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Business Finance - BSc (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry. Switch to 2024/25 Entry

The world of finance is rapidly changing, with new innovative financial products being developed on a constant basis. Recent times have seen an unprecedented number of companies failing because of poor financial management. All these challenges call for dynamic and brilliant people who can design financial solutions and make the world a better place....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time/Part Time
  • Location City Centre
  • School Birmingham City Business School
  • Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences

This course is:

Available with Professional Placement year

Open to International Students

Overview

00:00:01:05 - 00:00:10:21
Speaker 1
I wouldn't have seen myself studying business finance. But when I started to look through university courses and look through career paths, it really sparked my interest.

00:00:11:14 - 00:00:29:22
Speaker 2
The world of finance is experiencing ongoing changes and challenges with the continuous development of innovative products and ever unpredictable global financial markets. Our business finance degree is designed to equip you with the wider knowledge of the global financial environment.

00:00:30:00 - 00:00:37:17
Speaker 3
The academic staff have been very helpful any time, any type of question. They've been hands on, happy to help me that being in person or on teams.

00:00:38:18 - 00:00:48:12
Speaker 1
It's allowed me to develop my mind on the outside world and understand finances a lot better and understand how the world operates financially.

00:00:48:24 - 00:00:58:03
Speaker 4
So I work for a financial planning firm that's in the top hundred for the Financial Times. It's a really competitive world. So I think anything you do and utilise your timing well is valuable.

00:00:59:07 - 00:02:00:16
Speaker 2
We aim to equip you with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving global financial landscape, enabling you to pursue employment opportunities worldwide.

00:02:05:16 - 00:02:08:04
Speaker 5
So what is your most memorable time at university?

00:02:08:12 - 00:05:50:01
Speaker 1
My most memorable time at university would probably be learning about financial statements and the big impact they have on businesses and how they show how well and how well a book that my most memorable time at university would probably be learning about financial statements is how they are able to show how good and how bad business is doing each year.

00:05:50:22 - 00:06:13:04
Speaker 1
I think the most important thing I'm taking away from my course is time management and how on top of everything I have to be and how important it is, I really do. Business and finance has been such a great course for me because.

00:06:29:09 - 00:06:32:02
Speaker 6
Think that right now.

00:06:32:20 - 00:10:37:23
Speaker 1
It's about going on what I wanted to do. And I also studied it in sixth form, which really helped me gain an even better interest. And this is what I want to do for university.

00:10:42:05 - 00:10:57:00
Speaker 1
My best advice to people trying to pivot business and finance would be, if you're interested in financial markets and you really want to understand how finance works, this is definitely a course for you.

00:10:59:19 - 00:11:12:11
Speaker 3
I'm happy with my course decision, as I believe that business finance has set me a good pathway to what I'm going to do in the future. And now from doing the three years of study, I know exactly what I want to do in the future.

00:11:17:02 - 00:11:25:13
Speaker 5
Awesome. And how has the course help you'd like to set up for the future? Was it taught you? Maybe like as in business skills or personal skills or anything else?

00:11:26:01 - 00:12:03:11
Speaker 3
I think the course itself content was taught me the core fundamentals of finance, of businesses and how is actually used in the real world. And then I think just like actual value itself, I've learned how to tie, manage and actually put my work first and not procrastinate is a last minute. I had a decent background knowledge of finance because in my spare time before I used to study the markets and looking to financial study of the economy and from studying finance going now, I actually more focused on what exactly all that data means.

00:12:03:11 - 00:12:10:08
Speaker 3
And now I can merge my previous knowledge with my new knowledge and now have a clearer understanding of the market as a whole.

00:12:14:10 - 00:12:46:08
Speaker 3
So I did a one year placement and I think from it I've gained so many valuable soft skills, which I was I had in a sense, but weren't to the extent that I know that future employers want. And now from it, I know I can progress my career path in quite a comfortable and hopefully fast manner. I think from my placement, my confidence shot up as I used to be involved with a lot of internal meetings and speaking to a bunch of different people.

00:12:46:14 - 00:13:19:09
Speaker 3
It was different teams in the organization itself and from the skills I've learned from my managers, my different types of time management techniques that I'm now using my personal life as well as well as my academic life. So I'm very grateful for that. For those who are thinking of studying business finance, my biggest advice would be make sure you ask questions, because if you have one week of content that you don't understand, you won't get the next coming weeks.

