Studying finance involves the investigation of how company managers and investors make financial decisions, how they manage risk and how financial markets function.
The course addresses issues such as: how do stock markets work? How can I make money by trading futures and options? What would be the implications for Britain of adopting the Euro? How can companies reduce foreign exchange risk? Do shareholders benefit from corporate takeovers? Does corporate governance matter? Why do financial crises occur? What types of securities should be included in an investment portfolio?
Finance teaching at Stirling is highly rated, with 100 percent of students satisfied with their overall study experience (The National Student Survey, 2011). You will gain a thorough grounding in the theoretical and analytical skills needed for a career in corporate finance, investment management or financial services.
Entrance requirements
Year 1
Highers BBBB.
A-levels BBC.
IB Diploma with a total of 32 points.
HNC or HND with Bs in graded units.
Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.
Year 2
HND in Accountancy with Bs in graded units in Accountancy, English HND with Merits and Distinctions.
General entrance requirements apply.
International students can study our Undergraduate Certificate if they do not possess the necessary entrance requirements to be admitted directly to the first year of an undergraduate degree course.
Other information
If examinations are taken over two sittings, or there are repeats or upgrades, the entrance requirements may be higher.
Required subjects
English Standard Grade (2), GCSE (C) or equivalent.
Applicants with English Standard Grade (3) will also be considered, although alternative entry conditions may be made in this case.
Mathematics Standard Grade (3), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent.
Funding
Modes of study
Full-time (three modules per semester).
Alternative routes
Students from accredited colleges can enter the course in Year 3.
Find out more
http://www.stir.ac.uk/management
Degree course
Students take Finance plus two other subjects in the first three semesters.
Semesters 1 - 3
You will take core modules in the following:
- Finance I: An examination of the two key aspects of corporate finance: the financing decision and the investment decision. The evaluation of investment risk and return. Introduction to financial securities and financial markets. Basic principles of security valuation
- Accounting I: An understanding of the basic concepts required to prepare and analyse financial statements
- Accounting II: An examination of the basic accounting techniques used by management accountants to help in decision making and in the formulation of future plans
In addition to these core modules, you must also study one Economics module.
Semesters 4 - 8
You are required to take the following advanced modules:
- Finance II
- External Reporting
- Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Personal Financial Planning
- International Finance
- Securities and Investment
- Financial Analysis
- Finance Dissertation
Additional advanced modules may be selected from any advanced semester Accountancy or Finance option, or from those required by the particular degree course being followed.
Teaching and assessment
Student learning takes place in lectures, tutorials, computer-based workshops and through independent study. Each module is assessed by a combination of examination and coursework. Assessed coursework may comprise of essays, problem-solving exercises or tests.
Combined degrees
Finance can be studied with:
| Course | UCAS Code |
|---|
| Accountancy |
NN43 |
| Business Studies |
NN13 |
| Economics |
LN13 |
| Mathematics |
GN13 |
(For a Combined Honours degree the higher entrance requirements of the subjects usually apply.)
Related degrees
The course has five distinctive attributes:
- It provides the opportunity to study finance in depth while also providing a broad understanding of the wider business environment.
- The curriculum is regularly updated and so includes the latest developments in finance theory and practice, providing graduates with a cutting edge in the jobs market.
- Reflecting the global nature of finance, the course is taught by staff from many different countries, bringing a wealth of experience into the classroom.
- The course allows for flexible study. Students can switch to a related degree course at any stage up to the mid point in their studies. They can also combine finance with another subject.
- Students on the finance course have the option of studying for a semester at a partner University in Europe or at Universities in North America, Asia and Australasia.
Study abroad
Rating
Accounting and Finance has been rated joint first in Scotland in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
Our students
'My main reason for choosing to study at Stirling instead of at other universities was the high reputation of the Department within the business world.'
Hazel Ballantine
BA (Hons) Finance 2005
Career opportunities
Many significant decisions made by companies, individuals and financial institutions require the analytical skills and professional judgement developed by studying finance. Accordingly, a wide range of exciting and prestigious career opportunities are available to graduates in the discipline. These include working as a financial analyst for a fund management institution, as a dealer on the stock exchange, as a financial planner, as an investment banker or as a financial market regulator.
The BA Finance may also be studied by those wishing to embark on a career in accountancy. Students who study required Business Law and Economics modules may be exempt from examinations of professional accounting bodies.
