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2022/23
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BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year

  • UCAS code
    N310
  • Typical offer
    ABB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Prepare for a career in the fast-paced industries of investment banking, asset management, corporate finance or general accounting – and gain valuable real-world experience – with our BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year degree.

Recent changes in finance – including the emergence of financial technology and the focus on sustainability – have necessitated changes throughout the industry.

This four-year courses develops the key skills and knowledge to meet these changes head-on, as you gain a deep understanding of finance and the financial services industry. An integrated Placement Year provides a fantastic opportunity to put your skills into practice in preparation for your future career.

Experts from Henley Business School will introduce you to the:

  • fundamental principles of accounting, finance and economics
  • quantitative techniques of finance
  • role of finance in business and society
  • ethics required to work in the finance industry.

As your studies progress, you’ll gain deeper knowledge of the core concepts in:

  • portfolio management
  • financial modelling
  • corporate finance
  • econometrics for finance
  • FX and international debt markets
  • hedging and trading.

You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and self-guided study. This will provide the opportunity to discuss subject materials in an in-depth way with your lecturers and fellow students.

The University of Reading is a CFA partner university. Within this partnership, a number of scholarships are offered towards CFA exams (partial fee reduction) for which students can apply.

Choose BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at Henley Business School

  • Ranked 19th in the UK for Accounting and Finance (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2020).
  • Triple-accredited status from the UK, European and US accrediting bodies (AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB).

Flexible study options

After the first year of your BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year degree, you will have the option to transfer to any of our other specialist pathways:

  • BSc Finance (FinTech)
  • BSc Finance (Sustainable Finance)
  • BSc Finance (International Business)

Each pathway is designed to help you understand particular challenges within finance and how to respond to them.

If you choose to remain on the general degree course, you’ll still be offered a wide range of options in your second and final years – allowing you to tailor your learning to your individual interests.

We also offer two other variations of this course: BSc Finance (Investments), a three-year course without a Placement Year; and BSc Finance (Investments) with Study Year Abroad, a four-year course with a year studying overseas instead of on placement.

Dedicated industry facilities with BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year

Put your understanding of financial systems and capital markets into practice in our state-of-the-art dealing rooms, featuring computer trading simulations and financial modelling.

You’ll experience the thrill of a live market – take positions, quote two-way prices, and manage the risk of a $50-100m trading book. This is an excellent learning opportunity, offering you highly valuable practice experience to draw upon when applying for graduate roles.

Placement Year in industry

Overview

Prepare for a career in the fast-paced industries of investment banking, asset management, corporate finance or general accounting – and gain valuable real-world experience – with our BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year degree.

Recent changes in finance – including the emergence of financial technology and the focus on sustainability – have necessitated changes throughout the industry.

This four-year courses develops the key skills and knowledge to meet these changes head-on, as you gain a deep understanding of finance and the financial services industry. An integrated Placement Year provides a fantastic opportunity to put your skills into practice in preparation for your future career.

Experts from Henley Business School will introduce you to the:

  • fundamental principles of accounting, finance and economics
  • quantitative techniques of finance
  • role of finance in business and society
  • ethics required to work in the finance industry.

As your studies progress, you’ll gain deeper knowledge of the core concepts in:

  • portfolio management
  • financial modelling
  • corporate finance
  • econometrics for finance
  • FX and international debt markets
  • hedging and trading.

You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and self-guided study. This will provide the opportunity to discuss subject materials in an in-depth way with your lecturers and fellow students.

The University of Reading is a CFA partner university. Within this partnership, a number of scholarships are offered towards CFA exams (partial fee reduction) for which students can apply.

Choose BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at Henley Business School

  • Ranked 19th in the UK for Accounting and Finance (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2020).
  • Triple-accredited status from the UK, European and US accrediting bodies (AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB).

Flexible study options

After the first year of your BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year degree, you will have the option to transfer to any of our other specialist pathways:

  • BSc Finance (FinTech)
  • BSc Finance (Sustainable Finance)
  • BSc Finance (International Business)

Each pathway is designed to help you understand particular challenges within finance and how to respond to them.

If you choose to remain on the general degree course, you’ll still be offered a wide range of options in your second and final years – allowing you to tailor your learning to your individual interests.

We also offer two other variations of this course: BSc Finance (Investments), a three-year course without a Placement Year; and BSc Finance (Investments) with Study Year Abroad, a four-year course with a year studying overseas instead of on placement.

