Financial Economics and Banking BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate

Gain expertise in economics, econometrics and financial systems, to prepare yourself for roles in corporate and investment banking, financial management or economic policy.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
5 years part-time (UK only)

Course code

N320

Start date

January 2025 - condensed

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Complete practical exercises such as case studies and banking or trading simulations.
Perform real workplace tasks using industry-standard technology.
Take part in work experience and trips to companies and financial firms².

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

Icon of human figure in front of whiteboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

Industry-standard technology
Technical competence is an intrinsic requirement of a career in the financial industry, which is why we’ve embedded technological elements into your learning. You’ll receive regular exposure to widely used financial analysis software, including Python, Bloomberg Terminals, and Standard & Poor Capital IQ.
London location
Study in the Square Mile, the heart of London’s financial district. You’ll study on the doorstep of the industry, with opportunities for placements2, and the chance to continue your development with financial market simulations that train the management of financial and investment risk.
Industry insight
You’ll have the opportunity to attend tailored talks by experts from academia, the City of London and the real world of entrepreneurship touching various areas of economics, finance and banking².
Real business experience
The real business experience will be delivered in the classroom by real-world case studies, live projects, simulations, and complemented by field trips and opportunities for work placements².
Prepare for your future
This course has been developed in a manner that will increase your employability by encouraging intellectual development, systemic thinking, critical ability, and accurate problem identification, as well as presentation and team working skills. If you’re interested in starting your own business, you could get business start-up advice and support from our Enterprise Hub.

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Studying this course has opened my eyes to understand how the banking and finance sector operates around the world. It has helped me to develop my problem-solving and critical thinking skills, preparing me for the world of work. The level of teaching is to a very high standard and allows you to put your knowledge into practice.
Yesica Nithiyanantha, Financial Economics and Banking BSc student, quoted in 2020

What you'll study

Year one offers a broad mix of modules which will introduce you to the way the economy works and how money and value form part of that process. You will focus on foundation subjects such as economics, finance, and data analysis.

Modules

Introduction to Economics - 20 credits

Professional and Academic Skills Development - 20 credits

The module aims to introduce and develop the skills you will need for success on your course and in your potential professional career. These include some of the essential underlying personal and information handling skills, numerical techniques and basic mathematical and statistical foundations required by all students studying in a business school.

Compulsory

Introduction to Financial Accounting - 20 credits

Quantitative Methods - 20 credits

This module aims to give you the quantitative background needed to understand and formulate financial and economic problems. It aims to do so by giving you the opportunity to calculate, present and analyse data using mathematical and statistical techniques. You will also receive training on a variety of IT tools used for these functions.

Compulsory

Corporate and Business Law - 20 credits

Principles of Finance and Banking - 20 credits

This module aims to provide an essential understanding of the workings of monetary and financial systems, financial intermediaries, and the principles of finance, to explore policy options and problems in economics, banking and finance. The module surveys basic monetary theory and aims to provide insight into current debates in banking and finance.

Compulsory

In year two, this course aims to deepen your understanding of key themes in economics, such as macro and microeconomics. You’ll focus on the ethical and regulatory frameworks governing finance and explore how policy and regulations affect financial decisions. You will explore how corporate and investment banks operate around the world.

Modules

Intermediate Microeconomics - 20 credits

The aim of this module is to build on the knowledge you should have acquired in year one, by examining microeconomic concepts in greater depth, based on prior introduction. You will explore modern microeconomic theory by addressing several issues faced by individuals, households and firms.

Compulsory

Introduction to Econometrics - 20 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the concepts of econometrics and their usefulness in analysing economic and financial data. It aims to equip you with the relevant ‘toolkit’ to be able to apply important econometric techniques used in the economics and financial industry.

Compulsory

Corporate and Investment Banking - 20 credits

The aim of this module is to give you an understanding of a wide range of corporate finance services and investment banking services. You will examine the roles of corporate banking and investment banking, which are becoming vital as providers and mediators between lenders and borrowers, and between corporations and financial institutions around the world.

