Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) International Banking and Finance (Top-Up)

Overview

The UK remains one of the world’s leading hubs for the international financial and related professional services industry, with London at its core (TheCityUK, 2025).

Gain first-hand experience of the financial market, learn from real-time data, and be guided by experts in the field with our BSc (Hons) International Banking & Finance programme. This course will enable you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the global financial landscape and will equip you with the skills and knowledge to join the banking and finance industry.

Key Facts

• Learn about financial markets and contemporary issues in the international business environment
• Boost your personal and career progression with employability and academic-focused modules
• Year One designed specifically for international students
• Entry at level 4 designed specifically for international students
• Top up your existing qualification to a UK honours degree with direct entry onto Level 5 or 6
• Newcastle Business School is accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). According to AACSB, “Approximately 6% of the world’s schools offering business degree education have achieved AACSB accreditation, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality, rigorous standards, innovation, and continuous process improvement. Read more about our ‘double’ AACSB Accreditation

About this Course

What will I study?

Throughout the course, you will engage in topics such as strategic management and corporate responsibility, banking risk management, international finance and financial management. You will have the opportunity to build your portfolio and employability, distinguishing yourself from your competitors with the first-hand experience of current market developments and financial data.

The programme makes use of appropriate technologies to support and enhance your learning experience. These technologies include an online learning platform that provides access and supporting learning materials, where appropriate lecture capture is used to support and review your learning. Additional materials include an online reading list and guidance and direction for your independent learning.

How will I be taught and assessed?

• Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, interactive seminars, computer-based workshops, and self-directed and group activities, totalling 9 hours per week
• You’re expected to engage in independent study, around 40 hours per week
• Assessments take place through coursework only
• Taught by experienced lecturers and academics who use their industry experience to demonstrate how theories translate into real-life situations
• Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course to guide your preparation for seminars and independent research
• Benefit from weekly academic support sessions designed to build your ability and confidence as an academic learner
• You will be assigned a guidance tutor at induction who you will meet regularly during your studies

Careers and Further Study

Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to join the banking and finance industry in areas such as financial services, financial advisory work, international banking, building societies, insurance companies, credit unions and other financial intermediaries.

Typical roles include:

• Finance Manager
• Business Banker
• Banking Operations Specialist
• Tax Manager
• Corporate Audit Manager
• Financial Consultant
• Stock Trader
• Financial Controller

This programme will boost your employability outcomes by providing you with a key set of sought-after skills. At Northumbria, you will develop critical reflection, self-learning, collaboration, curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in sustainable and ethical ways.

Graduates of this programme will also be ready to specialise further through postgraduate studies in Business and Management related Master’s programmes in UK or abroad.

Entry Requirements

Academic & English Requirements

	Academic Entry Criteria	English Language Requirements
International Year One (Level 4)	Good High School Grades or equivalent	IELTS 5.5 with no element less than 5.5
Year Two (Level 5)	GCSE English & Maths at minimum grade 4/C Level 4 qualification with a pass grade in a business and management-related field	IELTS 6.0 with no element less than 5.5 (or approved equivalent)
Year Three (Level 6)	GCSE English & Maths at minimum grade 4/C BTEC HND/Foundation Degree or equivalent in a related subject. If you have taken a BTEC HND programme, we will usually expect you to have performed to an average of Merit standard. If you have taken a Foundation Degree, we will be looking for performance to Commendation level, or 60% average

Applicants holding a relevant business and management qualification in addition to one of the following will also be considered: DipHE, any Level 5 award such as Certificate, Diploma or NVQ.

Non-standard entry: Please note that applicants without formal qualifications yet with appropriate work experience are also encouraged to apply. Non-standard qualifications/work experience will need to be considered on an individual basis.

International Entry Equivalencies

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Please visit our entry requirements page for country-specific qualifications.

Modules

International Year One (Level 4)

Students with good high school grades (or equivalent), joining on Level 4 will study our International Year One.

International Year One

Students joining on Level 4 will study our International Year One. Visit the International Year One course page for detailed modular content.

Year Two (Level 5)

Students holding a Level 4 qualification in a business and management-related field, can directly join the programme on the Year Two (Level 5).