00:13:19:09 - 00:14:23:04
Speaker 3
Because in finance it normally adds on top of knowledge. So always ask questions. So don't be afraid to. I think the academic staff are busy or very helpful. I know that in my time here and some of the question I've been directly, I love the academic stuff. Yeah, I know. Have had a lot of previous knowledge in the industry that they teach in being other companies or even other universities.

00:14:23:10 - 00:14:28:24
Speaker 3
So that's quite reassuring. As students. So I know that they actually have applied that knowledge and know exactly what they're talking about.

00:14:30:06 - 00:14:30:19
Speaker 5
Fantastic.

00:14:31:01 - 00:14:31:09
Speaker 1
When you think.

00:14:34:15 - 00:15:16:02
Speaker 3
Back, you facilities I think are quite good in terms of in-person. We have a lot of study rooms, spaces, cafes and a lot of spaces just be around. And in terms of online facilities, I believe there's a bunch as the teachers support and upload loads of content up to before and after your lectures from completing my course at BCU, I look to go into the over the financial sector or the automotive industry, hopefully actually merge the two together and I know that after I leave uni the career stable or supportive after I leave, which is also a very helpful thing for myself to stay.

The world of finance is rapidly changing, with new innovative financial products being developed on a constant basis. Recent times have seen an unprecedented number of companies failing because of poor financial management. All these challenges call for dynamic and brilliant people who can design financial solutions and make the world a better place.

The degree is designed to equip you with wider business and Finance environment knowledge. Offering you the opportunity to acquire key business and financial skills, explore innovative practices and entrepreneurial skills. The course is accredited by Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI). The course also aligns with various other professional bodies courses such as Association of Corporate Treasures (ACT), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and many others.

Delivery of the course is flexible and includes a blend of lectures, workshops, field trips and online learning. The modules, which feed into the course, are widespread, broad, covers key current topics such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help you to appreciate finance from a range of perspectives. Ultimately, decision making in finance, calls for one to exercise their judgement and intuition and this course helps you to strengthen that judgement.

The course team has, between it, years of industrial experience in the finance field as well in academia. Therefore, students with little or no background in finance are assured of getting all the help they need in order to excel in the course. You will learn a lot from course team’s knowledge and experience, as you will be regularly engaging in inquiry based and experiential learning, which has been designed to assimilate work-based scenarios.

In order to enhance your employability, extra-curricular activities such as trading trainings, conferences and field trips will be arranged throughout the academic years. Outside speakers from industry will also be invited to give presentations on how best to improve your employability. Moreover, you’ll also have the opportunity to gain industry experience by going on a professional placement, or to travel overseas to study abroad at one of our partner universities. In a nutshell, the knowledge attained from the course will help you to seek a variety of employment in the sector nationally and internationally.

This course is open to International students.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

  • CISI logo

The University has provided me with more than an education, with all the extra activities, events, competitions and societies available. Birmingham City University has helped me gain more employability skills and made me more confident as an individual.

Navdeep Dhillon

Why Choose Us?

  • We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career. We also organise an annual trip to the London Metal Exchange to offer a glimpse of the real world working environment.
  • Through the City Trading Room we aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences.  We give you the chance to work on real-life projects using industry-standard software. This offers a unique opportunity for you to gain this invaluable experience during your studies.
  • The BCU Tax Clinic gives you the chance to work on real world projects with real world clients. By opting to work in the Clinic, you’ll get the chance to offer advice and guidance, with support of expert staff and tax experts, to other students and clients.
  • This course is accredited and meets the high standards of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
  • We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and supporting and giving something back to the local business community. We have strong links with local businesses in the city across several industries including in accounting, finance and economics communities including HSBC, Standard Life Insurance and Goldmann Sachs. These links help us enhance students’ experiences by giving them access to industry experts for guest lectures, exciting placement opportunities and other chances to engage with the business community as a whole.
  • We have leading finance professionals and experts for the Birmingham business community as members to our Business Advisory Board who meet to advise the University on matters which directly affect the continual improvement of teaching and course opportunities.

Open Days

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Open Day: 19 October 2024

Book your place

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.

