The BSc Banking and Finance degree at Cardiff Met covers the key concepts of banking and finance and provides students with an understanding of the importance of this area in a practical and theoretical context.
The course will equip students with the tools and analytical capabilities to identify and resolve complex problems in a dynamic and strategic way. In addition, this programme will provide students with highly transferable skills as well as a deep knowledge of a broad range of financial software.
Banking and finance is fundamental to the world economy as it ensures that new and existing companies can raise the funds needed to undertake profitable investment ideas. This course is ideal if you have no previous experience in banking and finance but want to learn more about this industry.
In the first year you will gain an insight into how financial institutions fit into the world economy, along with key quantitative methods techniques needed for a career in this industry.
The second year will involve expanding your knowledge by studying the impact of different types of risk on both companies and countries. The final year will enhance your understanding of the importance of remaining informed on contemporary issues in the wider business context by undertaking independent research.
The teaching will involve lecturers, workshops and seminars which will have both academic knowledge and practical experience. The practical experience will include the use of financial software, to teach you the skills you need for the workplace after graduation.
Foundation Year
This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.
The foundation year will be relevant to:
- Students who have not achieved the required A-level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
- Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time.
Find out more about the
foundation year.
Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation. Please refer to Key Course Information at the bottom of this page.
Course Content
Degree:
This degree in Banking and Finance is comprised of a number of core modules, with a range of options, totalling 360 credits across all years to develop your specific interests and expertise:
Year 1
Students will take 100 credits of compulsory modules and will be able to select 20 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory modules:
Year 2
Student will take 100 credits of compulsory modules and will be able to select 20 credits from the range of available optional modules.
Compulsory modules:
- Quantitative Methods II (20 credits)
- Money Banking and Risk (20 credits)
- Investment Markets and Principles (20 credits)
- Bank Management (20 credits)
- Work Experience OR Volunteering Project (20 credits)
Optional modules:
- Corporate and Business Law (20 credits)
- Financial Reporting (20 credits)
- Intermediate Macroeconomics (20 credits)
- Intermediate Microeconomics (20 credits)
Year 3
Students will take 60 credits of compulsory modules and will be able to select 60 credits from the range of available optional modules.
Compulsory modules:
- International Banking Regulation (20 credits)
- Investment Management (20 credits)
- Capital Markets and Derivatives (20 credits)
- Contemporary Finance (20 credits)
Optional modules*:
- Dissertation (40 credits)
- Econometrics (20 credits)
- Contemporary Business and Consumer Protection (20 credits)
- Advanced Financial Reporting (20 credits)
- Financial Management for Managers (20 credits)
- Economic Tools for Government (20 credits)
- Applied Microeconomics (20 credits)
- Macroeconomics: Theory and Application (20 credits)
- Advanced Games and Applications (20 credits)
- Industrial Work Experience (20 credits)
*Please note optional modules are delivered subject to demand and availability
Learning & Teaching
A student-centred approach to learning and teaching will be encouraged through the use of specific teaching strategies, case studies, projects, tutorials, practical exercises, supplemented by the use of appropriate support materials, lectures from business experts, videos and computer software. Active engagement with the subject material enhances learning and many of the learning strategies used attempt to promote this.
Lectures
Lectures are a major part of the teaching strategy for the programme. Lectures are an effective way of delivering core material and establishing a framework for a module against which other material can be set.
Seminars
Seminars involve a student or students presenting previously prepared work to peers and a lecturer. This strategy is used to extend specific theoretical or practical concepts as well as introducing problem solving exercises. Seminars are used in most modules and provide students with valuable experience in presentational skills as well as providing staff with a method or assessing student-centred learning.
Practical Workshops
Practical workshops are used extensively in a number of modules throughout the programme. In these classes students are able to practise and refine their skills in a supportive environment where they can get feedback from a member of academic staff. Practical workshops represent a valuable transition between theory and practice.
Case Studies
Case studies are a teaching and learning strategy, which are employed in a range of modules; they also are a useful assessment tool. Students are presented with or asked to develop real or simulated complex problems which they are required to analyse in detail and then synthesise/present their own solution in writing or orally.
Business Experts
A key component of the learning experience is the intention to invite business experts, academic and in practice, to provide insights into their research work or business activity. A network of such experts will help provide specialist knowledge as well as bolster and promote the credentials of the programme. Such experts might be invited as guest speakers or requested to provide a more interactive workshop experience where appropriate.
Modular Subject Tutorials
Tutorials are meetings of a student or group of students with a lecturer or lecturers and are used in two ways within the programme:
- Expanding upon material covered in lectures through an enquiry-driven problem solving approach
- To offer extra support to improve background knowledge.
Assessment
The assessment strategy for the programme varies to ensure the most appropriate method for each specific module and subject area. This will be a combination of formal examinations, practical assignments, written assignments, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, peer assessments and work-based placements. Thus, in addition to formal examinations and assessments at the end of the academic year, you will be continuously assessed and given feedback on your progress and development throughout the year i.e. through both formative and summative assessment. Many modules are assessed through a combination of practical coursework assignments and unseen written exams at the end of the term or year.
Employability & Careers
The primary aim of this degree programme is to develop theoretical understanding of the key concepts of banking and finance. It will showcase the wider impact and importance of the banking sector the world economy.
Graduates will find a wide variety of career opportunities within the banking and finance sector, as well as the majority of the other industrial sectors (both public and private), including the credit analysis sector, financial and professional services, risk analysis, and institutional investment opportunities.
Real world experience is obtained as part of your study by compulsory work experience, as well as optional sandwich year placements and industrial internships.
On successful completion of this degree programme, there are also further taught postgraduate study options across Accounting, Banking, Economics and Finance here at Cardiff Met, as well as research and PhD programmes
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
Typical Offers
The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.
If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a
Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion.
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Tariff points: 112
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Contextual offer: See our
contextual offers page.
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GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
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English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
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A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include Grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject.
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BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM
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T Level: Merit.
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Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
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International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 2 x H5. No specific subjects required.
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Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2 grades. No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
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Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD. No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.
Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact
Admissions or refer to the
UCAS Course Search.
Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found
here.
If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or
RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.
How to Apply
Further information on how to apply can be found
here.
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