Finance BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The University of Northampton’s BSc Finance degree programme is ideal for those who intend to work in the investment management profession and obtain a professional financial designation with well-known investment credentials. This specialist university finance course will equip you with the strong theoretical and technical skills required for the highlighted career paths and professional finance accreditations.

  In addition, teaching on this Finance degree will be enriched by the latest research in finance that is linked strongly with practitioner application of concepts, including corporate responsibility, regulation, and policy-guiding practice.

  BSc Finance provides you with the rigorous and essential financial, quantitative and analytical skills necessary for professional careers in banking, asset management and financial research.  You will examine core concepts in economics, financial analysis, security valuation, portfolio theory and risk management.  There is a strong focus on decision-making in line with regulatory, ethical and sustainability standards.

  Throughout this finance university degree, Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters terminals will be used to enhance your learning experience by implementing theories into practice with real-world scenarios.

  Industry Placement

  If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take an accounting and finance placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career in finance. The University of Northampton offers support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

  The Faculty of Business and Law have a dedicated Placements team who will support you through the process of taking a placement year. You can follow the Faculty of Business and Law Placements Team to hear more about their services.

  List of modules

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1

    In the first year, you will be allocated a personal tutor, a member of the academic staff, who provides academic guidance and support through the course. During the first year of study, you will complete six compulsory introductory Finance BSc modules, that provide an essential foundation in accounting, finance and economics as well as necessary numerical and academic skills.

    • Introduction to Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1017

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce the key principles in financial markets and corporate finance. Students use a range of analytical tools to analyse the main sources of finance, associated risk and alignment with organisational goals.
    • Contemporary Issues in Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1018

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to contemporary issues in finance including fintech, ethical issues in finance, regulations, and financial crises. Students develop academic and professional skills to collect, present, analyse and evaluate information relating to these issues in a reflective and critical manner.
    • Statistics and Data Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1019

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? understanding and use of essential numerical and statistical techniques required to analyse real life financial data.Students summarise and analyse case studies data to provide appropriate estimations and information necessary for decision making.
    • Introduction to Accounting (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1020

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and concepts involved in financial accounting. Students develop technical proficiency in the use of double-entry accounting techniques, and the preparation and analysis of financial statements.
    • Financial Mathematics and Quantitative Methods (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC1021

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? understanding and knowledge in data analysis and quantitative methods to support decision making. Students select and collect quantitative data, and then apply appropriate numerical techniques to solve hypothetical and practical financial problems.
    • Introduction to Economics (20 Credits)
      Module code: ECN1020

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with an overview of key micro and macro economics concepts and how market participants are affected by market forces. This module enables students to understand the operation of markets and the wider economy and apply economic principles to a variety of situations.
  • Stage 2

    In the second year, you will build your knowledge on the foundation of the previous year by taking six compulsory specialist modules. At this stage, you will be introduced to a range of finance subfields, including investment, ethical and professional standards, and risk management.

    • Fundamentals of Investments (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2034

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to focus on the application of financial theory to investment management. Students review a variety of theories, and approaches and their use in investment decision making. Students will apply the theoretical constructs of investments to current industry practice.
    • Financial Reporting and Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2035

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is provide students? with a theoretical and practical understanding of the procedures and standards that govern financial reporting disclosures and associated risks. Students select and apply a range of tools and techniques to analyse individual and group financial statements and make informed judgements about company performance.
    • Fundamentals of Risk Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2036

      Status: Compulsory
      Understanding risk is fundamental to successful financial management. This modules explores the concepts and principals underpinning risk management. Starting with discussion on fundamentals of risk and reward, students learn identification and assessment of different categories of risk and build a foundation knowledge of tools and techniques of risk management.
    • Equity Investments (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2045

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide indepth understanding of the characteristics, analysis and valuation of equity securities and markets. Students develop the knowledge about equity investment concepts and apply equity valuation techniques to facilitate investment decision making in different scenarios.
    • Fixed Income Investments (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2046

      Status: Compulsory
      The aim of this module is to develop students? understanding of the elements that define fixed-income securities as well as the operations and markets in which they are traded. Students learn and examine the main theories and techniques to evaluate fixed-income securities and their application in investment and financing decisions in different scenarios.
    • Ethical and Professional Standards in Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC2047

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of the importance of ethical behaviour in the investment industry. The module combines professional Code of Ethics and international best practice in examining ethical issues within the investment profession.
  • Stage 3

    In the final year, you will gain in-depth knowledge by studying the more specialist areas of investment. You will take four compulsory modules and up to two designated modules. You can tailor your studies to reflect your areas of expertise and specialisms at this stage by selecting from a range of designated modules in areas such as economics, international finance, and risk management.

