Overview
Successful completing of the Finance and Investment BSc can help you gain the skills and confidence to offer sound financial advice that could change someone’s future.
Currently recognised by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of the UK (CFA UK) and offering exemptions from certain exams set by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), this specialist course will suit those who intend to pursue a potential future career in the financial services sector, in areas such as investment advice, insurance, pensions, and wealth management. For more details on recognitions and exemptions, please see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition and Exemptions sections for further information.
By studying this course, you will also have the opportunity to undertake the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) professional qualification, the Investment Advice Diploma, whilst studying towards your potential degree – with previous students on this course receiving a study guide towards the exam as part of the course. Upon successful completion, this qualification can help to further your employability, as well as setting you up to progress to further higher-level qualifications in the CISI’s UK wealth management study pathway. Subject to additional costs and requirements - for more information, see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section of this page.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI)
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) for the 2021/22 intake. Upon successful completion of certain modules, you will have the opportunity to gain the Investment Advice Diploma professional qualification, which is in the CISI’s qualifying level of awards, a step up from foundation level (subject to availability, meeting any applicable professional body requirements and additional fees may apply). If the accreditation of this course changes, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Chartered Financial Analyst Society of the UK (CFA UK)
This course is recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of the UK for the 2021/2022 intake, recognising the significant alignment between the course content and the Investment Management Certificate. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)
European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) – Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 91 countries. Coventry Business School is recognised by the above memberships for the 2021/22 intake. There is currently no intention for either of these memberships to lapse however if either of these memberships were not to be renewed we would notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)
Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) – Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers, and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.
Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
This course is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for the 2021/22 intake. CII recognition allows students to gain certain exemptions from some professional examinations, upon successful completion of this course (subject to application, availability, meeting applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply). If there is any change to the recognition of this course by the CII, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Our Facilities
Trading Floor
Students have opportunities to practice simulated trading and other finance-related activities using the various types of demo software available in the Trading Floor.
Business Simulation Suite
Coventry Business School's Business Simulation Suite utilises the latest business simulation software to give students the opportunity to improve their business skills.
DigiComm Lab
Designed to build creative minds, the DigiComm Lab is equipped with the latest industry-standard marketing and advertising software and devices to support your creative development.
What our alumni say
I chose to study at Coventry because they offered a hands-on course, and with this my business was created.
Course information
The Finance and Investment course is one of a suite of finance courses offered by the School of Economics, Finance and Accounting at Coventry University, which will offer students the chance to develop analytical, numerical and financial skills, together with the personal and professional skills vital to the development of good finance professionals.
A key advantage of our programmes is the opportunity to gain knowledge across finance, investment, wealth management, accounting and taxation. You can also choose from specialist optional modules on topics like investment analysis, portfolio management or corporate financial management.
As well as simulation and practical exercises, such as assessing financial investment options or using financial trading software to understand the functioning of financial markets, you will have the chance to apply theory to real-life scenarios that you might encounter on a day-to-day basis as a professional. In the past, previous students have produced a report relating to a case study requiring the provision of finance advice in the areas of protection planning, investment planning and retirement planning.
Course specification
Download PDF
Modules
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.
In more detail...
Are you passionate about understanding money? Are you interested in finding out about how financial investment works? Would you like to be in a position where you help to design the financial future of clients?
The financial services industry is a fast moving and exciting sector, which offers a wide range of potential future career opportunities in investment advice, insurance, pensions, and wealth management.
Covering topics such as finance, investment, wealth management, accounting and taxation, this professionally recognised course is designed to give you the opportunity to build your wider financial knowledge. At the same time, you should develop your analytical, IT, communication and problem solving abilities.
We work closely with industry professionals and employers to ensure that our course and qualifications offer current, dynamic and relevant skills to help equip you with the best potential options for potential future success.
We currently enjoy close links with many professional finance bodies, such as the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), CFA Society of the UK (CFA UK) and Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), the latter of which can see you gain a professional qualification, the Investment Advice Diploma, upon successful completion of certain modules and the course, subject to additional costs and requirements. Please refer to the Accreditation and Professional Recognition and the Exemptions sections of the Overview tab for further information. Guest speakers often deliver sessions in commercial awareness, employability and working in the business sector (subject to availability).
Staff teaching on this course have authored some of the standard textbooks used, as well as published in relevant academic journals, such as the Journal of Financial Service Professionals, Journal of Financial Planning, Journal of Investing, and the Journal of Index Investing. They regularly bring contemporary practice into the classroom, for example, monitoring relevant news stories like the furore around public pensions or executive bonuses, to stimulate debate and discussion (please note that staff are subject to change).
- Recognition of the closeness of the course’s content to professional qualifications, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of the UK’s Investment Management Certificate (IMC). Please refer to the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section of the Overview tab for further information.
- Coventry Business School was rated as ‘excellent’ in 2019 by Eduniversal, an annual ranking of business schools in over 150 countries.
- Outstanding facilities include our Trading Floor, currently one of the largest academic trading floors in Europe, featuring 42 dual screen Bloomberg terminals.
- Coventry Business School is an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS).
- Dedicated employment support team, the Talent Team, to work with you throughout your course. Many of our employment tutors have previously worked in industry and they understand the labour market, the skills employers look for and the processes used by employers to select candidates (please note staff are subject to change).
- Opportunity to study for a professional qualification to improve your employability, the CISI’s Investment Advice Diploma – with past students receiving a study guide to assist them as part of the course. Subject to additional costs and requirements - for more information please see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section of the Overview tab. and they understand the labour market, the skills employers look for and the processes used by employers to select candidates (please note staff are subject to change).
- Gain support with maths and statistics from the university’s sigma centre, which runs drop-in sessions led by experienced academics (subject to availability).
Opportunity to study for a professional qualification to improve your employability – the Investment Advice Diploma (IAD.
