Financial Economics BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Undergraduate

Students working on a Bloomberg terminal on the Trading Floor

This course aims to provide a specialist focus on financial systems, such as the role of banks and the operation of stock markets, both in the UK and internationally.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

L3DF

Start date

September 2025
November 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.

Foundation year

The foundation year aims to provide a credible broad-based preparatory course that will equip you with the necessary skills and competencies to study at degree level.

Degree

The degree covers current real-world issues and aims to help you understand how economics impacts the world of finance, businesses, financial organisations, governments and wider society.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
Provides a grounding in key areas of economics and finance.

Degree

Develop highly sought-after skills in economic analysis as well as a wide range of transferable skills relevant for a variety of career paths including those in business, finance, and the public sector.
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. This first-year experience will not only give you a clear understanding of the different paths open to you but will provide ample opportunities to discover where your talents and interests lie.
Build industry insight
Learn from experienced staff and hear from industry professionals who, in the past, have included speakers from HM Treasury, Lloyds Bank, Barclays, and the European Commission (speakers are subject to availability).
Develop practical skills in our Bloomberg Trading Floor⁴
Our Bloomberg Trading Floor features contemporary Bloomberg terminals. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using a range of economics and business software packages, and the opportunity to gain the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate, on successful completion of a short course (subject to availability).
Gain hands-on experience of relevant quantitative software and statistical packages
Apart from GRETL, you will also have access to market leading economic and financial databases such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Economic Indicators, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), EuroStat, Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters Eikon and Datastream) and FitchConnect.
Access additional maths and stats support⁴
Our sigma Centre offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments with experienced tutors.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Chartered Insurance Institute

This course is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for the 2025-26 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.

For more information visit the CII website .

Memberships

AACSB- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the world’s largest network of business schools and organisations committed to advancing business education and making a lasting, positive impact on society to create next generation of great leaders.

BGA - Business Graduates Association

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA). BGA’s student and graduate benefits have been crafted to enhance your learning experience, providing a range of tools to support professional and personal development.

CABS - Chartered Association of Business Schools

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.

CISI - Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment

We offer students the opportunity to take a professional exam - Introduction to Investment and Securities. This is offered as we are awarded Centre of Excellence for its teaching in Securities and Investments by CISI, as an official education partner teaching certain modules (verified by CISI) that covers the syllabus or meets the standard benchmark for one of the certificates. See CISI website for full details.

EFMD - European Foundation for Management Development

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.

PRME - The Principles for Responsible Management Education

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). PRME is a United Nations-supported initiative founded in 2007 that aims to raise the profile of sustainability in their classrooms through seven principles focused on serving society and safeguarding our planet.

SBC - Small Business Charter

Coventry Business School is a recipient of the Small Business Charter (SBC) Award. The award is a mark of excellence for business schools, recognising their expertise in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and effective engagement in the local economy.

Memberships are reviewed on an annual basis and are not guaranteed. Applicants and students will be informed of any changes as soon as possible.

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.

My Economics course proved instrumental in shaping my professional trajectory. The opportunity to study with class leading learning facilities along with a year-long placement exposed me to real-world applications, refining my analytical skills. This immersive experience, coupled with an amazing network of friends, lecturers and rigorous coursework on key economic factors, equipped me with a profound understanding that continues to guide my career decisions.
Justin Tay, Economics Alumni, currently working at HSBC (quoted 2024)

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

Banking and Finance BSc (Hons)
Business and Finance BSc (Hons)
Business Economics BSc (Hons)
Economics BSc (Hons)
Finance and Investment 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 in your chosen field.

Modules

Principles of Microeconomics – 20 credits

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 you to understand and apply economic theory to policy issues and the real economy.

Compulsory

Principles of Macroeconomics – 20 credits

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

Mathematics and Statistics – 20 credits

Principles of Finance – 20 credits

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

Business Accounting – 20 credits

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

Entrepreneurial Thinking – 20 credits

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 mind-sets, 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 continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum:

Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen.

Modules

Intermediate Microeconomics – 20 credits

The module aims to build upon your understanding of microeconomics. It introduces intermediate level microeconomic concepts and provide examples of their real-world applications. In particular, the module will enable you to define and critically apply various analytical methods to complex problem solving in terms of firms, government, and individual decision-making. By considering the relevance and limitations of intermediate microeconomic theory as applied to labour economics, behavioural economics and industrial organisations, it provides the underpinning for subsequent study in economics.

Compulsory

Intermediate Macroeconomics – 20 credits

This module aims to deepen and widen your understanding of macroeconomics at an intermediate level. It provides you with a thorough grounding in intermediate principles of macroeconomics as well as an appreciation of the potential applications of the analytical techniques, their limitations, and critiques.

Compulsory

Econometrics and Data Analysis – 20 credits

This module introduces 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, and provides the necessary knowledge and skills required for those wishing to take Applied Econometrics in the final year.

Compulsory

Economics of Banking and Finance – 20 credits

The aim of this module is to enable you to analyse the nature and functions of financial institutions, to equip you with the necessary tools and concepts to be able to explain and interpret the process of financial intermediation, and to understand the system of regulation in financial markets. The module also examines the underlying principles and characteristics of money and banking that are the foundation for understanding their role in the economy.

Compulsory

Economics of Financial Markets – 20 credits

The module will provide a comprehensive introduction to the financial services sector, with particular emphasis on the UK financial system. After completing the module, you should have a solid foundational knowledge of the structure and operation of financial institutions and markets in the real world. The module focuses on intermediary institutions and credit markets, and their role in generating economic growth as well as financial crises. Basic economic theories and models developed to understand these phenomena are covered, and the theoretical analysis is complemented with both historical and contemporary perspectives. In addition, you will have an opportunity to learn how to critically discuss the merits and limitations of financial market regulation and its scope to mitigate or prevent economic and social costs of market failure.

Compulsory

Designing a Research Proposal – 20 credits

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

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 participating 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

The final year 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

Portfolio Management – 20 credits

Portfolio management is important for all investors to minimise risk and maximise growth potential. It refers to the art of selecting an appropriate mix of investments (stocks, shares, bonds, cash), balancing risk against performance, matching investments to goals, and allocating assets for institutional and individual customers. This module examines how portfolios are structured, monitored and managed for maximum effectiveness. It develops your understanding and ability to apply asset allocation, portfolio strategies, international diversification and performance evaluation techniques.

Compulsory

Economics of Financial Intermediation – 20 credits

This module covers the analysis of financial intermediation from an economic perspective. It will broaden, and selectively deepen, your understanding of financial intermediation, building on your existing knowledge of financial institutions and markets. The module will cover a range of topics, with both a theoretical and an empirical emphasis. After successfully completing the module, you will develop a good knowledge of major drivers of value creation through financial intermediation and the implications for competition and risk.

Compulsory

Project – 40 credits

This module will 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.

Compulsory

Optional modules

Choose two from the following six optional modules:

Optional

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

Business Communication and Numeracy – 30 credits

Finance and Capital Markets – 30 credits

You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the financial markets - such as foreign exchange, bonds and stocks - operate. You will also have the opportunity to gain fundamental knowledge of financial institutions, such as banks and insurance companies involved with the flow of funds globally.

Compulsory

Business Economics – 30 credits

This module aims to enable you to examine the impact of economics on the operation of business entities, competition, financial markets and the influence of government policies.

You will study the context of economics and current regulatory changes that have come about as a result of recent events in the business sector. You will be introduced to some of the key economic concepts, such as the economic objectives of stakeholders and organisations, and market forces determining prices and their impact on business revenue income.

Compulsory

Global Economics – 30 credits

In this module, you will study the context of economics and current regulatory changes that have come about as a result of recent events in the business sector. You will be introduced to some of the key economic concepts, such as the effect on a country’s national income, changing economic growth rates and prices, and international trading.

You will also be able to engage with techniques and analytical tools used within the business sector, to better prepare for a career in economics and other relevant sectors.

Compulsory

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

This course adopts a range of innovative teaching, learning and assessment methods such as the use of interactive teaching and learning online platforms, online quizzes, in-class feedback sessions, group projects, class experiments and bargaining simulations.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also use online learning, workshops and group work.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

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

phase tests
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework
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.

You will gain hands-on experience of relevant quantitative software and statistical packages, such as GRETL, as well as market leading economic and financial databases such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Economic Indicators, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), EuroStat, Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters Eikon and Datastream) and FitchConnect.

You will also be taught in our Trading Floor room with access to a wealth of live and historical trading market data.

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.

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which may include:

on-campus lectures, seminars and workshops
group work
self-directed learning
work placement opportunities².

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

Teaching hours:

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

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

Assessment methods may 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

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 may have the opportunity to participate in European field trips² which, in the past, have included events such as 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 projects.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed².

My dedication is in empowering students to navigate the intricacies of economic theory and policy with confidence. I believe in fostering an environment where students challenge conventional wisdom, explore diverse perspectives, and critically analyse economic issues, including their ethical and societal implications. With experience in policy analysis gained from my tenure in government and a PhD in Economics, I bring a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world insight to the classroom. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, my commitment is to nurture the next generation of economists and equip them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in their academic and professional pursuits.
Dr Ejike Udeogu, Economics Course Director in Economics, 2024

Overview of a desk with two students looking into a screen

Each year we were given the opportunity to take part in a Collaborative Online International Project (COIL) with other students from foreign universities where we would tackle a topical economic issue and provide policy recommendations for governments in our respective countries. My best experience of the COIL project was with the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, where we compared the effectiveness of government-imposed price controls on UK energy markets, and the market for cocoa beans in Ghana. The regular zoom meetings with fellow students and lecturers ensured we produced an interesting essay, and overall this was very fulfilling.
Alex Hill, Economics BSc (quoted 2023)

Two people against a whiteboard with blue writing on

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

72 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C/9-4 including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Chat with us

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.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?

Fees and funding

Foundation year

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £7,950	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

Degree

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ of £1,250 to cover your academic support.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*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.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.

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 foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites⁴. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

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.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

Lanchester Library

You will have full reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library. The library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has many study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers touchdown computers and free-to-loan laptops.

Our facilities and technology aim to replicate what you would expect in real-world industry environments⁴.

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 adds a dynamic practical element to your course.

Talent Team

Our dedicated Talent Team can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

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.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

critically evaluate modern economic theories and the empirical methods used by economists
demonstrate knowledge of the workings of economic systems, both within the UK and the wider global economy, including the ability to interpret relevant data and evaluate government policies
apply the theories and empirical methods of financial economics to real-world situations, by making appropriate use of data, abstraction, and logical reasoning in order to analyse the behaviour of financial markets and institutions
communicate technical concepts related to financial economics and policy debates to a diverse range of audiences, and develop the ability to influence relevant stakeholders
examine issues of sustainability and ethics from an economic perspective, and critically appraise the ethical and sustainability implications of economic policy
integrate issues of national economic policy and analysis into a global context, and hence appreciate the value of international cooperation
use a range of entrepreneurial, innovative and transferable skills, such as writing clear and concise reports based on evidence and logic, making effective use of information technology, confident delivery of presentations, creative problem solving, financial skills and self-motivation.

In addition to the financial sector, economics graduates are employed in a range of sectors and roles. They work in manufacturing, transport, communications, consulting, charitable organisations and public services such as the National Health Service (NHS).

Where our graduates work

Upon successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential careers options in investment banking, accountancy, tax consultancy, government economists, auditing, derivatives trading, management, financial consultancy, mergers and acquisitions, and many more.

Typical roles that graduates from this course may progress to include consultant, business analyst, junior trader or buyer.

Further study

Alternatively, you may decide to pursue postgraduate study opportunities by studying courses such as Accounting and Financial Management MSc or Finance MSc at Coventry Business School, which could further enhance your employability. 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 opportunities are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs may apply.

How to apply

BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CFBLU088I

How to apply

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

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Study location

The Foundation Year study route will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University.

If you choose to study at CU Coventry for your Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU Coventry. Mile Lane, Coventry. Subject to meeting progression requirements you will then transition to the relevant Coventry University subject building for your progression degree.

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

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

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 for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. 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.

Your next steps

Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding

Financial Economics BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Course overview

Foundation year

Degree

Rated Gold Overall

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

Degree

Accreditation and professional recognition

Chartered Insurance Institute

What you'll study

Modules

Modules

Modules

Modules

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours:

Guided and independent study:

Online learning:

Assessment

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours:

Guided and independent study:

Online learning:

Assessment

International experience opportunities

Entry requirements

Other qualifications and experience

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

Fees and funding

Foundation year

Degree

Foundation year funding

*Irish student fees

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.

Facilities

Mile Lane

The Hub

Lanchester Library

The Trading Floor

Talent Team

sigma Centre

Careers and opportunities

Where our graduates work

Further study

How to apply

You may also like

Browse Economics, Finance and Accounting courses

Economics BSc (Hons)

Business Economics BSc (Hons)

Finance and Investment BSc (Hons)

Your next steps

Discover Uni stats