BSc Finance

at London School of Economics

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. In the first year you will gain an essential foundation in finance, equipping you with the necessary quantitative skills. The second year will concentrate on building a firm grasp of core analytical methods in finance and financial economics and applying them to a range of problems, while the third year allows you to gain in-depth knowledge in a range of finance subfields.

First year
You will take compulsory introductory courses in economics, mathematics and statistics as well as LSE100.

(* denotes a half unit course)

Introduction to Finance*
Introduces you to the core issues in finance.

Microeconomics I*
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key microeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Macroeconomics I*
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key macroeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Elementary Statistical Theory
This is a theoretical statistics course which is appropriate whether or not your A level Mathematics course included statistics. It forms the basis for later statistics options.

Mathematical Methods
An introductory-level "how to do it" course designed to prepare you for using mathematics seriously in the social sciences, or any other context.

One from the following two options:

Elements of Financial Accounting*
Introduces you to the preparation, uses and limitations of accounting convention.

Programming for Data Science*
The primary focus of this course is to cover principles of computer programming with a focus on data science applications.

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Second year
You will take compulsory courses in finance, microeconomics, econometrics.

Principles of Finance
Examines companies' longer term investment decisions, and the ways in which these may be financed in the financial markets.

Financial Systems and Crises*
Covers the historical development of financial markets and institutions, including the evolution of banking, financial exchanges and regulation.

Macro-Finance*
Studies the relationship between financial markets and the macro-economy. 

Microeconomics II*
This intermediate-level course will help students understand key microeconomic questions and challenges and also evaluate possible solutions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Econometrics I*
Introduction to econometrics to teach students the theory and practice of empirical research in economics.

Econometrics II*
Intermediate-level course to teach students the theory of econometrics and the practice of empirical research in economics.

Either 

Managing Visualising Data 
This course focuses on the fundamental principles of effective manipulation and visualisation of data.

Or a half unit optional course

Third year
In the third year you will take six more half-unit compulsory courses. You will also choose two half units or a full unit outside option from a selected list of relevant courses offered outside the Department.

Market Anomalies and Asset Management*
Examines the extent to which financial markets are informationally efficient and analyse portfolio optimisation techniques and how performance can be measured. 

Theories of Corporate Finance*
Examines the theory and evidence concerning major corporate financial policy decisions, focusing particularly on the firm's decision to finance with debt versus equity, the impact of taxes on such decisions, and the role of dividends. 

Risk Management and Modelling*
Develops the fundamental concepts of how to deal with risk, such as value at risk, portfolio management, hedging and risk measurement.

Derivatives*
Explores the theoretical foundations of financial derivatives on a variety of asset classes, including bonds, stocks, commodities and currencies.

Applied Corporate Finance*
Illustrates and extends the corporate finance topics previously learnt with a range of case studies. 

Advanced Financial Economics*
Covers the modern theories of asset valuation.

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background. The programme guidance below should be read alongside our general entrance requirements information.
 

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on the UCAS application form, including your:

 

• academic achievement including predicted and achieved grades (see 'Entry requirements' for programme specific information)
• subject and subject combinations (see 'Entry requirements' for programme specific information)
• personal statement (see below for programme specific information)
• teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

 

Personal characteristics, skills and attributes

For this programme, we are looking for students who demonstrate the following characteristics, skills, and attributes:

 

• an ability to follow complex lines of reasoning
• strong analytical abilities and a high level of numeracy
• an ability to apply logic and identify trends
• an ability to think independently
• an ability to be creative and flexible in approaching problems
• time management skills and ability to work under pressure
• good communication skills
• intellectual curiosity
• motivation and capacity for hard work

 

Personal statement

In addition to demonstrating the above personal characteristics, skills and attributes, your statement should be original, interesting and well-written and should outline your enthusiasm and motivation for the programme.

 

You should explain whether there are any aspects of particular interest to you, how this relates to your current academic studies and what additional reading or relevant experiences you have had which have led you to apply. We are interested to hear your own thoughts or ideas on the topics you have encountered through your exploration of the subject at school or through other activities. Some suggestions for preliminary reading can be found above in the preliminary reading section, but there is no set list of activities we look for; instead we look for students who have made the most of the opportunities available to them to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their intended programme of study.

 

You can also mention extra-curricular activities such as sport, the arts or volunteering or any work experience you have undertaken. However, the main focus of an undergraduate degree at LSE is the in-depth academic study of a subject and we expect the majority of your personal statement to be spent discussing your academic interests.

Every undergraduate student is charged a fee for each year of their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees

Home students:
The 2023 tuition fee for new Home students has not yet been set. As a guide the 2022 fee for Home students is £9,250 per year. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Graduates from this programme will be well prepared for careers in investment banking, sales, trading and research, investment management, management consultancy, start-ups and other professional careers in the City, as well as further academic study.

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search.