Finance BSc (Hons)

Durham University

Gain the knowledge you need to understand today’s fast moving global financial markets. With the BSc in Finance you’ll discover there’s a lot more to finance than figures.,As financial markets across the world grow more closely connected, this specialist degree develops the quantitative and analytical skills you’ll need to pursue a career in the financial services industry. Learning from expert lecturers and guest speakers, the degree will give you a taste of real-world finance. We combine academic excellence, insightful research and exceptional global business connections, equipping you with the tools to become an innovative business thinker in your career and beyond. Our flexible study programme puts you in control. The curriculum links academic theory with practical experience through a combination of modules that offer plenty of opportunities to tailor your studies as your interests evolve. You have the option to complete the course in three years, alternatively, you can add a placement year or spend a year abroad. In the first year, you study the key fundamentals to examine and evaluate modern financial markets. The second year will give you the skills to examine financial issues and institutions, markets and securities across global markets. You’ll also learn to interpret financial data and price financial securities. The final year offers more flexibility. You can choose modules tailored to your interests and career aspirations. The dissertation, on a finance topic of your choice, makes up a third of your final year marks.Course structureYear 1 modulesCore modules:Foundations of Finance introduces the key principles of corporate finance and their importance to firms. From bonds and stocks to capital structure and dividend policy, it provides you with a solid grounding in issues of finance as they relate to the business and financial markets.Financial Accounting covers the basic concepts and techniques involved in financial accounting reports, including the preparation of basic financial statements.Quantitative Methods 1 provides you with a rigorous introduction to the fundamental mathematical techniques you will need throughout your degree.Quantitative Methods 2 introduces the analytical and statistical techniques widely used in finance and business.Introduction to Financial Economics examines the basic principles of economics of microeconomics and macroeconomics in a financial context. The study of subjects like market structure, fiscal policy, stock market and economic growth will provide a solid foundation for modules in micro- and macroeconomics.Global Financial Systems and Markets develops your knowledge of the operations of financial institutions within the global financial system and the products and services these institutions provide the markets in which financial institutions operate and that facilitate the process of intermediation and the purpose and scope of financial oversight and regulation.Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Ethics and FinancePrinciples of TaxationYear 2 modulesCore modules:Corporate Finance provides theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of key theories in finance and corporate policy decisions.Intermediate Financial Economics develops knowledge and understanding of international macroeconomic analysis, performance and its importance for the business community.Financial Econometrics 1 teaches you about statistics and business models in preparation for a project in applied financial econometrics. It equips you with the mathematical, statistical and analytical skills required to interpret literature in business finance and provides a strong foundation for higher level study.