Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 9 October 2024
We're one of the only Universities in the UK to offer direct access to real-time global financial data in our cutting-edge Bloomberg trading room.
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 overseas.
BSc(Hons) Banking and Finance is contemporary and broad-based, combining a foundation in economics with specialist banking and finance modules.
This course will equip you with a unique critical understanding of today's financialised global economic system. It also covers principles and practice of modern banking, ethics and regulation.
Explore tax and investment planning, credit, portfolio and risk management and other practical issues from an international perspective.
Study research methodologies from both economic and finance perspectives and explore new regulations created in the wake of the financial crisis. Develop technical and critical thinking skills in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Learn to answer questions such as: what are the implications of an increasingly complex and globalised financial system? Does finance make the economy more or less stable? Have the lessons of the 2008 financial crisis been learned?
Guest speakers, recent case studies and placement opportunities give you access to real business environments and give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Training in our modern facilities will give you real-world insight and unrivalled practical experience.
Banking and Finance at UWE Bristol is designed to meet employers' needs. Our emphasis on skills development and employability gives you a competitive edge in the jobs market.
You could go on to become a successful banker, accountant, or financial planner and analyst.
Our graduates have roles with Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, investment banks (for example, Arbuthnot Latham), GE Asset Management and Handelsbanken.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
You will study:
Development of your finance knowledge and specialist interests, along with your research and enquiry skills.
You will study:
Plus two optional modules from:
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement 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.
Advanced study in the core subject areas and a major applied research project.
You will study:
Plus, three optional modules from:
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 will inform you.
You'll be taught through a mix of tutor-led learning, independent student-led study and group projects.
Lectures, workshops/seminars, group project work and tutoring make up 12 hours of contact time each week. You'll spend at least as much time again studying independently. This includes preparing for workshops/seminars, reviewing lectures, online work, reading and other research activity. You'll also prepare assessed work and revise for end of module exams.
You'll develop your communication and presentation skills, IT and numeracy skills, and project and time management skills. And your improved problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and innovation skills will help you stand out as a graduate.
You can gain work experience through short-term internships, paid work as a Student Ambassador or Peer Assisted Learning Leader, or through volunteering.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27% | 73% | 0% |
| 2 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 3 | 21% | 79% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
You'll be assessed through a mix of coursework and examinations, which assess what you know and can do and help you develop the confidence and skills that employers value.
Coursework can take the form of essays and reports; business plans and applied research projects; portfolios and weekly notes; assessed group and individual presentations and posters. You'll also reflect and comment on your own learning and personal development.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46% | 46% | 8% |
| 2 | 46% | 45% | 9% |
| 3 | 42% | 55% | 3% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
This degree offers modules accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) giving valuable exemptions from professional exams.
The course is also accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).
We encourage you to do a 40-week paid sandwich placement after your second year of study. It can be in the UK or abroad.
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees.
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 such as Rolls Royce and the Government Economic Service.
You'll get help to find your placement and support throughout from our careers service.
Study year abroad
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.
In our new £55m Bristol Business School, you'll have access to cutting-edge learning spaces like the Bloomberg financial trading room. Training in this state-of-the-art financial platform will give you a commanding view of global finance.
Designed with student input, the Business School offers learning spaces for individual and group study plus conference rooms you can book. It's a space where students and business come together to collaborate and form new partnerships.
In our specialist library, business librarians manage vast collections to support your research. Attend workshops to develop your information skills or visit Study Skills.
You'll have access to recommended books, trade press, academic journals, and industry databases on and off campus.
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.
Banking and Finance at UWE Bristol produces graduates who are work-ready and have the knowledge and critical skills 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 both the public and private sector.
Our graduates have roles with Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, investment banks (for example, Arbuthnot Latham), GE Asset Management and Handelsbanken.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our Employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
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
Direct entry
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.