    • International Money and Finance (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3007

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to appraise the increasingly important aspect of multinational financial management in dynamic international business. It critically analyses the attractions and limitations of doing business in a global market, identifying the additional inherent risks that global market exposure produces and strategies in managing the global firm.
    • Contemporary Issues in International Banking (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3026

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to develop students' understanding of the complexity of the international financial systems and the issues multinational banks face in different jurisdictions. The module will cover historical and current developments towards the development of the `new' financial systems architecture and the challenge for harmonisation.
    • Corporate Financial Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3032

      Status: Compulsory
      This module examines corporate finance theory in relation to investment, financing and distribution decisions and its application to real world scenarios. It also explores the connection between strategic corporate finance decisions, corporate governance mechanisms and the conflicting demands of stakeholders.
    • Alternative Investments (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3033

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to look beyond traditional investments to explore various alternative investment vehicles, methods and industries, including hedge funds, commodities, real estate and private equity. The module focuses on the workings of the industries classified under alternative investments and examining their incentives and subsequent transactions.
    • Asset Allocation and Investment Strategies (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3034

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to examine key issues in asset allocation and modern portfolio management techniques. Students plan, construct and evaluate potential asset allocation for different types of investors to achieve the desired investment performance.
    • Risk Management and Modelling (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC3035

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to provide a strong understanding of tools and techniques used in risk management in relation to securities valuation. Students build and apply risk modelling in markets characterized by increasing complexity and intensive use of technology.
    • Finance Project (20 Credits)
      Module code: ACC4009

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to support the development of independent learning through the conceptualisation of a piece of research. Students will develop an ability to present fundamental and technical analysis of listed companies in a critical manner.
    • Economics for Decision Making (20 Credits)
      Module code: ECN3018

      Status: Designate
      The module provides students with the opportunity to explore contemporary tools for making economic and business decisions at both micro and macro levels. Students develop analytical skills through exploration of key topics in moder micro and macro economic theory, macroeconomic behaviour and stabilisation, and their application to business decision making.

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• Professional Body

  Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programme

  Our programme is a member of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Affiliation Programme and aligned to key investment and risk management professional qualifications. We cover more than 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provides excellent preparation for you to pursue an international career in the finance industry. During your study with UON, you will benefit from free access to the CFA learning resources, including industrial webinars and exam review study guides. In addition, our final year students with outstanding academic performance can be awarded CFA Program Student Scholarships, after graduation.

  

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time BSc Finance degree at the University of Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your finance course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

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• Optional Work Placement Year

  The optional placement year enables you to put into practice what you have learned on your degree and gain practical industry experience. Your Finance degree is extended to four years and the placement is undertaken at the end of your penultimate year, this is for one year (48 weeks) and paid. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

  Where have previous Finance students worked during their placement year?

  • Travistock Investments PLC

  Hear from previous Finance students about their placement experience

  • Student Quote (Associate Financial Planner Placement): ‘This is a great opportunity to understand what you want to do, but also what you do not want to do.’
  • Student Quote (NHS Finance Placement): ‘I really enjoyed my placement year, it has taught me a lot about how finance works. I had a mentor who made sure I was settling in, and my bosses and colleagues were all supportive too. They were happy to answer questions on areas I am interested in and encouraged development. It is a lovely place to work and gives lots of varied experience to begin my career.’

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• FAQs

  How will I be assessed on the BSc Finance degree?

  Assessment will be a mix of case-based reports, essays, examinations, group activities, presentations, and a research project. The Finance degree combines the rigour and validity of the examination process with the opportunity for you to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes by conducting in-depth research. You will prepare and submit a final year project.

  Are there any specialist facilities to support my learning?

  Yes, our BSc Finance degree uses the Bloomberg Finance Lab, which includes Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters terminals. These are used to enhance your learning experience by implementing theories into practice with real-world scenarios.

  What are the assessments for this BSc Finance course?

  Your assessments will be a mix of case-based reports, essays, examinations, group activities, presentations, and a research project. The programme combines the rigour and validity of the examination process with the opportunity for you to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes by conducting in-depth research. In Year 3, you will prepare and submit a final year project.

  Who are the Student Support Team?

  The Student Experience Support Team are a team of previous graduates of the University of Northampton, they are here to support all Faculty of Business and Law students by offering a friendly listening ear and ensuring students are aware of the numerous support systems that the University has to offer. The team provide confidential 1-1 meetings in person and online where they will signpost the students to the relevant support teams to ensure they are aware of the support available for them throughout their studies. You can follow the Student Experience Support Team to see the services they offer.

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