Finance
BSc (Hons)
Key information
Key information for 2026-27
Key information for 2027-28
Course Overview
Our BSc Finance is designed to provide you with a core set of technically demanding, yet applications-oriented, skills in finance. It will equip you with essential skills and knowledge to enable you to compete successfully in a competitive jobs market.
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Why choose this course?
- We have an excellent reputation for the quality of our teaching. Our academics are professional practitioners in the world of economics and finance who provide specialist advice and in-house training for government departments and City firms and banks, including the Treasury and Bank of England.
- Your tutors are actively working to extend the boundaries of knowledge. Many of our academics are recognised as world-class experts in their fields and their research feeds directly into our teaching programmes.
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What will I learn?
You will begin by attaining the IT, professional and quantitative skills you need to be successful in this degree. You will gain knowledge of how financial institutions and markets work in the UK, alongside introductory accounting and economics. This will equip you with the skills required to read and understand financial journals or simple balance sheets. You will also have the opportunity to follow your career interests taking modules from a range of options such as portfolio management and behavioural economics and finance.
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How will I learn?
This BSc Finance is available for full- or part-time study and is taught through a combination of lectures, which provide you with foundational knowledge, and small-group tutorials offering hands-on learning. Classes take place in the evening, so you can balance studies with work or other commitments.
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How often will I attend classes?
Full-time: Two evenings a week, October to July.
Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.
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Foundation Year
If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.
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Course disclaimer
Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.
More Highlights
- Our BSc Finance is ideal for anyone whose ambition is to work in investment banks and other financial institutions, financial regulators or economic consultancies, as well as those hoping to continue to graduate studies in finance.
- Goldman Sachs and Birkbeck Diversity Scholarships are available for this course for students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
- We bring together research and teaching across economics and finance, mathematics and statistics which creates significant interdisciplinary synergies.
- Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Economics and Econometrics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Modules and Teaching
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Starting in October 2026
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Three years full-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
- Year 1: five compulsory modules
- Year 2: four compulsory modules
- Year 3: three compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
- Financial Institutions and Markets
- Introduction to Accounting
- Introduction to Economics
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance I
- Study Techniques
Year 2 compulsory modules
- Financial Reporting
- Microeconomic Theory and Policy
- Principles of Finance
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance II
Year 3 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
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Four years part-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
- Year 1: four compulsory modules
- Years 2 and 3: three compulsory modules in each year
- Year 4: two compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
- Introduction to Accounting
- Introduction to Economics
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance I
- Study Techniques
Year 2 compulsory modules
- Financial Institutions and Markets
- Microeconomic Theory and Policy
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance II
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 4 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
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Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
Course structure
For the Foundation Year, you undertake four compulsory modules to a total of 120 credits.
If you successfully complete the year, you will automatically advance on to the three-year, full-time, evening study BSc Finance.
Foundation Year core modules
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Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
Course structure
Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BSc Finance. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.
You take two core modules in each of Foundation Years 1 and 2.
If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BSc Finance.
Foundation Year 1 core modules
Foundation Year 2 core modules
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Starting in October 2027
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Three years full-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
- Year 1: five compulsory modules
- Year 2: four compulsory modules
- Year 3: three compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
- Financial Institutions and Markets
- Introduction to Accounting
- Introduction to Economics
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance I
- Study Techniques
Year 2 compulsory modules
- Financial Reporting
- Microeconomic Theory and Policy
- Principles of Finance
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance II
Year 3 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
-
Four years part-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
- Year 1: four compulsory modules
- Years 2 and 3: three compulsory modules in each year
- Year 4: two compulsory modules and one option module
Year 1 compulsory modules
- Introduction to Accounting
- Introduction to Economics
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance I
- Study Techniques
Year 2 compulsory modules
- Financial Institutions and Markets
- Microeconomic Theory and Policy
- Quantitative Techniques for Economics and Finance II
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 4 compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
-
Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
Course structure
For the Foundation Year, you undertake four compulsory modules to a total of 120 credits.
If you successfully complete the year, you will automatically advance on to the three-year, full-time, evening study BSc Finance.
Foundation Year core modules
-
Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
Course structure
Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BSc Finance. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.
You take two core modules in each of Foundation Years 1 and 2.
If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BSc Finance.
Foundation Year 1 core modules
Foundation Year 2 core modules
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Teaching
We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
What are the methods of teaching?
Lectures and problem-solving classes.
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How will I be assessed?
Depending on the module: tests, assignments, project work, presentations and usually examinations.
Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Entry Requirements
We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.
For Foundation Year studies, applications with non-standard qualifications are also welcomed. Acceptance may be subject to an admissions test and/or interview.
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Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
UCAS tariff points
- Three years full-time: 120 points (A-levels BBB - A-level mathematics preferred)
- Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points
For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.
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Part-time study
For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.
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What GCSEs do I need?
Applicants to the Foundation Year routes should have GCSE grade C or 4, or equivalent, in English and mathematics.
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Alternative entry routes
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM
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What are the English language requirements?
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
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What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)
If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.
Fees
Three years full-time, on campus
Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026
Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £18,500 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year
Four years part-time, on campus
Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026
Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £13,875 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year
Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus
Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026
Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,500 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 per year
Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus
Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026
Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,250 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,875 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.
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Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee
If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
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Tuition fees and maintenance loans
Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don't have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.
Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to help cover living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.
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Can I apply for an international scholarship?
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.
Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.
Careers and employability
On graduating, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills including:
- the ability to analyse data and evaluate trends
- the capacity to assess information critically and solve problems
- effective communication of ideas, findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
Our finance students go on to build successful careers with a variety of employers in a range of sectors, including:
- government departments
- the Bank of England
- UK regulatory bodies
- commercial banks
- teaching.
Some also progress their studies further at master's level.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Student Support
Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.
Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.
Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.
Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.
Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.
How to Apply
You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.
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How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?
If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.
The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.
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How do I apply to study part-time?
If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.
Please note that online application opens in September.
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When should I apply?
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
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How can I get help with my application?
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
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International agents
If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.
Related courses
Study routes for Finance (BSc (Hons))
Please select a study route below to continue your application.
Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.
Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.
2026-27
Full-time
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Three years full-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply now via Clearing Finance (BSc (Hons)) Three years full-time, on campus starting in October 2026 -
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2026
Apply now via Clearing Finance (BSc (Hons)) Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2026
Part-time
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Four years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply Now Finance (BSc (Hons)) Four years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026 -
Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2026
Apply Now Finance (BSc (Hons)) Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2026
2027-28
Full-time
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Three years full-time, on campus starting in October 2027
Apply now via UCAS Finance (BSc (Hons)) Three years full-time, on campus starting in October 2027 -
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2027
Apply now via UCAS Finance (BSc (Hons)) Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2027