Banking and Finance BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Two students working in the Trading Floor

The Banking and Finance BSc combines academic rigour, specialist knowledge and practical financial skills to help you thrive in the fast-paced and competitive world of banking, financial and the commercial sector.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

N310

Start date

September 2023
January 2024

How to apply
Book an Open Day
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Available through Clearing

Clearing applications for September 2023 are now closed to international students due to visa and immigration requirements. Check out our January 2024 entry courses.

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Course overview

The UK’s financial market offers diverse career opportunities, attractive salaries and scope to work overseas. Our course aims to give you a solid foundation and knowledge of banking and finance while enhancing your professional and employability skills, opening a broad range of potential career opportunities. Key topics include the operation of financial markets and banking, regulation, risk management, application of financial data and how financial institutions operate.

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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Gain knowledge about banking and the wider financial sector alongside a wide range of financial skills.
    You can expect to gain a solid understanding of the financial sector, learning about the operation of financial markets, banking and financial services, understanding and using financial data, professional, ethical and regulatory issues in banking, personal employability and professional skills. You’ll also look to develop a wide range of other financial skills such as buying a property, preparing and analysing financial statements, valuing investments and bonds, and measuring banking risks.
  • Tailor your studies
    Our wide range of economics and finance courses share a common first year. This gives you the flexibility to decide the direction you want to take your degree after you have received a thorough grounding in economic and financial concepts, and principles.
  • The Trading Floor4
    This provides hands-on experience to work with market leading financial databases such as Thomson Reuters Eikon, Bloomberg, Fitch Connect and Refinitiv Datastream.
  • sigma Maths and Statistics Support
    Access maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions with experienced tutors4.
  • Practical focus
    Prepare and analyse financial statements, as well as the study of the impact of finance on real businesses through case studies of a diverse range of organisations.
  • Gain real-world exposure
    Prepare for a future career in banking and finance with a work placement2.

Memberships

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.

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 2023/24 intake.

Additional certificates

As part of the degree you will have the option to work towards two additional certifications (outside of your study modules):

[1] Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate: Optional certification to help our students stand out and demonstrate their understanding of financial markets, central banking and the application of economic indicators, as well as hone their skills in utilising Bloomberg terminal functionalities for a fast moving market.

[2] Bloomberg ESG Certificate: Optional certification for students to demonstrate their understanding of the Environmental, Social and Governance factors, and their implications for strategy development and regulatory compliance.

More than just a degree

I have volunteered at open days and helped present a concept in finance to those who were looking to join. Initially, I was a little nervous but once I got started, I really enjoyed presenting. I was able to get to know my lecturers on a more personal level and got the opportunity to meet other students.

Eric Suthagar, Finance and Investment BSc (Hons), quoted 2021
A group of students walking past the Trading Floor

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses:

  • Business Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Business and Finance BSc (Hons)
  • Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Finance and Investment BSc (Hons)
  • Financial Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Global Financial Planning BSc (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules taught by experts in their fields.

Modules

  • This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the basic concepts, principles and analytical methods of microeconomics. It aims to provide the microeconomic theory necessary for intermediate and other specialised economics and finance modules, as well as enable the student to understand and apply economic theory to policy issues and the real economy.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the basic concepts, principles and analytical methods of macroeconomics. It aims to provide the macroeconomic theory necessary for intermediate and other specialised economics and finance modules, as well as enabling you to understand and apply economic theory to policy issues and the real economy.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with the quantitative skills required for the study of economics and finance.

    Compulsory

  • This module seeks to empower you by teaching the key areas of personal finance, including personal financial planning, budgeting, saving, managing credit, investing, retirement planning, and tax planning. This knowledge will help you manage your finances, and make confident and informed financial decisions, thereby increasing your financial control, satisfaction and well-being.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to develop your understanding of the language, concepts, models and techniques commonly used in financial and management accounting. You will be introduced to the published financial statements that business organisations produce on a regular basis, and the tools that can be used to interpret these and evaluate financial performance.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to enable you to engage critically and creatively with entrepreneurship in the context of responsible management practice. Using a variety of tools, you will be supported to develop a self-awareness of your own entrepreneurial mindsets, competencies and skillsets. During the module, you will be able to share your own experiences with those of other practitioners from business, role play different entrepreneurial archetypes and peer review their enterprising traits and entrepreneurial competencies.

    Compulsory

In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with financial markets and institutions, and the underpinning theory, practice and regulation of modern-day banking.

