Banking and International Finance

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1st in London, 4th in the UK for Accounting and finance courses (Guardian University Guide 2017)

National Student Survey 2015: 94% of Banking and Finance students were satisfied with their course.

The BSc (Hons) Banking and International Finance provides you with the skills required to operate in the competitive world of financial markets, in the key areas including:

• financial institutions
• commercial and investment banking
• bank and corporate risk management
• international banking
• banking regulation
• fixed income
• derivatives
• international finance
• corporate finance
• economics.

Students can choose several elective modules to focus more deeply on banking and finance, or broaden expertise in areas including accounting, management, strategy and programming languages.

Testimonial

After attending an Open Day and chatting to the Course Director, it wasn't a difficult decision to apply; the material covered was more in-depth than any other course I found and the opportunity to live and study in central London really appealed to me. One highlight of my time was the wide variety of guest speakers who visit - I particularly enjoyed a talk by Levi Roots, the creator or Reggae Reggae Sauce. I also really enjoyed the module of personal finance, so much so that I decided to focus on this area in my dissertation.

Antoni Piela, Banking and International Finance graduate 2014

Course content Year 1

The first part of the course provides a strong foundation in financial markets, banking, economics and accounting, enabling students to relate study to the financial sector from an early stage and develop an understanding of the tools used in applied investment analysis, including mathematical, statistical, database, computing and presentation skills.

Core modules:

• Banking & financial institutions
• Business skills
• Finance and investment
• Introductory financial accounting
• Introductory management accounting
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Quantitative methods

Year 2

There is a focus on developing theoretical knowledge of banking and financial management, finance and economics. You will also study econometrics, which forms the basis of modelling and testing in banking and finance. You can choose an additional two elective modules to suit your own interests and aspirations from a wide selection.

Core modules:

• Bank risk management
• Derivatives
• Economics of FOREX
• Financial econometrics
• International banking
• Monetary economics

Elective modules - choose two from:

• Asset management
• Company valuation
• Financial accounting
• Financial accounting 2
• Introduction to real estate investment
• Management accounting
• Mathematical finance
• Personal finance

Final year

You develop a knowledge of international finance and banking and financial management to an advanced level. You also select two electives which can extend knowledge of finance and the applications of mathematical models, enhance understanding of the role of banks in financial markets, or allow a focus on areas including investment or accounting. Finally, you will undertake a dissertation in a financial subject relevant to your interests and career aspirations.

Core modules:

• Banking regulation
• Corporate finance
• Final year project
• Fixed income and credit risk
• International finance

Elective modules - choose two from:

• Advanced financial accounting: Theory and practice
• Bank strategy and management
• Business forecasting
• Corporate governance
• Corporate strategy
• Emerging markets
• Real estate finance and funding
• Technical analysis

Download the full programme specification

Placements and internships

A key part of a Cass degree is the opportunity to gain professional work experience. BSc Banking & International Finance students are eligible to undertake an optional one-year paid work placement during the 3rd year of a 4 year sandwich degree programme.

The experience of working for a leading institution can be invaluable in terms of your future career. It will enable you to acquire skills and competencies sought by graduate employers, and give you an edge over the competition.

BSc Banking & International Finance students enjoy a wide range of opportunities in business areas such as Corporate Finance, Operations, Wholesale Markets, and Asset Management.

Students have recently taken up placements within many leading corporate organisations including:

• AXA Investment Management
• Bank of England
• Goldman Sachs
• Morgan Stanley
• UBS

Our reputation, achievements and successful graduates have helped us to develop close relationships with a diverse range of companies, who recognise that Cass students can add significant value to their workforce. Our dedicated Placement team are in regular contact with these and many more companies, and will support students throughout the work experience process.

Although this additional year is not credited and will not count towards your degree classification, it is a recognised part of the degree programme and will be endorsed on your final degree certificate.

Study abroad

International study opportunities

In today's global business environment, international exposure gives you a vital edge in the employment market. A period of study abroad is an excellent opportunity to enhance your education with an international dimension.

Cass Business School gives you the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying at one of our partner institutions. Banking and International Finance students have the option of selecting a Replacement 2nd Year or Sandwich Year Abroad in Australia, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Available study abroad programme structures and partner institutions 1. Replacement 2nd Year Abroad

You can spend the second year of your three-year degree course studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.

During your time abroad you will cover all core material of your second year Cass programme, taking equivalent courses at the host institution. Teaching is in English, but subjects are taught from a different perspective. Elective modules will enable you to focus on the specialist areas of the partner institution, or the business practice of the country in which you are studying. You can study at one of our partner universities listed below:

Country

Host institution (Replacement 2nd Year, Banking & International Finance)

Australia

Queenland University of Technology

Based in Brisbane, QUT Business School has held triple crown accreditation since 2005. Courses combine theory with practical experience.

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

CUHK is ranked seventh in the QS Asian University Rankings 2013.The 137 hectare campus overlooking Tolo Harbour houses a range of facilities such as world-class libraries, art museums, music halls, a swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts, squash courts, a water sports centre and gymnasiums.

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST)

HKUST is ranked first in the QS Asian University Rankings 2013. HKUST Business School was the first school in Asia to be awarded dual accreditation by AACSB and EQUIS. It offers 10 undergraduate business programmes.

Italy

Bocconi University, Milan

Based in Milan, Bocconi is a triple accredited school (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB) and is ranked 8th in the Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking 2013.

Singapore

Singapore Management University

SMU was founded in 2000 by the government of Singapore, modelling itself on an American style university structure. SMU has over 180 exchange partner universities around the world.

United States

Goizueta Business School, Emory University, Atlanta

Located in Atlanta, Emory University Goizueta Business School's BBA programme is currently ranked No. 3 by Bloomberg BusinessWeek and No. 12 in U.S. News & World Report.

Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland

Located in College Park, eight miles from The White House and downtown Washington, D.C. you will be studying at the Robert H. Smith School of Business whose undergraduate programme was ranked number 18 in the USA (2014 U.S. News & Report, 2013).

2. Sandwich Year Abroad

You can spend a year of your degree course studying at one of our partner institutions, between your second and third year of study. This would add a year to your degree and you would complete your degree in four years.

Increasingly, host universities offer courses taught in English, although in some cases you will need appropriate foreign language skills.

You can also choose to combine your study overseas with a work placement, which involves spending six months studying and the remaining six months working. You would be expected to organise your own placement, although some of our partner schools may be able to help you.

This additional year of study will not count towards your degree classification. However, your degree title will state that you have studied abroad and the partner university will give you a transcript of the modules you have studied there.

Country
Host institution (Sandwich Year, Banking and International Finance) Argentina

Universidad Agentina de la Empresa

Australia

Queensland University of Technology

Based in Brisbane, QUT Business School has held triple crown accreditation since 2005. Courses combine theory with practical experience.

RMIT, Melbourne

RMIT is based in Melbourne city, Australia. It is a QS 5-star university, which is the highest possible rating.

Canada

HEC, Montreal

Like Cass, HEC is triple accredited (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB) and was the first school in North America to achieve this. There are opportunities to study in French or English.

Queen's University

Queen's School of Business has a rich history dating back to 1841 and is consistently ranked as one of Canada's leading universities. It welcomes over 300 exchange students every year from more than 40 countries.

Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario

Ranked in the top 100 for Financial Times MBA Rankings, Ivey provides a competitive combination of world-class teaching and modern facilities.

France

ESCP Europe, Paris

Like Cass, ESCP is triple accredited (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB) The Paris campus is located in the centre of the city. The Masters in Management, from which you will take classes, is currently ranked 3rd in the Financial Times rankings.

Grenoble School of Management

Grenoble holds the triple crown of business accreditation. You will study modules from their Bachelor in International Business (taught in English).

ESSEC Business School

Established in 1907, ESSEC is one of the leading institutions in Europe for business education. Their BBA was the first programme in France to receive the prestigious AACSB and EQUIS accreditations.

ESC Rennes School of Business

Located in the capital of Britanny, ESC Rennes has both AACSB and AMBA accreditation. You can study business modules in English or French.

Germany

University of Mannheim

University of Mannheim - The University of Mannheim Business School is highly ranked and has an excellent reputation. You will be studying modules from their Bachelor degrees in Business Administration and Business Education in either German or English.

Technische Universität Münchcn, Munich

TU Munich is ranked in the top 100 world universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013/14).

Italy

LUISS Guido Carli, Rome

LUISS Guido Carli is a private Italian university located in the heart of Rome. You are able to study in either Italian or English and there is an intensive Italian language course available before the start of term.

The Netherlands

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

RSM is consistently ranked in the top 10 business schools in Europe and has 'triple crown' accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS). You will study all modules in English.

Norway

BI Norwegian School of Management, Oslo

Located in the business district in Oslo, BI is EQUIS accredited. It is a self-owned, not-for-profit foundation whose sole focus is education and research.

Singapore

National University of Singapore

NUS is ranked 2nd in the QS Asian University Rankings 2013 and is one of the top 50 world ranked universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013/14). More than 1,000 exchange students visit NUS each year.

Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang is ranked 76th in the Times Higher Education's World University Rankings. You will have the chance to study at one of Asia's most prestigious universities in the heart of Singapore.

Spain

Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona

The UPF campus is located in the heart of Barcelona. You would be taking classes from the Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences where delivery is in English, Spanish or Catalan.

Korea

Seoul National University

Ranked 44 in the World University Rankings 2013/14, SNU was founded in 1946 as the first national university of Korea. SNU Business School was also the first business school in Korea to be certified by the Associate to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong

CUHK is ranked seventh in the QS Asian University Rankings 2013. The 137 hectare campus overlooking Tolo Harbour houses a range of facilities such as world-class libraries, art museums, music halls, a swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts, squash courts, a water sports centre and gymnasiums.

USA

University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, College of Business

Set amidst the rural Midwest a couple of hours from Chicago, UIUC's College of Business is ranked amongst the top 10 of public institutions of higher education in the US.

Accreditation

The BSc Banking and International Finance provides exemption from some of the professional examinations of the following professional bodies:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• Institute of Financial Services (IFS)

Teaching Style

We have more than 100 full time academic staff, complemented by over 25 visiting lecturers, who combine expertise with successful careers as business leaders, policy makers and/or government advisors. Our academic team works with businesses, alumni and leading thinkers to devise and update our course content so that is relevant and specific to market realities.

Our teaching style is based on encouraging you to think independently, to form your own opinions and critique relevant theory. We underpin your learning with the pertinent theories in your field embedded with real life practices so you understand the way modern markets and businesses operate. Our courses offer numerous practical applications (or have a strong vocational element) without compromising their academic rigour. We use case studies, thought provoking scenarios and group work to give you a head start in the real world.

Each module will be a mix of lectures, seminars and group work. Most modules are assessed by a combination of exams and coursework. The first year of your programme contributes 10% to your final degree classification, the second year 30% and the final year 60%.

Entry requirements

Qualification Requirement 'A' level AAA BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma