| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
Want to study investment finance in the UK, and take the first step towards a career in investment banking? Our BSc (Hons) Finance and Investment course with its robust content and unique features allows you to stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Our course is focused on practical applications of financial skills in the investing world, qualities that are in high demand in modern finance and investment management sectors.
What's covered in this course?
The course will develop your transferrable skills embedded across different modules on the course as well as your engagement with our Graduate+ employability programme. The course is also accredited by Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI). Designed to equip you with technical knowledge and skills in line with the curriculums of professional bodies such as the CFA Institute and CISI UK, as well as a range of employability attributes, the course will develop you as a work-ready graduate for careers in Finance and Investment across different industries.
As you progress, you will become more effective and creative in problem solving, as well as being able to critically advise individuals and companies in the UK and internationally. The modules are designed to enhance and develop your theoretical understanding from an academic perspective but also to apply acquired knowledge to the finance and investment sector. The course is designed with some mandatory subject areas which provide the key underpinning knowledge for the course however allows you an opportunity to select some subjects based on your specific areas of interest. Therefore, during the second and final year of the course, there will be more flexible learning opportunities that will enable you to specialise in particular subject areas, as well as allowing you to tailor your course to a specific career path.
The course also has the option of a sandwich year, wherein you'll get to go on a year-long industry placement, giving you invaluable real-world employment experience.
The international focus of the course is derived from the diversity of the student body and the teaching team, plus the use of international teaching materials. Moreover, students can choose to spend a year or a full semester studying their modules overseas at a partner institution. While doing this course, you will have wide variety of opportunities to compliment your studies.
Based at the University’s new campus in the UK’s second city, you’ll live and study in a vibrant environment and engage with local, national and international businesses. You will be taught by highly qualified academics with industrial and professional experience.
Professional Placement year
This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
- Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI)
Why Choose Us?
- We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.
- This course has Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) accreditation and an affiliation with Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).
- We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and supporting and giving something back to the local business including in accounting, finance and economics communities including HSBC, Standard Life Insurance and Goldmann Sachs. These links help us enhance students’ experiences by giving them access to industry experts for guest lectures, exciting placement opportunities and other chances to engage with the business community as a whole.
- Through the City Trading Room we aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences. We give you the chance to work on real-life projects using industry-standard software. This offers a unique opportunity for you to gain this invaluable experience during your studies.
- STEAMhouse offers amazing opportunities for entrepreneurial students to kick start and build a business. Services available include the Incubator which helps focus and solidify business ideas and the Hatchery which offers support in getting your business off the ground.
Similar Courses
- Accounting and Finance - BSc (Hons)
- Business Finance - BSc (Hons)
- Economics - BSc (Hons)
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
- Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
- Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points.
GCSE and other level 2 requirements
In addition to the A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below, applicants for this course also need GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have this or are not undertaking it, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.
A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements
| Qualification | Entry requirements |
|---|---|
| A Level / AS Level | A Level: 112 UCAS Tariff points / BBC (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of four subjects will be considered |
| Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate) | 112 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications |
| T Level | Merit overall All subjects considered |
| Access to HE Diploma | Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 |
| OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications | 112 UCAS Tariff points |
| NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications | 112 UCAS Tariff points |
| WJEC Level 3 qualifications | 112 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) |
| Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects |
| Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher | 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC) |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | 112 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications |
| AAT Diploma in Accounting | 112 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) |
| IFS / LIBF in Financial Studies | 112 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) |
If you're applying with an International Baccalaureate Diploma or international qualifications, please see further information below.
International qualifications
International Baccalaureate Diploma
- Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall
- For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, grade 5 in Maths (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted.
EU / International students
Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.
If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information on pre-sessional English courses.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
- Home student
- International student
Fees & How to Apply
Please select your student status to view fees and apply
- UK Student
- International Student
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
| Mode | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 3 Years | £9,535 in 2025/26 |
| Part Time | 5 Years | £1590 per 20 credits |
Fees for Part-time students
This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.
- Year 1 - 80 credits
- Year 2 - 80 credits
- Year 3 - 80 credits
- Year 4 - 80 credits
- Year 5 - 40 credits
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
| Mode | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 3 Years | £17,690 in 2025/26 |
Included in your course fees
- Access to computer equipment
- Printing
- Field trips
- Access to Microsoft Office 365
- Key software
- Key subscriptions
Not included in your course fees
- Excess printing (optional)
- Personal stationery and study materials (optional)
- Placement expenses (optional)
- Accommodation and living costs (optional)
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Get personal statement advice
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
View fees for continuing students
Course in Depth
First Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
- Introduction to Finance 20 credits
- Professional Development for Accounting 20 credits
- Principles of Economics 20 credits
- Quantitative Methods for Finance 20 credits
- Introduction to Financial Accounting 20 credits
- Data Intelligence 20 credits
Second Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).
- Financial Analysis for Investment 20 credits
- Corporate Finance 20 credits
- Risk Management 20 credits
- Financial Modelling 20 credits
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.
- Financial Reporting 20 credits
- Principles of Islamic Finance 20 credits
- Entrepreneurial Finance 20 credits
- Principles of Taxation 20 credits
- Personal Wealth Planning and Management 20 credits
- Intermediate Macroeconomics 20 credits
- Economics for Sustainable Development 20 credits
Professional Placement (Optional)
In order to qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Finance And Investment with Professional Placement Year you must successfully complete the following module.
- Professional Placement Year 120 credits
Final Year
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).
- Current Issues and Trends in Finance 20 credits
- Financial Derivatives 20 credits
- Equity and Fixed Income Securities 20 credits
- Investment and Portfolio Management 20 credits
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.
- Banking, Financial Markets and Institutions 20 credits
- International Finance 20 credits
- Financial Technology 20 credits
- Alternative Investments 20 credits
- Business Research Methodology and Practice 20 credits
- Business Research Project 20 credits
Employability
The finance specialism and professional alignment of the programme enables progression into a career as a fund manager, financial analyst, investment banker or financial manager.
Placements
In order to apply and enhance the skills you learn from the course, you will have the option to undertake a year-long work placement in the UK or overseas. Shorter-term work placements, voluntary work and internships will also be available.
We boast partnerships with businesses across the globe, including AXA Insurance, HSBC, Lloyds Bank and PwC.
More about our placement opportunities
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
- Dr Navjot Sandhu - Deputy Head of Graduate School of Management
- Dr Xiehua Ji - Senior Lecturer in Finance
- Dr Simeon Babatunde - Deputy Head of the College of Accountancy, Finance and Economics (interim)
UK prospective students
- Contact the enquiries team
- T: +44 (0)
Non-UK prospective students
- E: International enquiry form
- T: +44 (0)
Already applied?
- E: Contact the admissions team
- T: +44 (0)
Accommodation
View our accommodation
Our Campus
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Prospectus
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Our City
Find out about our city
86%say staff value students views and opinions about the course
Data for Finance and Investment (Full time) at Birmingham City University
86%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
Data for Finance and Investment (Full time) at Birmingham City University
75%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.
Data for Finance and Investment (Full time) at Birmingham City University
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