Business with Finance (BSc (Hons))

Overview

Who is it for?

The Business with Finance pathway is right for you if you want to pursue a career in the finance sector and you're keen to apply a range of general management skills. It is particularly relevant if you're interested in a management role in banking or financial services.

Objectives

On this course, you'll gain a broad understanding of the various elements of running a business and managing an organisation with an emphasis on finance, accounting, and economics.

You'll study a range of management theories and assess their application to finance. You'll learn how to analyse financial markets and how financial institutions operate. You will also have the chance to learn about the financial aspects of subjects such as strategy and emerging markets.

Course Director

Dr Martin Rich

Senior Lecturer

Structure

What will I learn?

• Gain an overview of the concepts, theories, and techniques that contribute to an understanding of business management
• Learn in-depth concepts relating to finance, economics, and accounting
• Apply analytical approaches to financial markets and to businesses operating in the financial sector
• Learn about the key players within the financial sector and the strategic issues facing them
• Consider how the management of finance can be expected to change in the future
• Recognise the ethical issues surrounding business and be able to practise responsible management.

Year 1

Core modules:

• Introduction to management

  This provides an introduction to management and organisational behaviour concepts.  You will study how management concepts have evolved over the years and discuss how they are relevant to your own future work as managers.

• Business economics

  This provides a grounding in Economics. You will learn about a range of concepts used by economists and will study how these are important to managers in business.

• Critical thinking

  This provides a training in how to evaluate critically and thoughtfully the variety and volume of information that as managers you can expect to encounter. You will study a range of literature which is relevant to Business Management and you will be expected to develop sophisticated skills in how to assess and interpret this.

• Quantitative methods and analytics

  This covers a range of quantitative and statistical techniques. You will learn the fundamentals of business analytics, you will gain a thorough grounding in statistical techniques and how to apply them, and you will study the way that analytical techniques are changing businesses.  This will extend to understanding the use of big data, the potential for data visualisation, and the application of databases.

• Operations and supply chain management

  This covers the operational techniques that make it possible for businesses to function. You will learn about the workings of supply chains and will also learn how to analyse effectively how the operational functions of a business can be optimised.

• Finance and management accounting 1

  This introduces you to concepts in both financial and management accounting. You will learn about the importance of accounts as a way to convey information about a business. You will study the principles behind accounting and how accounts can informa business decision making.

• Fundamentals of marketing

  This provides an introduction to marketing. Its particular emphasis is on Consumer Behaviour, on approaches to Marketing Strategy, and on the connection between these areas.

• Management lab and business skills

  This builds strong connections between management theory, management practice, and skills which you will need to use in your future career. You will explore how management theory can be applied to address the type of issues encountered in contemporary business and learn how to combine this with practical skills.

Year 2

Core modules:

• Technology and innovation management

  This will provide you with analytical tools which are necessary for managing in an environment where rapid technological change is a factor. You will learn about the challenges associated with technological innovation and will discuss the impact of these challenges on a variety of business sectors.

• Introduction to entrepreneurship

  This will give you an understanding of what is understood by entrepreneurship and how to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to business. You will learn about business planning and pitching an idea, and will also study different entrepreneurial styles and their impact.

• Introduction to finance

  This will offer a thorough grounding in finance concepts. You will understand how to interpret financial information and commentaries, and be able to consider how to take account of finance in decisions which you may need to make.  You will also have a sound basis for any further finance modules which you may take within your course.

• Human resources management

  This will provide an introduction to a number of different practices that make up the HRM function in an organisation. You will understand the impact of these practices and will learn about the importance of HRM within an organisation as a whole.

• Business strategy analysis

  This provides an introduction to business strategy and an opportunity to reflect on why it is important and how it should be put into practice. You will learn about a number of different perspectives on strategy and a number of tools which you can apply to perform strategic analysis on a business.

Specialist modules:

• Financial and management accounting 2

  This builds on the financial and management accounting concepts that you studied in the first year. You will learn how accounts are used to present information that can be applied by senior staff responsible for key decisions in an organisation.

• Econometrics

  This introduces you to the concepts and purpose behind econometrics. You will learn to use a range of econometric tools, study their application to economic forecasting, and discuss how the resulting data can be interpreted.

