UDBANKFY - BSc (Hons) Banking and Finance (including foundation year)

About the course, its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

The foundation year part of this course is developed under the School of Social Sciences and Professions for students who wish to enter Higher Education and may have non-traditional qualifications, lower UCAS points or are mature students. It exemplifies the university strategies of inclusive learning, widening participation, the aims of the ESJF and of serving our community, as the majority of our students are local. Students will explore a wide range of social science, business and current affairs themes, whilst also developing the academic and digital literacies that will be of benefit to them in the following three years of study. The curriculum is structured to be confidence building, varied and inclusive, and reflects the lived experiences of our cohort. They will begin to develop an identity related to their subject choice and career aspirations. In addition, they will work on becoming self-motivated, proactive students, taking responsibility for their own progress and learning. Teaching and learning is through interactive workshops, practising compassionate pedagogy, that enable students to form strong communities with each other and the teaching staff. Students will have access to varied materials on weblearn, and other learning resources and opportunities tailored to their subject. To support success, the programme runs an extensive ‘assessment care package’ that guides students at all stages through assessments. Each student will have a personal academic tutor and access to a success coach, as well as informal peer support.

The BSc Banking and Finance (including foundation year) programme aims to foster life-long learning among students and to provide a springboard into employment in the graduate labour market. The course is designed to prepare students for a career in the banking and finance industry in London, Europe or further afield.

The course aims to develop knowledge, critical reasoning skills, subject-specific and transferable skills necessary for students to become confident, creative & connected professionals.

The course provides students with the broad range of skills they need to secure and retain employment in the highly competitive labour market. The academic depth and breadth of this undergraduate programme provide highly relevant subject specific knowledge and transferable skills. Students also develop their cognitive skills, problem solving, quantitative and IT competence, and effective oral and written communication skills.

Students will be equipped to access and analyse data from databases such as Bloomberg. Students will develop expertise in the use of data analysis packages such as Eviews, NVivo, SPSS, Python to analyse banking, economic and financial data.

Students are able to gain experience of a real-world business environment through the compulsory work-related learning modules which can be selected by students in Level 5 of their course programme.

Students’ learning is initiated and directed through formal contact time with the teaching team in lectures and seminars. Students are encouraged to develop their learning through individual and group activity in class and through reading, writing, problem-solving and other learning activity outside class. Students use case studies, presentations and exercises to develop and demonstrate their understanding.

Practical skills are also developed through independent activities undertaken by students who reflect on, develop and present work for informal assessment by the tutor. Initiative and independence are developed progressively through the levels of the course, so that students learn to take greater responsibility for their work, culminating in their level 6 dissertation research project.

Numerical and statistical skills are introduced and developed in core quantitative modules at levels 4 and 5. Students learn how to access, manipulate and interpret key financial data and they are able to extend quantitative and research skills at level 6 in the dissertation research project modules and through option choice.

With respect to blended learning: all modules make use of virtual learning environment platforms (WebLearn) in which module lecture material, module details and other material are made available. Other ICT resources include links to key web resources, on-line learning tools, test questions and previous examples of assessments with feedback.

An inclusive learning environment is created which anticipates the varied requirements of learners, while raising aspirations and supporting achievement for people with diverse requirements, entitlements and backgrounds.

Note: If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the School reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the School cancels a module it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative.

Level 3:

Aims to explore a broad range of social science, business and current affairs issues. Learners reflect on the qualities needed to be a successful student in Higher Education and identify their own strengths and areas for development.

Level 4 onwards:

The BSc Banking and Finance (Including Foundation year) course aims to deliver an academically rigorous programmed of study, which provides students with the opportunity to study the major disciplines in banking and finance and to relate these to the business environment

1: Our graduates will have the confidence needed to take leadership decisions in challenging situations.

2: Our graduates will possess the necessary communication skills that will help them adopt a global and multicultural perspective in their professional context.

3: Our graduates will be cognisant of the effects of the social and environmental effects of their decision, and will remain active citizens of the places they live and work.