Modules

  • The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to identify current or global challenges in the environment and present ideas to address those issues in a proactive manner. You will develop an awareness and a critical understanding of key research methodologies within your chosen area of study and design a proposal for researching the relevant contemporary issues.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to introduce you to data analysis using econometrics with a particular emphasis on principles and applications of the Classical Linear Regression Model and violations of its underlying assumptions. The module introduces you to practical, real-world applications of regression analysis methods. The module also provides the necessary knowledge and skills required for those of you wishing to take Applied Econometrics in Stage 3.

    Compulsory

  • The purpose of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the functions and operation of retail financial services in the UK. This includes key financial products, regulation of financial services, financial inclusion, FinTech, financial crimes, risks, and current issues and trends. You will learn about the workings of the equity and bond markets, gain quantitative skills to price stocks and bonds and develop a critical understanding of theories in finance.

    Compulsory

  • The overall aim of this module is to assess the need for and nature of financial regulation in general and banking regulation in particular. It will consider the justification for regulation as well as alternative structures of regulation and their advantages and disadvantages. It will discuss recent developments in global banking regulation and assess objectives and the likelihood that they will achieve these objectives. The module will also discuss the changing nature of banks and the implications of this for the regulatory environment.

    Compulsory

  • The overall aim of this module is to provide you with an introductory knowledge of how banks operate to achieve financial intermediation. Starting from the core functions of banks, this module will present an understanding of financial statements of banks and financial management of banks. In addition, you will cover the various types of risks faced by banks and be introduced to the central banking system to understand how central banks play a pivotal role in the industry.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to introduce you to various types of financial markets and institutions, the risks they face and the strategies they adopt to control and manage risks. It also examines the risks faced by investors and savers in their interaction with financial institutions and financial markets. The module also explores some new areas of operations in financial markets and institutions such as asset securitisation, off-balance-sheet activities and the globalisation of financial services.

    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.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year2.

Modules

  • 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

  • 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

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from years one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a supervisor.

Modules

  • This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to apply and develop your research skills and to extend your knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse a topic in a specialist area of interest. You will choose a research topic related to your programme of study and apply critical analysis skills acquired through this and other modules to research the topic in depth. You will receive academic support through a series of group supervisions and will be allocated a project supervisor.

    Compulsory

  • The overall aim of this module is to build on the knowledge on principles of banking, allowing you to undertake in-depth, advanced analysis of a number of current issues in banking. This module will provide an appropriate level of understanding and analytical skills for those of you who wish to undertake postgraduate work in this area. It will also provide you with an appreciation of current banking issues that should enhance your employability in the sector.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop the understanding and application of techniques of investment analysis and performance measurement. The module focuses on providing the necessary tools to measure and evaluate investment performance and the skill evidenced by the efficient use of risk. The module also provides you with an understanding of the characteristics of, and methods used in the valuation of, bond and equity financial investments. Teaching will focus on practical problem-solving exercises, using wherever possible, real-world financial data.

    Compulsory

  • This module enables you to understand how banks are impacted by risks, and what actions banks can take to mitigate against these. It explores the spectrum of risks, including liquidity, credit, market risk, and operational risk, at enterprise (balance sheet) level and at whole financial sector (systemic) level. This reflects the emergence and increasing recognition of systemic risk management as a risk discipline.

    Compulsory

  • You can choose one modules from the list of optional modules below:

    • Applied Econometrics – 20 credits
      The aim of this module is to strengthen your understanding of econometric models and techniques relevant to empirical analysis and policy evaluation applied to a wide range of economic and finance problems. The module will equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills to design, undertake, and evaluate quantitative empirical work within economics, finance and business.
    • Corporate Financial Management – 20 credits
      The overall aim of this module is to provide you with a specialist understanding of the scope and nature of the financial management issues that exist within modern corporations. The module covers the major strands of financial management theory such as working capital management, financing of the firm, risk management, and seeks to apply the theory to real-world applications.
    • Corporate Governance and Business Ethics – 20 credits
      The aim of this module is to provide you with a thorough understanding of a number of key advanced topics of corporate governance theory including research and practice (incorporating associated reporting and regulation, the role of monitors, and issues of independence and ethics). It will also develop your ability to critically analyse the academic literature and current issues; and to integrate and synthesise topics in order to participate in current debates and suggest potential insights for development.
    • Insurance and Pensions – 20 credits
      This module examines the use of insurance products to hedge against three risks in life, premature death and disability, inadequate income in retirement, and longevity risk. It focuses on how life insurance products (such as life insurance, critical illness, income protection) can be used to hedge against premature death and disability, pension plans to ensure adequate income in retirement, and annuity to hedge against longevity risk.
    • International Finance – 20 credits
      The International Finance module aims to provide you with an understanding of the international dimension of finance and how these impact businesses. By the end of this module you should appreciate the workings and operation of currency derivatives markets, the international money and capital markets and the principles of currency risk management.
    • Portfolio Management – 20 credits
      This module examines how portfolios are structured, monitored and managed for maximum effectiveness. It aims to develop you with the understanding and ability to apply asset allocation, portfolio strategies, international diversification and performance evaluation techniques.

    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

You will be taught using case studies of real-life challenges facing global banks, and apply your skills and knowledge to make recommendations to solve problems.

  • We aim to offer opportunities to attend guest lectures delivered by speakers from the banking industry (subject to availability).
  • You will be taught in one of the largest educational trading floors in Europe4, running Bloomberg trading terminals and provided with access to a wealth of live and historical trading market data.
  • Typically, a module involves interactive lecture(s) weekly, delivered synchronously online or on campus, followed by a range of active learning sessions such as seminars and workshops.
  • In addition, you will meet other students on the course and your tutors weekly during term time to engage in community-building activities, receive support and raise concerns relating to the course.
  • The assessment strategy is designed to be efficient and manageable and consists of authentic assessments, very similar to those tasks students will have to complete in their future careers.

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so we’ll look to manage your learning journey to match your strengths and aspirations.

Your learning experience on each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On-campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

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.

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
  • 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

Coventry is a multicultural university, so our typically diverse student and staff body helps to facilitate a multicultural learning environment.

Coventry University aims to give you the global opportunities needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Options might include from language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips, summer schools, leadership development or work experience2.

In the past, our students have had the opportunity to visit 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.

Closer to home, you could have the chance to participate in European field trips2 as part of events like the annual Tax Week initiative or the annual Audit Week, both of which were conducted in collaboration with European universities, and saw students work collaboratively on related projects2.

Students on our finance courses learn through practical problem-solving exercises and real-world financial markets data. My teaching focuses on specialist areas within finance such as investment management, valuation and security analysis, with insights from over nine years of industry and research experience.

Nikhil Sapre, Lecturer in Finance, 2022
A lecturer helping a student on the trading floor

Entry requirements

Clearing places available on this course

See if you have enough points (UCAS tariff 2023)

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Additional requirements may apply

Haven't met the entry requirements or don’t have the right qualifications? You may still be able to progress onto a degree you’d love by studying a foundation course.

View our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. 

Explore our foundation courses

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
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 fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

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

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

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

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

*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.

  • 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 government's 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

We have a range of facilities4 available to support our banking and finance students in putting the theories you are taught, into practice.

A student using a computer at a desk wearing glasses next to a tutor pointing at the screen

The Trading Floor

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility which allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring 42 dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, this facility can add a dynamic practical element to your course.

People at the Talent team fair on the balcony and on the ground floor

Talent Team

Our dedicated Talent Team can assist you in applying for work placements and graduate level jobs, and offer skills development workshops.


 

A female student sat at a desk holding a pen and looking at a laptop.

sigma Centre

sigma is housed in our Lanchester Library and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments.

 

 

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Use a range of transferable skills, e.g. writing clear and concise reports based on evidence and logic, making effective use of information technology, and creative problem-solving.
  • Communicate technical banking and financial concepts in a clear manner to a range of relevant stakeholders.
  • Apply banking and financial theories and empirical methods to real-world scenarios.
  • Carry out an independent piece of research on a banking or finance topic using appropriate theories and analytical tools.
  • Understand the importance and relevance of personal finance and banking products and services to daily life.
  • Apply appropriate mathematical and quantitative techniques to solve business and financial problems.
  • Understand the importance of banks, their function in society, and ethics in banking and financial decisions.
  • Apply the key approaches to risk management in devising strategies to tackle practical issues and risks that confront modern banking. Understand the role of banking and financial regulators and how this impacts the performance and structure of banks and other financial institutions.

This course aims to offer you opportunities to gain industry experience, such as field trips, case studies, simulations and work experience2.

The course aims to give you the confidence to give sound financial advice and make effective financial decisions. You should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future careers options in areas such as:

  • Finance
  • Banking
  • Management
  • Accounting
  • Personal and corporate finance
  • Business
  • Education in private, public and third sector organisations.

The Talent Team will also support you with workshops and guidance on the various aspects of the employment process such as preparing your CV, interview practice and mock assessment centres, as well as putting on employer events, which should allow you to network with potential future employers offering graduate roles, internships and placements in the advertising and marketing sectors2.

Further study

You may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level with our Accounting and Financial Management MSc or Finance MSc here at Coventry Business School. You can explore all of your options using our postgraduate course search tool. 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.

Please note that further study opportunities2 are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs may apply.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, 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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    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 2023/24 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.

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