Program Overview

Program Overview

The BSc Finance program at the London School of Economics (LSE) is designed to equip students with the necessary financial knowledge and quantitative skills for a high-flying career in finance, banking, or consulting. The program is taught by world-leading academics and industry practitioners, providing students with a rigorous and comprehensive education in finance.

Key Information

• Study mode: Home full-time students (Three years) and Overseas full-time students (Three years)
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Start date: 28 September 2026
• Location: Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: 14 January 2026

Overview

The BSc Finance program introduces students to the fundamental principles of finance, develops their quantitative skills, and provides a comprehensive education in economics, mathematics, and statistics. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in investment banking, sales, trading, investment management, management consulting, start-ups, and other professional careers in the City.

Introduction

Finance is at the heart of every business, industry, and society around the world, and its role has never been more complex. There is a huge demand for talented, ambitious graduates with the right financial acumen to meet these challenges. This rigorous program equips students with the necessary financial knowledge and quantitative skills.

Preliminary Readings

Students are recommended to read the following books, papers, and videos to gain further insight into the subject:

• A Admati "Seeing through the banker's new clothes", TEDxStanford
• W Clarke "How the City of London Works" (7th edition, Sweet and Maxwell, 2008)
• B Graham "The Intelligent Investor" (HarperBusiness, 2003)
• M Lewis "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine" (Penguin, 2011)
• D McCloskey "Economical Writing"
• PwC: "Peer Pressure – How peer-to-peer lending platforms are transforming the consumer lending industry"
• H Rey "Monetary Policy and International Capital Flows" IMF Mundell-Fleming Lecture

Entry Requirements

• Home students: AAA, with an A in Mathematics
• Overseas students: 39 points overall, with 766 in higher level subjects, including 7 in Mathematics
• Contextual admissions: AAB with an A in Mathematics (Home students), 38 points overall, including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in Mathematics (Overseas students)
• GCSEs: Several GCSE grades at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9), with a minimum of GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades at B (6) or higher
• A-level subject combinations: A broad mix of traditional academic subjects, with A-level Mathematics (or equivalent) essential, and Further Mathematics at A-level desirable

Programme Content

The program consists of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. The units are divided into:

• Year 1: Introduction to Finance, Microeconomics I, Macroeconomics I, Elementary Statistical Theory, Quantitative Methods for Finance, Methods in calculus and linear algebra, and LSE100
• Year 2: Principles of Finance I, Principles of Finance II, Financial Systems and Crises, Applied Corporate Finance, Microeconomics II, Econometrics I, and Econometrics II
• Year 3: Market Anomalies and Asset Management, Theories of Corporate Finance, Risk Management and Modelling, Derivatives, Advanced Financial Economics, and Macro-Finance

Why Study with Us

The Department of Finance at LSE is one of the largest and most highly respected finance groups in the UK and Europe. The department offers various undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive programs, with research and teaching spanning the full range of financial sub-fields.

Student Stories

Students on the BSc Finance program have access to faculty who are second to none in terms of their reputation and academic prowess. The program provides students with a comprehensive education in finance, preparing them for careers in investment banking, sales, trading, and research.

Meet the Department

The Department of Finance is closely associated with two leading research groups at LSE – the Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre. The department's research is regularly published in leading academic journals globally, and faculty members work closely with national and international institutions, informing policy at the highest levels.

Your Application

The application process involves submitting a UCAS form, which includes academic achievement, subjects and subject combinations, personal statement, teacher's reference, and educational circumstances. Students may also need to provide evidence of English proficiency.

Fees and Funding

• Home student fee: £9,535 per year
• Overseas student fee: £35,700 per year
• Fee status: Determined by The Higher education (Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2017
• Scholarships, bursaries, and loans: Available to UK, EU, and overseas students

Learning and Assessment

• Teaching: Lectures, classes, and independent study
• Academic support: Academic mentor, Learning Lab, and Disability and Mental Health Service
• Assessment: Formative coursework, summative assessment, and written examinations

Graduate Destinations

Graduates from the BSc Finance program are well-prepared for careers in investment banking, sales, trading, and research, as well as further academic study. The top three sectors that graduates work in are:

• Financial and Professional Services
• Accounting and Auditing
• FMCG, Manufacturing, and Retail

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