Undergraduate BSc (Hons)
Finance and Investment
with a Year in Industry
Develop the expertise, skills and experience to propel your career into banking, investment or risk management.
Develop the expertise, skills and experience to propel your career into banking, investment or risk management.
Are you a problem-solver who thrives in fast-paced environments? Do you want to build a career making data-driven decisions that have an impact? If that sounds like you, our BSc Finance and Investment could help you get to where you want to go.
Expand your knowledge of key financial principles and techniques while exploring topics such as data analysis, econometrics, derivatives, portfolio, and risk management. Develop data handling skills by working on real-time business data and using industry-standard trading floor simulation software. Gain the confidence and expertise you’ll need to advise businesses on the financial risks they face and spot the investment opportunities available to them.
Kent Business School is a supportive community where you’ll work closely with your academic adviser and our world-leading academic staff. We’ll work with you to develop the knowledge, skills, and experience that you’ll need to pursue sought-after careers in banking, investment or risk management.
You take a Year in Industry following your second year of study, enabling you to apply your expertise in a work setting while earning a salary.
Gain work experience with a paid year in industry.
Study at a ‘Triple Crown’ business school accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.
Take a ‘selfie year’ and bring your business ideas to life at our aspire centre.
This course has been acknowledged under the CFA University Affiliation.
In line with global trends, we focus on sustainable finance so you graduate ready to take advantage of growing markets and new approaches.
Our typical offer levels are listed below and include indicative contextual offers. If you hold alternative qualifications just get in touch and we'll be glad to discuss these with you.
ABB
DDM
128 Tariff points from your IB Diploma, Typically H5, H6, H6 or equivalent.
Mathematics grade 5 / B
Pass the University of Kent International Foundation Programme.
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
Access to HE Diploma with 45 Credits at level 3 with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit.
The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
Given the constant changes in business environments, how can financial accounting help managers create budgets, improve efficiency and develop short- and long-term strategies to stay competitive?
You'll study the core principles, concepts and policies in financial accounting and examine the necessary adjustments that underpin the preparation of final financial statements of sole traders, partnerships and limited liability companies.
You'll also gain practical experience with key accounting tools used by industry to prepare, analyse, and interpret financial statements, preparing you for the rest of your degree.
With the increasing complexity of financial securities and investment strategies in the financial market, quantitative skills are essential for people working in the Big Four accounting firms, global banks and hedge funds.
You’ll develop a broad understanding of basic mathematical and statistical concepts, from probability distributions to basic calculus, and develop analytical skills that are vital for accountants and financial professionals.
You’ll gain quantitative skills and practical skills in Excel to help you progress in your studies.
Business Economics explores the constantly evolving economic world within which actuaries work, providing context and developing economic insights that can inform real-world business decisions.
You'll be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to understand the workings of competitive markets, and the interaction of consumers and suppliers, using a variety of models and examples to investigate decision-making in the economy. The practical roles of money, capital and labour, and the involvement of government in influencing the big-picture of the economy, will be tied to the interests of business, with a strong foundation of economic theory underpinning real-world examples and illustrations. Theories are challenged, economic conventions are interrogated, and different viewpoints are considered to ensure a practical and relevant understanding of economic issues.
The module is designed to satisfy the standards of subject CB2 of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries examinations for exemption purposes.
Finance is at the centre of everyone's decisions. In a world of tricky economic conditions and volatile financial markets, how can companies and investors apply the main principles of finance when undertaking investment and funding decisions?
You'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate various financial decisions, such as raising capital in financial markets or from financial institutions, investing in real assets or financial assets, and selling and trading securities.
You'll become proficient in using the Bloomberg terminal to gain a better understanding of financial market operations and you'll learn how companies and investors use this information and the main principles of finance to take funding and investment decisions to deliver profits and sustainable growth.
One of the elements of decision making involves performing and interpreting statistical analysis. This module dives into the world of descriptive and inferential statistics, probability distributions, and hypothesis testing, all through the lens of financial applications.
Explore the dynamic realm of basic time-series analysis and risk assessment techniques that will become the bedrock of your financial skills. You'll learn to not just to interpret data but to make it tell the story of how market participants are behaving.
Practitioners in accounting and finance fields currently face many challenges around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) decisions. Ethical conduct is essential to maintaining the integrity of financial information, promoting investors' confidence and upholding the standards of the profession.
Your professional ethics will determine how you behave when doing your job and help you act responsibility. You will examine codes of conduct issued by several professional organisations (ACCA, ICAEW, CFA, etc) and explore various factors influencing professional judgement in accounting and finance decisions.
You will also develop the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate ethical dilemmas and make sound ethical decisions in your professional career.