Please note: If you qualify for our BCU Accelerate scheme, you could receive an offer that is two grades below our normal entry requirements. Find out more about BCU Accelerate.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £1542 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 80 credits
  • Year 2 - 80 credits
  • Year 3 - 80 credits
  • Year 4 - 80 credits
  • Year 5 - 40 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 3 Years
  • £17,690 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Placement expenses (optional)

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Field trips (optional)

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

  1. Register with UCAS
  2. Login to UCAS and complete your details
  3. Select your course and write a personal statement
  4. Get a reference
  5. Pay your application fee and submit your application

Guidance for International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Personal statement

UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*

The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

  • Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
  • Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
  • Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
  • School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
  • Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Worried about Personal Statements?

If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.

Get personal statement advice

*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.

Course in Depth

First Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Second Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.

You also have the option to study a semester abroad:

Professional Placement (Optional)

In order to qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Business Finance with Professional Placement Year you must successfully complete the following module.

Final Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

Download course specification

Download now

Go Abroad

Undergraduate students can apply to study on an exchange programme for one semester at one of our partner universities across the globe. The opportunity to apply will depend on which course you study. The majority of courses offer this in the second semester of your second year. You will obtain credits which are recognised by BCU.  Find out more about Go Abroad.

Alternatively, each year, the University offers students the chance to volunteer or study overseas at one of our partner institutions/organisations during the summer. In previous years, our students have been to France, Spain, Brazil, Fiji, India, Mexico, South Korea, and USA on a variety of activities. All students are eligible to apply, although PG and PhD students may require academic approval. Find out more about Go Abroad.

While Birmingham is a less competitive marketplace than cities like London, there are still plenty of opportunities and large, high profile firms to either get placements or full-time employment with once you’ve graduated.

Birmingham is the birthplace of Lloyds Bank and is also home to massive names in banking and finance such as HSBC, Standard Life Insurance and Goldmann Sachs.

This course is specifically designed to offer plenty of real-world experience and opportunities. Our City Trading Rooms offers the opportunity to work on real-life projects using industry-standard software. This offers a unique opportunity for you to gain this invaluable experience during your studies. We also use this real-world software to conduct research into the Business Finance markets and trends.

The Tax Clinic offers the opportunity to work with real-world clients and projects offering advice and guidance on tax affairs with the support of tax experts.

CISI logo
Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment

CISI actively promote the advancement of knowledge in the field of securities and investment in schools and colleges by introducing students to the world of financial services and its many career opportunities. CISI help integrate their professionally recognised financial services qualifications into our curriculum and provides support for both teachers and students.

Employability

The business finance specialism and professional alignment of the programme enables progression into a career in business finance, treasury finance, corporate banking or business management.

Placements

In order to apply and enhance the skills you learn from the course, you will have the option to undertake a year-long work placement in the UK or overseas. Shorter-term work placements, voluntary work and internships will also be available.

We boast partnerships with businesses across the globe, including AXA Insurance, HSBC, Lloyds Bank and PwC.

More about our placement opportunities

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!

Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.

We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.

International Services

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Facilities & Staff

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

The Curzon Building also features:

  • An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
  • Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
  • A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
  • Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
  • Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point

Our staff

Dr James Foye

Lecturer in Finance

James Foye holds a Master’s degree in Investment Management from City University, London and a PhD from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Prior to embarking on an academic career, he spent nine years working in financial markets as an equities analyst and fund manager.

More about James

Dr Xiehua Ji

Senior Lecturer in Finance

Xiehua Ji joined Birmingham City Business School in April 2017 as a Lecturer in Financial Services after completing his PhD and MSc at Durham University. Prior to his teaching experience and consultation experience at Durham University, he had industry experience in a commercial bank.

More about Xiehua

Dr Kifayat Khan

Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics

Dr Kifayat is working as a Senior Lecturer of AI and Business Analytics at Birmingham City Business School. He specializes in Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Big Data, Data Science, Health Informatics, and Social Networks Analysis. He has numerous publications in these domains and has worked closely with the industry for various R&D projects...

More about Kifayat

Dr Muhammad Ibrahim Khan

Lecturer in Finance

Muhammad Ibrahim is a Lecturer in Finance at Birmingham City Business School. He holds a PhD degree in Finance from Birmingham City University. His topic of PhD was “Impact of earnings announcement on stock returns” to test the semi strong form of market efficiency.

More about Muhammad Ibrahim