(BSc) Bachelor of Science
Banking and Finance (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Finance
BSC N392
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.
Admission criteria
GCSE: Mathematics C/4
A-levels: ABB
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655. Either must include Standard Level Mathematics grade 4, or a minimum of 3 in Higher Level Mathematics. We will accept grade 4 in either Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Standard Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.
Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied -advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Hf Guo
Assistant Professor in Finance
University of Durham
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To provide students with the academic training in the principles of banking and finance.
To provide students with the opportunity to analyse the role of financial and banking information and data.
To equip students with knowledge of fundamental research methodologies covering quantitative or qualitative approaches to empirical research in finance, with a focus on banking.
To develop students' critical and analytical skills and to encourage the acquisition of autonomous study skills in the learning process.
To produce students who will have a sufficient variety and depth of knowledge to start careers in the financial sector, most notably in the City of London (banking, stockbroking, derivatives, insurance, regulation and other areas of finance).
To provide students the knowledge and analytical skills to pursue postgraduate courses in finance at Essex and elsewhere.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: The contexts in which finance can be seen as operating including knowledge of the institutional framework necessary for understanding the role, operation and function of markets and institutions.
A2: The basics of financial statements and appreciation of the limitations of financial reporting practices and procedures.
A3: Understanding of particular areas of banking in which the student has chosen to specialise.
A4: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental issues in banking such as risk management and regulation.
A5: The major theories of asset pricing and their relevance and application to theoretical and practical problems.
A6: The major theories associated with the management of risk, such as portfolio management, asset allocation and the application of financial derivatives to practical problems.
A7: The major theoretical tools necessary for advanced study in finance.
A8: An ability to interpret and analyse financial data using appropriate statistical packages.
A9: The relationship between financial theory and empirical testing and an ability to evaluate empirical evidence.
A10: The factors influencing the investment behaviour and opportunities of private individuals investing in bond, equity, and derivative markets.
Learning methods
Lectures and tutor-led seminars.
Directed reading.
Individual and group tasks.
Assessment methods
Unseen written examinations.
Assessed essays.
Class tests.
Pre-published class assignments.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: A capacity for the critical evaluation of arguments and evidence.
B2: An ability to analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and, to a more limited extent, unstructured problems from a given set of data which must be acquired by the student.
Learning methods
Lectures and tutor-led seminars.
Directed reading.
Individual and group tasks.
Assessment methods
Unseen written examinations.
Assessed essays.
Class tests.
Pre-published class assignments.
C: Practical skills
C1: Ability to locate, extract and analyse data from multiple sources, including the acknowledgement and referencing of sources.
C2: Communication skills, including the ability to present quantitative and qualitative information together with analysis, argument and commentary in a form appropriate to a different intended audiences.
Learning methods
Lectures and tutor-led seminars.
Directed reading.
Individual and group tasks.
Assessment methods
Unseen written examinations.
Assessed essays.
Class tests.
Pre-published class assignments.
D: Key skills
D1: Present ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner.
D2: Use appropriate Information Technology to locate, acquire and analyse data.
D3: Manipulate and analyse numerical (including financial) data and appreciate the nature and limitations of basic statistical concepts.
D4: Identify and analyse problems and apply appropriate knowledge and skills to develop effective solutions
D5: Problem-solving and analytical skills
D6: Time management, task prioritisation and working to deadlines.
Learning methods
Lectures and tutor-led seminars.
Directed reading.
Individual and group tasks.
Assessment methods
Unseen written examinations.
Assessed essays.
Class tests.
Pre-published class assignments.