Dedicated industry facilities with BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year

Put your understanding of financial systems and capital markets into practice in our state-of-the-art dealing rooms, featuring computer trading simulations and financial modelling.

You’ll experience the thrill of a live market – take positions, quote two-way prices, and manage the risk of a $50-100m trading book. This is an excellent learning opportunity, offering you highly valuable practice experience to draw upon when applying for graduate roles.

Placement Year in industry

Entry requirements A Level ABB

This degree is not included in our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

ABB including B at A level or AS level Maths

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including minimum 5 in Maths and 4 in English at standard level

GCSE

English at grade B (5)

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD (modules taken must be comparable to AS level Maths)

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Introductory Securities and Markets

Code:

IC101

Convenor:

MR John Chessher

Summary:

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia


The module is in two halves. In the first half (first five weeks of term), we cover financial institutions, credit risk, maturity transformation and liquidity. We also cover the economics of banking and types of money including cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies. In the second five weeks, we focus on sustainable finance and its important contribution to achieving Net-Zero by 2050. Thus this second part focussed on the role of the finance industry in mitigating climate change impact and also covers social issues relevant to corporates and financial companies such as diversity, equality of pay for equal work, salary and bonus differentials etc.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I

Code:

IC102

Convenor:

DR Gita Persand

Summary:

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

This module aims to provide the student with an overview of the financial system. This will include an overview of the role that the financial system plays in the economy, a discussion of some of the main players in the system, the instruments they trade, and the trading prices. Part of the module will focus on capital markets and the private and public financial institutions participating in these markets. The remainder of the module covers the time value of money, longer-term securities like bonds, risky securities like stocks, and the way in which returns, and the values of real and financial assets relate to each other. The purpose of the trading simulation part of the module is to introduce students to computer simulation of securities dealing and spreadsheet modelling. Students are taught the relevant theory and will experience how this theory works in a virtual dealing environment.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Practical 10%, Project 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Introductory Economics for Business and Finance

Code:

IC103

Convenor:

PROF Carol Padgett

Summary:

The module provides an introduction to micro- and macroeconomics for business students. It assumes no prior knowledge, instead providing a grounding in the subject enabling students to see how businesses are affected by developments in specific markets as well as by changes at the level of the entire economy. Students who have studied the subject before have the opportunity to stretch themselves in the discussion-based activities included in the seminars. 

This module is delivered at University of Reading, University of Reading Malaysia and Beijing Institute of Technology. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance

Code:

IC104

Convenor:

DR Nikoloas Antypas

Summary:

This module introduces students to a range of quantitative techniques that are commonly applied in business, finance and management. 

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

Assessment Method:

Exam 75%, Project 25%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Ethics in Investment Management

Code:

IC105

Convenor:

MS Deepa Govindarajan Driver

Summary:

Ethics in Investment Management offers a series of lectures that explore the key ethical conflicts encountered by the investment management industry and investment professionals as they invest other people’s money. The module will examine the causes and consequences of both ethical and unethical behaviour, giving students the chance to see how investment management firms’ and investment managers’ individual and collective decisions affect trading partners, clients, financial markets and civil society stakeholders. The implications for civil society and the real economy of ethical failures are also given particular attention. Some of the topics covered in this module feature in the CFA ethics syllabus, but this module should not be seen as an alternative to the specialist training for the CFA exams. 

This module also helps students develop key employability skills .

Assessment Method:

Exam 65%, Assignment 25%, Project 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Business in Practice: Accounting for managers

Code:

MM1F27

Convenor:

MS Sue Blackett

Summary:

This module is co-taught with Ms Sian Weatherburn.

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia

Assessment Method:

Exam 55%, Portfolio 10%, Project 35%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
IC101 Introductory Securities and Markets MR John Chessher
IC102 Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I DR Gita Persand
IC103 Introductory Economics for Business and Finance PROF Carol Padgett
IC104 Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance DR Nikoloas Antypas
IC105 Ethics in Investment Management MS Deepa Govindarajan Driver
MM1F27 Business in Practice: Accounting for managers MS Sue Blackett

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Corporate Finance

Code:

IC201

Convenor:

MISS Dina Ghanma

Summary:

This module focusses on corporate value: its measurement, and its maximisation through corporate financial decisions, growth strategies, and governance practices. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 65%, Project 35%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Portfolio Management

Code:

IC204

Convenor:

DR Nikoloas Antypas

Summary:

The module examines the issues involved in understanding the investment market, constructing an optimal investment portfolio, evaluating the performance of that portfolio, and adjusting its composition through time.

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 10%, Oral 40%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Introductory Econometrics for Finance

Code:

IC205

Convenor:

DR Lisa Schopohl

Summary:

This module introduces students to the econometric techniques that are used in the empirical finance literature. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 65%, Assignment 10%, Project 25%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

FX and International Debt Markets

Code:

IC211

Convenor:

MRS Gail Rolland

Summary:

In this module students will study the international debt markets, equipping them with the tools to analyse and compare products and determine trading and hedging strategies.

 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Practical 10%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Financial Modelling

Code:

IC212

Convenor:

DR Gita Persand

Summary:

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

This module aims to put various finance theories, which were studied at Part 1 Introductory Finance, into practice with the use of Microsoft Excel functions, hence providing students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge, when using Excel, to solve some real-life financial problems.

Assessment Method:

Project 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
IC201 Corporate Finance MISS Dina Ghanma
IC204 Portfolio Management DR Nikoloas Antypas
IC205 Introductory Econometrics for Finance DR Lisa Schopohl
IC211 FX and International Debt Markets MRS Gail Rolland
IC212 Financial Modelling DR Gita Persand

Optional modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Trends in Finance

Code:

IC207

Convenor:

DR Antony Moore

Summary:

This module encourages students to contextualise current issues and debates in finance by placing them within the historical evolution of finance, and to develop and express their own ideas through coursework essays and in-class discussions.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Oral 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Programming for Finance

Code:

IC208

Convenor:

DR Vu Tran

Summary:

The module objective is to introduce the students to Object Oriented Programming using Python as the main programming language, and to use the learning outcomes for data processing and applications in Finance. It covers the basics of programming, including class, objects, datatypes, conditional statements and loops, processing data from files, receiving inputs and displaying relevant outputs. Students who complete this course should be able to write simple programming functions in Python, process data files including reading, and modifying and writing data to external files. Additionally, students should be able to read and write to Excel and CSV files, connect to databases, obtain and process data from the Web, as well as use Python for Finance and Econometrics.

 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Sustainable Finance

Code:

IC209

Convenor:

MISS Dina Ghanma

Summary:

This module covers the basics of Sustainable Finance, covering applications in financing and investment activities. The Environmental, Social and Governance factors are covered, and the relevant policies and international regulations are discussed. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Environmental Economics

Code:

IC210

Convenor:

DR Antony Moore

Summary:

This module has two broad parts: The first part covers the basics of climate science, including CO2 reduction targets, national and international-level commitments and international agreements. The relevant environmental issues are discussed separately for different sectors of Finance, and their importance is emphasized. The second part of the module deals with Climate Change. In this context, its impacts are discussed, as well as channels of adaptation to and mitigation of Climate Change. Finally, the related Risk Management techniques are covered.

 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Work Mini-Placement

Code:

MM285

Convenor:

MS Helen Slingsby

Summary:

A non-credit module that provides participating students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge and learning gained in their first one or two years in a business context through a mini placement, enhancing understanding and skills of working in a business environment, and reflecting on this experience to enhance awareness of the graduate employment market. For a mini placement to be accepted as having module status, it should be for a work experience period of a minimum of six weeks, taking into account that Summer internships can often be found at short notice,  students have until the start of Autumn term to complete their minimum six-week mini-placement, and thus need to register for this module a minimum of two weeks prior to starting, by contacting their relevant School Office. Students will not be able to register for this module retrospectively. Tier 4 (international and sponsored) students may take this module but may only start full-time work after the end of the summer term, and the placement must end before the start of the autumn term in the next academic year.

Assessment Method:

Report 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
IC207 Trends in Finance DR Antony Moore
IC208 Programming for Finance DR Vu Tran
IC209 Sustainable Finance MISS Dina Ghanma
IC210 Environmental Economics DR Antony Moore
MM285 Work Mini-Placement MS Helen Slingsby

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

  • Work Placement

Sample modules may include:

  • Bond and Money Markets 
  • Management of Risk
  • Derivative Securities
  • Advanced Derivative Securities: Hedging and Trading

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £24,500

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Placement year fees

If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Careers for BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year graduates

The skills and knowledge you acquire from your degree in finance will be applicable to, and provide a route into, many areas:

  • Asset management
  • Banking and investment banking
  • Consultancy
  • Finance
  • Operations
  • Trading
  • Financial analysis
  • Brokerage
  • Hedge funds.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply for 2023 entry

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

Related Subjects


  • Finance

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