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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Finance Bachelor's degree at Northampton
BSc (Hons) Finance at Northampton. You'll study across core theory, research methods, applied practice and specialist options, culminating in an independent project.
BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Our BSc Finance degree at UON is ideal for those who intend to work in the investment management profession or wider finance industry. Apply today! From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Finance is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Business and management graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 49% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Accounting & Finance, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.3
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent88
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90
Moderate evidence Published sample: 55; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Strong70
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 70% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 5 modules
- Introduction to FinanceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to introduce the key principles in financial markets and corporate finance. Students use a range of analytical tools to analyse the main sources of finance, associated risk and alignment with organisational goals.
- Financial Mathematics and Quantitative MethodsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop students' understanding and knowledge in data analysis and quantitative methods to support decision making. Students select and collect quantitative data, and then apply appropriate numerical techniques to solve hypothetical and practical financial problems.
- Practical Financial AccountingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces students to terminology, concepts, principles, procedures and techniques of accounting. It provides an essential introduction to the preparation and presentation of financial statements and their relevance to stakeholders and other users.
- Statistics and Data AnalyticsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Students collect, present, analyse and interpret real life financial data using different tools including AI. Students explore the basic concepts of business mathematics and statistical methods, which lay the foundation for application of quantitative techniques to support decision making.
- Legal and Economic EnvironmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Students will be introduced to the general legal framework related to a range of business activities and appreciate when to seek specialist legal advice. Students overview key micro and macro economics concepts, the operation of markets and the wider economy, and apply economic principles to a variety of situations.
Year 2 6 modules
- Fundamentals of InvestmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to focus on the application of financial theory to investment management. Students review a variety of theories, and approaches and their use in investment decision making. Students will apply the theoretical constructs of investments to current industry practice.
- Applied Financial ReportingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
In this module students apply accounting standards and the theoretical framework to the preparation, presentation, and intrepretation of financial statements. of companies and groups.
- Equity InvestmentsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide indepth understanding of the characteristics, analysis and valuation of equity securities and markets. Students develop the knowledge about equity investment concepts and apply equity valuation techniques to facilitate investment decision making in different scenarios.
- Fixed Income InvestmentsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of the elements that define fixed-income securities as well as the operations and markets in which they are traded. Students learn and examine the main theories and techniques to evaluate fixed-income securities and their application in investment and financing decisions in different scenarios.
- Ethical and Professional Standards in FinanceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of the importance of ethical behaviour in the investment industry. The module combines professional Code of Ethics and international best practice in examining ethical issues within the investment profession.
- Risk Management Using Financial DerivativesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces the practical use of derivative instruments as tools for managing financial risk in modern financial markets. There is a strong emphasis on real-world application and market conventions on derivative pricing and hedging. Students will explore how financial derivatives are used to manage exposures to interest rates, foreign exchange, equity prices, and commodities.
Year 3 6 modules
- International Money and FinanceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to appraise the increasingly important aspect of multinational financial management in dynamic international business. It critically analyses the attractions and limitations of doing business in a global market, identifying the additional inherent risks that global market exposure produces and strategies in managing the global firm.
- Contemporary Issues in International BankingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop students' understanding of the complexity of the international financial systems and the issues multinational banks face in different jurisdictions. The module will cover historical and current developments towards the development of the `new' financial systems architecture and the challenge for harmonisation.
- Corporate Financial ManagementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module examines corporate finance theory in relation to investment, financing and distribution decisions and its application to real world scenarios. It also explores the connection between strategic corporate finance decisions, corporate governance mechanisms and the conflicting demands of stakeholders.
- Asset Allocation and Investment StrategiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to examine key issues in asset allocation and modern portfolio management techniques. Students plan, construct and evaluate potential asset allocation for different types of investors to achieve the desired investment performance.
- Alternative Investments and FintechCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module explores alternative investments and fintech in financial markets, covering asset classes such as real estate, private capital, hedge funds, and commodities. Students develop skills in valuation, risk analysis, and portfolio management while examining how fintech innovations – digital platforms, data analytics, and blockchain – transform investment decisions, and professional practice.
