Finance

Finance is the study of how money is allocated over time and under conditions of uncertainty. It encompasses corporate financial decision-making, the pricing and trading of financial assets, risk management, investment, and the functioning of financial markets and institutions. At a time when capital markets are global, regulation is complex, and data analysis is transforming how financial decisions are made, a rigorous grounding in finance is genuinely valuable across a wide range of professional contexts.

At Birkbeck College, this programme is designed for students who are combining study with work or other commitments, and is delivered part-time to make it accessible to those who cannot study full-time. You will develop a technically demanding but applications-oriented set of skills, covering core areas including corporate finance, investment theory, financial markets, derivatives, risk management, and quantitative methods. Birkbeck's distinctive evening-study model means you study alongside professionals already working in finance and related fields, and the intellectual environment reflects that mix of theoretical rigour and practical experience.

The programme equips you with the analytical and quantitative skills needed to compete in a demanding job market, as well as the conceptual frameworks for understanding how financial systems work and why they sometimes fail.

Graduates work across the financial services sector in roles including investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, financial analysis, risk management, treasury, and financial regulation. The programme also provides a strong foundation for roles in fintech, financial journalism, and economic consultancy. Many graduates use the degree to progress within careers they are already building, gaining the formal qualifications that support promotion into more senior financial roles.

Further professional qualifications, such as those offered by the CFA Institute or the CIMA, are also a natural complement to the degree.