Why study economics, finance and accounting at Coventry University?

Introduction

Many believe that Economics, Finance and Accounting are theoretical subjects confined to classroom learning. However, at Coventry University, you can engage in various teaching and learning methods and combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare for a career in this domain. Dr Uchenna Tony Okeke discusses what makes studying at Coventry University’s School of Economics, Finance and Accounting a great choice.

What can you expect?

Dr Uchenna Tony Okeke: “At Coventry University, we prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career in key ways:

• Industry-aligned curriculum and professional accreditations: our courses, such as Economics BSc (Hons) and Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons), are developed in collaboration with industry experts and professional bodies, ensuring relevance in today’s job market. Get access to professional certifications, often at discounted rates or even free of charge (subject to terms and conditions).
• Experiential learning: beyond lectures, you can take part in competitions, industry-led case studies and field trips. Events like International Audit Week, Tax Week and EFA Week introduce you to industry challenges. Additional opportunities include presentations to large audiences, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects and professional networking events.
• Career-focused support and networking: our strong industry links could help you apply for internships, placements and career mentorships. Participate in our Employability Week, where leading firms like KPMG, Deloitte, PwC and HSBC offer insights into career pathways and essential skills for success.

  Our teaching style is highly interactive, encouraging student engagement through real-world problem-solving, collaborative learning and applied research projects.”

How do you apply your learning?

Dr Uchenna Tony Okeke: “One of the most exciting aspects of studying economics, finance and accounting at Coventry University is that you can simulate real-world business scenarios in our modern facilities. You have access to:

• The Trading Floor: equipped with Bloomberg terminals so you can engage in stock trading simulations, analyse financial markets and develop investment strategies.
• The Economics Lab: featuring tools like Fitch Connect (for banking), LSEG (for data and analytics) and econometric software. These resources support industry-based learning, combining the curriculum with real-world expectations.
• Financial Planning Workshops: the introduction of these sessions help you develop real-life budgeting, investment and tax-planning skills — useful if you want to build a career in banking, wealth management and corporate finance.

These interactive simulations are not only engaging, but also teach students how financial decisions impact economies, businesses and individuals.”

How do industry links enhance your learning?

Dr Uchenna Tony Okeke: “At Coventry University, we don’t focus just on theory. Our academics have strong, personal connections with industry leaders in finance and economics. Their connections aren’t just useful for facilitate guest lectures — our academics impart real-world insights, which shape our curriculum and student experiences. This keeps our courses relevant and practical.

Benefit from our strong industry links in the following ways.

• exclusive networking opportunities: connect with professionals from leading firms.
• guest lectures: gain insights from CEOs, economists and financial strategists.
• internship and placement opportunities: our graduates have secured roles in companies such as Barclays and NatWest, reflecting the programme’s placement effectiveness.
• industry-sponsored scholarships: to support you if you want to enter the financial planning industry to help reduce the financial burden while also providing opportunities for networking, mentorship and practical industry exposure.

As a Coventry University student, you have access to attend industry-leading events and conferences (subject to terms and conditions), such as the CISI Fintech Conference, thereby gaining insights into the latest developments in finance and technology.”

How mentoring helps you transition into careers?

Dr Uchenna Tony Okeke: “One of the most valuable opportunities available to you is our World-of-Work Mentoring Scheme, which pairs you with experienced professionals from firms like Cooper Parry, Grant Thornton and Apollo Wealth Management. Over several months, you would receive one-on-one career guidance, gaining insights into:

• industry expectations and career progression
• personal branding and CV enhancement
• interview preparation and networking tactics.

Many graduates have successfully secured graduate jobs and internships through their mentorship experience, reflecting our effectiveness in enhancing your employability.”