Finance

Finance as an academic discipline is concerned with how individuals, businesses and institutions manage money, assess investment opportunities and navigate financial risk. It encompasses corporate finance, investment theory, financial markets, banking, risk management and the quantitative tools that underpin modern financial decision-making. Studying finance gives you a rigorous understanding of how capital is allocated in market economies and equips you to analyse the financial choices that organisations and investors face.

At the University of Northampton, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year and work placement, giving you significant professional experience in a financial or business environment as part of your studies. You will study financial management, investment analysis, financial markets and institutions, corporate finance, quantitative methods and financial reporting, building both theoretical knowledge and the analytical skills that employers in finance look for. The sandwich and placement components allow you to apply this learning in real organisations, developing professional skills and workplace awareness before you complete your degree.

Finance graduates are in demand across a wide range of employers, including banks, investment management firms, insurance companies, corporate treasury departments, accountancy firms, financial consultancies and the public sector. Roles in financial analysis, investment advisory, risk management, corporate finance, treasury and banking are all accessible with this degree, particularly when combined with the professional experience gained through the sandwich and placement routes. Many graduates also pursue professional qualifications in accounting or investment after graduating, while others go on to postgraduate study in finance, financial economics or business administration to deepen their expertise.