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International Finance (Top-up) - BA (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry. Switch to 2026/27 Entry

September 2025 — UCAS code N390

Want to top up your finance degree in Birmingham? Our BSc (Hons) International Finance (Top-Up) course allows you to learn from industry experienced lecturers. Global financial and business environments are becoming increasingly intertwined. We use our long-standing links with the world of international finance to develop your knowledge and real-world, practical skills in international finance....

Qualifications Required

Rather than points this course has specific qualifications required. See below for details.

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  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Clearing 2025

Qualifications required

Got your results?

If you've already received your results and have enough points for this course you can apply online now.

Apply now

Waiting for results?

Download our guide to Clearing to prepare ahead of results day and find out the top four things you can do whilst you wait.

Get advice

Want to top up your finance degree in Birmingham? Our BSc (Hons) International Finance (Top-Up) course allows you to learn from industry experienced lecturers.

Global financial and business environments are becoming increasingly intertwined. We use our long-standing links with the world of international finance to develop your knowledge and real-world, practical skills in international finance.

With dedicated tutor support we will also help you to select course modules which reflect your own learning needs and career goals.

What's covered in this course?

Studying in our brand new state-of-the-art £63 million Curzon Building on our City Centre Campus, you will choose from a range of modules including international reporting, financial management, globalisation and statistical modelling. You are encouraged to choose areas of study best suited to your future career plans.

You will be taught by industry experienced academics who bring real world practical knowledge to the classroom. They’ve forged careers and worked with renowned companies such as KPMG and Vauxhall. This means you get great contacts and benefit from their industry insights. Our students come to their top-up year from a variety of backgrounds, providing the added opportunity to also gain valuable learning experiences from your peers. While you complete your degree, you’ll be right in the hub of the city and be surrounded by other likeminded students on a variety of business and accountancy based degrees.

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.
  • The STEAMhouse offers amazing opportunities for entrepreneurial students to kick start and build a business. Services available include the Incubator which helps focus and solidify business ideas and the Hatchery which offers support in getting your business off the ground.
  • 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. 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 aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences. Through the City Trading Room we give students the chance to work on real-life projects using industry-standard software and with real-world clients. These offer a unique opportunity for students to gain this invaluable experience while they study.

Open Days

Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open for this event yet, register your interest and we'll let you know when booking goes live.

Next Open Day: 4 October 2025

Register interest Take a virtual tour

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.

Qualifications required

Got your results?

If you've already received your results and have enough points for this course you can apply online now.

Apply now

Waiting for results?

Download our guide to Clearing to prepare ahead of results day and find out the top four things you can do whilst you wait.

Get advice

Essential requirements

Accepted qualifications include:

  • ABE Advanced Diploma: At least a grade B in two modules and the qualification must be in a relevant subject area.
  • Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE): Pass with 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5, in a related pathway. Acceptance will be Subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4 and 5. A transcript will be required.
  • Foundation degree (Level 5): Pass with 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5, in a related pathway. A minimum of 60% overall must be achieved. Acceptance will be subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4 and 5. A transcript will be required.
  • Higher National Diploma (HND): Pass with 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5, in a related pathway. A minimum of a Merit profile overall. Acceptance will be subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4 and 5. A transcript will be required.

Applications are considered on an individual basis.

If you are an EU/international student, please see further information below.

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: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

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: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • £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. 

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.

Places available to start in September

If you'd like to start this course full-time this September, you can apply through Clearing.

Got your results?

If you've already received your results and have enough points for this course you can apply online now.

Apply now

Waiting for results?

Download our guide to Clearing to prepare ahead of results day and find out the top four things you can do whilst you wait.

Get advice

International and part-time students can apply online as normal using the links above.

Want to start in September 2025? You can apply via UCAS from September 2024.

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

Year One

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.

Download course specification

Download now

Further Study

Upon graduation, you may wish to continue your studies by joining one of our MA, MSc or MBA programmes.

Employability

This course opens up a variety of career opportunities in finance, management or marketing, depending on your chosen area of specialism.

You will also have the opportunity to increase your employability skills and experiences with the Leadership Challenge (a series of events, projects and competitions mirroring real-life business) and take advantage of ASK@BCU, our online employer mentoring which teams students up with alumni and employer mentors to provide industry insight, employability skills and contacts.

Facilities & Staff

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £500 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 Xiehua Ji

Senior Lecturer in Finance

Xiehua Ji joined BCU 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