BSc Banking and Finance

Is this programme for me?

This degree is for you if you want to pursue a career in accountancy, consulting, commercial or investment banking, trading and sales or risk management.

Programme aims

To provide a thorough understanding of the ways in which financial intermediaries and institutions operate, and the structure and functioning of financial markets.

Programme structure

The degree consists of 12 units when taken through the Standard Route and 9 units through the Graduate Entry Route.

Prestige and career progression

The programme has been developed by academics at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), regarded as an international centre of academic excellence and innovation in the social sciences. This degree will prepare you for a career in areas of accountancy, consulting, commercial or investment banking, trading and sales or risk management.

Professional accreditation

Graduates of the BSc Banking and Finance degree who wish to continue their studies towards professional accreditation in the financial or accounting professions can take advantage of a ‘fast track’ agreement with three professional bodies: the ifs School of Finance, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore (ICPAS). Subject to passing the required combination of units on your degree, you will be exempt from certain modules required on the route towards professional accreditation. For further details please see page 12 of the prospectus (available to download in the left-hand column).

Flexible study at a reasonable cost

You have between 3-8 years to complete the programme (or a minimum of 2 years on the Graduate Entry Route). The total fee payable to the University is £3,237 for the Standard Route. The Graduate Entry Route costs £2,447. Please note that these figures do not reflect any annual fee increase and assume completion in the minimum study period permitted.

Study materials

The study materials that we send you include:

Strategies for success – an academic advice and study skills handbook containing information about study techniques, planning your studies, making the best use of resources and preparing for examinations.
Student handbook.
Subject guides (offering advice on how to use textbooks).
Past exam papers and Examiners' reports - these resources are updated annually and are available to download.
Regulations.

Study support and online resources

You can either study independently at a pace that suits you, or enrol for additional classes at a local institution (either full time or part time) and benefit from the more formalized support this provides.

LSE arranges a Study weekend in February each year. This consists of short courses desgined to help you with examination preparation and technique. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your studies with subject specialists.
LSE also runs a Summer School each year, usually from July to mid-August, to which all students are welcome.
Online resources including Examiners' reports and past exam papers, the Student handbook, Regulations, unit information sheets, reading lists, a ‘News and notices’ section. It also contains the first four chapters of subject guides for most units. On registering you will also gain access to the Virtual Learning Environment.
Online Library giving access to Justis.com, JSTOR, ABI/INFORM, Academic Search Premier and Business Source Premier.

Summary of key dates

Application deadline	17 September (non-EU) 17 October (EU) in the year before you intend to sit your first exams
Registration deadline	30 November
Despatch of study materials	Shortly after your registration form is received
Examinations take place	May/June

If you do not have traditional 'A' levels or their equivalent, the Access route has been designed to provide you with an entry route to the degrees in the fields of Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences. The Diploma in Economics, a qualification in its own right, similarly provides an entry route to these degrees (please note that for the Diploma in Economics must be studied at a recognised centre, which is listed offering this programme on the Directory of Institutions).

Graduate Entry Route
This provides an opportunity for graduates of any discipline to gain an additional undergraduate degree by following a shorter than normal programme, in this case a minimum of two years.