Finance and Investment - BSc (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Teaching and assessment

In a typical week, you spend eight hours in lectures and four hours in seminars. Some modules have workshops or sessions in the micro-computer labs. You also spend considerable periods on individual study using the library resources.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• Develop students’ appreciation of the nature of the contexts in which finance can be seen as operating, including knowledge of the institutional framework necessary for understanding the role, operation and function of markets and financial institutions.
• Provide students with a knowledge of the major theoretical tools and theories of finance, and their relevance and application to theoretical and practical problems
• Develop students’ understanding of the relationship between financial theory and empirical testing, and application of this knowledge to the appraisal of the empirical evidence in at least one major theoretical area. The appraisal should involve some recognition of the limitation and evolution of empirical tests and theory.
• Develop students’ ability to interpret financial data including that arising in the context of the firm or household from accounting statements and data generated in financial markets. The interpretation may involve analysis using statistical and financial functions and procedures such as are routinely available in spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel) and statistical packages (e.g. Eviews). It may assume the skills necessary to manipulate financial data and carry out statistical and econometric tests. 
• Develop students’ understanding of the financing arrangements and governance mechanisms and structures of business entities, and of how theory and evidence can be combined to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of such arrangements.
• Develop students’ understanding of the financial service activity in the economy and the factors influencing the investment behaviour and opportunities of private individuals.
• Develop students’ ability to understand financial statements, and the limitations of financial reporting practices and procedures.
• Develop students’ cognitive abilities and intellectual and transferrable skills.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• The institutional framework necessary for understanding the role, operation and function of markets and financial institutions.
• The major theoretical tools and theories of finance, and their relevance and application to theoretical and practical problems.
• The relationship between financial theory and empirical testing, and the application of this knowledge to the appraisal of the empirical evidence in at least one major theoretical area, recognising the limitation and evolution of empirical tests and theory. 
• The interpretation of financial data including that arising in the context of the firm or household from accounting statements and data generated in financial markets.
• The use of statistical and financial functions and procedures such as those available in spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel) and statistical packages (e.g. Eviews) to interpret financial data.
• The financing arrangements and governance mechanisms and structures of business entities, and of how theory and evidence can be combined to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of such arrangements.
• The financial service activity in the economy and the factors influencing the investment behaviour and opportunities of private individuals.
• Financial statements, and the limitations of financial reporting practices and procedures. 

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

• Critically evaluate arguments and evidence
• Capacities for independent and self-managed learning.
• Analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and, to a more limited extent, unstructured problems
• Ability to locate, extract and analyse data from multiple sources, including the acknowledgement and referencing of sources 
• Numeracy skills, including the ability to manipulate financial and other numerical data and to appreciate statistical concepts at an appropriate level 
• Apply skills in the use of communication and information technology in acquiring, analysing and communicating information (these skills include the use of spreadsheets, word processing software, standard statistical packages)
• Acquire experience of working in groups, and other interpersonal skills, and in presenting the results of their work orally as well as in written form

Subject-specific skills

You gain the following subject-specific skills:

• Understand the relationship between financial theory and empirical testing, and application of this knowledge to the appraisal of the empirical evidence in at least one major theoretical area. 
• Interpret financial data including that arising in the context of the firm or household from accounting statements and data generated in financial markets. 
• Use statistical and financial functions and procedures such as those available in spreadsheets and statistical packages.
• Understand the financial service activity in the economy and the factors influencing the investment behaviour and opportunities of private individuals. 

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• A capacity for the critical evaluation of arguments and evidence. 
• Capacities for independent and self-managed learning.
• An ability to analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and, to a more limited extent, unstructured problems from a given set of data.
• Numeracy skills, including the ability to manipulate financial and other numerical data. 
• Communication skills including the ability to present quantitative and qualitative information together with analysis. 

Careers

Graduate destinations

Our graduates move into a range of careers within the world of business. Many go on to become chartered, certified or management accountants. The degree can also prepare you for a career in financial services (such as banking, insurance and investment) or in general management.

Help finding a job

Kent Business School has good links with businesses globally. This network is very useful when looking for work in industry.

Our friendly Careers and Employability Service can also give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

The Backpack to Briefcase scheme provides bespoke career and skills development events and activities for all Kent Business School students. Available from first year through to graduation, Backpack to Briefcase is designed to prepare you for a successful career after university.

You graduate with an excellent grounding in the main concepts and practical methods of finance and investment.

To help you appeal to employers, you also learn transferable skills that are useful in any career. These include the ability to:

• think critically
• communicate your ideas and opinions
• manage your time effectively
• work independently or as part of a team.

You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.