Overview
From September 2021, this course will only be available for second year entry.
If you are passionate about helping individuals and organisations to manage their wealth and achieve their financial goals, then the BA (Hons) Financial Services degree course could be for you.
Financial services are a necessary component of every successful business around the world. Studying the subject can help you launch your career in a fast-paced, exciting and profitable industry.
This hands-on course aims to give you the academic knowledge and practical experience required to begin a career in financial services. This will give you the potential to work for global banks, investment houses, stockbrokers, wealth managers and local banks and building societies.
Alongside learning, you will have the chance to conduct critical research with our experienced staff, learn from guest lecturers (subject to availability) and take part in invaluable practical modules.
Why CU Coventry
We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating 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.
Employability
Dedicated Careers & Employability department who will assist you in finding employmentTop Quality Courses
Taught by industry professionals, awarded by Coventry UniversityNo End of Year Exams
Our modern teaching techniques mean no last-minute cramming and less stressProfessional Recognition
Specific courses contain additional industry recognised qualifications from awarding bodies
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
The Chartered Insurance Institute
On successful completion of the course, our graduates are eligible for recognition of prior learning towards CII qualifications. Graduates can apply for credits towards CII’s insurance and financial planning qualifications and can progress on these courses quicker. Students can join the CII’s free Discover membership course while studying for the degree and convert this to student membership on graduation.
What our students say...
The course leaders have an open-door policy that I value greatly. It means I can build a really good relationship with my tutors and consult them on any issues I have – big or small.
Course information
This course focuses on providing you with the knowledge thought to be required for a successful career within financial services.
A wide and varied industry, we will provide you with the theoretical insights and the practical knowledge needed to effectively deliver financial services. This course covers a comprehensive range of financial themes including, regulation, risk management, financial planning, financial economics, investment practice and portfolio analysis.
In this course, you should become confident in your ability to assess, risk and critically appraise existing theories and practices for the successful implementation of financial practice. With a degree in financial services behind you, you could progress onto career routes such as investment banking, financial advisory and financial economics.
Course Specification
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Modules
In more detail...
If you enjoy responsibility, helping people and working with numbers, our degree will enable you to not only learn about investment practices, but how to practically carry out financial planning and work autonomously in the field of financial services.
Facilities
Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library & Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites. Plus, you can take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU).
Staff
This course has been developed and is taught by practising professionals and industry experts. Our academics bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom with many continuing to undertake research and other projects alongside teaching, meaning our students gain a well-rounded and relevant teaching experience.
Practical Experience
Throughout your studies, you will find that the course is underpinned with practical elements.
In particular, we plan to support you on your journey from student to graduate and hopefully employment by facilitating and encouraging work placements and internships to help you stand out from other graduates.
Placements
At CU Coventry, we put a strong focus on getting our graduates ready to enter the job market. This can be done in a variety of ways—one key element is work placements. With this degree, you are given the opportunity to undertake short and long-term placements in between your second and third year.
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
- Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a qualification awarded by Coventry University.
- An opportunity to study at separate locations across the UK, in Coventry, London and Scarborough.
- You will receive support with applying for short and long-term placements, to gain the experience employers desire, with our in-house Careers & Employability department.
- In order to make higher education accessible to as many people as possible, we keep our tuition fees competitively priced.
- Small tutorial group sessions ensure that you receive the mentoring help and support you need.
- We deliver one module at a time during each block. This means you can dedicate your time to specialise in each subject without the distraction of numerous modules and multiple deadlines.
Your main study themes are:
- Financial Regulation: The structure and regulation of financial products, services and strategies available to individuals and businesses.
- Marketing Strategies: The most effective methods of communicating information about banking and insurance products, services and strategies and managing client relationships.
- Financial Planning: The decision-making processes of individual investors and borrowers, taxation of individuals and organisation, business financial planning and investment practice.
- Wealth Management: Products and services, the application of these to a client base and the regulation that governs these.
- Portfolio Management and Analysis: Alternative approaches to investment management, asset valuation and risk management, plus business financial planning and investment planning.
From September 2021, this course will only be available for second year entry.
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 utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Aula.
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.
Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.
Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.
Course Breakdown (approximately):
- 70% Coursework
- 30% Interactive Assessments
On successful completion, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of policies, strategies and processes within a changing environment, to meet stakeholder interests.
- Critically appraise theories related to the development of financial planning, including the risk factors that need to be considered in the development of a successful strategy.
- Develop appropriate research and analysis techniques, alongside the ability to undertake reliable market research activities.
- Operate, lead and collaborate in a team and independently to solve problems of a financial nature and to provide appropriate solutions.
- Apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.
Full-time
If you choose to study full-time you can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.
Part-time
If you choose to study part-time you'll usually receive up to eleven hours per week of blended learning, including classes, tutorials and online learning. Outside of this, there will also be independent study and online support.
Please note: part-time courses run subject to numbers.
Groups are kept at an average of 25-50 students per class. This way, students can take advantage of small numbers to increase contact time with lecturers.
We are dedicated to developing global graduates, so we carry out extensive work with the appraised Online International Learning (OIL) project. This allows CU students to undertake international travel and experience financial services in other countries. Recently, students travelled to a university in Dubai to compare Arabic banking with UK practice.
What our students say...
The course leaders have an open-door policy that I value greatly. It means I can build a really good relationship with my tutors and consult them on any issues I have – big or small.
Entry Requirements
CU Coventry has assessed that you can achieve the required grades and we have demonstrated this belief by making you an offer. This is our commitment to you so then we ask that you reciprocate this commitment by selecting us as your ‘firm’ choice and activating your offer.
We will consider other qualifications for a pre-result unconditional offer if you have an appropriate proven performance at GCSE (or equivalent) level and predicted grades in line with grades that we expect to see at A-level. Other qualifications that we may consider for a pre-result unconditional offer include: The International Baccalaureate Diploma, BTEC Level 3 qualifications, Cambridge Pre-U and combinations of qualifications (e.g. BTECS plus A-levels).
An unconditional offer is what it says it is. So, if you don’t meet your predictions then your place is still guaranteed. However, we would hope and expect that you continue to work hard to make the most of your potential and be best prepared to study at university level.
No, the unconditional offer is only available to those who will take up their place in the year for which they applied.
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for this course, we have a number of programmes which upon successful completion and meeting any additional entry criteria, qualifies you onto a place on this degree course, such as Foundation Years or Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
What our students say...
The course leaders have an open-door policy that I value greatly. It means I can build a really good relationship with my tutors and consult them on any issues I have – big or small.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
Fees & Funding
We price our courses competitively in an attempt to make higher education accessible for a wide range of people. Your tuition fees will cover all of your classes, online tutorials, some of the learning materials and access to our Library & Learning Services.
Funding
As a full-time or part-time student resident in the UK or EU, you can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees at CU Coventry from Student Finance England.
What our students say...
The course leaders have an open-door policy that I value greatly. It means I can build a really good relationship with my tutors and consult them on any issues I have – big or small.
Career prospects
With a BA (Hons) degree behind you, your career options within the financial services is significantly increased.
There are several career routes open to graduates such as financial advisor, pension planner or even investment banking.
Where our graduates work
Many graduates of this course have chosen to progress their academic career by undertaking a master’s in subjects such as Finance and Investment Analysis.
Graduates have also advanced into large, successful companies such as HSBC, Charles Derby and Coventry Building Society.
What our students say...
The course leaders have an open-door policy that I value greatly. It means I can build a really good relationship with my tutors and consult them on any issues I have – big or small.
Disclaimer
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s planned exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance at that time. For international students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus will apply for the first year of study. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
