Finance

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. In the first year you will gain an essential foundation in finance, equipping you with the necessary quantitative skills. The second year will concentrate on building a firm grasp of core analytical methods in finance and financial economics and applying them to a range of problems, while the third year allows you to gain in-depth knowledge in a range of finance subfields.

First year

You will take compulsory introductory courses in economics, mathematics and statistics as well as LSE100.

(* denotes a half unit course)

Introduction to Finance*
Introduces you to the core issues in finance.

Microeconomics I*
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key microeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Macroeconomics I*
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key macroeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Elementary Statistical Theory
This is a theoretical statistics course which is appropriate whether or not your A level Mathematics course included statistics. It forms the basis for later statistics options.

Mathematical Methods
An introductory-level "how to do it" course designed to prepare you for using mathematics seriously in the social sciences, or any other context.

One from the following two options:

Elements of Financial Accounting*
Introduces you to the preparation, uses and limitations of accounting convention.

Programming for Data Science*
The primary focus of this course is to cover principles of computer programming with a focus on data science applications.

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Second year

You will take compulsory courses in finance, microeconomics, econometrics.

Principles of Finance
Examines companies' longer term investment decisions, and the ways in which these may be financed in the financial markets.

Financial Systems and Crises*
Covers the historical development of financial markets and institutions, including the evolution of banking, financial exchanges and regulation.

Macro-Finance*
Studies the relationship between financial markets and the macro-economy. 

Microeconomics II*
This intermediate-level course will help students understand key microeconomic questions and challenges and also evaluate possible solutions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Econometrics I*
Introduction to econometrics to teach students the theory and practice of empirical research in economics.

Econometrics II*
Intermediate-level course to teach students the theory of econometrics and the practice of empirical research in economics.

Either 
Managing Visualising Data 
This course focuses on the fundamental principles of effective manipulation and visualisation of data.

Or a half unit optional course

Third year

In the third year you will take six more half-unit compulsory courses. You will also choose two half units or a full unit outside option from a selected list of relevant courses offered outside the Department.

Market Anomalies and Asset Management*
Examines the extent to which financial markets are informationally efficient and analyse portfolio optimisation techniques and how performance can be measured. 

Theories of Corporate Finance*
Examines the theory and evidence concerning major corporate financial policy decisions, focusing particularly on the firm's decision to finance with debt versus equity, the impact of taxes on such decisions, and the role of dividends. 

Risk Management and Modelling*
Develops the fundamental concepts of how to deal with risk, such as value at risk, portfolio management, hedging and risk measurement.

Derivatives*
Explores the theoretical foundations of financial derivatives on a variety of asset classes, including bonds, stocks, commodities and currencies.

Applied Corporate Finance*
Illustrates and extends the corporate finance topics previously learnt with a range of case studies. 

Advanced Financial Economics*
Covers the modern theories of asset valuation.

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.  

Where regulations permit, you may also be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Information can be found on the Language Centre webpages.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up-to-date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

Graduates from this programme will be well prepared for careers in investment banking, sales, trading and research, investment management, management consultancy, start-ups and other professional careers in the City, as well as further academic study.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search.