Finance BFin

Finance is the study of the practical and theoretical dimensions around the financial decisions made by consumers, corporations, governments and society. Studying finance provides a sound understanding of risk, money management, banking, capital markets and investments.

Connections with practice and industry experience feature in collaborative learning, teaching and assessment activities.

Adam Smith Business School is triple accredited

Triple-crown accreditation signals the Adam Smith Business School meets the highest global standards in education and research. This recognition validates the quality of education provided and enhances graduates’ employability, placing us in the top league of international business schools.

September start
Session dates
Finance BFin: NL30 4 year degree

Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus

Apply via UCAS

Programme structure

Year 1 is foundational and broad in scope, followed by greater specialisation in finance in year 2. In years 3 and 4 (Honours), core courses are complemented by an exciting range of optional courses to allow you to tailor your programme according to your interests and aspirations.

Year 1

Foundation courses cover the subjects of finance, economics, accounting and management. You will acquire knowledge and intellectual skills in these fields, as well as developing your numeracy, communication and teamwork skills.

Year 2

You will begin to specialise by studying finance courses that will advance your theoretical understanding of the subject alongside intermediate Economics courses. You will develop your knowledge of asset pricing, corporate finance, statistics, risk, financial markets, financial modelling and the role that finance plays in society. Working individually and in groups, you will also build your research, presentation, data management and statistical analysis skills by undertaking projects using real-world financial data.

Years 3 and 4

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will take a core course in Advanced financial modelling and an innovative Finance case study core course, as well as optional courses from a wide range of topics. You will continue to develop your skills in critical analysis, advanced statistics, communication and collaboration. In the Finance case study course, you will work in teams to develop solutions and present these to an academic and industry audience. You will advance your research skills in taught courses and in your final year will undertake a dissertation or project in finance.

Course details

Year 1

Finance 1
Economics 1A
Economics 1B
Financial Accounting 1
Management Accounting 1
Introductory Management

Year 2

Finance 2
Statistical Analysis and Methods
Economics 2A
Economics 2B
Financial Modelling
Finance and Society

Years 3 and 4

Students who meet the requirements for entry to Honours will study a combination of compulsory and optional courses.

Students must complete 120 credits of taught courses in their junior Honours year. In their senior Honours year, students must complete 80 credits of taught courses and a 40 credit Dissertation project. Students complete the following compulsory courses. The remaining courses can be selected from the full range available.

Advanced Financial Modelling
Finance Case Study
Dissertation

Exchange programme

Glasgow has many partnership agreements, which allow students to spend a year of their degree, or one semester, at an overseas university – either in Europe or further afield. Students who choose to go abroad do so in their third year.

Spending time abroad has many advantages in terms of broadening your horizons, challenging yourself in a different academic environment, enhancing your CV and employment prospects and, perhaps, learning a language. Students studying a language as part of their accounting degree are encouraged to spend time abroad.

More information can be found on the University’s Go Abroad webpages.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Entry requirements

for entry in 2025

Summary of entry requirements for Finance

SQA Higher entry requirements

ABBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
Typically offers will be made at AAAAAB by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and English at AA. (BB may be considered).

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)

MD20: ABBBB (also other target groups*)
MD40: AAABB (ABB S5 minimum for consideration)*
Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and English. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.

* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.

A-level standard entry requirements

AAA – ABB
Additional Requirements: A-level Mathematics and either GCSE English Language at Grade B/5 or GCSE English Literature at Grade B/5.

IB standard entry requirements

36 (6,6,5)
Additional requirements: HL Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches) and SL English 5.

Admissions guidance

Find out more about entry requirements and alternative qualifications

English language

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

English language requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

176 overall, no subtest less than 169
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

7 overall with no subtest less than 6
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

70 overall with no subtest less than 60
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

School Qualifications

IGCSE English First Language, grade C
IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
A Level English, grade C
International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C

International School Qualifications

Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C

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Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

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Pre-sessional courses

We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Stud: Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Heriot Watt
Kingston Upon Thames
Middlesex University
Manchester University
Reading University
Edinburgh University
St Andrews University
UCL
Durham

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FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact External Relations

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study

Career prospects

This programme provides the foundation for careers in the finance and financial services sector, including insurance, accounting and banking. It provides graduates with strong transferable skills, recognised as important attributes for careers in many other areas. Having engaged with international standards of research, our graduates will thrive as lifelong learners in future study and in the workplace.

Accreditation

The Adam Smith Business School holds the triple crown of accreditation and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA) for our Glasgow MBA programme.

Degrees and UCAS codes

When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:

BFin

Finance: NL30 (4 years)

Apply to NL30

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.

Scholarships

The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.

ICAS Foundation Scholarships

The ICAS Foundation supports academically talented young people from less advantaged backgrounds by helping them take their first steps into a professional career in accountancy or finance. Students benefit from a range of support including bursary funding, mentoring assistance and help to access internships. See student story from one of our graduates who was successful on the ICAS programme.

ICAS Foundation Scholarships

Fintest Rising Star Scholarship 2024

The Fintest Rising Star Scholarship is dedicated to supporting ambitious undergraduate students who aspire to make significant contributions to the financial industry.

£1,000 to be used towards tuition, books, or other educational expenses

Fintest Rising Star Scholarship 2024

World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has a number of World Changers Global Excellence Scholarships available to new International and EU students for 2025 entry. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £7,000 per year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study.

World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU)

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow.

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU) to new incoming EU students starting an undergraduate programme for Academic Session 2025-26. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £5,000 for every year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

Applicants that completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow and therefore eligible for the Alumni discount could be granted the EU Welcome Award as well.

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU)

World Changers RUK Access Bursary

The bursary supports talented students who may not be able to take their place at University for reasons of financial hardship. It is available to new entrant full-time, undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow who are fully registered for the up coming academic session, ordinarily domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and paying full annual tuition fee.

World Changers RUK Access Bursary

Care Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary

The University of Glasgow is offering five bursaries specifically for Care Experienced and Estranged Students. These bursaries aim to support students who have been in care or are living independently due to family estrangement. Definitions of these terms are provided below, and further details are available here.

Care Experienced
"Care-experienced" refers to anyone who has ever been in care, regardless of the duration. This includes individuals who have been in the care of a local authority at any stage, whether through residential care, foster care, kinship care, or under a supervision requirement at home. This category also includes those who have been adopted from care.

Estranged
Estranged students are young people studying independently without family support due to a breakdown in family relationships. These students often have limited or no contact with their families, and any contact that does occur is usually infrequent or strained. Causes of estrangement may include emotional or physical abuse, conflicting family expectations, personality clashes, or differing values.

Each bursary is typically valued at £1,500 per year for each consecutive year of the degree programme.

Care Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary

Undergraduate Talent Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is awarding c.50 undergraduate Talent Scholarships to support students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2025 entry. The value of each scholarship is typically £1,500 p.a. for each year of the degree programme, subject to satisfactory progress. Talent Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University's Colleges.

Dental School students are eligible for a Talent Scholarship in their first year of study only. They are eligible for the NHS Dental Student Support Grant in the following years.

Undergraduate Talent Scholarships

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

The University of Glasgow and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation (CSF) will offer a scholarship to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from socio-economically challenged backgrounds. Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK and commencing an undergraduate study programme.

The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation wants to fund 100 Black British students through UK universities in the next decade. More information on the Foundation can be found here.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2024 entry.

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

How to apply

Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.

Widening Participation

International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.

Application deadlines

15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
29 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
30 June: international students.

We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.

It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.