Compulsory

Intermediate Macroeconomics - 20 credits

This module will use the main economic concepts, such as output, unemployment, inflation, consumption, and investment to study the dynamics of an economy at a more advanced level. You will be encouraged to use the knowledge that should have been acquired in year one, to examine the short-run and long-run effects of price changes on employment, output and other key macroeconomic variables.

Compulsory

Banking Risk Management - 20 credits

Banking Supervisions, Regulatory Frameworks and Fin Ethics - 20 credits

Banking supervision is becoming gradually vital due to the impact of the EU on UK regulation, and changes in government policy. The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the function and operation of financial services within the wider economy, covering the evolution of global banking supervision, current trends in regulatory standards and the role of central banks and supervisory authorities in the implementation of regulatory rules.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

UK Work Placement– 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

You should now be studying all themes in depth and seeking to strengthen your research skills in preparation for your final major project (an internship, a dissertation, or a simulation). You should spend time exploring the potential employment paths you seek to pursue following graduation, with our academic and employability tutors, as well as with invited speakers (subject to availability)².

Modules

Applied Econometrics and Research Methods - 20 credits

The module aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of modern econometrics, with the opportunity to facilitate your awareness in how these techniques can be used and applied to real economics, finance and banking data. It is designed to consolidate and extend the material covered in the second-year Introduction to Econometrics module.

Compulsory

Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management - 20 credits

International Economics - 20 credits

This module explores the economic interactions between nations, and theories and empirical research on open economies. It should help you to familiarise yourself with international economics concepts used in the modern global economic environment. You will have the opportunity to study models of international trade and finance that aim to provide the basic analytical tools, together with a solid and coherent framework, to enable you to critically reflect on the current policy debate pertaining to international trade, investment and economic development.

Compulsory

Optional modules

Choose one from the following:

International Securities - 20 credits
This module aims to provide a systematic knowledge of international securities, primary and secondary markets and valuation techniques for equity, fixed income and derivative instruments. You will also have the chance to learn the characteristics and organization of the international money market and its participants, understand all types of currency risks, and explore how to manage these by applying hedging techniques.
Venture Capital and Private Equity - 20 credits
This module aims to provide you with a systematic and in-depth understanding of the workings of Venture Capital (VC) funds, Leveraged Buy Out (LBO) funds and the Private Equity (PE) industry. It will explain the origins, history and development of the PE and VC industries and their participants, structure, and transactions. You will have the chance to gain knowledge of business planning processes, fundraising processes, investment processes and different methods of creating value. The latest trends, current developments and issues in the industry will be covered.

Optional

Final Project

Choose from one of these final projects:

Dissertation - 40 credits
The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a significant piece of written work on a topic appropriate to your field of study. You will undertake a substantive piece of research, where you will use your knowledge and experience to focus on a specialist area.
Internship Project - 40 credits
This project will provide you with an opportunity to apply to undertake an internship² and accompanying piece of research, which will contribute to your research skills development and extend your experience in the fields of Accounting, Finance or Economics. The project will need to be based on a topic relevant to the internship employer context and approved by your supervisor.
Simulation - 40 credits
The simulation module is an action-based learning module, in which you have the opportunity to act as a professional in the fields of accounting, finance and economics, in a simulated business environment. You will be required to make business decisions which you will see the results of in real time, in a highly competitive environment, over several rounds of simulation².

Optional

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

We designed the teaching and learning for this course to give you a strong academic knowledge of key theories and concepts to help you understand and appreciate current and relevant research in this subject area.

You also have the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts to current practice through real-life scenarios, case studies and a variety of class activities. The course will also give you the opportunity to develop and demonstrate your essential analytical skills and respond to employer-related problems by making a set of clearly evaluated recommendations.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Please contact registry.london@coventry.ac.uk for more information about studying this course part-time.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 10 contact hours per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake a significant self-directed study of approximately 45 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/24 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

Formal examinations
Phase tests
Essays
Group work
Presentations
Reports
Projects
Coursework
Open Book Exams
Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

This course takes a globalised approach to the curriculum, placing your learning in the context of international challenges, opportunities and regulatory frameworks. It will prepare you for working globally, whether overseas, or for a multi-national, or for a firm which trades internationally.

