Course Overview
Course summary
This exciting programme is designed with input from financial firms, public and private companies. Our aim is to combine theoretical learning content with practice to give you a deep understanding of modern financial theories together with learning about how companies make investment, financing and acquisition decisions. It will prepare you for a career in the dynamic, highly regulated world of financial services.
Developing core quantitative and analytical skills, you’ll learn how to prepare and interpret financial data and managerial information. This education will enable you to develop your expertise to evaluate financial issues to confidently make financial decisions. You will gain a broader understanding of the socio-economic, legal and professional environment within which finance operates. Graduates from this programme will be better placed to provide expert guidance to both professionals and non-professionals to solve complex real-world problems – the scope of the subject areas is broad ranging from graduates taking on roles from corporate financial management to highly analytical areas of the field in financial risk and investment management.
The University is also recognised by the Chartered Financial Institute (CFA) as a University Affiliated Program partner. A fair proportion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge is embedded in this specialist finance degree.
You’ll be taught by academics with professional experience in investment banking, derivatives, asset pricing, Treasury Management, algorithmic and high frequency trading, pricing and hedge fund trading. Theoretical aspects of your learning are seamlessly blended to develop practical skills using our state-of-the-art Financial Markets Suite (FMS). The learning resources facility provides access to a rich source of financial and market data.
As well as a firm grounding in investment, finance fundamentals and general management, you’ll be able to study a wide variety of specialist finance modules, such as portfolio management and securities analysis. With the City of London's global financial institutions on our doorstep, you’ll begin building your professional network from day one. We also have guest lecturers and industry speakers, from big brokerage firms and asset management companies.
The course enhances your analytical abilities, together with team-working, problem-solving, communication skills and commercial awareness needed to meet the needs for talent in a changing global financial world. The skills and knowledge you develop will open up a range of careers in the skills necessary for a successful career in the financial services industry, economic consultancy, government departments or in regulatory agencies. With further study, you could also progress to professional finance qualifications from the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) and the CISI.
Our course was designed with input from a range of industry professionals with expertise in financial markets, institutions and financial regulation. To retain currency and relevance, we receive ongoing feedback from the School of Finance and Accounting’s Employability Advisory Board, whose members include practitioner representatives from Vanguard, JPMorgan and Global Structured Finance, as well as former students now working in the finance industry who provide suggestions on how to improve future employability for students. As much as 70% of the BSc Finance course content is in line with the CFA’s study units’ syllabuses.
Top reasons to study with us
- Study at one of London’s leading centres for finance education based in the heart of London and its political, media and financial services scene
- Access to one of the largest financial databases in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg virtual trading room
- Take part in real-time financial and trading simulations
- Opportunity to undertake an internship: investment banks, corporates, and policy making institutions
- Guest lectures from industry practitioners: recent talks featured seasoned entrepreneurs, traders, authors and asset managers
- Field trips to financial institutions: students had a guided tour of the new Bloomberg HQ in London
- Programmes are delivered by a multicultural and international teaching body, who come from professional practice and/or regularly publish in top international journals
- Our graduates have gone on to work as a fund manager, financial analyst, assets manager, investment manager, investment banker, corporate banker, corporate finance specialist, treasury specialist, stockbroker, within the finance departments of both public and private companies, treasury departments and more
Opportunity to develop employability skills to enhance marketability in the financial industry.
Course structure
On this degree, you’ll gain an in-depth knowledge of modern finance theories and their applications, developing your critical thinking around finance related themes such as investments, risk management, financial modelling, security analysis and banking. You’ll learn about business organisations: their purposes, structures and governance in a global context and, in doing so, deepen your understanding of the financial drivers of business strategy, planning, governance and ethics. In each year of study, as an example you will take a combination of core and option modules which cover specialisms such as banking theory or corporate governance.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
In the first year, we'll introduce you to core learning in finance and theory, including the key principles of returns and risks, portfolio and asset valuations. You’ll learn how to interpret and analyse corporate financial account statements and reports using standard analytical techniques and basic investment mathematics, including time value of money concepts and valuation techniques. With simplified real-life exercises, you'll have opportunities to understand and learn about financial markets and their roles in investment and risk decisions. We'll also develop and enhance your employability skills by learning the required soft skills with direct input from our alumni and industry professionals.
