Program Overview

---

Course summary

Our core degree in Finance was designed by researchers with industry and regulatory experience to equip you with the skills necessary for a successful career in the financial services industry. You will also be well-placed to pursue careers in economic consultancy, government departments or market regulators, as well as specialist postgraduate studies.

This course provides rigorous training in all areas of finance with a focus on the quantitative skills that are required in every aspect of real-world decision-making. The cutting-edge computer languages Python and R are woven into the teaching of our quantitative modules. The degree is among the first in the UK to contain coverage of new and disruptive forms of finance at the undergraduate level, including cryptocurrencies, FinTech, Big Data analysis, smart beta investing, peer-to-peer lending or high-frequency trading.

You will learn to relate concepts and theories to financial practice through the use of specialist industry newspapers, including the Dow Jones Financial News and data vendors such as Bloomberg and LSEG (formerly Refinitiv and Thomson Reuters Eikon).

Through core units and a choice of optional units, you will gain exposure to the related fields of economics, accounting, management and business law.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAA
• A-level contextual offer: ABB
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: N300)

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £27400 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

The first year of study will consider Finance in a mostly non-technical way while providing training in the quantitative subjects that later modules will build upon. You will also study Accounting and Economics.

In the second year, you will deepen your understanding of the theory, evidence and statistical methods relevant to different areas of Finance. You will learn to extract, process and combine the extremely diverse data used in financial decision-making in a dedicated module.

According to your preferences and career ambitions, you will also be able to further your understanding of Economics and Accounting, building on first-year units, and develop your knowledge of Management or Business Law.

The final year will feature the most Finance content (both via core and optional units) along with advanced options in Economics, Accounting or Management, according to your professional goals. An innovative Digital Finance module will provide insights into new and disruptive forms of capital raising, trading and new assets and investment strategies.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAA including Mathematics, or A*AB including A in Mathematics

A-level contextual offer

• ABB including Mathematics

BTEC

• DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma and A in mathematics at A-level (or equivalent)

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including Mathematics with either 6 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches)

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including Mathematics with either 5 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches)

European Baccalaureate

• 85% overall with 8.5 in Mathematics

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AA including Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAB

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 15 credits from Mathematics units, of which at least 12 (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry) must be at Distinction. Or Access to HE Diploma in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law or History (or similar titles), with the 45 graded Level 3 credits including at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above, plus A in A-level Mathematics.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 6.5 overall with 7.0 in reading and listening, and no score below 6.0
  • GCSE English Language grade C or 4
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level G.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Finance can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Related courses

• See a list of all Accounting and Finance degrees at Bristol, and find more information about the course, assessment and career prospects.

Related Subjects

• Business and Management
• Economics
• International Business Management
• Mathematics

Next steps

• Visit us at an open day
• Download a prospectus
• Find out how to apply
• Make an enquiry

Data

• 88% say staff value students views and opinions about the course
• 89% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.