Financial Management (including Year Abroad)

Financial Management (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers a comprehensive and practical education in the core principles of finance and business management. This program is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic world of finance, investment, and corporate financial strategy. Throughout the course, students will explore a wide range of topics, including financial analysis, budgeting, risk management, investment appraisal, and international financial markets. The inclusion of a Year Abroad provides students with invaluable international experience, enhancing their understanding of global financial systems and intercultural communication skills. This year is spent studying at a partner university abroad, allowing students to broaden their academic perspective and develop a more nuanced understanding of international finance. The program combines academic theory with practical applications, preparing graduates for a variety of careers in finance, banking, consulting, and related sectors. Students will benefit from the expertise of highly qualified academic staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to industry-standard software and resources. The curriculum is designed to meet industry demands and is continuously updated to reflect the latest trends and developments in the financial sector. Additionally, the program offers opportunities for internships and networking events, giving students a competitive edge in the employment market. Upon graduation, students will have a solid foundation for pursuing professional qualifications such as CFA or ACCA, and will be well-prepared to progress into roles such as financial analyst, investment banker, or financial consultant. The university’s supportive learning environment, combined with a focus on practical skills and international exposure, makes this program an excellent choice for aspiring finance professionals seeking a global career path.

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;
Organisational Behaviour;
Corporate Finance;
Financial Modelling;
Portfolio Analysis;
International Business Environment; and
one Essex Business School half-option or one outside half-option

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

International Finance;
Business Strategy;
Risk Management;
Options and Futures;
Advanced Organisational Behaviour;
one Essex Business School option or one outside option; and
one Essex Business School half-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. -levels: ABB
GCSE Mathematics: C
IB: 34 points, including Standard Mathematics grade 4

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.

Financial Management (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles, management strategies, and the application of finance in a global context. The program combines core modules in financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, and investment analysis, enabling students to develop strong analytical and quantitative skills essential for careers in finance and related fields. An integral feature of the degree is the Year Abroad, which offers students the opportunity to study at a partner university in a different country, enhancing cultural awareness, language skills, and global perspectives on finance.

Throughout the course, students participate in practical projects, case studies, and simulations that prepare them for real-world financial decision-making. The program also emphasizes soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which are highly valued in international financial markets. Access to modern facilities, including financial databases and trading software, allows students to gain hands-on experience.

The curriculum is designed to be flexible, with electives available to tailor the degree to specific interests such as sustainable finance, behavioral finance, or financial technology. The final year typically involves a dissertation or a major project, enabling students to explore a specialized area of finance in depth.

The Year Abroad component not only broadens academic knowledge but also enhances employability by providing intercultural competence and adaptability. Support services are available throughout the program, including academic advising, career guidance, and language development programs. Graduates of the program are well-positioned to pursue careers in banking, investment management, financial consultancy, or to undertake professional finance qualifications such as CFA or ACCA.

Overall, the Financial Management program at the University of Essex is geared towards students aiming for a dynamic and rewarding career in finance, with the added advantage of international exposure through the Year Abroad.