BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year
About this course
BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year is a four-year undergraduate degree centred on investment banking, asset management, and corporate financial decision-making. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Financial Analysis, Accounting, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The course features a compulsory industry placement year between the second and final years of study. After the first year, students can choose to transfer to specialist pathways including BSc Finance (FinTech), BSc Finance (Sustainable Finance), BSc Finance (International Business), or the general BSc Finance course. The first year builds fundamental knowledge through compulsory modules such as Introductory Securities and Markets, Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I, Introductory Economics for Business and Finance, and Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance. Year two advances these concepts with compulsory study in Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Data Science for Finance, FX and International Debt Markets, and Financial Modelling, alongside optional modules like Climate Change and Finance, Trends in Finance, Programming for Finance, and Sustainable Finance. The final year focuses on advanced concepts through compulsory modules including Management of Risk, Bond and Money Markets, Advanced Derivative Securities Hedging and Trading, and Derivative Securities. Students can further tailor their studies in the final year through optional modules such as Research Project, Private Equity and Venture Capital, Fintech and Cryptocurrencies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Finance, Information Systems and Digital Business, and Financial Engineering.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB with B in A/AS-level Mathematics OR A-level Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Statistics. IB: 32 points overall including minimum 5 in Maths and 4 in English at standard level.
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What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 40%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 45 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East Midlands: 10%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 35%
- South West: 10%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
- Accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System.
- Recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introductory Securities and Markets
- Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I
- Introductory Economics for Business and Finance
- Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance
- World of Work
- Business in Practice: Accounting for Managers
- Corporate Finance
- Portfolio Management
- Data Science for Finance
- FX and International Debt Markets
- Financial Modelling
- Climate Change and Finance
- Trends in Finance
- Programming for Finance
- Sustainable Finance
- Optional Language or University Wide Modules
- Management of Risk
- Bond and Money Markets
- Advanced Derivative Securities Hedging and Trading
- Derivative Securities
- Research Project
- Private Equity and Venture Capital
- Fintech and Cryptocurrencies
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Finance
- Information Systems and Digital Business
- Financial Engineering
- Optional Language or University Wide Modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £32,500 after 15 months, £38,500 after 3 years, £48,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £37,500 and £66,500. The £48,500 median after five years is £12,500 more than the UK median for Finance.
What do graduates of BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at University of Reading do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at University of Reading?
84% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at University of Reading?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 117 UCAS points.
Is BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at University of Reading accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System. Recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA).
Does BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at University of Reading include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Finance (Investments) with Placement Year at University of Reading?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.