Financial Economics and Banking with Foundation Year BSc
4-5 years
If you would love to study financial economics and banking here at Leicester, but don’t quite have the entry requirements, this Foundation Year degree is your path to making it happen.
Start date:
Course information
UCAS code L599
Institute code L34
Taught by School of Business
Course description
Course description
Our BSc Financial Economics and Banking with Foundation Year will introduce you to a broad range of topics including banking, financial intermediation, asset and liability management, financial decision-making and financial markets and institutions. This wide range of topics will give you an in-depth understanding of the way that financial organisations and markets work.
You will learn to apply economic theory in financial contexts, for example the appraisal of competing investment opportunities and how government policy influences the stock market and the banking sector.
You will become familiar with techniques such as derivatives pricing, risk management methods and portfolio management, while you will also become a proficient user of financial software and complex data sources which will enable you to better understand the impact and reach of economic decisions.
In the first year of this course you will be working towards passing a foundation year (year 0), which will enable automatic progression onto year one of BSc in Financial Economics and Banking
Our integrated Business Foundation year degrees are aimed at students who wish to study a business-related subject but don’t have the traditional entry requirements.
The course is run on the University of Leicester campus like any other, and you will be studying alongside other students who applied for, and slightly missed out on, a place on a course similar to yours.
You will be taught by our expert academic staff from across all areas of the School of Business. The course strongly emphasises the development of essential professional and personal skills, which are necessary throughout your studies and beyond.
During your foundation year you will join our student community and be able to enjoy all aspects of the University of Leicester and School of Business student experience. You will be able to join the Students’ Union, use our academic and leisure facilities, live in our accommodation and access all our support services.
You will have a dedicated personal tutor to support you through your foundation year.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To discuss the entry requirements for 2025 entry, please contact our admissions office on +44 (0)116 252 5281 or admissions@le.ac.uk
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2025
- Foundation Year: £5,760
The fee listed above applies to the Foundation Year only. Tuition fees for subsequent years of the degree will be charged at the standard undergraduate rate set by the UK Government. As an indication of what you might pay, the fee for students who started in 2025/26 was £9,535 for their first year. Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to Government regulations. The inflation rate used will be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX).
International Students
Starting in 2025
- Foundation Year: £17,300
The fee listed above applies to the foundation year only. Tuition fees for subsequent years of the degree will be charged at the standard undergraduate rate for the course, based on the year the student first started their foundation year. Therefore, students who begin their foundation year in 2025/26 and progress to their undergraduate degree in 2026/27 will pay £19,700 per year for the remainder of their course.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Whatever your career aspirations are there are specially designed programmes and activities at Leicester that will support you in gaining the right skills, experiences and industry links you will need.
Employability is embedded in our courses with all offering a year in industry opportunity.
You’ll be support by a dedicated School of Business Careers and Employability Team who offer business-specific careers events, industry speakers, and bespoke support and advice to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Course structure
Foundation Year
Foundation Year
Core modules
- Succeeding at University
- Introduction to the Business Environment
- Introduction to Accounting and Business Operations
- Skills for your successful future
- Extended Project
Subject pathway modules
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 1
Year 1
Modules
- Contemporary Issues in Economics, Finance and Business
- Microeconomics
- Maths for Economics 1
- Statistics for Economics
- Macroeconomics
- Maths for Economics 2
- Introduction to Economic Data Analysis
- Contemporary Issues in Economics, Finance and Business 2
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
Core modules
- Introductory Econometrics
- Principles of Banking
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Topics in Applied Econometrics
- Principles of Finance
- Money and Central Banking
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Economic History
- Firms, Markets and Welfare
- Labour Economics
- Environmental and Resource Economics
- Data Science
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year Abroad or Year in Industry (optional)
Year Abroad or Year in Industry (optional)
On a ULSB course you have the option of spending a year gaining work experience on an industry placement or studying abroad at one of our partner institutions. Alternatively you can continue studying and complete your degree in three years (four years if you completed a foundation year).
Year in Industry
A Year in Industry is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a working environment within the sector of your choice. It is normally a paid position, more than offsetting the additional cost of your extra year and can take place either in the UK or overseas.
If you decide to undertake a Year in Industry you will be responsible for securing your own placement, with support from the School and the University Careers and Employability Service. Please note that deciding to search for a Year in Industry does not guarantee you a placement.
During your Year in Industry you will be supported by the School of Business Careers Team. This will include communication with you and your manager and a visit to your place of work, which may be face to face or virtual (depending on location). You will also undertake written work to capture the learning from your experience, which will include reflection on your personal and professional development. This work will be assessed to allow you to gain recognition for your Year in Industry.
Your Year in Industry effectively begins in Year 1 when you will be introduced to various opportunities to develop your skills, your understanding and experience. In Year 2 will be given access to bespoke extra-curricular support to aid you in searching for suitable placement opportunities, and undertaking the recruitment and selection process.
A Year in Industry is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the types of professions you can choose after you graduate, and can also point you towards postgraduate studies that may help you on the path to your chosen career.
Year Abroad
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Final Year
Final Year
Core modules
- Financial Derivatives
- Investment Management
- Risk Management in Banking
- Corporate Finance
- Communicating Economics
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
Then choose two option modules from:
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester
Our dedicated Careers and Employability Team provide you with personalised support, alongside a structured employability programme. Our Careers Hub @ Brookfield is open daily.
All of our courses offer opportunities to take a year out in industry or studying abroad – giving you the chance to get real-world experience and expand your horizons.
Student support is at the heart of what we do - you will benefit from our own Student Support Team and a Personal Tutor, both offering regular drop in sessions.
Our Brookfield campus is equipped with state-of-the-art learning facilities including the ULSB Trading Room. Our 16 dual-screen Bloomberg terminals let you see how traders work using real-time stock quotes 24/7 and providing access to industry-leading data, research, news and analytics.
Teaching and learning
A variety of teaching methods are used with the aim of creating a stimulating environment in which you are encouraged to develop your learning skills and to actively engage and participate in your learning process. Lectures will provide you with the framework and foundational knowledge for each module, whilst seminars, held in smaller groups, provide you with the opportunity to discuss key ideas with your tutors and classmates.
Assessment methods varied to allow you to develop a range of academic and transferable skills throughout your programme and these include individual essays, examinations, presentations and group activities.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Attendance | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Financial Economics and Banking with Foundation Year | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code L599 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Financial Economics and Banking with Foundation Year with Year Abroad | Qualification BSc | Duration 5 years | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code L599 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Financial Economics and Banking with Foundation Year with Year in Industry | Qualification BSc | Duration 5 years | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code L599 | Availability How to apply |
