Financial ManagementBA Hons

With this financial management degree you'll gain the knowledge and skills you need to plan, organise and control business finances.

You'll develop your understanding of how finance impacts and underpins a whole business as you explore key financial and business functions. You'll learn to contribute to good financial decision making, which is key to the success of any business, and discover topics including economics, data analytics and reporting.

During your second and third years you'll focus on topics you're interested in by choosing optional modules. You could explore areas including analytics, financial systems, finance in sport or the psychology of investment as you prepare for the career you want when you graduate.

Graduates of this course have gone on to be finance managers in business, accountants, or to work in financial services.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Ideal skills and qualities for this course

As well as meeting the entry requirements for this degree we're looking for people who are team players and who embrace a challenge.

Having a curious mind is important, because employers value graduates who can adapt to new situations and find solutions to complex problems.

The blend of business skills and financial knowledge you'll develop on this degree prepares you for many career options.

Job vacancies in the financial services sector in the UK rose by 38% in 2021 and surveys show that 32% of UK firms are suffering shortages in financial, professional and business services skills (Soaring demand for financial services skills, 2021).

Work placement year

You can boost your employability by taking an optional paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree.

Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:

• Boeing Defence UK
• TK Maxx
• Coopervision
• Samsung
• Cummins

Many of our students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employers.

The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.

You could also set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

Study abroad year

In your second year you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.

Our teaching has been developed to maximise skills that employers are looking for. In our classes you'll engage in activities that both enhance your learning and develop your communication, presentation and team working skills. Where appropriate, you'll use computer packages that are valued within the accounting and finance professions.

Around 20% of your timetabled teaching will be online.

The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:

• seminars
• practical workshops
• computer workshops
• group work
• 1-to-1 tutorials
• guest speakers from the profession and industry

We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.

Assessment

We use a diverse range of assessments and we focus on the types of work you'll be expected to complete in the workplace.

Assessment methods are likely to include:

• analysis of topical case studies
• written reports
• presentations
• self-led project or dissertation
• group work
• portfolio creation
• essays
• exams

Teaching staff profiles

These are some of the expert staff who’ll teach you on this degree course.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.

Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:

• timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops): about 14 hours a week
• independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group): about 21 hours a week

You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Tuition fees (2023)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)

Tuition fees (2024 start)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £18,100 a year (subject to annual increase)

You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.