Banking and Finance BSc

This specialised degree gives you the chance to prepare for a career in banking and finance at a Russell Group university. You’ll be taught by experts in our research-based Business School, which is recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Chartered Banker Institute.

The course provides a thorough grounding in both theory and current practice, including specialist modules in commercial banking, investment banking and risk management. You’ll also develop the analytical, quantitative, research and communication skills required by leading employers in retail and investment banking, the City and financial services more generally.

Leeds has been named a Financial Centre of Excellence by the UKTI, with over 30 national and international banks employing 13,000 people in the city. With support from our dedicated Employability team in the Business School, you'll have superb opportunities to gain relevant work experience during your time here.

Our degrees have a modular structure. This means that compulsory modules provide you with the core knowledge and skills that you need, while optional and discovery modules allow you to shape your course to suit your personal interests and career aspirations.

Year 1 will introduce you to the basics of finance and the way financial information is reported and used in decision making. In addition, you'll study mathematics and economics to broaden your knowledge and skills base.

In Year 2 you'll consolidate your understanding of core course topics with introductory modules in banking systems and commercial banking. As well as studying other specialist modules including credit and financial analytics, you'll also have the chance to develop your commercial awareness and group-working skills.

Your final year will include a research project as well as advanced modules in investment banking, risk management, international banking and financial derivatives. Specialist options include sector-leading modules such as behavioural finance, forensic accounting and finance, and international business finance.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Banking and Finance BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You’ll also benefit from dedicated academic counselling from your Head of Year, a lecturer in your subject area who will meet you individually during the year and act as a personal tutor.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop a range of transferable skills that you’ll need in professional life. These are likely to include coursework, exams, oral presentations, group reports and dissertations.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

GCSE: Grade A/7 in Mathematics and English Language grade B/6 or equivalent, or an appropriate English language qualification.

Other course specific tests:

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications for this course.

• Access to HE Diploma

  We consider the Access to Higher Education Diploma to be suitable for mature UK/EU applicants (21+ at the start of the undergraduate programme) who have been out of full-time education and have not passed or completed qualifications that would allow them to study at degree level (for example, an applicant who has left school after completing GCSEs).

  Applicants must complete a Business-related diploma of 60 credits with 45 credits at Level 3. A minimum of 30 Level 3 credits must be awarded at Distinction level and 15 at Merit.

  Applicants are expected to meet the GCSE Maths and English Language minimum requirements for their chosen degree programme.

  Please note that applicants presenting this qualification may be called for interview (where they must also present a recent piece of academic writing for review) - this requirement is assessed on a case-by-case basis upon receipt of the application.

• BTEC

  We will consider BTEC qualifications alongside academic A-levels. Read more about our BTEC entry requirements.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, D3, M1. Please note that this requirement excludes the Cambridge Pre-U Certificate in Global Perspectives and Independent Research. We also consider applicants who offer a combination of Pre-U and A-Level qualifications. Please contact lubsugadmissions@leeds.ac.uk for further advice.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall including 5 in Standard level/Maths Studies or 4 in Higher level Maths and 5 in English (Standard or Higher Level), with 17 points from Higher Level subjects.

  For those candidates who meet our Maths or English requirements through another qualification, these minimum points for Maths or English in the IB Diploma do not apply. If you are presenting Literature and Performance as one of your International Baccalaureate subjects, you will need to present a separate English qualification.

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  Applicants must obtain 6 H2 grades in the Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level). Maths and English Language will be accepted at Ordinary level in lieu of GCSEs. A grade of O2 is required for GCSE A/7, and a grade of O3 is required for GCSE B/5 (Maths) or GCSE B/6 (English).

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  Scottish Highers and Scottish Advanced Highers are acceptable for entry onto our degree programmes in the following combinations: six Highers at AAAAAA or one Advanced Higher at A with five Highers at AAABB, or two Advanced Highers at AA with five Highers AABBB. We will also accept three Advanced Highers at AAA. Intermediate 2 / National 5 Maths and English are acceptable in lieu of GCSE requirements on a grade for grade basis.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

Foundation year

If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:

University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)

Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)

Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)

If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Leeds University Business School Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2019

Fees

UK/EU: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for 2019 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

Tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For all full-time students starting in 2020, our fees for 2020/21 have not yet been confirmed and we expect to publish an update later in 2019.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Leeds has been named a Financial Centre of Excellence by the UKTI so you will find lots of opportunities for relevant work experience. We expect a majority of our graduates to go on to pursue a successful career in retail or investment banking or a more general finance role in the City or industry. However, graduates will also be well prepared for a career in accountancy or a more general management role.

Find out more about Careers and Employability in Leeds University Business School

Careers support

You will be supported throughout your studies by the Business School’s dedicated Employability and Opportunity team who will help you develop and demonstrate the professional skills and experience that top employers are looking for through one-to-one support, workshops and lectures from graduate employers, including PwC, L’Oréal, Mars, Unilever and SMEs.

The Employability and Opportunity team also work with a large network of experienced professionals from companies such as Barclays, M&S and KPMG, who volunteer as mentors on our Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme. Applying for the scheme is a competitive process and it offers Business School students a wide range of benefits as they are mentored on a one-to-one basis for one academic year.

In addition, Leeds University Business School students also have full access to the University Careers Centre and Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Studies. Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Year in industry

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to spend a year on placement with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors, in the UK or overseas.

Read more about the Year in Industry

Year in enterprise

EU students with a viable business plan have the opportunity to apply for a year in enterprise as part of this course. During this year you will start your own business with support from the University including advice, office space and living costs allowance.

Read more about the Year in Enterprise