Banking and Finance

Banking and finance sits at the centre of modern economies, governing how capital is allocated, how risk is priced, and how businesses and governments fund their activities. Banks are the principal intermediaries through which savings flow to borrowers, and financial markets provide the infrastructure through which assets are valued and traded. Understanding how these institutions and markets function, what drives their behaviour, and how they are regulated is essential knowledge for anyone working in or affected by the financial system, which in practice means almost everyone.

Cardiff University's three-year full-time Banking and Finance programme provides a rigorous grounding in both the institutional realities of banking and the theoretical frameworks of financial economics. You will study financial markets and instruments, investment theory, risk management, corporate finance, the structure and regulation of banking systems, and the macroeconomic environment in which financial institutions operate. The programme engages with quantitative methods, including econometrics and financial modelling, developing the analytical skills that are central to professional roles in finance.

Cardiff's Business School is well regarded, and the programme benefits from staff who combine research expertise with awareness of industry practice.

A typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the programme's expectation of strong analytical ability, and you will be expected to engage seriously with quantitative content throughout the degree.

Graduates from banking and finance programmes pursue careers in commercial and investment banking, asset management, financial analysis, risk management, treasury, regulatory bodies, and management consultancy with a financial focus. The combination of financial theory and institutional knowledge makes graduates attractive to a wide range of employers in the City of London and beyond. Postgraduate study in finance, financial economics, or banking regulation is also a common route for those seeking specialist expertise or progression into more senior professional roles.