Finance and Management BSc (Hons) degree

Program Overview

The Finance and Management BSc (Hons) program at Loughborough University equips students with technical skills and management knowledge for careers in finance, accounting, and general management. The program emphasizes employability through dedicated modules and a potential placement year, and offers opportunities for international study and postgraduate research. Graduates have secured placements with prestigious organizations such as Deloitte, KPMG, and Goldman Sachs.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Finance and Management BSc (Hons) course, also known as Banking, Finance and Management BSc (Hons) in some sections of the text, is a four-year program offered by the Loughborough University School of Business and Economics (LBE). The course covers topics which are often seen at master's level (including modules in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, Business forecasting, Quantitative and qualitative research design methods, and Mathematical modelling for management) and are affiliated to the CFA Institute, which is attractive to many employers in the securities, investment banking, and fund management sectors. The program focuses on equipping students with the essential technical skills they need as well as broader management studies intellect and independence for successful careers in a long and rewarding professional journey. Graduates can pursue jobs in business and management positions with top international organisations in various sectors.

Objectives:

The key objectives of the course include:

• Helping students develop vital technical skills that will provide them with a head start in pursuing a career in finance.
• Equipping individuals with the understanding needed to thrive in a long and challenging yet rewarding professional journey by fostering crucial intellect and independence skills in various management studies areas.
• Offering wider skills and intellectual independence by combining rigorous finance theory with general management studies to prepare students effectively for successful careers in financial services or general management.
• Developing valuable skills of employability through modules designed specifically for this purpose and having a module focused solely on developing study and employability skills as part of the curriculum.
• Competing in a highly competitive job market through the opportunity to stand out by undertaking a year on professional placement or studying abroad

Outline:

Structure:

The program consists of four years of study, with students able to choose between studying on campus for all four years (Year 1 to Year 4) or opting for a placement year during Year 3 to gain valuable professional experience before completing their final year coursework (Year 4).

Schedule:

• Year 1 (Autumn and Spring Semesters): Students develop key quantitative and computing skills as well as communication and study skills.
They receive introductory information concerning financial accounting fundamentals and principles of finance along with modules focusing on Organisational Behaviour, Microeconomics for Financial Studies and Macroeconomics for Financial Studies
• Year 2 (Autumn and Spring Semesters): Focus on core issues in corporate finance; gaining understanding in economics of financial systems through courses in economics of the financial system or international economics; further development of quantitative analytical skills for business and management through quantitative business skills modules; in-depth study of accounting aspects through advanced professional skills modules; understanding ethical behaviour in business contexts in an ethics in finance and accounting module; study abroad options available
• Year 3 (Autumn and Spring Semesters): Further exploration of core issues in corporate finance including modules like corporate finance, financial markets and derivatives fundamentals, performance appraisal and stock valuations; understanding of risk management for domestic and international markets através financial risk management module; exploring topics like multinational financial management, behavioural finance, international corporate governance, global brand management, etc, depending on individual needs and interests as the final year is more flexible
• Year 3 (Optional Placement Year): Taking a placement year at an approved business establishment to gain real-world professional experience; placement can last between eight and twelve months in various positions such as banking trainee, business analyst, business improvement associate, commodities trader, credit analyst, equity sales trader, investment banking analyst, management consultant, project manager, research analyst, risk analyst; placement locations include London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Dublin, Singapore, Dubai, New York
• Year 4 (Autumn and Spring Semesters): Focus on either finance or accounting with specific modules offered in each area respectively; completion of undergraduate dissertation as part of final year project in order to demonstrate independent research

Modules:

A list of core and optional modules for each year of the program is available in the original text document. Students have the flexibility to tailor their studies according to individual interests and career aspirations with optional modules covering broader specialisation areas within finance including portfolio management, financial trading, corporate governance, international corporate governance and firms, decision and efficiency analysis, consulting for decision making, etc.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

Assessments will vary depending on the individual module but may include a mix of the following types:

• Examinations: Written or computer-based tests assessing knowledge and understanding of module learning outcomes
• Coursework (Individual and Group): Assignments, essays, presentations, research projects, reports, case studies demonstrating ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios
• Dissertations: Independent research projects exploring a chosen topic in-depth

