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Course summary
- Learn how to trade a range of financial markets.
- Gain several qualifications alongside your degree.
- Benefit from cutting edge facilities including Bloomberg professional terminals and a state of the art trading room in London
On this course, you′ll learn about multiple areas of finance. Your first and final year will be in Sheffield but in your second year you’ll work with our experienced trading partner in London to gain valuable market knowledge. You′ll finish not only with a degree and a separate trading qualification, but you’ll also be able to complete the CFA’s Investment Management Certificate and a CISI Derivatives paper which together will allow you to pursue a range of careers within financial services.
Sheffield Business School accreditation
Sheffield Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing us in the top 5% of business schools globally.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
The teaching and learning on this course is designed to give you practical experience of trading and investment management.
You will learn what it takes to become a successful trader, while developing the knowledge and skills needed to work in investment management. Topics include fundamental economics and accounting principles, progressing into practical application of trading and portfolio management techniques, before rounding off with legal and regulatory requirements.
You will learn through
- live market trading
- portfolio management simulations
- case studies/scenarios
- real–world experience in London
Course leaders and tutors

Damion Taylor
Damion is both course leader and recruitment leader for finance courses at undergraduate level. He teaches a range of modules in the financial management subject are … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements
The course incorporates an optional placement. As your second year will be based in London, you will be well positioned to secure a placement in London before returning to Sheffield for your final year. You are not limited to Sheffield or London, however, we regularly source and help our students apply for placements around the globe.
Live projects
In your second year you will devise and implement trading strategies on live markets using real time data. You will then blend this expertise with your investment management knowledge, to build a simulated trading and investment portfolio which will become a major final year project. Because of the practical nature of the course your final year project will be in lieu of a dissertation.
Networking opportunities
You will benefit from networking opportunities in both Sheffield and London. Sheffield Business School has strong links with industry both locally and nationally, giving you regular opportunities to network with employers. Additionally, during your time in London you will benefit from the longstanding relationships our trading partner has in the City.
Competitions
As well as in–class tests and quizzes to help build your learning, we also run investment competitions and regularly take part in the annual Bloomberg University Trading Challenge.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- financial trading
- investment management
- investment banking
- wealth management/financial planning
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with:
- Bloomberg professional terminals– industry standard.
- The Financial Times, with free access to FT.com.
- Microsoft Office 365, which is free to install on your own devices.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112
This must include at least 64 points from 2 A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- BBC at A Level
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, contact our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Accounting | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Asset Classes | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Economics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Investment Theory Management And Measurement | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Quantitative Methods | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Introduction To Trading Algorithms | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Employability Skills For Financial Services | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Ethics And Investment Professionalism | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Financial Markets And Institutions | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Financial Trading | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Legal Concepts | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Year 3
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Client Advice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: International Derivatives And Risk | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Taxation In The Uk | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: The Regulation Of Financial Markets And Institutions | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Trading And Investment Management Project | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Accounting, banking and finance courses (PDF, 223.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.