BSc(Hons) Banking and Finance (Top Up)

Entry year
2025/26
Course code
N310
Application
UCAS
Level
Undergraduate
School
Bristol Business School
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
One year
Delivery
Full-time
Programme leader
James Korovilas

This course is open for applications

Introduction

Top up your existing qualifications to an honour’s degree. This final-year equivalent course is aimed at those with a relevant qualification (e.g., HND).

Accreditations and partnerships:

Why study banking and finance?

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.

Why study our course?

BSc(Hons) Banking and Finance (Top-up) will equip you with a unique critical understanding of today's global economic system, exploring contemporary issues and allowing you to develop an in depth project in the field, alongside specialist modules in subjects such as investment and international finance. On successful completion you will be awarded a full BSc(Hons) degree.

You will develop technical and critical thinking skills in a supportive and nurturing environment, addressing some of the key challenges of an increasingly complex and globalised financial system.

Guest speakers and recent case studies give you access to real business environments and give you a competitive edge in the job market. Our modern facilities including the Bloomberg Trading Suite, will give you real-world insight and unrivalled practical experience.

Where can it take me?

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.

Structure

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

You will study:

  • Project or Business Project and Business Project in Theory
  • Contemporary Issues in Banking and Finance
  • Academic and Professional Development.

Plus, three optional modules from: 

  • Economics of International Financial Markets
  • Financial Technology
  • International Business in Emerging Markets
  • International Financial Management
  • Investment Management
  • Islamic Banking and Finance.

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.

Learning and Teaching

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.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Assessment

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.

Learn more about assessments.

Features

Study facilities

In our 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.

Take a personalised virtual tour of the Economics facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.

Life

Accommodation

An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

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.

Upon completion, you’ll have the opportunity to continue your studies at UWE Bristol in a variety of ways, including MSc programmes, and take advantage of a range of alumni discounts and scholarships. 

Get inspired

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.

Fees*

Supplementary fee information

*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.

Additional costs are for 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.

Learn more about costs.

Entry

Typical offers

  • GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
  • English Language Requirement:

    International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with no component under 5.5 (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'll need in our English Language section. For more information, please visit our English language requirements pages.

Entry requirements

You should normally hold an HND or Foundation Degree (or equivalent), or have successfully completed the equivalent of 240 UK credit points (120 ECTS credits) in a related subject discipline.

International applicants

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.

Read more about entry requirements.

How to apply

Read more about undergraduate applications.

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information

Apply now Apply Ask a student Ask Book an open day Open day

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