4: Our graduates will demonstrate application of creative thinking skills to practical problems, and possess the analytical and organizational skills to translate creative ideas to operational solutions

5: Our graduates will have sufficient knowledge in the core discipline areas included in their Banking and Finance course.

The University learning outcome that cuts across the entirety of the London Metropolitan University provision, and thus, the BSc (Hons) Banking and Finance (Including Foundation year), is:

On completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible professionals in their discipline (ULO)

Thus, upon graduating with an honors degree in Banking and Finance, students will typically:

UL0. Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline

LO1. Have the confidence needed to take leadership decisions in challenging situations.

LO2. Possess the necessary communication skills that will help them adopt a global and multicultural perspective in their professional context.

LO3. Be cognisant of the effects of the social and environmental consequences of their decisions and remain active citizens of the places they live and work.

LO4. Appreciate the nature of the context and institutional framework in which finance operates, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main theories used in banking and finance, and relate empirical evidence to finance theory in relevant areas, with an understanding of the significance and limitations of such evidence

LO5. Understand and appraise the financial needs of business entities; the principles of personal investment; the workings of capital markets; the relationship between risk and return; and the nature and use of financial derivatives

LO6. Develop a research and scientific mindset. Student will learn to apply relevant theory in structured situations collect data and carry out statistical and financial analysis and draw meaningful conclusions.

LO7. Understand and evaluate the economic, political, regulatory and social environments in which finance and financial services operates, and the ethical considerations embedded in these operations

LO8. Demonstrate possession of cognitive abilities, subject-specific skills and transferable skills necessary to become confident, creative and connected banking and finance professionals and citizens.

LO9. Develop a network of like-minded peers and becoming part of the London Met alumni network in the banking and finance sector.

LO10. Develop the soft skills needed to succeed in the work environment. These include communication skills, mental agility and flexibility, pro-activeness, hardworking and ambitious mindset.

Finance (2025)

A range of assessment methods are used across each level of the course, reflecting the range of learning outcomes at each level and the diversity of learning styles amongst students. In each module, the assessment methods chosen are those best-suited to measuring the achievement of that particular module’s learning outcomes.

For instance, essays are used in modules where learning outcomes include the development of writing skills, referencing, synthesis and critical evaluation. Group work is used in modules where co-operative skills are being developed. Case studies are employed where students are learning how to apply financial analysis to particular scenarios or organisations. Other methods or assessment include: individual presentations, coursework problem sets and mini-projects, group reports, in-class tests, seen and unseen exams.

Priority is given to methods of assessment consistent with timely formative feedback, either in the development stage of the work or as soon as possible after the assessment has been completed.
On some modules formative feedback on drafts of essays may be provided before essays are handed in. The University aims to provide feedback on the first assessment component within two weeks of submission, and for subsequent assessment components within three weeks of submission.

Unseen and seen examinations are also seen as an important tool for assessing the achievement of learning outcomes and the maintenance of academic standards.

Assessed work experience modules provide students with practical experience and the opportunity to apply academic learning in real-world settings. They help develop key employability skills and offer valuable insight into industry practices and professional environments.

At Level 5, students can choose from three alternative core 15-credit work-based learning modules:

• MN5W55 Learning Through Work - For those looking to gain experience from undertaking and reflecting on work-based projects related to your career interest.
• MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business - Ideal for those seeking to understand how entrepreneurial knowledge can benefit those seeking employment or for those interested in how to be self-employed. Includes a short work-based project
• WL5W50 Empowering London: Working within the Community - For students interested in how societal issues affect London, including gaining work experience supporting a charity or community organisations.

Students can also apply for the option to extend their degree to a four-year programme by completing a full Year in Industry module (MN6W04) after successfully finishing Level 5. This provides in-depth, real-world experience, professional-level skills development, and opportunities to build networks, helping graduates stand out in a competitive job market.

The course draws on external links with banking and finance practitioners in the City and elsewhere in the UK. These links may give rise to University and GSBL guest lectures, external speaker seminars and other meetings of interest to undergraduate students. These events throughout the course provide opportunities for students to gain knowledge and experience from outside the University.

Modules are required to be taken as indicated in the course structure. Where a student is taking no more than 90 credits in an academic year within the maximum permissible time limit, they may be designated as Part Time.

There are no course specific regulations.

Modules are required to be taken as indicated in the course structure.

Students are encouraged to reflect on their personal development throughout the course. They are introduced to personal development planning in the academic skills seminars in modules e.g., FE4051 Introduction to Financial Markets and Institutions at level 4 and they are thereafter encouraged to plan the development of their skills and employability throughout their course.

Students are provided with support for the development and reflection on professional skills and develop their presentational and team-working skills in a number of modules across levels of study. Where particular skills are developed in particular modules, lecturers and course tutors make this process explicit to students to enhance reflection.

The language modules allow students the option of developing skills in that are on offer.

The final-year dissertation modules give students the opportunity to independently carry out research work and incorporate work-based skills and professional standards proactively. Modules at Level 6 also gives a chance to reflect on their learnings.

Taking this course opens up a wide range of career opportunities. In the past BSc Banking and Finance graduates have found employment in financial institutions, international companies and public sector organisations. They have gone into finance roles at companies such as City Credit Capital, Honda Finance and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). A sizeable proportion also progress to postgraduate study.

The Careers Development and Employment Service is a university-wide resource made available to students. It provides information about labour market opportunities and gives training for career development.

Students are given a “Careers” talk during Welcome Week at the beginning of level 4. The University careers advisor may then give career presentations in core lectures in all levels of the course, and also runs careers and CV forums which students are encouraged to attend.

Students are also introduced to the local Careers and Employability team within the School and the placements service it provides. They are encouraged to plan early for their work-related learning module alterative core modules at Levels 5 to find work placement opportunities. The course leader, with the support of academic staff contributing to the course, provides information about career opportunities, and the Careers and Employability team assists students to find beneficial part-time work and/or internships.

We collaborate with professionals such as Citisoft to give sessions as part of some of the core modules themselves. These sessions enhance employability skills such as interview skills and investment management simulations. Students will also be given the opportunity to develop and showcase their learnings through formative and summative assessments.

Guest speakers organised by the Guildhall School of Business & Law and student societies bring students into contact with finance specialists and business managers from both national and international organisations. These meetings give students the opportunity to know more about future career paths and the best strategies to pursue their own career aspirations and also form valuable connections and network with industry experts.

In addition, students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities including involvement in peer coaching of students, receiving professional mentoring, volunteering in the not-for-profit sector, joining or setting up student society and national competitions / activities including University Business Challenge.

The Student Enterprise team helps students to launch student businesses and support student entrepreneurship. It provides students with one-to-one advice sessions, networks, knowledge and resources to get started. The Student Enterprise Team come into relevant module classes to present on how the student could set up their own business or develop a freelancing career or alternatively recognise the benefit of having an entrepreneurial mindset to enhance their value to graduate employers. Students will also be given the opportunity to develop and showcase their learnings through formative and summative assessments where appropriate.

We also offer numerous opportunities for students to increase their employability skillset. For example, we offer programmes such as Gateway to Success. Further, we also offer support to write CVs. Students are encouraged to record their real-life experiences gained through their study, work experience and extra-curricular life.  Prompts will be given to students to present examples in a format suitable for applications and interviews.

On graduating, students are equipped to pursue a career in a number of sectors related to banking and investment, such as financial regulation, insurance or accounting. This course is also excellent preparation for postgraduate study.

This course will equip you to take on a range of roles in the banking and finance industry – both in London and beyond. Our graduates have gone on to find employment in HSBC, JP Morgan, Barclays, Deloitte, Google and a wide range of other global organisations.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum of 32 UCAS points
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE grade C/4 (or equivalent)