International Finance and Banking BSc (Hons) top-up

Course overview

This course is designed for international students and as such, is designed with a specific focus on banking and finance in an international context, incorporating the study of the English language for business, to better prepare you for potential global career options in areas such as banking, financial management, financial technology, accountancy or business.

Why you should study this course

Designed to help you develop the skills needed for a career in the finance and banking sectors, this top-up course covers core finance modules and relevant banking modules, while also incorporating important elements of the economics and accounting disciplines. This approach allow you to gain knowledge across various areas, while also specialising in the skills needed to become a finance and banking professional.

With a strong focus on applying learning to practical situations, this course involves rigorous banking and regulation-based modules which should help to prepare you for potential work in the sector. Throughout the course, modules should allow you the opportunity to work on real case studies and explore the tackling of specific issues faced by banks in the global banking environment, using the skills you have learnt to look at proposing recommendations on how to solve the problems.  

There are also modules covering contemporary developments in the industry, including Financial Technology, or FinTech, which gives you the opportunity to gain insight into recent technological developments (such as blockchain and cloud computing), new emerging sectors (such as crypto-currencies and peer-to-peer lending), and take a look at the main players driving the growth of the FinTech industry.

By studying our top-up course you will benefit from:

• specialist content that should give you a comprehensive understanding of how financial markets and the banking system function within a global economy. You'll also explore theories of finance and banking, learning how they're applied to solve real-world problems.
• access to facilities⁴ including our Trading Floor, featuring contemporary Bloomberg terminals.
• access to maths and stats help and advice through drop-in sessions with experienced staff⁴.
• experienced staff, some of whom have worked in roles such as auditors for large scale professional services firms in different countries and as Chartered Accountants in the UK (please note that staff are subject to change).
• opportunities² to join a variety of student-led societies, such as the Accounting and Finance Society, the Investment Society and the Financial Trading Society.
• opportunities to network with like-minded professionals and visit key financial institutions, which have previously included Bloomberg and Fidelity International².

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

• develop a critical understanding of appropriate research theories and empirical evidence relevant to banking policy, regulation and ethical practice.
• assess banking and financial institutions’ operations within an international context by comparing different approaches to financial regulation and practice.
• constructively analyse theoretical and empirical approaches to solving banking and financial problems in an international context.
• apply financial modelling and analytical tools when conducting research using a variety of finance and finance-related resources such as relevant databases and literature in order to resolve typical finance and banking issues.
• demonstrate digital literacy by using information, communication and digital technologies in solving different financial problems and be aware of emerging financial technologies that play a significant role in the finance and banking world now and in the future.
• make rational decisions that take into account ethical issues faced by the finance and banking industry today and demonstrate awareness of the role played by ethics in making financial decisions.
• understand what is meant by, and what is involved in, the risk management of financial issues and relevant factors influential to the investment behaviour of firms.
• demonstrate enhanced employability including attributes such as professionalism, and interpersonal and communication skills to enable the effective oral written presentation of work, whilst also showing initiative and the ability to work independently.

Upon successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue a variety of potential future career options in finance, management, accounting, banking, personal and corporate finance in private, public and third sector organisations. Subject to further training or qualification, you could find yourself exploring potential future roles as an accountant, auditor, business analyst, investment consultant, stock controller or teacher.