Finance

As a BSc Finance graduate, you will leave Lancaster with deep knowledge of financial markets, trading strategies, risk management and topical subjects such as AI, machine learning, FinTech, blockchain and cryptocurrency. You will also have developed strong quantitative, teamwork and communication skills. Past students have secured roles in industries such as:

• Investment banking
• Asset management
• Trading
• Data analysis
• Financial consultancy
• Risk management
• Quantitative research
• Corporate finance and governance
• Sustainable finance and ESG

Previous students have gone on to work at organisations including:

• Bloomberg
• UBS
• Deloitte
• Deutsche Bank
• EY
• Goldman Sachs
• HSBC
• Hang Seng Bank

Many of our graduates are also inspired to continue their academic studies and embark on postgraduate education, such as pursuing an advanced specialised master’s at Lancaster or other top universities in the UK or overseas.

Our BSc (Hons) Finance degree also equips you with highly desirable transferable skills, allowing you to explore careers in the less well-known financial sectors of credit rating agencies, custodian banks, interdealer brokers, wealth management, vendors and insurance, as well as professional jobs in related industries such as accountancy, business and management, both locally and globally.

The Management School has an award-winning careers team that provides dedicated careers and placement services, offering a range of resources for LUMS students. Our high reputation means we attract a wide range of leading global employers to campus, allowing you to interact with graduate recruiters from day one of your degree.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which allows you to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our careers section for more details.

Additional costs for this course

To take the CFA level 1 examination, you will need to pay a fee to the CFA Institute. The fee is dependent upon the time of year that you enrol. The CFA website provides the current fee levels.

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

Study abroad courses

In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.

Placement and industry year courses

In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.

Home fees are subject to annual review, and may be liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. International fees (including EU) are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.

We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

• Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee
• Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee

International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will also be charged in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

• Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard international tuition fee during the Study Abroad year
• Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard international tuition fee during the Placement year

Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.