Business and Finance BSc (Hons)

Why you should study this course
 

The Business and Finance course offers an insight into the financial world. By studying this course you will have the opportunity to:
 

• Develop your skills in our Trading Floor, which features 42 dual screen Bloomberg terminals – we are also currently a Bloomberg Experiential Learning partner, which recognises our commitment to integrating our terminals into our courses.

• Learn in a Business School that was ranked ‘excellent’ in 2020 by Eduniversal, an annual ranking of business schools in over 150 countries.

• Have the opportunity to select from a range of optional modules in your final year, allowing you to tailor your studies to a particular area of interest.

• Gain professional accreditation from some of the UK’s leading professional accounting bodies, whose representatives have visited our previous students in the past to speak about the professions and give advice and guidance on how to potentially secure a job (subject to availability). Please refer to the Accreditation and Professional Recognition and Exemptions section.

• A course that has a practical focus, preparing and analysing financial statements, as well as studying the impact of finance on real businesses through case studies of a diverse range of organisations, including easyJet, Ryanair, Apple and Ben & Jerry’s.

• Access to the university’s sigma centre, which provides maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions with experienced tutors.

• Support from our employability team, The Talent Team, throughout your course. Many of our employment team have previously worked in industry and have experience of being a recruiter; they understand the labour market, the skills employers look for and the processes used by employers to select candidates. Please note that staff may be subject to change.

• Opportunity to apply for an internship or sandwich placement*, typically as a trainee accountant or in management accounting role, with previous students working at large firms in retail, healthcare and professional services, as well as a large number of small to medium-sized accountancy firms and business organisations.

What you'll study

Year one

In the first year, you will have the opportunity to study a range of modules that cover the basics of Business and Finance. You will need 120 credits to pass the year.
 

Modules
 

• Fundamentals of Finance - 20 credits

  This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the importance of personal finance and the process for and factors affecting effective personal financial planning.

  Compulsory
   

• Fundamentals of Business Organisation - 20 credits

  The aim of the module is to provide students with an introduction to business organisation. The module will give students the opportunity to develop a good understanding of how organisations are structured and managed as well as offering students a pragmatic insight into the role and importance of some of the typical functional areas of organisations (Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management and Supply Chain Management).

  Compulsory
   

• Academic and Professional Skills in Finance - 10 credits

  This module aims to provide students with a range of discipline specific and professional skills enabling them to become effective and autonomous learners, with particular emphasis on personal development planning. It will develop a range of transferable capabilities such as research, writing and presentation skills, as well as training on the use of financial databases and spreadsheets. The module thus integrates academic and practical skills to enhance learning and ultimately employability.

  Compulsory
   

• Fundamentals of Business Economics - 20 credits

  This module aims to develop students’ ability to apply appropriate mathematical techniques to financial problems. It starts by applying basic mathematical methods, and then introduces students to other techniques in the context of financial applications. It will also offer students with A-level mathematics the opportunity to apply their mathematical skills to more complex applications.

  Compulsory
   

• Marketing Essentials - 20 credits

  This module has two main aims: The first is to introduce students to the fundamental theoretical concepts that underpin the marketing function, in particular the role of consumer behaviour, in marketing and selling situations The second is to build the collection of skills required to apply these fundamental concepts to case study and other scenarios in order to produce basic marketing and sales solutions.

  Compulsory
   

• Mathematical Techniques for Finance - 20 credits

  This module aims to introduce students to the economic environment in which a business organisation operates and to develop an understanding of basic economic concepts that are applicable to careers in business, accountancy, and finance.

  Compulsory
   

  Add+vantage module - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

Year two

In your second year there is a greater emphasis on finance, business management and leadership. Also, there is a module designed to give you the opportunity to gain employability skills specific to finance. We focus on threshold concepts, for example, the relevant knowledge and understanding of organisations, the external environment in which they operate, books of accounting entry, marginal costing, opportunity cost, finance theory and market forces. These concepts unlock the basic principles of business and finance theory, allowing you the opportunity to view these functions in a wider real-world context. You will need 120 credits to pass the year.

Modules
 

• Principles of Finance - 20 credits

  This module aims to introduce students to relevant concepts in finance. Students will learn about the workings of the equity and bond markets, gain quantitative skills to price stocks and bonds, acquire techniques to exploit the trade-off between risk and return to an optimal effect, develop critical understanding of theories and empirics of asset pricing models and market efficiency hypothesis, and become aware of key financial decisions taken by firms. The module elucidates the basics of the financial theory and how they are applied in the real world. It also provides students with structured opportunities to develop quantitative and analytical skills for more advanced undergraduate studies in finance.

  Compulsory
   

• Business Management - 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to provide students with an appreciation and in-depth understanding of the key and practical issues in management within global organisations. These areas will include the role management plays within an organisation, the development and motivation of people and the management of a culturally diverse workforce.

  Compulsory
   

• Financial Services - 20 credits

  This module intends to provide students with an understanding of the functions and operation of retail financial services in the UK. It aims to provide an advanced knowledge of the main financial products offered by UK financial service industry. These will include investment, savings, borrowing, insurance and pension alternatives available to individuals. It also provides a background to financial advice at the personal level through an understanding of the regulation framework and the decision-making process.

  Compulsory
   

• Employability Skills in Finance 1 - 10 credits

  This module aims to ensure students have a clear understanding of the expectations internships and placements employers have and how to best prepare to face the job market at this level. The module begins with an opportunity for self-evaluation where students complete a skills audit in order to identify strengths and weaknesses relative to the applications for relevant internships and placements. Once this reflective exercise is completed, students will address and enhance the areas of weaknesses identified and also be supported and mentored towards job opportunities that would best utilise their strengths.

