Overview
The Brunel Banking and Finance BSc provides students with the knowledge, skills and insights needed to effectively pursue careers in banking and financial services.
You’ll get a solid grounding in micro and macroeconomic principles, accounting practices and the workings of financial markets before studying advanced topics including real estate finance, financial regulation, risk management and how banking and financial systems operate in an international context.
You’ll also gain insight into the dynamic relationship between investors, financial markets and the institutions that enable transactions between the two.
You’ll study econometrics and develop highly valued skills in data modelling, and get training in analytical packages widely used by business and financial institutions such as Bloomberg, Reuters, SAS, EViews and STATA.
We offer two study options. You can choose three years full-time or four years full-time with a one-year professional placement between years two and three that will give you the chance to apply the theoretical principles you’ve learned to a working environment.
You can tailor the final year of your course to specialise in an area of particular interest.
Due to globalisation, banking and finance have become growth sectors for graduate vacancies. The specialised skills and training you’ll get from your Brunel BSc will make you a preferred job candidate to employers across the industry.
This course is also accredited by ACCA and CIMA offering exemptions to some of their professional papers depending on your module choices.
Course content
This course is designed to give you a thorough knowledge of the economics of banking and finance.
Your banking and finance degree consists of compulsory and optional modules. In the final year students can furthermore choose whether to write a dissertation or take additional modules instead. The optional dissertation project is a year-long project students write under close supervision by a dedicated academic supervisor in one-on-one meetings.
Compulsory
- Mathematics for Economics and Finance
This module is designed to provide students with the mathematical skills and techniques necessary for further study in Economics, Finance and Accountancy. Students will develop their understanding of basic algebra and differential calculus and the way they are applied in Economics, Finance and Accountancy.
- Microeconomic Principles
The aim of this module is to introduce students to core concepts, methods and techniques of modern microeconomics. The course prepares students for more advanced topics to be studied in following years.
- Macroeconomic Principles
This module provides students with a firm foundation in the principles of macroeconomics at the theoretical level, which will provide the basis for further core modules at level 2 and level 3. It aims to demonstrate the application of theory to current issues in macroeconomics.
- Financial Markets
This module aims to give students an understanding of the roles and functions of financial markets and an awareness of the financial system, in order to provide a necessary basis for further study.
- Introduction to Financial Accounting
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and concepts relating to financial accounting and technical proficiency in the use of double-entry accounting techniques including the preparation of basic financial statements.
- Statistics and Data Analysis
This module is designed to improve numerical and data analysis aptitude of students. It aims to provide an understanding of key statistical concepts and methods, such as descriptive statistics, probability theory, inference, testing and sampling. Students will be given the opportunity to work on data sets, develop theoretical, technical and software related skill, which are in high demand in industry.
Compulsory
- Corporate Finance
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the financing decisions and policy of modern corporations.
- Corporate Investment
This module represents a core component of corporate finance and aims to give students a range of techniques to investigate firms’ investment decisions.
- Money and Banking
This module aims to provide students with a good grasp of both the theoretical and practical issues related to the modern financial markets and intermediaries. The topics covered include financial system, banking, financial institutions and money. Special attention will be given to the topics of financial crisis and the need and role of regulation.
Optional
- Quantitative Methods
The aim of the course is to provide students with a review of statistical methods applied in economic analysis, the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse data and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate relevant models. Students will learn about and practice techniques in performing and discussing data analysis.
- Mathematical Economics
The aim of this module is to provide mathematical tools needed to analyse economic problems, and to understand the role of mathematical modelling and how to translate economic problems into the language of mathematics.
- Introduction to Econometrics
The aim of this module is to provide students with the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse econometric studies and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate such models.
- Microeconomic Principles II
The objective of this module is to provide students with the essential analytical tools which are used in standard economic analysis. The aims of the module are to build on the foundations of Level 1 microeconomics and to develop analytical skills and to learn to use microeconomic tools for the analysis of economic problems which are expected to be seen in other courses of economics.
- Intermediate Microeconomics
The objective of the course is to provide students with insights from economic theory which are relevant to a variety of real world decisions. The emphasis is on applying microeconomics ideas to solve problems.
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
The main aims of the module are to familiarise students with the assumptions, operation and predictions of the principal macroeconomic models. Enable students to understand current debate amongst Macroeconomists by examining the major theoretical controversies. And to explore policy implications relating to current macroeconomic performance.
- Macroeconomic Principles II
The main aims of the module are to understand forces behind long-term prosperity and fluctuations in economic activity. To identify the role of banks, features of financial markets and labour markets, their interaction as well as consequences of the increasing globalisation for the economy. And to explore the role central bank and government play in stabilising macro economy.
- Financial Accounting and Statement Analysis
This module aims to develop knowledge and skills in understanding and applying accounting standards and the theoretical framework in the preparation of financial statements of entities.
- Company Law and Regulation
This module aims to explore the nature and scope of the general legal system in the UK and its major laws related to business and companies, to provide a critical understanding of the legal framework within which companies operate, to investigate legal obligations and the effects of the law on key factors in relation to company formation, day-to-day administration and failure, and to develop knowledge and analytical skills on evaluation of issues related to obligation of companies and their directors.
Compulsory
- Financial Regulation
This module focuses on the key aspects of regulation of the financial markets. It investigates how and why governments and public authorities intervene in financial markets, and what the principles are that underpin the regulatory environment. The module will consider aspects of regulation across the banking sector as well as across the wider. The module will also evaluate the issues of coordinating regulation arising from globalisation.
- Economics of Banking
This module focuses on banking trends and operations in a microeconomic context, incorporating theoretical material with practical aspects of banking. It helps students evaluate, in a structured manner, the effects of asymmetric information on financial markets and the economy at large. The module will employ the Fitch-Connect database as a teaching tool as appropriate.
- Housing Finance
This module aims to enable students to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the operation of housing finance at both a micro and macro levels. The module will cover the behaviour of lenders and investors in the housing market in risk control and return optimisation, and regulation of housing finance. It will also introduce the importance of mortgages and house prices at a macroeconomic level, including aspects of monetary and macroprudential policies.
- Economics of Information
This module aims to introduce students to the economics of information, provide students with the conceptual and analytical tools to analyse the role of asymmetric information in the determination of market outcomes, the design of contracts, and the provision of incentives, and enable students to use these tools to analyse real world observations and practical economic problems related to the design of contracts, compensation schemes, pricing menus, and more.
Optional
- Advanced Financial Reporting
This module aims to develop knowledge and skills in understanding and applying accounting standards and the theoretical framework in the preparation of financial statements of entities, including groups and how to analyse and interpret those financial statements.
- Managerial and Industrial Economics
This module introduces students to the latest theories on the organisation of the firms and industries. Practical examples will illustrate the role of each theory in current policy debates. The focus is on recent developments in the theory of oligopoly, including the study of cooperative and non-cooperative oligopoly behaviour based on game theory. In addition, the course covers some advanced topics in pricing and strategic behaviour. Case studies will indicate how and why industrial economics models are valuable tools for competition policy and antitrust activity.
- Behavioural Economics
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the principles of behavioural economics, to apply behavioural economics tools to public policy and private sector business decision-making and to interpret their findings and to engage students in critically evaluating the theories and tools of behavioural economics and finance.
- International Money and Finance
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the key issues in International Money, International Macroeconomics, and International Finance.
- Further Econometrics
This course will examine the basic regression model before considering how models should be specified and recent developments in the time series theory. The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse econometric studies and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate such models.
- Panel Data Methods
This course will examine the basic regression model before considering how models should be specified and recent developments in panel data methods. The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse econometric studies and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate such models.
- Applied Research in Economics, Banking and Finance
The module aims to provide final-year undergraduates with the opportunity to provide evidence of their ability to independently pursue research in the area of the topics chosen by them, with the assistance of, and the recommendation by, members of the Department. Students will be expected to develop their analytical ability and skills to conduct a general investigation into issues relating to economics and finance.
- Financial Theory and Corporate Policy
The aim of this course is to give students a thorough theoretical and practical guide to corporate finance. Advanced corporate finance topics are covered including capital budgeting, cost of capital, capital structure, payout policy, raising equity capital, mergers and acquisitions, real options, working capital management, market efficiency, and corporate governance. The material presented for each topic includes theory, empirical evidence and practical examples. Emphasis is given to recent developments of the theory in the presence of informational asymmetries, such as the principal-agent relationship, incentives and signalling.
- Financial Engineering
The aim of the course is to offer an introduction to the theory and practice of financial engineering. The course will examine the design, the development and the implementation of financial innovation, in addition to developing a deeper understanding of the workings of financial markets.
- Risk Management
This module aims to illustrate on practical examples the application of concepts and ideas of financial management, to apply statistical tools to public policy and private sector business decision-making and to interpret their findings. It also aims to show and discuss how to conduct empirical research, work with data sources and present results in a project and to engage students in critically evaluating the theories and tools of financial markets
- Fixed Income Markets
This module will provide an understanding of security valuation and portfolio Management within the fixed income markets. It will explore the underlying economic and finance theory, market developments and various practical approaches to fixed income investment.
