Bachelor of Science (Hons) -  

 BANKING AND FINANCE WITH FOUNDATION YEAR

A Banking and Finance degree is the perfect choice if you are interested in the financial sector and want the versatility of being able to work across banking, regulation, finance, insurance or accounting.

Buckinghamshier New University is proud to have accreditation and exemption from prestigious professional bodies, CBI, ACCA and CIMA. Meaning you will be learning the latest information straight from industry and have the advantage of being able to start your career being exempt from a number of professional exams.



Why study this subject?

If you have an analytical mind and critical eye with a desire to be at the centre of business growth and financial innovation then BNU’s Banking and Finance degree is a great way for you to learn the core skills to become a banking professional or work in the world of finance.

Studying this course allows you to delve into the fast-paced and ever evolving financial sector at a national and international level, learning about the fundamental aspects of banking and finance principles, theories and concepts.  

BNU's industry experienced academics have worked hard to create a varied programme that gives you the opportunity to explore areas that interest you, from regulation to risk assessment and management, and economics to banking theory.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

When you study at BNU, it is all about you. They want to ensure you to get the most out of your time with them and being workplace ready is something we’re proud to offer you. BNU's Banking and Finance degree is accredited by professional bodies, the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). This gives you the chance to gain workplace experience, learn about new developments in the industry and apply for membership with an accrediting body.

Buck's have strong links with industry that provide you with a lot of real-world experience? They make sure that what you are learning in the lecture theatre can be applied to real-world situations, providing you with the skills you need to find the right role after you graduate. 

BNU is all about the student experience, you are their top priority and their high lecturer to student ratio ensures that you will receive continual and first-hand support throughout your degree. They see you as an individual and will support you in to help you to stretch and excel your abilities and graduate with a versatile and in-demand degree.

What will you study?

During your time studying you will cover all types of areas including, data analysis for decision making, corporate law, finance and accounting, strategic thinking and client-focused projects. Studying such varied topics will help you understand how finance interacts with business and banking. You will learn how to develop key skills, such as problem solving, attention to detail and analytical thinking which will ensure you are well placed to enter the employment market.

During your foundation year you will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals needed to progress to undergraduate study. You will study topic areas like, creativity, self-development, responsibility, business studies and inquiry-based learning to provide you with a solid basis for your study of banking and finance.

In your first year you will learn the foundation of accounting, from financial, computerised and management to global business and economics. We want to ensure that you can understand concepts, theories and models of banking and finance.

During your second year, you will learn to apply, analyse and evaluate the principles and theories you have learned and be able to reference and apply them to contemporary situations. Being able to develop your skills by applying your knowledge to real life circumstances is important as this allows you to gain the confidence and ease to do so post-graduation.

In your final year, the emphasis will be on transitioning you from student to graduate. You will undertake more independent learning and develop your depth of understanding through a combination of critical analysis and evaluation. This will be shown through either a dissertation on a topic of your choice or a consultancy project, which involves independent research focusing on strategic business issues.

How will you be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

At Buckinghamshire New University they like to foster an interactive and student-focused teaching style where they blend lectures, seminars, one-to-one workshops, tutorial sessions, independent study and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.

To work competitively in the graduate world, you will need to a diverse range of skills and abilities, from being able to work independently to being confident with working collaboratively in a group. The structure of the course allows for you to work with other students to deliver small group projects, giving you the chance to improve your leadership, communication and relationship building skills.

Throughout your three years on this course you will carry out the following assessment activities:

• Essays and reports
• Oral Presentations
•  Examinations
• Projects and enterprise activities
• Dissertation or Consultancy Project

What are your career prospects?

BNU is committed to working with you to ensure that you graduate with a competitive degree and industry experience, ready to hit the ground running post-university. They will help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good workplace leaders. They also help you find employment after graduation. 

There has always been a big demand for qualified specialists in banking and finance, meaning that you can expect to graduate with a variety of rewarding career options ahead of you. With the diverse nature of accounting and finance you can seek out jobs in any sector, from business, banking, non-profit to international corporations.

Many graduates have gone on to successful careers in:

• accountancy
• banking
• investment
• insurance
• risk management
• marketing
• human resource management.

Careers in banking and finance are highly sought after across the globe. Having the foundation of having studied a degree in the subject the world becomes your oyster. The topics you will study on this programme and the transferrable skills you will have developed will make international careers easily accessible.