  Compulsory
   

• Principles of Management and Leadership - 20 credits

  This module aims to introduce students to relevant concepts in finance. Students will learn about the workings of the equity and bond markets, gain quantitative skills to price stocks and bonds, acquire techniques to exploit the trade-off between risk and return to an optimal effect, develop critical understanding of theories and empirics of asset pricing models and market efficiency hypothesis, and become aware of key financial decisions taken by firms. The module elucidates the basics of the financial theory and how they are applied in the real world. It also provides students with structured opportunities to develop quantitative and analytical skills for more advanced undergraduate studies in finance.

  Compulsory
   

• Business Accounting - 20- credits

  This module is designed to develop their understanding of the language, concepts and tools commonly used in financial and management accounting.

  Compulsory
   

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

Final year

The final year of study offers you the chance to pick an optional module, designed to enable you to develop specialist knowledge in areas like investment analysis or e-commerce, depending on the path you wish to follow in your potential future career. You will be required to conduct a project; students often choose a specific contemporary issue of interest to them. Examples of previous topics chosen include impact of financial crisis on financial markets and effect of regulation on financial services.
 

Modules
 

• Corporate Strategic Management - 20 credits

  Strategic management has now evolved to the point that its primary value is to help the organisation operate successfully in a dynamic, complex environment. To be competitive in this environment, businesses have to become less bureaucratic and more flexible, including the ability to shift from one dominant strategy to another. This strategic flexibility also demands a long term commitment to the development and nurturing of critical resources in this environment driven by technical and social change.

  Compulsory
   

• International Corporate Finance - 20 credits

  The overall aim of this module is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the scope and nature of the financial management issues that exist within modern international corporations. The module covers the major strands of corporate finance theories and applications such as financing of the firm, capital management, and risk management in the context of the current globalisation of financial markets.

  Compulsory
   

• Project - 20 credits

  This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to apply and develop their research skills and to extend their knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse in a specialist area of interest. The student will chose an academic area related to their programme of study and apply their independent learning skills to research this area in depth. Students will receive academic support through a series of group supervisions and will be allocated a project supervisor.

  Compulsory
   

• Employability Skills in Finance 2 - 10 credits

  This module aims to ensure students have a clear understanding of the expectations graduate employers have and how to best prepare to face the graduate market. The module begins with an opportunity for personal evaluation, where students complete a skills audit in order to identify strengths and weaknesses. Once the self-evaluation is completed, students will have the opportunity to develop and enhance areas of weakness and also be guided towards schemes that would best utilise or match their strengths.

  Compulsory
   

• Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams - 20 credits

  Leading individuals and teams to success is arguably the most important skill a manager can possess. This module focuses on the essential management and leadership skills required to fulfil this role in the business and finance context. The module begins with focusing on the theoretical and practical approaches to developing, leading and managing teams. Students will look at techniques to assess team capabilities, including the role of recruitment, selection and staff development. On successfully completing the module, students will not only know the principles of managing individuals and teams, but they will understand approaches for supporting, motivating and inspiring teams and individuals to exceed expectations.

  Compulsory
   

• Optional modules
   

  Choose one from the following modules:
   

  Investment Analysis - 20 credits

  The module focuses on the bond and equity markets. Students are introduced to discounted cash flow related bond pricing techniques along with bond portfolio managements and the associated risk immunisation methodologies. In respect to equity valuation, students will compare and contrast discounted cash flow methods with fundamental valuation approaches associated with approaches such as value investing and growth investing. Market timing is also explored through the application of technical analysis. 
   

  Insurance and Pensions - 20 credits

  This module provides students with an understanding of the nature and purposes of insurance and pensions. By the end of the module, students should have acquired the ability to critically evaluate alternative insurance and pension products in relation to the needs of individuals. They should also be able to communicate the relative merits of alternative insurances and pensions, and the implications of inadequate cover and provision.
   

  Management of E-Commerce - 20 credits

  This module aims to introduce students to E-Commerce concepts by giving an integrative perspective of front and back end online commerce. Specifically, it provides students with an understanding of E-Commerce, different types of E-Commerce global business models (i.e., B2C and B2B), E-Commerce Information Systems (i.e., TPS, MIS, ECRM, and DSS), and Management of E-Commerce issues (i.e., Security and Trust). 

  Optional
   

• Add+vantage module - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory
   

Typical offer for 2022 entry.
 

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall

International Fees
£15,300 per year
 

International Pathways 2022 Scholarship

You could enjoy a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees.

Our high-quality foundation, international year one and pre-masters courses are for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to their preferred Coventry University undergraduate or postgraduate course. We can support you to achieve the academic and/or English grades you need and help you gain the personal and professional skills required to study at university.

We want to encourage ambitious international students like you to study at Coventry University, so we’ve secured extra financial support for you worth £3,000, to help with the cost of tuition fees, living expenses and accommodation.

The scholarship application deadline is:
September 2022 intake: 31 July 2022

Our course is designed to give you the opportunity to gain the practical skills and experience needed for your potential future career, so that upon successful completion you have the confidence to give sound financial advice and make effective financial decisions. 

You’ll also benefit from exploring a wide range of desirable professional skills, including team working; critical evaluation; self-directed learning; problem-solving; action planning and organising; written and oral communication; presentation; questioning and listening. The following personal qualities will also be addressed in each of the skills modules: achievement orientation; initiative and creativity; self-confidence; decisiveness; reflectiveness; adaptability and flexibility.  

On successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future careers options in areas such as finance, management, accounting, banking, personal and corporate finance, business, or education in private, public and third sector organisations. Alternatively, this course could set you on the path towards a professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant.