BA (Hons) Finance
Our highly-rated CFA-affiliated degree is versatile and practical. Take a closer look at how studying finance at Stirling can boost your future opportunities.
Key facts
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date January 2024, September 2023
- Duration 48 months or 36 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code N300
- Study abroad opportunities
Accreditations
CFA Institute University Affiliation Program
Overview
Our BA Hons Finance is the first undergraduate degree in Scotland to have
Rooted in international research and shaped by the latest developments in finance theory and practice, this course will give you a comprehensive understanding of how stock markets work, how companies reduce foreign exchange risk, why corporate governance matters and why financial crises occur. As you study, you’ll gain a thorough grounding in the theoretical and analytical skills needed for a career in corporate finance, investment management or financial services.
Your studies in Finance can also be combined with one of four complementary subjects, including our professionally accredited Accountancy course. Graduating with an Accountancy and Finance degree from Stirling means you’ll be granted significant exemptions from professional exams when you begin your career.
Finance at Stirling is ranked among the best courses of its kind in the country, in the top 10 in the UK (National Student Survey 2022), making it the perfect starting point for a world of exciting opportunities.
Amplify Trading Boot Camp
Students on the BA Finance or studying a combined degree with Finance can participate in this innovative week-long global financial trading and training boot camp run by our partner Amplify. The Stirling Amplify course won the CFA Institute Innovative Delivery of Education (IDEA) global award and gives you the chance to trade futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. By letting you trade in real time, but with virtual money, the boot camp bridges the gap between an academic understanding of financial markets and how they function in practice.
Student Managed Investment Fund
Our students have established a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), with support of our academics within the Accounting and Finance Division. The SMIF allows you to gain practical
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
The BA Hons Finance is a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, a designation awarded to academic
We’re the only affiliated partner undergraduate course in Scotland, one of a small number in the UK and one of a select
The CFA Institute is the largest association of investment professionals in the world. Successful completion of the CFA
To become a CFA Charter Holder you must study the CFA curriculum and take exams at CFA Levels I, II and III. At least 70%
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB – by the end of S5
AAAB – by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent
Preferred subjects
Mathematics at Higher, A-level or equivalent
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35
Essential subjects
To include Accountancy and Economics at Higher, A-level or equivalent
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent
Preferred subjects
Mathematics at Higher, A-level or equivalent
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent
Preferred subjects
Mathematics at Higher, A-level or equivalent
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above
Essential subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent
Preferred subjects
Mathematics at Higher, A-level or equivalent
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
Additional information
General entrance requirements apply
If you’ve taken exams over two sittings, repeated an exam, or been upgraded, the entrance requirements may be higher.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You can study Finance as a four-year single honours degree or take it in conjunction with one of four other subjects to earn a combined honours degree. In the first semesters you will study core modules in Finance, Accounting and Economics, and will be able to select optional modules from a range of subjects. Semesters 4-8 cover core advanced modules, including Mergers and Acquisitions, International Finance, and Financial Analysis. You can also choose further advanced modules in Accounting and Finance from a list of electives or from those required by the degree course you are following.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
Everything you learn in your Finance course is rooted in cutting-edge research and reflects the latest developments in finance theory and practice. You’ll learn through a series of lectures, tutorials, computer-based workshops and independent study. Every step of the way, you’ll be encouraged to enhance your inter-personal skills and gain an awareness of how those skills meet the needs of an employer in a business setting.
Assessment
Your final grade for each Finance module will be based on a combination of coursework and exams. Assessed coursework typically includes essays, problem-solving exercises or tests. In your final year, you’ll write a dissertation – a major opportunity to sharpen your skills in research, data analysis and communication.
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr Dimos Kambouroudis, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £15,900 | £16,400 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £15,900 | £16,400 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Undergraduate Scholarship, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding opportunities
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Use our scholarship finder to find funding opportunities for Scottish-domiciled students.
EU students
Eligible students will automatically receive our automatic scholarship of up to £30k, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Choice Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What jobs can you get with a Finance degree?
Our Finance course gives you a firm grasp of the theoretical and analytical skills needed for a career in business and the financial sector. Many major decisions taken by companies are based on the types of knowledge and professional judgement you’ll develop during your degree at Stirling, and we seek to give you every advantage in the job market – not only through the content you study, but also via our range of specialist career services.
Find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.
- Tailor your degree toward a specific career by selecting a combined course.
- Combine Accountancy and Finance for an industry-certified degree that grants professional exam exemptions.
Following your studies in finance you’ll be well positioned to pursue careers across the whole spectrum of business. Roles related directly to your degree include:
- financial analyst for a fund management institution
- dealer on the stock exchange
- financial planner
- investment banker
- financial market regulator
Finance graduates from Stirling are applying their skills in a range of jobs all over the world – from the UK and Ireland to Japan, Canada and beyond. Recent Stirling graduates have started their careers in some of the following roles:
- Inland Revenue Officer, HMRC
- Customer Relationship Advisor, Santander
- Commercial Strategy Analyst, Virgin Atlantic
Other graduates have forged careers in the following positions:
- Senior Analyst, Lloyds Banking Group
- Senior Partner, Clydesdale Bank plc
- Security Analyst, Tsubasa Securities
- Group Financial Controller, Melrose Resources Plc
Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. Our module in Professional Development and Practice (Semester 8) places a special focus on preparing you for the workplace, and our overall focus on personal and professional development is designed to help you achieve your career ambitions.
Your course will equip you with skills in the following, plus much more:
- Self-management
- Communication and presentation
- Research
- Independent learning
- IT
- Problem solving and analytical thinking
Discover Uni
Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.
What our students said
United Kingdom
BA (Hons) Economics and Finance
Read Robert's storyThe ability to take a joint honours degree was highly beneficial. I was able to select a wide range of modules that interest me. The crossover between the two subjects – Economics and Finance - meant I could draw on methods from each.
Italy
BA (Hons) Economics and Finance
Read Gregorio's storyThe opportunities I was offered to improve my skills and employability, such as the mentor programme and Amplify, really positions Stirling as peerless.
Flexible study
Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.