Subjects of study include:
- Corporate Financial Accounting
- Introduction to Finance
- Introduction to Financial Markets
- Mathematics for Finance
Professional and Digital Literacy Skills for Finance
You will also have the opportunity to take an option module in banking that broadens your skills or helps you to gain more in-depth knowledge of your specialist area. You may also choose a foreign language as your elective module.
Credit Level 4
In the second year, the modules will enable you to integrate theory to practice and develop detailed understanding of financial quantitative methods and to frame research questions. You’ll learn how different valuation and analytical techniques are used in the financial markets on a range of popular financial securities and gain a greater understanding of financial derivatives markets, the instruments and valuation principles. Considering corporate finance themes, such as cost of capital, source of funding corporate structure decisions and dividend policy, you’ll develop your ability to articulate capital investment decisions in the context of financial markets, investment decision-making and risk management. Key methods include probability and probability distributions, summary statistics, regression analytics and time series analysis. Learning about Financial Modelling and Statistical methods will help you develop quantitative skills. You'll apply financial data generated from the FMS to different and complex case scenarios, making informed financial decisions as you would in the workplace. As part of Securities Analysis and Corporate Finance, you’ll take a deeper look at valuations of a range of securities together with learning about corporate events such as IPOs (Initial Public Offerings), mergers and acquisitions.
Subjects of study include:
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Modelling and Statistics
- Quantitative Methods for Finance
- Securities Analysis
Plus two options from: Computational Methods for Finance, Financial Accounting and Reporting or an elective module.
Credit Level 5
Placement or Study Abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3 you can undertake a one-year, full-time business placement. Alternatively, you could study abroad during this year at one of our partner institutions. You can also choose to split your year abroad into a first semester exchange and a second semester work placement, both conducted overseas, or undertake a placement year overseas.
Content is designed to enable you to deal with complex financial problems, to critically analyse finance theories, concepts and applications, and demonstrate in-depth knowledge of investments, risk management and financial policies. We’ll look at the investment management process, placing particular emphasis on the nature and organisation of common financial investments, namely money market instruments, equities and government and corporate bonds. The following types of risks will be examined in detail: currency, interest rate, credit, market, operational and liquidity. The Risk Management module acts as a building block for getting into risk models and evolution of volatility in financial markets. Investment and portfolio management will play a critical role in understanding systematic components of investment via portfolio design. We'll also prepare you to be global citizens; socially, ethically, and environmentally aware on sustainability in finance environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas inclusive of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Subjects of study include:
- Advanced Corporate Finance
- Investments and Portfolio Management
- Risk Management in Finance and Banking
- Sustainable Finance
Plus two options from: Advanced Financial Modelling, Global Financial Markets and Institutions and International Banking.
Credit Level 6
Professional accreditation
The University is recognised by the Chartered Financial Institute (CFA) as a University Affiliated Program partner.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
On this degree you’ll develop fundamental knowledge in finance, ethical awareness, independent thinking, leadership, self-confidence as well as problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills. You will be well prepared to work in areas such as asset financing, investment or corporate banking, financial planning, hedge funds, investment and security analysis, risk management, stockbroking, wealth management and treasury. Many of our students go on to postgraduate study here and at a range of other universities.
The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills in The Big Idea competition, sponsored by Santander.
Kickstart your career
Learn how to use social media in your job hunt or LinkedIn to kickstart your career.
Develop your CQ
Develop your cultural intelligence – or ‘CQ’ – studying alongside students and staff representing more than 100 nationalities.
Industry links
We have excellent industry links with some of the top firms in the financial services, along with leading financial technology and data vendor services providers such as Bloomberg.
We are also recognised as a University Affiliation Program partner by the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute. The professional body recognises that a substantial (70%) proportion of the candidate body of knowledge of the Level 1 CFA program is embodied in our degree course. You may also opt into CISI (Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment) membership for career events, presentations and employability training. You can also access online material, attend CFA events and apply for scholarships.
Job roles
This course will prepare you for a broad range of roles in the global financial services sector such as:
- Finance analyst
- Investment banking analyst
- Market analyst
- Retail banker
- Risk management assistant
- Treasury analyst
- Underwriting assistant
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Bank of England
- Barclays
- BlackRock
- BT
- Earnt
- EE
- Goldman Sachs
- Houlihan Lokey
- HSBC
- KPMG
- NHS
- S&P Global
- UBS
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Fred Agyemang
Lecturer
Fred Agyemang completed his postgraduate certificate in higher education at Plymouth University and also received a fellowship of the HEA in 2019. He previously studied at the Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) in Sweden, completing a Business Administration MSc degree with an emphasis on investment and finance. His undergraduate degree was in Banking and Finance and awarded by the University of Ghana, Legon.
Fred’s industry experience ranges from investment finance to accountancy, he has previously worked in investment advisory, MI/MA consultancy and financial reporting roles. His academic experience is broad and includes both management and teaching responsibilities. In terms of academic management, he has been a programme director, course leader and has also overseen academic delivery at HEI’s in the UK as well as partner institutions in China, Cyprus and UAE. At an institutional level, Fred has provided academic leadership for colleagues and early career lecturers.
He has previously worked with GSM/University of Plymouth, University of London Birkbeck, and University of West London. Having led modules such as Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Financial Reporting and Management Accounting at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Fred is well known for his pastoral care and student support.
The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but hard work and perseverance supersede all.
Course Team
- Professor Abdelhafid Benamraoui - Professor
- Dr Hui Gong - Staff
- Dr Kristina Vasileva - Senior Lecturer in Finance
- Dr Kumari Juddoo - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Julie Ayton - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Xin Li - Senior Lecturer in Finance
- Neeta Shah - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Masar Hadla - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Michael Enowbi Batuo - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Stefan Van Dellen - Senior Lecturer in Finance
- Dr Jason Cheng - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Samuel Ze-To - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Yang Fang - Lecturer
- Dr Yang Yue - Lecturer
- Ioanna Lachana - Lecturer
Accounting and Finance courses
Learn more about Westminster's Accounting and Finance courses from our students and staff. Find out about their experience studying at Westminster, including what it's like to study at the University's Marylebone campus in the heart of central London.
Why study this course?
Combine theory and practice
Link theory to global practice through real-life case studies, guest lectures, field trips and insight from one of the world’s largest financial databases.
Professional software
Enhance your digital literacy and computer skills industry-standard software including Excel, Tableau and FAME.
Build connections
Build connections with peers and future business leaders.
Entry Requirements
- A levels – BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 112 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 112 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D*
- Access – 112 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
- International Baccalaureate – 112 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
What our students say
Zise Xin Wong
Finance BSc Honours
The course is intellectually stimulating as the learning outcomes are relevant and applicable to the most recent financial models.
Gerasim Hristov
Finance BSc Honours
The Finance BSc course has equipped me with the technical and commercial knowledge needed to succeed in a career in investment banking. I have particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside the faculty staff at our Westminster Finance Society.
Ronet Harewood
Finance BSc Honours
I've really enjoyed creating portfolios for a few of my modules and learning about corporate governance. All of the lecturers and staff are extremely friendly and give clear and concise information and feedback. It's extremely helpful to see what I can do to better myself.
Learn new skills
Learn to think creatively
Develop your creativity to think outside the box.
Expert teaching staff
Learn from experts about the strategies and techniques for investment banking and trading securities on the stock market.
Improve your problem-solving skills
Improve your problem-solving skills to better understand and tackle people management issues.
Westminster Business School blog
Read our blog and get an insight into life and studies at Westminster Business School.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Student work
When learning about financing and investment decisions students choose a real-life company and download annual financial reports to analyse. This exercise helps to illustrate key finance fundamentals, such as valuation metrics and performance analysis ratios. They learn to interpret these indicators and analyse the business information presented to them, for example, forecasting earnings and cash flows for company valuation.
Run by the University of Westminster Students’ Union (UWSU), the Investment & Trading Society is a project and event-driven society, which seeks to enhance your knowledge and understanding of trading and investment, help you gain sustainable financial habits, and network. As well as practical skills workshops, the Society invites professionals, traders, investment bankers and company founders to speak to students, so they can shine light on the inside of the financial world and give interesting views on contemporary issues, such as the hiring changes in investment banking. One recent session included a flow-trading seminar delivered by a professional analyst from Amplify Trading, a well-known investment institution and trading educator, where students were taught strategies and techniques in trading securities on the market.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Facilities
The Learning Platform
Lecture theatres
Library
Bloomberg Financial Market Suite
Digital Marketing Lab
Meeting spaces
Cafe
Course Location
Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.
Westminster Business School
Based in the heart of London's political, media and financial services, Westminster Business School has excellent industry links and a strong commitment to social enterprise.
Our courses are accredited by professional bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Our practical teaching relates learning to the real world, and we develop graduates who are ready to respond to contemporary business challenges.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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