Our main study themes are:
- Investments: Covers relevant finance and investment concepts. You will have the opportunity to learn about the financial products, the function of capital markets, the trade-off between risk and return, how to price financial assets and the importance of the way a firm finances its operations
- Finance and accounting fundamentals: Explores the basic principles, rationale and methods used in analysing, recoding, planning and managing accounts or finances
- Statistical analysis and quantitative methods: Explores the essential numeracy skills and analysis including the use of specialist software such as SPSS
This course is available on a three-year full-time basis or a four-year sandwich basis, where between Years Two and Three there is one year of supervised work experience or a 12-month period studying abroad*. The university's Talent Team will assist you in finding a suitable placement, preferably in a finance-related position in a private, public or charitable organisation.
The course can also be studied part-time, over four to six years. Find out more information on part-time study, including how to contact us directly to discuss how this course will be structured if you choose to take it on a part-time basis.
We also use a range of innovative practical exercises, such as trade games. Wherever possible, we introduce professionally relevant coursework and experiences. For example, a group coursework which students undertake that is based on a topic which is of current interest to the banking industry. In this coursework, students take on the role as consultants who have been asked to complete a project for a client and are expected to present in front of a ‘mock’ panel consisting of professional bankers and/or members of professional bodies which requires for them to carry out significant amounts of independent research.
One of the Faculty’s Progress Coaches will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice throughout your time on the course.(subject to availability).
* Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Teaching methods include: weekly lectures, small group seminars and tutorials.
Meet our staff
Dr. Jacek Niklewski
Dr. Niklewski is the Finance Academic for the Faculty.
Read full profileThis course will be assessed using a variety of methods which can vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include formal examinations, coursework, reports, essays, group work, presentations and posters.
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. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:
- The functions of financial services.
- The decision-making processes of individual investors and borrowers.
- The contexts in which financial services operates (examples of contexts include the regulatory, economic, financial, demographic and social environments).
- The main current technical language and practices of financial services in the UK.
- The alternative theoretical models (for example, alternative approaches to investment management, asset valuation, and risk management).
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Structure and evaluate the retail financial products, services and strategies available to individuals.
- Analyse and produce financial solutions to client needs.
- Structure institutional investment products.
- Manage portfolios of institutional, and direct, investment products.
- Monitor financial markets and adjust portfolios and strategies in the light of new information.
- Communicate information about financial products, services, strategies and solutions.
- Critically evaluate arguments and empirical evidence concerning financial services.
- Analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and unstructured problems from sets of data.
- Formulate research questions and select appropriate research methods.
We set out below the typical teaching contact hours that you will receive on this course. Teaching contact hours will vary in different semesters and years of study and may vary due to module selection. In addition to the contact hours below, we offer the opportunity to attend additional optional sessions, including sessions with the Faculty’s progress coaches, or to meet with staff during their advice and feedback hours.
Within your first and second year, you will have around 12 contact hours of teaching a week which includes:
- Medium group teaching: practical classes, seminars or workshops per week
- Large group teaching: lectures each week
In your final year, if you are undertaking a project/dissertation, there is a greater emphasis placed on independent study and therefore total contact hours may be reduced.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a significant amount of studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using, for example, handouts or online activities.
You will have the opportunity to take part in a number of overseas field trips, both through the Faculty and offered by the wider university. In the past, our previous students have visited universities in China and Malaysia to study alongside students, see how finance is taught internationally, appreciate the issues in different countries and broaden their perspectives.
The placement/study abroad year* can be taken as work experience or study abroad where we have developed relationships with many partner universities teaching in English throughout Europe, China, Hong Kong and India.
*Please note that all international experience opportunities and field trips are subject to competitive application, availability, visa requirements and additional costs may apply.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we provided a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni in 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our alumni say
I chose to study at Coventry because they offered a hands-on course, and with this my business was created.
Entry Requirements
What our alumni say
I chose to study at Coventry because they offered a hands-on course, and with this my business was created.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.As well as covering UK field trips, key materials and laser print, the fees for this course also previously include:
- CISI Professional Qualification Study Pack
The following are additional costs not included in the fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
Additional costs associated with professional body exams – for more information, see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section of the Overview tab.
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our alumni say
I chose to study at Coventry because they offered a hands-on course, and with this my business was created.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Our course is designed to teach practical skills and experience to allow you the opportunity to learn how to give sound financial advice and make effective financial decisions.
You’ll have opportunities to benefit from a wide range of desirable professional skills, including: team working; critical evaluation; self-directed learning; problem-solving; action planning and organising; written and oral communication; presentation; questioning and listening. Through the courses employability skills modules, you will also have the opportunity to explore skills such as achievement orientation; initiative and creativity; self-confidence; decisiveness; reflectiveness; adaptability and flexibility.
On successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue potential future career options with financial institutions, including investment advisory services; commercial banks; brokerage firms; insurance companies; and finance companies. You could also explore potential options in the finance departments of non-financial corporations, non-profit institutions and governmental agencies.
Alternatively, you may decide to continue your studies at postgraduate level to further enhance your employability. Here at Coventry, we offer the MSc Accounting and Financial Management, and the MSc Professional Accountancy, which is designed to help prepare you for exams with the Association for Chartered Certified Accountants. Please note that further study opportunities are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your potential future career options and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your potential future career.
96%
of students in work or further study six months after finishing this course
DLHE 2016/17
Where our graduates work
Our previous graduates have obtained roles in financial consultancy, investment analysis and wealth management for companies including Microsoft, IBM, Tesco Graduate Scheme, IBM, Toys R Us and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
What our alumni say
I chose to study at Coventry because they offered a hands-on course, and with this my business was created.
Disclaimer
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 2020/21 Contract can be found here. 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.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