- Finance ProjectCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to support the development of independent learning through the conceptualisation of a piece of research. Students will develop an ability to present fundamental and technical analysis of listed companies in a critical manner.
Foundation Year 3 modules
- Professional and Academic Skills for University StudyCompulsory40 credits
- Applied Learning ProjectCompulsory40 credits
- Foundations in Business and ManagementCompulsory40 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course equips you for careers in investment management and the wider finance sector. You'll usually begin with financial accounting fundamentals, double-entry bookkeeping, financial statements and reporting frameworks, alongside an introduction to finance covering time value of money, markets and instruments, and risk and return. Quantitative methods give you statistical and spreadsheet skills for financial decisions. In Year 2, you'll progress to management accounting, corporate finance and financial reporting under IFRS, learning how to interpret accounts and appraise investments. Year 3 moves to specialist options such as audit and assurance, taxation, corporate finance, financial risk, fintech and professional-body exemptions, plus advanced corporate reporting and an independent dissertation or applied project, often aligned with professional qualifications.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you enjoy working with numbers, have a methodical approach to problem-solving, and want to understand how financial markets and institutions operate. You'll thrive if you're curious about investment decisions, risk management and corporate finance. The programme demands sustained analytical thinking and engagement with complex real-world scenarios, ideal if you prefer concrete, evidence-based work over purely theoretical study. You should be comfortable with quantitative methods and willing to apply classroom concepts to live financial questions.
Careers & job market
Across Accounting & Finance graduates nationally, 87% are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Of those working, 65% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. Graduate earnings across the sector start at £25,000–£32,500 (15 months post-graduation), rising to £30,175–£42,600 after five years, according to national graduate outcome data. Your actual path will depend on your specialism, employer and location.
University & format
You'll study full-time for 3 years at The University of Northampton, a university founded in 1975, based at the Waterside Campus. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, holding Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryBBC at A Level, DMM at BTEC typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
PlacementPublished placement option
Work placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysOpen Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent100% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 80 - 95 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accessible entry
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesCCDA-level equivalent admitted students held
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Home£9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Northampton →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Northampton funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Accounting & Finance graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £25,000 | £23,000 – £30,000 | 55 |
| 3 years after | £23,500 | £19,500 – £29,500 | 535 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £23,500 – £37,000 | 555 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 55; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
in work or further study 15 months on
49%
in highly skilled work or study
70%
continue past their first year
69%
find their work meaningful
55%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in accounting & finance · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Accounting & Finance nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£25,000
£25,000 – £32,500After 3 years LEO
£23,500
£23,375 – £33,000After 5 years LEO
£29,000
£30,175 – £42,600national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,000 – £44,000
National figures for Accounting & Finance graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
90 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
60% working30% working and studying0% in further study49% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 55; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Accounting & Finance courses at the same study level.
This course £29,000Peer median £35,500Middle 50% £30,000–£42,500
22nd percentile
Compared with 957 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 17% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 235; response rate: 56%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Finance worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BSc (Hons) Finance earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Slower payoff: a long break-even relative to what this course adds
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 25.2. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
+£20,630
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
1.7×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£29,000
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£5,000 above a non-graduate (£24,000)
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Accounting & Finance graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
87%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Accounting & Finance courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes65%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Accounting & Finance graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
- Banks & insurers
- Corporate finance teams
- HMRC & public sector
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Accounting & Finance graduates.
Accounting & FinanceLecturerGEDU Global EducationAccounting Engineer - Pre-Sales & Post SalesStacksAccounting Advisory Manager | Lead Client Projects HybridCFGIAccounting, Insight and Advisory ManagerRSM UKAccounting & FinanceLecturerGEDU ServicesAccounting Associate Apprentice Business Services (September 2026)Best ApprenticeshipsLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.3 out of 10: NSS 88% · in work or study 90% · continued 70%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Northampton
All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%
Business and management across the UK
Students586,710
Aged 25+44.3%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton
2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Accounting & Finance right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £17,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Northampton
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 80 - 95 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Business and management graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 49% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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