University of Northampton’s Banking and Financial Planning BSc awarded FCA accreditation

We are pleased to announce that our ​Banking and Financial Planning programme has been recently been awarded accreditation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA is a government body that regulates the financial services industry in the UK. Its aim is to protect consumers, ensure the industry remains stable and promote healthy competition between financial services providers. It has rule-making, investigative and enforcement powers that are used to protect and regulate the financial services industry.

The FCA regulates firms and individuals to work in the financial services industry and sets the qualification requirements that firms and individuals must meet in order to operate in this sector. The FCA’s accreditation of the University of Northampton’s Banking and Financial Planning BSc signifies that the degree programme offered meets the industry guidelines for delivery of retail financial advice and planning.

The University of Northampton’s Dr Lien Luu Senior Lecturer in Financial Services, explained: “The accreditation by the FCA gives our degree programme great credibility and enhances students employment prospects. Students who complete the programme will follow two strands, both banking and financial planning, and graduate with the qualification that employers are looking for. This will minimising the time required for training as they will graduate with the license to practise.”

Dr Luu continued: “The University of Northampton’s degree is also unique because students are eligible to apply for the Legal and General bursary scheme (5 awards of £2,000 cash each and opportunity to undertake paid work experience at Legal and General’s head office). Our degree is also supported by employer-sponsored prizes and regular lectures by leading financial planners, wealth managers, fund managers.”

Dr Ian Brooks, Executive Dean of Northampton Business School, added: “This robust, vocationally orientated and relevant course prepares students for the real world of financial planning and banking and provides a launch pad for what we hope will be many successful careers. To be accredited by the prestigious FCA is the icing on the cake for students and graduates who will recognise the value of such recognition and leverage that accolade to promote their careers.”

For further information regarding the Banking and Financial Planning BSc, click here. The FCA announcement regarding the qualification is online here.