Overview

The innovative BSc Banking & International Finance degree equips you with the academic knowledge to operate in the increasingly competitive world of financial markets, and provides you with a broad and deep knowledge of financial management. Employers in this sector demand graduates who are capable of analysing and solving complex problems in banking and finance, and who possess the ability to apply the principles of financial management to the sector.

To succeed in the competitive arena of banking, you will need to be a special individual with some natural skills. The BSc Banking & International Finance degree can hone those skills and teach you the inside and the out of the banking world - and help you to get inside the competitive environment of the financial markets.

If you have a clear career goal in mind,be that to work in the front office of Goldman Sachs, or to make money you'll need to be great with numbers, target driven, confident, questioning and willing to enter into the spirit of competition.

Although the course is unique and covers topics not found elsewhere in the UK your career is not limited just to banking. The course is designed specifically in conjunction with major employers to ensure that Cass graduates have both the specific and general skills that are needed to succeed in the financial world.

Over 90% of BSc Banking and International Finance students go straight into graduate jobs - Cass students have a great reputation with employers, which is down to the specific nature of the syllabus, and the style in which we treat you when you are here: like adults, and ready to hit the ground running.

Course content

Year 1

The core modules provide you with a strong foundation in different aspects of financial markets, enabling you to relate your study to the financial sector from an early stage. You also develop an understanding of the tools used in applied investment analysis, including mathematical, statistical and computing skills. Finally, you select an elective to suit your career aspirations.

Core modules (five core and one elective)

Core modules:

  • Banking I: Commercial and Investment Banking
  • Financial Mathematics and Business Statistics
  • Foundations of Economics for Finance
  • Introduction to Financial and Management Accounting
  • Money, Finance & the World Economy 

Electives:

  • International Business Environment
  • Introduction to Business Law
  • Introduction to Management
  • Introduction to Visual Basic
  • Professional Skills
  • Spanish for Business 1

Year 2

Core modules develop your theoretical knowledge of banking and financial management, finance, economics, and statistics. You also study econometrics, which forms the basis of modelling and testing in banking and finance.

Nine modules (six core and three electives)

Core modules:

  • Banking II: Banking Topics and Risk Management
  • Economics of Foreign Exchange Markets
  • Financial Econometrics
  • Financial Markets
  • Monetary Economics
  • Principles of Finance

Electives:

  • Alternative Investment Management
  • Business & Industrial Economics
  • Company Valuation
  • Corporate Law
  • European Studies
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Analysis
  • Management Accounting
  • Mathematical Finance
  • Personal Finance
  • Real Estate Valuation
  • Spanish for Business 2

Year 3

Core modules enable you to develop your knowledge of international finance and banking and financial management, to an advanced level. e.g international banking and international finance. 

You also select three electives which may either extend your knowledge of finance and the applications of mathematical models, or enhance your understanding of the role of banks in financial markets.

Eight modules (five core and three electives)

Core modules:

  • Advanced Financial Markets
  • Banking 3: International Banking
  • Corporate Finance
  • Final Year Project
  • International Finance

Electives:

  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Art and Antiques Markets
  • Bank Strategy and Management
  • Business and Financial Forecasting
  • Emerging Markets
  • European Business Seminar
  • Financial Accounting Theory
  • French for Business 3
  • French for Business: Upper Intermediate Level
  • German for Business 3
  • German for Business: Upper Intermediate Level
  • Real Estate Finance and Funding
  • Spanish for Business 3
  • Spanish for Business: Upper Intermediate Level
  • Technical Analysis
  • Topics in Money, Banking and Finance

Placements and internships

A key part of a Cass degree is the opportunity to gain professional experience working for a leading organisation. All Cass students are eligible to take either a short-term internship or a one-year placement programme as part of your degree.

The experience of working for a leading institution can be invaluable in terms of your future career. A professional placement will allow you to tailor your degree to combine a unique blend of theory and practice, acquire skills and competencies sought by graduate employers, and improve your chances of securing graduate employment; giving you an edge over the competition.

Cass Business School fully prepares you for these placements, with a dedicated Placements Office to help you with CV's, interview techniques and tips on how to make a winning application.

There are a wealth of placement opportunities available for students on the BSc Banking & International Finance programmes.

Current students on placement for the year 2010-11 are employed in leading investment houses such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, KPMG and The Bank of England covering a wide range of disciplines including financial analysts, global markets, operations, and research.

Study abroad

International study opportunities

In today's global business environment, international exposure gives you a vital edge in the employment market. A period of study abroad is an excellent opportunity to enhance your education with an international dimension.
Cass Business School gives you the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying at one of our partner institutions. This could be in Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, South Korea or Europe.

Available study abroad programme structures and partner institutions

1. Replacement 2nd Year Abroad

You can spend the second year of your three- year degree course studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.

During your time abroad you will cover all core material of your second year Cass programme, taking equivalent courses at the host institution. Teaching is in English, but subjects are taught from a different perspective.  Elective modules will enable you to focus on the specialist areas of the partner institution, or the business practice of the country in which you are studying. You can study at one of our partner universities listed below:


Country

Host institution (Replacement 2nd Year, Banking & International Finance)

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST)

Singapore

Singapore Management University

United States

Emory University, Atlanta

2. Sandwich Year Abroad

You can spend a year of your degree course studying at one of our partner institutions, between your 2nd and 3rd year of study. This would add a year to your degree and you would complete your degree in 4 years.