• Academic Skills and Employability
• Management Research and Analysis
• Financial Markets and Institutions
• Digital Business Models, Marketing and Operations
• Decision Making in the Financial Environment
• International Finance, Trade, and the Banking Sector

Year Three (Level 6)

Students with HND merit standard or Foundation Degree in a related field can join the programme directly on Level 6 and top-up their qualification to an honours degree in one year.

Please note continuing students and direct entry students will study a different set of modules.

Continuing Students

You will study one of three optional modules plus common modules.

• Undergraduate Consultancy Project (40 credits, optional)
• Management and HRM Dissertation (40 credits, optional)
• Management Enquiry for Management and HRM (40 credits, optional)

Direct Entry Students

Students directly joining on Level 6 will study the below modules plus common modules listed below.

• Career Development and Research Informed Learning
• Contemporary Business Enquiry

Common Modules (All Students)

• Responsible Strategy
• Risk in Financial Institutions I
• Risk in Financial Services II
• International Finance and Responsible Management

All modules on this course are core and 20 credits unless otherwise stated.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fee 2025/26

• UK/Home students: £9,535 per annum
• International students: £20,950 per annum

This course is eligible for student finance through Student Finance England (for eligible home students). For more information, please visit our dates & fees page.

Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University London Campus student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.

The modules you will study do not require you to purchase additional textbooks although we recommend you allow an additional £250 for the duration of your studies should you choose to purchase any additional reading materials.

Information for International Students

Northumbria University is committed to providing the best possible experience to all our students. To ensure you secure your place with us, we require our international students to pay a deposit towards their fees. More information can be found here.

What’s included in your tuition fees?

Your tuition fees cover far more than your time in class with our expert academics, it covers the cost of providing you with excellent services and student experience.

• Contact time in class – typically in lectures, seminars and tutorials
• Access to facilities, including computers, on-campus Wi-Fi, printers, vending machines, quiet study spaces
• The support of our Careers & Employment Service who help you to become more employable, secure placements and run workshops
• Academic support – our ACE Team run multiple sessions on academic writing, presenting, exam techniques throughout the semester, as well as 1-2-1 appointments and drop-in sessions
• Student support services such as our Ask4Help Service. Find out more about the services available to you on our Student Support page
• Access to online resources, including a 24/ 7 Library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.

Scholarships and Bursaries for International Students

Depending on the country you are from, you may be eligible for a country bursary and/or scholarship when studying this undergraduate programme.

All of our scholarships and bursaries are automatically applied when we process your application and one of our team will be able to confirm your eligibility.

London Cost of Living Bursary

Eligible international students will receive an automatic bursary for £1,334, applied at the Conditional Offer as a fee discount. This bursary is effective for intakes in May 2025, September 2025, January 2026 and May 2026. This offer excludes Pre-sessional English, standalone Graduate Certificate programmes and sponsored applicants.

If you receive this bursary, you may still be eligible for additional bursaries and scholarships, these will be confirmed at the Unconditional Offer stage. Full maintenance costs still need to be evidenced when applying for your visa.

This bursary is only available for international students from specific countries. Please visit our Scholarships page for more information.

Payment Plans for Self-Funded Students

If you need support to spread the cost of your tuition, you may be eligible for our payment plan.

How to Apply

Once you’re ready to apply, if you are a UK or a Home student, you will need to apply via UCAS. If you are an international student, you can apply to us directly following the below instructions.

UCAS Applications – UK/ Home Students

To apply through UCAS, you will need to use the following codes:

• Institute UCAS code: N77
• Course UCAS code: N4N1 (level 6), N4N3 (level 5)
• Campus code: L

Find out more about applying through UCAS here

Direct Applications – International Students

We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study in the UK. After receiving an offer it can take time to arrange your finances and apply for your visa and it is important that you arrive in good time to enrol on your course. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.

You can apply online to study the BSc (Hons) International Banking and Finance. This method allows you to upload your supporting documents at the time of application and automatically receive your student application number.

Please note: For 2025 applications you will be redirected to the Northumbria website to select which intake you would like to apply for.

Supporting Documents

For us to assess your application in a timely manner, it is important that you provide us with the following documents:

• Fully completed application form
• Personal email address must be included on the application form
• Transcripts and/or certificates (including a certified translation if not English)
• Passport – copy of personal details page
• Proof of financial sponsorship if applicable
• Reference
• Confirmation of immigration history including copies of previous and current visas if applicable

You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.

Information for Disabled Applicants

At Northumbria University London we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.