You may have the opportunity for an international field trip², and you could also arrange to do an internship (as part of your final major project) overseas². You may benefit from studying alongside a truly international cohort of students, learning from the perspectives they bring while developing your own ability to work cross-culturally.

Our Financial Economics and Banking BSc is designed to prepare you for a global career in corporate and investment banking, financial management or economic policy. Modules are facilitated by very passionate academics with vast industry experience using the latest industry technology. You should develop as a well-rounded industry ready graduate upon successful completion of the course.
Ayotunde Oyelakin, course director, quoted in 2022

Ayotunde Oyelakin Course Director wearing a suit with a white background

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	120
A level	BBB
GCSE	5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
BTEC	DDM
IB Diploma	27 points
Access to HE Diploma	The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Accounting and Finance will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall (or an equivalent language test), with no component below 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,250 per year	Request fee information
EU	£9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£16,800 per year	Not available

If you choose to do a work placement², you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee³ of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Fees and Finance page.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Additional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our Financial Economics and Banking BSc (Hons) students have access to a wide range of facilities⁴ to help you prepare for a successful career in corporate and investment banking, financial management or economic policy roles. 

Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you.

Bloomberg Trading Floor

Our Trading Floor has been created to reflect the environment where traders work at the London Stock Exchange. It contains Bloomberg Terminals, which provide access to real-time global financial data, which students learn how to use through teaching and simulated projects.

female delivering a presentation holding a laptop

Standard & Poor Market Intelligence Suite (S&P)

The S&P Suite contains some of the same software used by Wall Street. Its databases and tools can help you track performance, identify investment ideas, and keep up with industry news and insights.

Enterprise Hub

Our Enterprise Hub supports student entrepreneurs by providing extensive industry knowledge and guidance to help develop ideas into viable ventures. It is a dedicated space for enterprising students and professionals to solve problems, network professionally and collaborate on projects.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

Apply economic and financial theories and concepts to discuss, formulate and evaluate macroeconomic and microeconomic policies, both at national and international level.
Synthesise, interpret and communicate information from a range of sources.
Identify and apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods for the interpretation of economic and financial data and present them to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Analyse and model data through the use of a computer package and communicate results for decision-making purposes.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will graduate with a degree covering subjects that are highly desirable in the industry. In addition to technical knowledge and expertise, as well as research skills, you will have learnt, developed, and practised a number of soft skills namely teamwork, presentations, and communication of ideas in different settings. The course pays particular attention to ensuring that graduates gain a variety of transferable skills, including a range of IT skills.

Typical career routes for graduates for this course include banking professionals, finance consultants, investment consultants, financial analysts, risk management, data scientists working for international financial and government institutions.

Where our graduates work

Our previous graduates have gone on to work at:

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Metro Safety Group

Further study

Upon successful completion of our Financial Economics and Banking BSc (Hons) course, you may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level. You can do that right here at Coventry University London, with our Global Finance MSc or Global Financial Trading MSc. You could continue to build on what you have learnt, to develop a career in investment banking, portfolio management, corporate finance, or risk management.

We also offer alternative postgraduate degrees if you decide to take a slightly different route. You can explore all of your options, including other locations within the Coventry University Group. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

What I like the most about my course is the close link between study life and my future career. Coventry University London does not send you into the working world with no experience of it, and instead provides the fantastic opportunity of doing a sandwich year as part of your studies, which I have chosen, as well as many internship opportunities over the years.
Marco Torghele, Financial Economics and Banking BSc student, quoted in 2021

How to apply

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 024 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

International codes:
LONU045

Full-time students applying to start in September 2023 should apply directly to the university.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.