Teaching here can be in the relevant native language which would require appropriate foreign language skills. However most host universities are now offering an increasing number of courses taught in English and in Singapore all teaching will be in English.

You can also choose to combine your study overseas with a work placement, which involves spending six months studying and the remaining six months working. You would be expected to organise your own placement, although some of our partner schools may be able to help you.

This additional year of study does not form a part of your degree, however you will need to spend the full year studying and pass all assessments. Your degree certificate will state 'with Study Abroad'. The partner university will also provide you with a transcript of the modules you have studied there.


Country

Host institution (Sandwich Year, Banking & International Finance)

Austria

Universität Wien, Vienna

Belgium

Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Brussels

Canada

HEC, Montréal

France

ESCP Europe, Paris

Germany

Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin

Technische Universität Münchcn, Munich

Italy

LUISS Guido Carli, Rome

The Netherlands

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

Norway

BI Norwegian School of Management, Oslo

Singapore

National University of Singapore

Spain

Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid

Sweden

Stockholm University, Stockholm

Credit for prior learning

Graduates from this degree can gain exemptions from the Institute of Financial Services (IFS) and the Institute for Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

The Malcolm Wilcox Prizes

  • Awarded to the students with the highest degree average (BSc BIF): £200
  • This award is presented by HSBC in honour of Mr Wilcox's services to the study of banking

Cass Business School Prizes

  • Highest Part 1 Average (BIF): £100
  • Highest Part 2 Average (BIF): £100
  • Highest Part 3 Average (BIF): £100
  • Highest Final Year Project (BIF): £125
  • Highest Degree Average (across all degrees): £50

Entry requirements

Entry requirements:

A-level: AAA maths preferred

BTEC NND: Distinction Distinction Distinction

IB: 35 points overall including 6 in all Higher Level subjects and 5 in all Standard Level subjects.  Consideration will be given to 1 bonus point.

International Students: We accept a wide range of International and other UK qualifications at Cass.

If you do not qualify for direct entry, INTO City University London offers an International Foundation programme. Successful completion to the required standard of the International Foundation Programme in Business & Economics with Accounting at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree. Please note, there are limitations on the number of places available on undergraduate courses offered by Cass Business School at City University London

Additionally, the University works in partnership with Kaplan International College (KIC) London to provide preparatory courses for international students. Foundation and Pre Masters courses at KIC London offer comprehensive support to students including regular one-to-one tuition. Progression to the University is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London course at the required level. Please note: There are limitations on the number of places available on undergraduate courses offered by Cass Business School at City University London.

GCSE: Maths (grade A) and English language (grade C) or equivalent

If you are studying General Studies, Critical Thinking or a native language A-level then these subjects will not be included in any offer condition.#

English language requirements:

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency.  Minimum requirements are:

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in any unit.

TOEFL: 100 internet-based total with a minimum of 23 in all sub-tests.

GCSE: English language grade C

Application, fees, and term dates

All applications should be made through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Applications are made via Apply, UCAS's online application system.

Institution code: C60 (Cass Business School and City University)
Course code: N302

You can find more information at UCAS and in the UCAS Handbook.

More information about applying to Cass

Fees

The fees for 2012 entry are:

  • UK/EU students: £9,000 per annum 
  • Non-EU international students: £12,500 per annum
  • Placement and study abroad students:
    If you are taking a professional placement or study abroad year, this forms an element of your degree and therefore you will be expected to pay a proportion of the standard year's tuition fees.
  • Students who have already studied to degree level:
    UK and EU nationals who have already obtained a degree (BSc/BA or higher qualification, or equivalent) are no longer entitled to public funding (HEFCE). The tuition fee for these students will be charged at the international students rate. 

Scholarships

New for 2012 entrants: £2,000 each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.

Term dates

Term dates for first year entry BSc students

Autumn Term: 19 September - 09 December 2011

Spring Term: 9 January - 6 April 2012

Summer Term: 30 April - 22 June 2012

Term dates for returning second & third year BSc students

Autumn Term: 26 September - 09 December 2011

Spring Term: 9 January - 6 April 2012

Summer Term: 30 April - 22 June 2012

Your career after Cass

The majority of graduates from BSc Banking & International Finance embark on exciting careers in the faced-paced world of global finance. Many will join investment banks and secure positions in trading, investment banking and sales, and will specialise in areas such as derivatives. Others will join brokerage houses.

Many graduates will also enter career paths in operations, consultancy and postgraduate study. On average, graduates from BSc Banking & International Finance can expect to earn up to 28,000 for their first year of employment.

Recent employers that have recruited our BSc Banking and International Finance students after graduation include Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, BNP Baribas, and Lloyds Banking Group.

The Careers Centre

All Cass students have the use of the Careers Service at City University London. The Careers service offers a wide range of services to students such as professional advice with job applications, CVs, covering letters and any career questions. They also organise mock interviews and psychometric testing, allowing you to practise answering relevant interview questions and then receive feedback on your responses.

In addition, there is the opportunity to attend specialist career guidance interviews, that can enable you to make a well-informed and realistic decision about your future career with an experienced advisor on a confidential one-to-one basis.