business with help and support from the University.

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.

Work placement year

You can boost your employability by taking an optional paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree, or after year 3.

Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:

• Lloyds Banking Group
• Santander
• Office for National Statistics
• BRUIN Financial
• IBM
• Amazon
• BMW
• Government Economic Service

My placement role was amazing. I got the opportunity to work at one of the largest entertainment companies in the world and learn so much throughout the whole process. 

Abdul Wahid, Placement student at Warner Bros, BSc (Hons) (Econ) Economics, Finance and Banking

The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.

You could also set up your own business with support from us.

Ways to enrich your study

Study abroad year

Between your second and third year, you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.

 

"Students that go abroad are more likely to obtain first-class honours [and] more likely to be in graduate employment than their non-mobile peers."

 

Universities UK International: 'Gone International, Rising Aspirations', 2019