Assessment Criteria:

Marks awarded for each assessment task will be based on criteria specific to that task but may generally consider factors such as:

• Accuracy and understanding of subject matter knowledge
• Analytical and critical thinking skills
• Research and data presentation skills
• Communication skills (written and oral)
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Originality and creativity
• Adherence to academic guidelines and referencing standards

Teaching:

Lecturers, Staff, and Faculty:

The Finance and Management BSc program boasts a team of dedicated lecturers and professional support staff, all experts in their respective fields and experienced in guiding students towards academic and professional success. Staff profiles along with details regarding their academic, research, and professional interests and expertise can be found on the LBE website under the department pages for Financial Economics and Management Science or within the LBE Contact directory.

Teaching Methods:

The program adopts a blended learning approach incorporating lectures, seminars, tutorials, independent study, group work, workshops, computer simulations and modelling, guest lectures by industry professionals, and problem-based learning activities. This diverse blend aims to foster active student participation, encourage critical thinking, cultivate effective communication and teamwork skills while building foundational knowledge and fostering the application of theoretical concepts in real-world contexts.

Unique Approaches:

The program emphasizes active, student-centered learning over traditional passive knowledge absorption through elements such as problem-based learning activities, simulations, and interactive seminars. Additionally, strong emphasis is placed on professional skill development for employability through dedicated modules focused on employability skills and study skills which help students gain valuable career preparedness alongside academic grounding. This combination aims to prepare graduates for immediate successful entry into chosen career paths or postgraduate pursuits.

Careers:

Career Paths and Opportunities:

Upon graduating with a Finance and Management degree from LBE at Loughborough University, students open doors across diverse industries and can pursue a multitude of rewarding careers such as:

• Finance: Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, Account Manager, Broker, Portfolio Manager, Financial Trader, Risk Analyst, Compliance Associate, Financial Consultant, Corporate Finance Analyst, Cybersecurity and Compliance Analyst, Fund Manager, Deal Advisory Associate etc.
• Accounting: Management Accountant, Cost Accountant, Forensic Accountant, Investment Accountant, Public Accountant, Tax Accountant, Auditor etc.
• General Management and Business: Data Analyst, Management Consultant, Investment Analyst, Supply Chain Manager, Marketing Manager, HR Manager, Operations Manager, Business Development Manager etc.

Graduate Outcomes and Destinations:

Recent Loughborough University graduates with a Finance and Management BSc have secured placements and employment opportunities with prestigious institutions and renowned organisations including:

• Finance: Deloitte, KPMG, Accenture, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Nomura
• Accounting: PwC, Ernst & Young, BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM
• Management Consulting: McKinsey & Co., Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, Alvarez & Marsal, Oliver Wyman

Further Study / Postgraduate Research:

Graduates who wish to pursue further postgraduate studies within relevant fields like Accounting, Economics, Finance, Financial Mathematics, Investment Management, Risk Management may either go onto specialize via master’s level programs or begin direct entry into relevant PhD study or research initiatives supported by the LBE faculty depending on individual academic background, research, and professional aspirations. Students might be able to opt for a one-semester or one-year experience studying at partner universities across Europe, including top-ranked institutions in France, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, etc, while still pursuing the finance specialisation offered within their Loughborough Finance and Management degree. The specific exchange partners and duration of studies abroad should be confirmed upon registration through LBE student and course advisors depending on individual course progression within the program

Placement Opportunities:

As previously mentioned in the "Program Outline" section, students have the option to undertake a one-year professional placement during their Year 3 within the program which would allow them to gain first-hand experience with their chosen specialisation area before graduating, giving them a distinct advantage while entering the competitive job market. Placement locations and opportunities vary depending on specific agreements for placements which can be sought directly through LBE or with support from their student advisors during the year preceding year-long placements in collaboration with dedicated careers service staff available for any inquiries, support, or guidance throughout the process as well as throughout all stages of career and personal development with individual aspirations taken into consideration throughout the journey as they transition from being students transitioning towards their chosen professione paths in life

UK fees Full-time course per annum £9,250 Placement year Approx. 20% of the full-time fee International fees Full-time course per annum £25,500 Placement year Approx. 20% of the full-time fee University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Additional costs While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationary, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.