My lecturers are fantastic! They are very engaging and do their best to interact with and engage students during lectures.Jordan Pali
Almost all listed companies in the European Union and the United Kingdom have to prepare financial statements that comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). With a thorough understanding of how financial statements are prepared under IFRSs, managers of mid-sized companies will have the skills needed to identify trends and potential threats, and actively track their financial performance in real-time.
In this module you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to understand and apply IFRSs. You’ll also learn the theoretical framework for preparing and analysing financial statements. Learning how to apply IFRSs will give you the necessary skills to become a successful accounting and finance professional.
How do financial markets work? Who are the major players? How do central banks’ monetary policies affect financial markets?
You’ll develop a broad understanding of the financial system and how the market works within it. You’ll also examine the roles of financial intermediaries and various financial instruments, and explore how these are connected with the wider economy.
By the end of this module, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to be able to analyse current developments in financial markets and the wider economy, a crucial skill for a successful career in finance.
Corporate finance is concerned with the way companies can efficiently manage financial resources. Managers are concerned about provision of resources (capital funding decisions) and allocation of scarce resources (investment decisions). What factors do they consider when deciding how to fund their operations and where to invest?
In this module, you’ll examine the underlying financial economic theories and concepts that help managers to run sustainable businesses. You’ll develop analytical and problem-solving skills to advise managers on investment opportunities, capital structure decisions, dividend policies, and merger and acquisitions activities.
The world of fixed-income markets is becoming increasingly complex. Debt instruments have various payoff structures and fixed-income derivatives products are becoming extremely important in managing multiple financial risks. We'll explore a range of fixed-income securities, and explore in great detail their characteristics, as well as the main players and their roles in the debt markets.
You'll learn various analytical techniques to price these instruments, to construct a range of important yield curves used in the valuation of financial assets. You’ll sharpen your quantitative skills, which will considerably increase your employability within various financial sectors. These include investment banks, pension funds and any other financial institution that deals with the pricing of old and new financial instruments.
Data-driven analysis is at the heart of the financial industry. In this financial econometrics module, you’ll develop a robust grasp of the fundamental econometric tools commonly used in empirical finance. You’ll explore these tools for modelling, analysing, and forecasting financial data and examine the practical applications of industry-standard software such as E-views.
You’ll also develop the critical ability to evaluate the application of econometrics within the empirical finance literature. By the time you complete the module, you’ll be empowered to contribute meaningfully to data-driven decision-making in the financial sector- which is a vital first step towards an exciting and successful career.
Effectively assessing and managing risk is essential for corporate survival and growth. The risk management module provides a comprehensive overview of effective oversight and value generation principles, focusing on financial risk dynamics.
You’ll rigorously examine advancements in risk governance, regulatory frameworks, and industry risk management practices, focusing on in-depth evaluations of financial risk. You’ll gain a detailed understanding of financial risk types through real-world examples and emerge with specialised insights into managing these financial risks in a professional context.
The module empowers you to explain complex risk management concepts, think critically in uncertain situations, and systematically approach risk-related problems.
You have the option to take a 12 month placement which is integral to your chosen degree programme between the 2nd and 3rd year of study.
You are supported by a dedicated placement team and a programme designed to ensure that you gain experience in the functional areas and industries of your choice.
The placement allows you to experience, first hand, many of the issues addressed in the taught programme and to use the tools, techniques and applications in a real business setting. It will become a vital component of your CV and will give you a distinct advantage over other business graduates.
What could you do in a year?
My year in industry couldn’t have gone better. I secured a role at IBM, working in their sports and entertainment department – it was perfect for meTom Tillin Find out more
In an ever-changing financial world offering a wide variety of investment opportunities, investors and portfolio managers face the challenging task of identifying securities and allocating assets optimally to earn risk-adjusted returns. This module addresses these issues by covering various contemporary asset pricing and security valuation models, as well as modern portfolio construction techniques.
You’ll build on your knowledge of market and industry analysis and use real-world securities market data to construct optimal portfolios. You’ll also use a range of methods to evaluate their performance.
This module will present you with the opportunity to explore current issues in financial markets including responsible, ethical, and sustainable investing. It will prepare you for a variety of roles in the investment industry such as financial analysis, investment advice, and portfolio management.
At the crossroads of technology and finance, a new language of success is being written in code. By learning how to program with Python, you are not just learning the syntax of a powerful programming language, you are unlocking the potential to innovate in the world of finance. You’ll learn to implement forecasting techniques on market trends, construct robust investment portfolios, and simulate economic scenarios with the precision and logic that only Python can provide.
This module is designed for the bold, the curious, and future finance leaders who are ready to embrace the digital revolution. The module is not just about grasping theories. It is about applying knowledge to real-world challenges.