Year 3

Core modules:

• Final-year project or corporate responsibility project

  You will carry out a major piece of independent work where you can apply what you have learned in the course to a business management issue which interests you. You should choose a subject which is relevant to the stream that you are taking. You can apply for the corporate responsibility option where you will work on your project alongside the Corporate Social Responsibility department within an organisation.

• Research methods and data analysis

  This will provide you with an understanding of a set of research methods which will help you in carrying out independent work within your degree, and will also be of use within your future career. You will learn how to set up research projects, how to interpret and analyse data, and how to bring this together and draw worthwhile conclusions.

• Business in society

  This will give you an appreciation of the role of business within society as a whole. You will learn about broader ethical issues and the connections between businesses and a wide range of stakeholders. You will also discuss the purpose of businesses and how they relate to external factors.  You will study the demands, expectations, and potential conflicts that result from these factors.

Specialist modules:

• Corporate finance

  This provides you with the key skills to work in corporate advisory roles and in the financial services sector.  You will learn about valuation, investment, financing and dividend policies.

Assessment methodsOverall workloadAssessment methods

Assessment methods

Most modules are assessed by a combination of exams and coursework.

The balance of assessment by coursework (assessed essays and assignments) unseen examinations and a final year project will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose.

The first year of your programme contributes 10% to your final degree classification, the second year 30% and the final year 60%.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The approximate percentage of the course assessment is estimated as follows:

Year 1

80% written, 0% practical, 20% coursework

Year 2

70% written, 0% practical, 30% coursework

Year 3

53% written, 0% practical, 47% coursework.

Overall workload

Overall workload

Most contact hours will take the form of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. The number will decrease as you progress and you become more able to direct your own learning.

Approximate study time is estimated as follows:

Year 1

21% scheduled learning, 79% independent learning, 0% placement

Year 2

18% scheduled learning, 82% independent learning, 0% placement

Year 3

11% scheduled learning, 89% independent learning, 0% placement.

Application

How to apply

All applications should be made through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Applications are made via Apply, UCAS's online application system.

UCAS Institution code: C60 (Cass Business School and City, University of London)
UCAS Course code: N1N3

More information about applying to Cass

Entry requirementsEnglish language requirementsEntry requirements

Entry requirements

A-Level: AAA

BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD

For candidates taking a combination of A Level/BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications we accept the following:

• BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma with one A-Level
• BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma with two A-levels.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): We welcome applications that include the EPQ. Where relevant, this may be included in our offer, resulting in an 'A' Level offer reduced by one grade.

IB: 36 points overall with 5 minimum in each subject

In addition we also ask for the following GCSE requirement:

• A minimum of grade 5 (C) in GCSE English and grade 6 (B) ('A' Level and Access to Higher Education applicants) or grade 7 (A) (all other qualification combinations) in GCSE Mathematics.

If you are studying General Studies, Critical Thinking or a native language 'A' level, these subjects will not be included in any offer condition.

International students

We accept a wide range of international and other UK qualifications at Cass.

• Typical entry requirements for international and other qualifications

If you do not qualify for direct entry, there are several partners that offer preparatory international foundation courses for students seeking entry to undergraduate degrees. These include:

INTO City, University of London

Don't meet the entry requirements? INTO City, University of London offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare you for study at City, University of London. You'll learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry. To prepare for this degree course, learn more about the International Foundation in Business and Economics with Accounting.

Kaplan International College (KIC) London

Additionally, City works in partnership with KIC London to provide a range of preparatory courses for international students. KIC London courses offer comprehensive support to students - including regular one-to-one tuition. Students who successfully complete the KIC London Foundation course at the required level are guaranteed progression to City, University of London degree courses.

English language requirements

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in any unit

PTE Academic: 58 overall with a minimum of 50

GCSE: English language grade 5

View further information about the minimum acceptable English language requirements for Tier 4 students.

English language programmes

Don't meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

• Academic English
• Pre-sessional English

Placements

Students are eligible to apply for a one-year paid work placement which takes place during the third year of a four-year sandwich degree course. Students enjoy a wide range of opportunities in business areas such as finance, marketing and human resource management.

Cass students have recently taken up placements within many leading corporate organisations including

• EY
• Goldman Sachs
• IBM
• L'Oreal
• Microsoft
• Morgan Stanley
• UBS
• Unicef UK
• Universal Pictures

Students who are looking for work experience without devoting a whole year to a business placement can apply for a summer internship.  Many employers offer these, and students who successfully complete an internship will be awarded a certificate.