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

January 2025 - condensed


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.

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

A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

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.

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.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Chartered Insurance Institute logo

Chartered Insurance Institute

This course is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for the 2024/25/26 intakes. 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.


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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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
  • 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

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 120
A level BBB
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 4 / C including Maths and English
BTEC DDM
IB Diploma 24 points 
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and 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.

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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.

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

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. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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


Fees and funding

2024/25 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).

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.


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 that allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the 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

Employability is at the forefront of all our finance courses. You will have access to our dedicated employability service, the Talent Team, from the first day of your course, to graduation and beyond.

 

 

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

sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library, and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments, the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an accounting and finance degree.


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.

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