Global Financial Planning BSc (Hons) with foundation year
Study level: UndergraduateThis course prepares you for a professional career in financial services such as personal financial planning, investment advice, pensions, insurance, and wealth management.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich
UCAS codes
NGDF
Start date
September 2024
November 2024
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
Demand for personal financial planning looks set to increase due to factors such as increasing life expectancy, and the growing comlexity of financial services and products. A global shortage of qualified advisers means graduates with financial planning skills are likely to be highly sought after. Our course prepares you for this burgeoning career choice.
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 20225 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University RatingsTop 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to:
Foundation year
- Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
- Provides a grounding in key areas of finance and economics.
Degree
- Prepare for professional qualifications – the degree is mapped against the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment’s Diploma in Investment Advice (IAD), a mandatory qualification for those who wish to offer financial advice in the UK and abroad.
- Develop practical skills in our Bloomberg Trading Floor4 – develop your skills in our Trading Floor, which is currently one of the largest academic trading floors in Europe, featuring contemporary Bloomberg terminals. You'll also have the opportunity to gain the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate, on successful completion of a short course2.
- Tailor your studies – many of our 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 (subject to meeting progression requirements).
- Gain real-world exposure – prepare for a future career in financial planning with a work placement2.
- Access our sigma Maths and Stats Support Centre – access maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions with experienced staff2.
Accreditation and professional recognition
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.
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Memberships
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
Students of this course will be offered the opportunity to undertake professional examination – CISI Investment Advice Diploma (IAD) as part of the programme and will qualify them for Associate membership of the CISI (ACSI), which further grants them access to networking and professional development opportunities.
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.
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.
GBSN - Global Business School Network
Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Global Business School Network (GBSN). The Global Business School Network is a nonprofit organisation that partners with business schools, industry, foundations and aid agencies to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education for the developing world.
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.
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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.
What you'll study
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
Innovative teaching, learning and assessment methods are used in the course such as preparing a financial plan based on a case study, undertaking cashflow modelling and risk profiling.
A meeting with a financial planner changed my life and inspired me to retrain to become a financial planner. This is a great career because you can make a difference to people’s lives and look after your own future. If you want to help people and earn a good living, the Global Financial Planning BSc is a fantastic degree, because it gives you the knowledge and skills to take advantage of the abundant opportunities in financial services, and a professional qualification (Diploma in Investment Advice).
Dr Lien Luu, Associate Professor in Finance, 2022
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.
Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?
Fees and funding
2024/25 tuition fees.
Foundation year
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
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UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £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 | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International/EU | Not currently available*** | Not available |
Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.
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.
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.
**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.
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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 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
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.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion, you will be able to:
- Use a range of 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.
- Communicate technical financial concepts in a clear manner to a range of relevant stakeholders.
- Apply financial theories and appropriate mathematical and quantitative techniques to solve financial planning problems.
- Carry out independent research on a financial planning or finance topic using appropriate theories and analytical tools.
- Understand the importance and relevance of personal finance and financial services to individuals and businesses.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of financial planning, the complex international environment in which financial planners operate, and the impact of social, economic, and legislative factors.
- Prepare financial plans, including analysing financial situations, identifying goals and objectives, compiling personal financial statements, undertaking cashflow modelling, calculating shortfalls and recommending solutions to meet goals and objectives.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply financial planning knowledge and skills in core areas relating to personal risk management, investment planning and retirement planning.
Upon successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue potential future career options with financial institutions, including investment advisory services, commercial banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies; and finance companies. You could also explore potential options in the finance departments of non-financial corporations, non-profit institutions and governmental agencies.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your potential future career options and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. You will have the support of the faculty’s dedicated Talent Team which has an extensive network of employers with a range of internship possibilities2. The Talent Team will also support you (subject to availability) 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 hosting employer events, which should allow you to network with potential future employers offering graduate roles, internships and placements.
Previous employer events have hosted a number of speakers from different organisations to give careers advice including KPMG, NatWest, McKinsey & Company and Fidelity International.
Where our graduates work
Our previous graduates have obtained roles in financial consultancy, investment analysis and wealth management for companies including Microsoft, IBM, Tesco Graduate Scheme, Toys R Us and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
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
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UK students
Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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International students
International codes:
How to apply
CFBLU090IFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
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.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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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 requirements you will then transition to the relevant Coventry University subject faculty 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
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
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.
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. 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.