University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Accounting and Finance - Business School > Finance (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9EFIM013U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Sylvain Friederich
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Accounting and Finance - Business School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Finance (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
The BSc Finance Programme aims to equip students with the subject-specific intellectual and professional skills necessary for a successful career in the financial services industry, in economic consultancy, in government departments and regulatory agencies. Graduates from the programme will be well-placed to pursue postgraduate studies in specialist Masters programmes at the best international universities.
The programme offers rigorous and practical training in all areas of finance, with a focus on the quantitative techniques that are a required skill for a successful career in the financial services industry. Through their choice of optional courses, students will gain exposure to the related fields of Economics, Accounting and Management.
The programme has been designed and will be updated and informed by both researchers and professional practice, combining theoretical education with an understanding of how to tackle the many challenges posed by the dynamic contemporary global environment. It is among the first in the UK to contains coverage of new and disruptive forms of finance like cryptocurrencies, smart beta investing, peer-to-peer lending or high-frequency trading at undergraduate level.
Concepts and theories are always related to finance practice through the use of specialist industry newspapers like the Dow Jones-Financial News and data vendors like Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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The design and delivery of units within the programme are based around Biggs (2003) ‘constructive alignment’. Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is achieved through conventional lectures, exercise lectures, workshops, presentations and supervisions and supported by linked small-group seminars, tutorials, clinics and surgeries. Units have designated reading and problem sets to be completed. Analytical and problem-solving skills are developed in core units. Some units require group work and student presentations. Directed and independent reading, with a strong emphasis on effective use of a wide range of literature and other information sources: academic texts, business reports, and journal articles. Delivery of learning material is supported through technology including Blackboard, digital and software packages, and databases. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The assessment culture is based on ‘constructive alignment’ and ‘authentic alignment’. Summative assessment is carried out by a combination of unseen exams, extended essays, presentations, business reports, group and individual projects. Formative assessment makes use of a wide range assessment methods, including tests, essays, exercises, presentations, group-work and reports; with each method appropriate to the specific unit of the programme. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the lectures, exercise lectures, independent study and coursework. Students are exposed to relevant modes of enquiry and analyses; they are encouraged through class discussion and their individual written work to identify key issues, to summarise and reflect upon key points from their reading, to assess evidence and its relevance. Research skills are further developed through teaching of quantitative methods, and the completion of a third year Supervised workshop in computer labs or dedicated data rooms (Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters) |
Methods of Assessment | |
A variety of written assignments/essays provide formative assessment throughout the course, including computer-based assignments. Summative assessments are through a combination of unseen examinations which test summary, analytical and evaluation skills, problem-solving, report writing and presentations. An individual data project and an extended essay are also used. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Oral communication is developed by requiring students to engage in class discussions, in tutorials/clinics, and to provide presentations individually and in groups. Effective use of information sources, analytical ability, independent and group work are all developed through coursework tasks and study skills. Use of Blackboard; Development of computing skills and essential software packages used in Finance. Supervised workshop in computer labs or dedicated data rooms (Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters) |
Methods of Assessment | |
Communication and presentation skills are assessed through written coursework (numerical questions and essays). Recall and the organisation of relevant material is tested through unseen written examinations. An individual data project and an extended essay are also used. Independent study is assessed through coursework, assessed essays and preparation for examinations. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Students are expected to acquire the foundations on which to develop appropriate expertise in line with the aims and objectives of the course. They will acquire familiarity with the main themes and key concepts of economics and finance and the character of the two disciplines. They will develop an understanding of debates on issues of central importance to economics and its mathematical and statistical relationships. They will have grasped the analytical tools necessary to work in these disciplines. The expectation is that their work may require substantial direction from tutors at this stage with guidance on the development of study skills. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
In Year 2, students are expected to expand the range and depth of their knowledge in core areas of the discipline and in their capacity to evaluate material using a variety of critical perspectives. They acquire an overview of key fields of study and appropriate methodologies, a strong conceptual basis for later theory and substantive units. Students will extend their analytical skills, their ability to structure their work and present it fluently. They will be encouraged to acquire group work skills and team-work through active participation in seminars/clinics. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of essays and coursework assignments). |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level 6 students are expected to broaden and deepen their knowledge through their study of specialised subjects, the units being more closely linked to staff research interests developing the conceptual and methodological approaches used in more complex environments. Students will be expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information from diverse sources, to synthesise these in an appropriate way and to engage in sophisticated critical evaluation of financial texts. Students will be encouraged to make their own critical judgements, to develop greater independence and organisation of relevant materials, which is tested in particular through unseen written examinations. They will further extend individual and group work skills and their IT capabilities. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success at undergraduate level in the Social Sciences and Law depends on your being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with larger lecture-based units providing the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving through to smaller seminar-based specialist units and finishing with an individual dissertation or research project. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent study above all others that you will take with you when you leave.
This model of academic development is particularly obvious in the more discursive subjects such as law, politics, social policy and sociology. The typical timetabled contact time for a discursive 20 credit point unit in the Faculty is about 30 hours. You will find that you need to allow for about 10 hours preparation on your own if you are to get the most from one of these teaching sessions. In addition there will often be class presentations or essays to write. Typically, the final year will include an independent research unit which by definition has a much smaller amount of more individualised support. Towards the end of any teaching block you may have additional revision or updating classes, and many programmes have occasional ad-hoc lectures of general interest and relevance. If you get stuck, there is always the chance to speak to your lecturer after a class or during their hours of general availability, or you could see your personal tutor. The Faculty also includes programmes which require increasing levels of mathematical sophistication, typically in Economics, Finance and Management. In this latter case, much larger numbers of lectures - up to 18 hours a week depending on option choices - and fewer small group classes are normal, as in the sciences.
As a result, and depending on your particular programme and option choices, your timetable is likely to be a lot less structured than that of fellow students who are linguists, scientists, engineers or medics. But the time that others spend in laboratories you should be spending in private study. In a sense, the library is your laboratory, and you will want to make best use of the excellent range of resources available to you here. A good University education does not tell you 'what you need to know'. Rather, we assume that, like your lecturers and professors, you are intellectually curious about your subject. We invite you to join us and we are there to help you satisfy your curiosity as best we can.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fssl/current-students/fssl-undergraduates/assessmentandfeedbackstatement.pdf
Students will be encouraged to seek CFA certification.
Programme Director: Dr Sylvain Friederich (s.friederich@bristol.ac.uk)
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Financial Markets, Institutions and Instruments | EFIM10029 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Risk and Return | EFIM10028 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Mathematics for Economics | EFIM10023 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Economic Principles | EFIM10010 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Accounting | ACCG10052 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Probability, Statistics and Econometrics | EFIM10024 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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