BA (Honours) International Finance and Investment

UCAS code

N391

Attendance

Full-time

Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time

At a glance

Gain a professional knowledge of the products and services used in stockbroking, fund management and financial markets. You can gain valuable professional experience with a placement, in the UK or overseas, at a major organisation such as Henderson Global Investors and Morgan Stanley. Also thereТs the opportunity toаachieve industry recognition with industry-sponsored prizes.

Key points
Х Gain the key knowledge and skills needed for a role in investment management.
Х Spend a year gaining experience with aа major investment organisation such as Morgan Stanley.
Х Win industry-sponsored prizes from investment management firms for outstanding academic achievement.
Х Benefit from close links with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).

What is international finance and investment?
International finance and investment studies the decisions related to a portfolio of investments, for example pensions, hedge funds or trust funds, in accordance with the stated goals of the fund.

About this course

Prepare for a career in fund management and stockbroking on a course designed in consultation withаindustry practitioners and professional bodies.

In the first year, you get a broad grounding in finance and related topics, to ensure that you have a sound platform on which to build. Starting in the first year, and throughout your course, we regularly provide you with opportunities to develop your IT and numerical skills.

Your second and final years focus primarily on finance and financial markets, in line with your specialism. This develops the key skills required of you by employers and offers you a greater understanding of the different financial roles within organisations.

In your third year you can apply what you have learnt on aаplacement in a professional organisation. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable insight into the workings of that organisation and increases your career potential. You build professional relationships with potential employers that can lead to the offer of a permanent job after you graduate.

You can gain placements in large organisations such as Henderson Global Investors, Redmayne Bentley and Morgan Stanley. We encourage students who are interested, to apply for work placements which are based overseas in countries such as France, USA, Australia, Gibraltar and Dubai.

All students returning from placement study the career management and professional development module. This module asks students to reflect upon their placement experiences and plan future career moves. Students who don't go on placement take a period of work-based learning in their final year.

If you gain more than 60% in the financial services regulation and ethics core module you can complete a Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) exam as part of your degree.аWe pay for your tuition material, the exam and student membership of the CISI.

You can also gain professional exemptions from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). These industry recognised qualifications can further enhance your prospects as you prepare for a career in the sector.

Key areas of study
This course gives you an in-depth knowledge of banking and finance and covers key areas such as Х financial and management information Х financial institutions and markets Х principles of investment Х mergers and acquisitions Х strategic issues in financial services.

Enhanced study experience
We embed a wide range of extras into your course to enhance your study experience and to give you greater employability and technical skills after graduating.аVisit the enhanced study media box to view examples of our many initiatives.

Associated careers

The course is designed to help you gain employment in fund management, stockbroking, investment management and financial markets. Common areas in which graduates find jobs include wealth management, fund management, financial advising, trading, investment banking and financial risk management.

As a graduate of this course you can follow in the footsteps of former students, who have found well-paid employment in the banking or financial services industries with organisations such as Investec, Winterfloods, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, HSBC and Redmayne Bentley.

Graduatesаare likely to go onto further professional study with common routes being via the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment, Chartered Financial Analysts Institute, and the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Industry quote
Businesses say the following about employing graduates from this course.

'We place a great emphasis on the quality of our employees. As a firm we have employed a number of Sheffield Hallam University graduates over the years and have found them to be very well prepared for the world of work.'
Nicholas Bolton, senior investment director, Investec Wealth & Investment

Professional recognition

Part of this course isаaccredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

Course content

Year one core modules

Х business analysis Х business environment Х financial and management information Х financial servicesаregulation and ethicsаХ managing resources

Year one options

Choose one from Х international business Х foreign language

Year two modules

Х credit analysis Х financial institutions and markets Х managing finance Х global investment banking Х principles of investment Х understanding and managing financial roles

Year three

Х optional work placement

Year four modules

Х international derivatives and risk Х international financial markets Х mergers and acquisitions Х risk management and investment Х strategic issues in financial services Х career management and professional development (four year route only) or work based learning

Assessment

Х examinations Х coursework Х computer-based assignments Х group assessments Х presentations Х multiple choice tests Х case study assessments

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in or awareness of finance or banking or some level of practical experience.

Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
Х 280 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications do not count towards your points.

Х Access Ц an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and at least 15 at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.

If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.

2013 entry requirements

We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in or awareness of finance or banking or some level of practical experience.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body isаincluded in the course fee.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г11,880 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically г11,880 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk