Finance (including Year Abroad)

The Bachelor of Science in Finance at the University of Essex is a comprehensive undergraduate program designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of financial principles, markets, and institutions. This programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enabling students to analyze complex financial situations and make informed decisions. Throughout the course, students explore a wide range of topics including corporate finance, investment analysis, financial markets, banking, and international finance. The curriculum emphasizes quantitative methods and data analysis, equipping graduates with the ability to interpret financial data and develop strategic solutions.

A distinctive feature of this programme is the Year Abroad, which offers students the opportunity to study at a partner university in a different country. This experience enhances cultural awareness, language skills, and global outlook, all of which are highly valued in the international financial sector. The Year Abroad not only enriches personal development but also broadens professional horizons, making graduates more competitive in the global job market.

The programme is delivered by experienced academics who are engaged in cutting-edge research and industry partnerships, ensuring that students are exposed to current trends and practices in finance. An emphasis is placed on developing key skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. Practical sessions, case studies, and internships are integrated into the course to facilitate real-world application of theoretical concepts.

Graduates of the Finance programme at Essex are well-prepared for careers in banking, investment management, financial consultancy, corporate finance, or further postgraduate study. The university’s strong links with financial institutions and employers provide valuable networking opportunities and support throughout students’ academic journey. Upon completion, students are equipped not only with a solid foundation of financial knowledge but also with the skills necessary to succeed in a dynamic and competitive global financial environment.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking science and engineering subjects, then these options are slightly restricted because our science modules tend to rely on previous knowledge of the subject.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BSc, then you are qualified to enter the second year not only of that course but also of a range of other courses: for example, if you are a BSc student who takes economics, politics, philosophy and sociology in your first year, then you have a choice of at least two courses and, in some cases, as many as five. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you. Some of our science courses offer an optional extra year of an industrial placement.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Introduction to Accounting and Finance;
Introduction to Management;
Quantitative Methods and Finance; and
Economics for Business

Year 2

Financial Reporting and Analysis;
Corporate Finance;
Foundations of Finance;
Portfolio Analysis;
Financial Modelling;
one Essex Business School option or one outside option

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

International Finance;
The Pricing of Securities in Financial Markets;
Options and Futures;
Empirical Finance;
one Essex Business School option; and
one Essex Business School option or one outside option

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: AAB-ABB
• GCSE Mathematics: C
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 33-32 points, including Standard Mathematics grade 4, if not taken at Higher Level (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• BTEC qualifications, in relevant disciplines, will be considered on an individual basis, depending on the units studied. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The BSc Finance programme at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive education in financial principles, theories, and practices, preparing them for diverse careers in finance, banking, investment analysis, and related fields. The programme is designed to develop a solid foundation in key areas such as corporate finance, financial markets, investments, and financial management. Throughout the course, students engage with practical and theoretical learning, equipping them with analytical skills and a strong understanding of financial systems.

A distinctive feature of this degree is the Year Abroad option, which provides students the chance to spend a year studying at partner universities abroad. This international experience broadens students' perspectives on global financial markets, enhances intercultural understanding, and develops important skills such as adaptability and independence. The Year Abroad is integrated into the programme, allowing students to continue their coursework seamlessly while gaining valuable overseas experience.

The curriculum includes modules on microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative methods, and econometrics, all of which underpin financial decision-making processes. Students also have the opportunity to study specialized topics such as financial risk management, behavioural finance, and financial regulation. The programme places a strong emphasis on practical skills, including financial modelling, data analysis, and the use of financial software.

Students benefit from the university's strong links with the finance industry, which facilitate internships, guest lectures, and networking opportunities. The employability-focused approach ensures graduates are well-equipped to enter the workforce or pursue postgraduate study. The programme's flexible structure allows students to tailor their learning experience according to their interests and career goals.

Assessment methods typically include written examinations, coursework, group projects, presentations, and dissertations. The university provides students with extensive support services, including academic advising, career guidance, and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Upon graduation, students have acquired the knowledge and skills to analyze financial data critically, understand financial markets globally, and make informed financial decisions.

Overall, the BSc Finance (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers an academically rigorous and practically relevant education, fostering both theoretical understanding and applied skills necessary for success in the dynamic world of finance. The program's international dimension, combined with strong industry links, aims to produce graduates who are competitive and adaptable in a global financial environment.