The module equips you with the skills to drive financial dialogue. It will enable you to redefine the boundaries of finance, with Python as your tool and innovation as your goal. Do not just calculate the future. Code it.
What are derivatives markets and how do they work? We will delve into the intricacies of these fascinating securities and markets, equipping you with the knowledge and skills required to make sound financial decisions.
You will learn about primary derivative securities and how they are used for hedging, arbitrage, and investment purposes. You’ll use market data from diverse underlying financial and physical assets such as stocks, currencies, bonds, and commodities in pricing, trading, and valuing derivatives. By the time you complete this module, you’ll be equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to launch careers in investment, treasuries, and risk management.
More businesses are incorporating sustainability as a core corporate strategy. Sustainability issues are becoming increasingly important to customers and investors. Navigate through ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) regulation and industry initiatives which are designed to improve transparency and accountability, encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and protect investors from greenwashing. You will gain analytical skills that will help you integrate sustainability into financial decisions taken by both corporate managers and professional investors.
For centuries taxation has been an important fact of national life. Without tax it would be impossible to pay for the country's defence services, its health, welfare and social services, it schools and universitites and its transport systems. In addition , taxaion is a means for government to influence our everyday activites. In this module you will be introduced to how the taxation system operates in the UK, providing a core knowledge of the underlying principles and major technical areas of taxation as they impact the activities of individuals and businesses. Through case studies, practical examples and discussions, you will gain a core understanding of the various UK taxes. We will explore the areas of tax compliance, reporiting obligations and develop effective tax planning strategies. In this module, you will gain a deeper appreciation of how taxation impacts on every area of our personal and business lives.
Gain the knowledge and skills required for meeting the strategic needs of businesses in the digital age. You will develop competences in the application of management accounting techniques to complex organisational problems, learn how to analyse data, solve problems related to cost, pricing, variances and performance management and convey your solutions in a succinct and impressionable manner for the purpose of planning, controlling, evaluation and decision-making.
Apply your learning, experience, skills and curiosity to varied contemporary accounting and finance issues. Under the guidance of academics, alumni and businesses, you'll be given the autonomy to select, investigate, report on and defend a contemporary accounting and finance problem or topic leading to the development of a business case or dissertation.
Auditing of companies' financial accounts help increase transparency as it assures stakeholders and potential investors that companies' accounts are reliable, unbiased, and faithful representations of companies' financial performance. You'll gain a thorough understanding of a range of auditing topics together with an appreciation of the regulatory and social environment within which auditing process takes place. Through real-life case studies, you will gain technical knowledge and critical thinking skills that will help you undertake efficient auditing processes and provide assurances to all interested stakeholders.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving financial technology landscape. You'll delve into the core concepts and emerging trends in the fintech industry, equipping you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this dynamic field. You'll explore contemporary market developments, evaluate challenges and opportunities and immerse students in the innovative world of fintech. Topics may include but are not limited to: decentralized finance, disruptors in the industry, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and cybersecurity. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of fintech, making them the prime candidates for roles in financial innovation-driven companies.
Banks are both the backbone of a healthy economy and a potential source of instability. We'll explore the essential role banks play in the global financial system, understand the diverse risks that banks encounter, analyse methods for measuring bank performance and explore bank regulation in an international context. By studying recent financial crises, students will also be able to assess the link between the banking sector and the real economy. We'll also look at to how contemporary banking trends, such as sustainability initiatives and new financial technologies, shape the banking sector's future, equipping you with the essential theoretical and practical knowledge to engage professionally with the banking sector.
Our enthusiastic team of international teaching staff are all experts in their field of study and are regularly published in leading journals worldwide. They guide and support your learning, bringing their subject to life and drawing you into the conversation through lectures, seminars, presentations and computer-based simulations.
Your progress is assessed through a mix of coursework – including reports, essays and presentations - and exams. Undergraduate students can expect around 8 contact hours per week, depending on year of study and optional module choices made. The remainder of the working week consists of self-guided study.
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.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.
Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
Our graduates look to make their mark on the organisations they join, whether they are large multinational companies or small local firms in Kent.
Kent Business School students make their ambitions known, working at companies like:
*The Government announced on 4 November 2024 that tuition fees in England for Home students will increase to £9,535 from £9,250 for the academic year 2025/26. This increase requires Parliamentary approval, which is expected to be given in early/mid 2025.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Fees for undergraduate students are £1,900.
Fees for undergraduate students are £1,430.
Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Students will require regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. Please see information about the minimum computer requirements for study.
There may be additional costs associated with the Year in Industry such as travel or accommodation, which will need to be covered by the student. Please see Careers and Employability webpages for more information.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
We welcome applications from students all around the world with a wide range of international qualifications.
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