- Behavioural Finance
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the principles of behavioural finance and to apply behavioural finance tools to financial decision-making and to interpret their findings. Students will engage in critically evaluating the theories and tools of behavioural finance.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
Our aim is to teach you ‘employable knowledge’, which can be applied to real-world situations giving you the skills you need to find the right role after you graduate. Therefore, you’ll be well prepared for work, especially if you undertake a work placement. Securing economics and finance degree jobs is highly competitive so we’ll support you to gain a strong foundation in the skills employers are looking for. We offer opportunities within the Department of Economics and Finance as well as through the University’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) to help you build skills and experience.
Our graduates are employed in many fields, with roles at NatWest (Financing Futures), PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG, the Treasury and Bank of England. Within industry, graduates are working at businesses like BP, Xerox and Marks and Spencer.
UK entry requirements
2025/26 entry
- GCE A-level AAB-BBB, including grade B in Maths, Further Maths, or Maths & Statistics (General Studies not accepted).
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma DDM in any subject and A-level Maths or Maths & Statistics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma DM in any subject and A-level Maths or Maths & Statistics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate D in any subject and A-levels grade BC (including grade B in Maths or Maths & Statistics).
- International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points, including Higher Level 5 in Maths (Analysis and Approaches) or Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), and GCSE English equivalent Standard Level 5 or Higher Level 4.
- Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in any subject in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, and A level Maths or Maths & Statistics at grade B.
- T levels: Merit overall in any subject and grade B in A-level Maths or Maths & Statistics.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4.
Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£9,250 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£19,430 full-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Teaching and learning
We expect that all lecture sessions for all modules will be delivered on campus, with recording software used to make recordings available afterwards. To enable lecture sessions to be interactive, where this is appropriate, some of the Level 4 lecture sessions will be repeated to reduce their individual size.
We expect that all seminars/workshops/labs will also be held on campus in person. We anticipate class sizes of around 40 students in these sessions at Level 4 and Level 5, and around 30 students at Level 6.
We believe that you'll learn most successfully as an active participant in your learning among a community of scholars, and our decision to return fully to campus is motivated by this. We expect you to return to campus and to actively engage with their learning programmes in real-time. Course materials will be made available on our virtual learning platform ahead of many teaching sessions so that you can prepare well prior to coming to class.
The timetable is being constructed to produce the most efficient allocation of time for students both when they are on campus, and when they are off campus.
Placements are available by taking a year out of full-time study between Level 5 and Level 6.
Personal Tutoring
Your Personal Tutor is responsible for monitoring and supporting your academic and personal development both in your transition to university and between years. It's someone you can discuss, in confidence, your academic progress with or any special requirements you may need.
We provide both - group tutoring sessions and (if you want), a one-to-one session. You can book this with your tutor at a time suitable for you. We provide online options for this too through some video conferencing platforms.
The tutoring relationship is introduced in induction and cemented by the guided essay that all L4 students compose in Term 1 of the EC1601 Professional Development and Statistics module.
Assessment
It's expected that examination-style assessments, excepting some computer-based tests, will be held on campus, and you'll be expected to attend their examination sessions. Assessment formats will include a mix of formal examination, coursework (problems, exercises and essays), computer-based tests, presentations, reports, individual projects and group projects, designed to meet the varied learning outcomes and develop a range of transferable skills.
Assessments for modules that lead to exam accreditations for ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA will be guided by the requirements of those professional bodies.
Feedback and Consultation
We provide set times where you can talk to your lecturers and module leaders, either in person or via phone or video conference, to discuss academic matters relating to your course. You can also use these opportunities to obtain and discuss feedback on an assessment and exams. These hours can be found on the virtual learning platform and at the Taught Programmes Office.
Please email your lecturer or drop by their office to make your booking and we'll find a time convenient for both of you.
Departmental Communication
You can keep up with subject and module updates through our virtual learning platform. We'll also send important updates to your student email account, so please keep an eye on those.
Co-curricula
We arrange and host many events designed to support your personal development and career path. We'll email you about these opportunities at the start of each term and send a reminder before the event. Some of these events will be on campus and some will be live-streamed, according to the requirements of the topic, the location of the speaker and what has worked most successfully in the past.
Students are strongly advised to purchase core texts from module reading lists, although copies are also available via Brunel Library.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our staff have national and international reputations for their research, publications and applied work. This means that your education will be innovative, inspiring and cover the most up-to-date industry knowledge.
Your banking and finance course will consist of lectures, workshops, seminars, one-to-one supervision, guest speakers from industry and site visits.
You'll have 12 to 14 hours of directed study a week in Level 1. This number decreases in Levels 2 and 3. Students are also expected to undertake substantial independent study.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Modules are assessed by combinations of coursework and examinations. In the final year you are also required to write a dissertation.
The proportion of exam to coursework is approximately 75% to 25%, with some courses having a higher proportion of continuous assessment. Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark. Level 2 is worth a third, and Level 3 is worth the rest. The final year dissertation is worth a third of Level 3 marks.
