This course is open for applications
Page last updated 15 November 2024
BSc(Hons) Banking and Finance is for you if you’re aspiring to enter the finance sector. On our course, you develop the specialised knowledge, technical expertise, and critical thinking you need to succeed in the dynamic finance industry.
The UK has one of the largest and most competitive financial sectors in the world, offering diverse career opportunities, attractive salaries, and scope to work internationally.
BSc(Hons) Banking and Finance is for you if you’re aspiring to enter the finance sector. On our course, you develop the specialised knowledge, technical expertise, and critical thinking you need to succeed in the dynamic finance industry.
You’ll focus on key topics including financial institutions and markets, quantitative methods, financial instruments, corporate finance, investment management, financial analysis, economics, and banking practices.
We start preparing you for your career from day one. You’ll learn how to apply theory to practice through real-world scenarios including case studies, live briefs, and projects, replicating the professional experiences in banking and finance. This offers you hands-on experience, developing your analytical mindset and creative problem-solving skills.
You’ll also benefit from our close links with industry partners who provide guest lectures, immersion days, and valuable networking opportunities.
We’ll develop your technical proficiency, giving you access to modern digital tools used by industry professionals for tasks such as data analysis, computer programming, collaboration, and communication.
You’ll be taught by academics whose cutting-edge research findings are fed into your course to ensure best practice, meaning you remain up-to-the-minute in this ever-evolving industry.
You’ll leave us as a well-rounded graduate with all you need to thrive in this fast-paced and competitive industry.
You’ll have many options available in various sectors of finance, including portfolio manager, retail and corporate banking, insurance, wealth management, investment analysis, financial planning and analysis, accountancy, risk management, and advisory roles in national and international financial institutions.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
You'll study:
You'll study:
Plus one optional module from:
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement or a study year abroad after Year two.
Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study:
Plus, optional modules as follows:*
*If you complete the sandwich year, you'll only study one of these four modules.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and teaching on this course emphasises active participation and learning by doing, supporting you to gradually become more independent in your learning as you progress through the course. Each module is inspired and informed by a learning and teaching approach that enables you to prepare for and participate in your classes and practise your skills.
You’ll prepare by engaging with suggested materials, such as pre-recorded lectures, to gain background knowledge. This will support you to participate in timetabled interactive sessions, applying your knowledge to develop your understanding and skills. Finally, you’ll practise applying your knowledge to real-world business challenges.
Learn through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, and workshops, involving both individual and group work. You’ll explore a variety of course materials and activities, such as case studies, live briefs, portfolios, pitches, presentations, online exercises, and simulations. You’ll also interact with guest practitioners and speakers and undertake professional practice field visits.
See our glossary of learning and teaching terms.
In a typical week, you could expect to be timetabled with academic staff for an average of 12 hours. You’ll also engage with a range of additional academic and professional development activities, and work on practice and assessment tasks through independent self-study for 28 hours per week on average.
The balance between taught sessions and independent study hours may vary between modules and at points across the academic years. This enables both the development of new skills, concepts, and knowledge and to facilitate the space to produce assessment tasks.
Our assessment strategy focuses on developing subject knowledge, practical skills, and professional attributes within key business environments, including your chosen area of specialism. The scaffolded structure ensures your assessments progressively challenge you as you advance through each year of the course.
You’ll be assessed through a broad range of methods, such as written assignments, presentations and posters, projects, case studies, reports, examinations and set exercises.
Throughout the course, you’ll also complete a professional practice portfolio of evidence, alongside a reflective workbook to document your own personal development. Your portfolio will demonstrate that you have developed the required professional skills and attributes for a career in business.
In your professional practice modules, you’ll be encouraged to engage in collaborative learning and contribute to group tasks as part of your assessments. These modules will include support through mentor groups to facilitate your collaborative learning.
Learn more about our assessments.
We’re seeking affiliation with the CFA Institute and re- accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).
CIMA accreditation provides valuable exemptions from professional exams.
We encourage you to do a 40-week paid sandwich placement after Your two, either in the UK or abroad. This allows you to gain real-world experience and skills that will increase your employability.
Banking and Finance at UWE Bristol is well-connected with local and national employers. We have a strong track record for securing placements with companies and organisations such as Rolls-Royce and the Government Economic Service.
You'll get help to find your placement and support throughout from our Careers Service.
You'll also have opportunities to study overseas on courses that are taught in English and relevant to your degree. The study year abroad is not a paid placement.
The Bristol Business School offers state-of-the-art lecture theatres, learning spaces for individual and group study, and bookable conference rooms.
You'll also have access to learning spaces like the Bloomberg financial trading room giving you a commanding view of global finance.
Our specialist library, and learning hub supports you with vast collections, workshops, and Study Skills resources.
The library and Business School offers group study spaces, access to books, press, journals, and industry databases.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Accounting and Finance facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
You’ll leave us as a career-ready graduate with the skills and knowledge to succeed .
This course is an ideal launch pad for a career in banking, accountancy, insurance, financial planning and analysis, investment and pensions, and advisory roles in the public and private sector.
Our graduates have secured roles with Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, investment banks (Arbuthnot Latham, for example), GE Asset Management and Handelsbanken.
Our award-winning Careers Service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering, and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.
Learn more about our graduate destinations.
*The UK Government recently proposed that tuition fees for Home students will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 from 1st August 2025. This increase is subject to Parliamentary approval and the vote is expected to take place later this year.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated following approval.
Please see GOV.UK for further information.
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English language section.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for BSc(Hons) Banking and Finance (with Foundation Year).
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the Country Information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme
If you are interested in direct entry to Final year, please see our BA(Hons) Banking and Finance (Top Up) course.
Read more about entry requirements
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.