BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics, Finance and Banking
Gain a solid grounding in economic policy and practice in finance and banking
Course Overview
Why take this course?
How do economic policies dictate the actions of financial markets? What are the key factors underpinning corporate finance decisions? Are current financial markets efficient?
Questions such as these are crucial to the finance and banking sectors, and this course provides you with the ability to explore them in full.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use the University’s Bloomberg terminals to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data movements and trade
- Opt to do a year in industry to gain meaningful work experience and build up your employability skills
- Choose to study abroad through our links with overseas universities
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course is especially applicable if you are looking to follow a career in banking or finance. It provides an ideal preparation for working in the areas of commercial and investment banking, accounting, tax consultancy and risk management.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- the government sector
- commercial banks
- insurance companies
- regulatory bodies
The lecturers are able to transform pure theory lectures into an interesting discussion or debate with everyday life examples.
Nikolay Vasilev, BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking student 2012
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- LN13
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
260-300 points from 3 A Levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a* International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- bus.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Subject:
Accounting, Economics and Finance
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- How they apply theory to real-world issues by looking at current affairs
- The ability to gain relevant work experience in the local community as well as through a placement year
- The friendly and challenging environment that will enable you to gain the skills and knowledge employers need
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
This common first year among some of our economics-based courses provides you with a broad understanding of economic theory and econometric methods.
Core units in this year include:
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Quantitative Economics
- Business Accounting
- Economic Issues
- Personal Tutoring for Economics and Finance Programmes
Year two
In this year you will take your knowledge of micro-economics and macro-economics to a greater depth. You’ll be able to focus more closely on the world of finance by covering topics on money, banking and financial markets. Also begin to develop the techniques which are in widespread use for analysing economic data.
Core units in this year include:
- Econometric Methods
- Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Market
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Personal Tutoring for Economics and Finance Programmes
Options to choose from in this year include:
- International Economics
- Economics of Crime and Social Issues
- Managerial and Decision Economics
- Taxation for Financial Programmes
- Study Abroad (year long)
Year three
In your final year, there are several optional units allowing you to concentrate on the areas that fascinate you the most and for you to learn more advanced and specialised econometric techniques. There is also an independent study project, which initially requires you to work as a group with other students in order to perform in-depth research in a selected area of economics, banking and/or finance.
Core units in this year include:
- Financial Economics and International Banking
- Financial Economics
- International Banking and Financial Management
- Financial Management
- Independent Study Unit
- Personal Tutoring for Economics and Finance Programmes
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Behavioural Finance and the Psychology of Investment
- Business Competition and Regulation
- Financial Statement and Data Analysis
Teaching and Assessment
We go to great lengths to ensure you will have an excellent learning experience with a high level of support. Teaching is usually undertaken in lectures supported by smaller group seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions. Extensive use is also made of information technology and other teaching innovations.
How are you assessed?
There is a mix of formal examinations and coursework assessment throughout your course including:
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports
- essays
- presentations
- self-led independent study project
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Bloomberg Suite
You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders via one of our Bloomberg terminals
Computing
Great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities
Placements Office
Our Placements Office is here to help you find your ideal work placement
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Bloomberg Suite
You can use this essential business research tool and gain real-life financial experience. Created by the Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg, the system is used by over a quarter of million finance professionals globally. You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders via one of our Bloomberg terminals.
Computing
We have invested heavily in open access computer suites across campus. Great working spaces with high-spec PCs (multimedia and CAD), Macs and printing facilities. There is also more specialised software and equipment available such as large format printing, audio-visual equipment and language laboratories. Should you need any assistance, there are specialist technicians on hand to support you in using the facilities.
Placements Office
Take advantage of our Faculty’s Placements Office. Advertising a great variety of work placements, the experienced team is always on hand to offer advice on everything from producing high-quality applications through to preparation for a company assessment day.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
I liked my course because I enjoy the excellent teaching. I also find the applied exams and the module lecture hand-outs very helpful.
Abdullah Alnafeisi, BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking student 2013
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
A good class of economics degree should enable you to obtain a fulfilling and financially rewarding job. It is designed to provide you with powerful analytical tools and methods to understand the complexities of modern financial markets. These skills are in high demand and you’ll be strongly placed to enter the finance and banking sectors. Other roles in management, marketing, sales, advertising, human resources and IT can also be pursued.
Alternatively, you can choose to continue your studies to postgraduate or PhD level.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- financial analyst
- account manager
- trader in financial assets
- purchasing and acquisitions officer
- econometrician
Example of what one of our graduates has gone on to do:
- Kent County Council, Economics Strategy Officer – project appraisal and financial research
Work experience
Doing a work placement could be the best decision you make during your time at university. We strongly encourage you to take a placement year as an integral part of this course.
Work experience will help significantly with getting a job after you graduate, and you may even go on to work full-time for your placement employer. Plus, it can also the best way of finding out whether a particular career path is for you.
Our Placements Office is the one-stop shop for all things placement related. Providing you with a huge portfolio of employers offering great business-related placement opportunities, we are always on hand to advise and help you through the recruitment process and beyond.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more