Finance (Investments) with Placement Year

Finance with a focus on investments is the study of how capital is allocated across assets and markets, how risk and return are assessed and managed, and how the institutions of the financial system, from investment banks and asset managers to corporate treasuries, operate and interact. It is a technically demanding discipline that draws on mathematics, statistics, and economic theory, and it leads to careers in some of the most intellectually and professionally challenging environments in the economy. Understanding how markets price assets, how portfolios are constructed and managed, and how financial instruments are designed and used is central to the work.

At the University of Reading this four-year programme includes a placement year, giving you the opportunity to work in the financial industry before you complete your degree, gaining practical experience that complements your academic learning and building professional networks. You will study the core areas of finance, including corporate finance, portfolio theory, financial markets, derivatives, and risk management, developing both the quantitative skills and the conceptual understanding needed to work in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, or accounting. Reading's location in the Thames Valley and its strong financial connections support good industry links throughout the course.

Graduates from finance and investments programmes are sought after by investment banks, asset management firms, hedge funds, private equity, corporate finance departments, and a range of other financial institutions. The placement year gives you a significant competitive advantage in a sector where direct experience is highly valued. Professional qualifications, including those of the CFA Institute and the ACCA, are routes that many graduates pursue alongside or after their degree.

Further study at postgraduate level in finance, financial economics, or quantitative finance is also available for those who wish to develop advanced technical expertise.