Finance and Economics
BSc (Hons)
- Typical offer for 2023 academic year (202324)
- Duration
- UCAS code
Suitable for applications.
Overview
Our sandwich year BSc (Hons) Finance and Economics degree gives you a strong working knowledge of:
- accountancy
- financial markets
- investment appraisal
- risk management
With a range of optional modules available alongside the core curriculum, you’ll be able to tailor the programme to your areas of academic interest and your career aspirations.
It includes a year-long paid internship; an invaluable opportunity to develop your skills and insight and boost your graduate employability. You can take an internship as part of the Government Economic Service placement scheme, within organisations such as:
- HM Treasury
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Department of Health
- Office for National Statistics
You can also take an internship at a range of private sector companies involved in finance, accountancy or even marketing.
Alternatively, you can choose to study a year abroad at one of our partner institutions across Europe, North America and East Asia.
Professional accreditation
We are proud to be in an elite group of business schools to hold the triple accreditations of Equis, AMBA and AACSB, often referred to as the "Triple Crown".
Rankings
Times Higher Education Business School of the Year 2021
The Times Higher Education Awards recognise outstanding achievements in UK higher education. The School of Management was recognised for our focus on economic and social regeneration.
Our award citation states, "During the pandemic, the school focused its initiatives on helping graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds navigate the disrupted job market and on providing support for local businesses dealing with crisis trading conditions. The judges commended Bradford's "inspiring" support for students, alumni, schools and local businesses."
Find out more about our Times Higher Education Business School of the Year 2021 award
Sandwich year
In your third year you will undertake either a year’s paid internship or a year studying abroad at a partner institution.
Our students are highly successful in securing internships with the Government Economic Service placement scheme (e.g. at the Treasury, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health, Office for National Statistics), and with a range of private sector companies.
Support to secure an internship comes from both the University’s Career and Employability Services and our Economics teaching and support staff (particularly in relation to the Government Economic Service placement scheme)
The completion of a placement is a transformative process that will boost both your academic performance on your return to University, and your employability on graduation.
You may instead wish to take a study year abroad – see the Study Abroad section for full details.
Learning and assessment
Learning and teaching integrates applied and theoretical knowledge, taking into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the mode of study and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the programme.
Lectures are the main teaching method, and you'll experience a wide variety of other learning activities including supplementary reading, exercises, projects and workbooks, independent study and group work.
The final year dissertation is a substantial piece of work that gives you the opportunity not only to increase your specialist subject knowledge, but also to demonstrate your ability to undertake independent study.
All teaching is supported by information and activities provided through the University’s virtual learning environment. In addition, the School offers an Effective Learning Service, which helps with the development of study skills both in group sessions and through individual coaching.
Methods of assessment vary according to the learning outcomes of particular modules and the stage of study. Accordingly, a mixture of closed book examinations, essays and other written work, oral presentations, problem solving exercises and group work will be used in assessment of your work. Classroom and mid-semester tests provide feedback on your progress. Throughout the programme your learning will be supported using various methods of formative assessment and feedback. This is to help you progress your studies and support your continuing development.
Career prospects
Career Booster
During your time studying at the Faculty of Management, Law and Social Sciences you will have the opportunity to take part in our distinctive career booster programme throughout the duration of your course. The programme is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and graduate attributes to be job-ready when seeking employment with leading innovative organisations. The Career Booster Programme offers you the opportunity to gain certificates in:
- The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) - the benchmark for digital literacy
- Sage 50 Accounting and Sage 50 Payroll - training that will allow you to develop leading accounting and payroll software skills
- Project Manager Professional certificates - giving you the edge when seeking to become a Certified Project Manager
- Big Data analysis and reporting skills - using Software and Services (SAS) that will lead to certification.
In addition, the programme will also include activities to promote teamwork, confidence, communication and many other skills sought by employers.
Developing a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificates will demonstrate to employers that you are not only ambitious but also take responsibility for your own professional development.
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS)
The School of Management has joined the prestigious worldwide AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS). All students will be given an opportunity to enhance their employability skills, helping to make them ready for the world of work.
AWS Academy is a global program that provides educational institutions with access to cloud computing content to support student learning in a competitive digital workplace. As a member of the AWS Academy, the University of Bradford will help students become proficient and certified in the use of AWS technologies and ready to join the dynamic cloud IT workforce.
All learners will have the opportunity to seek professional certification with the skills gained through AWS Academy content, delivered by University staff that are AWS Academy accredited.
Study abroad
A study abroad year is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and strengthen your skills and experience to make you stand out in the job market.
We have opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer in more than 150 countries across the world and will support you every step of the way.
Study support
We offer an excellent student support system. On arrival you will be assigned to a member of the academic staff, who will be your Personal Academic Tutor. You will have regular meetings with your tutor, who will help or advise if you have any general academic issues (e.g. in decisions about choosing modules, or even changing the subject of your degree).
In addition to designated office hours all staff operate an open door policy during working hours, so you don’t need to arrange an appointment.
Your Personal Academic Tutor is the first point of contact should you experience problems of any kind, whether directly related to your studies or not. They can also refer you to specialist agencies inside the University, if necessary, such as the Counselling Service, or Disability Service.
Alternatively, you can also use these office hours to see one of the module lecturers, or seminar tutors, if you are having problems understanding some of the ideas and concepts being taught. This gives you the opportunity to benefit from one-to-one tuition to clarify your understanding.
Research
Research is central to the work of the Economics and Finance staff, and influences the core modules in final year such as Contemporary Issues in Economics and Risk Management and Derivatives, together with the supervision you will receive during your Dissertation in Financial Economics.
Our research themes include international trade, economic integration, macroeconomic policy, finance, banking and labour markets. Outputs include books with major publishers (e.g. Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, Ashgate, Elgar), articles in leading Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) journals and papers delivered at national and international conferences.