1. 2013 entry
  2. 2014 Entry

Overview

Employers in the highly competitive world of the financial services and corporate advisory industry demand graduates who are capable of analysing and solving complex problems. The Cass BSc in Banking and International Finance gives you an in-depth knowledge of banking (commercial, retail and investment, risk management and regulation), international finance (foreign exchange), and financial markets (equity, fixed income and derivatives).

The Cass BSc Banking and International Finance degree equips you with the academic knowledge to operate in the dynamic and fast-moving world of financial markets, and provides you with a broad and deep knowledge of financial management. It will enable you to analyse and solve complex problems, and apply the principles of financial management to the banking and finance sector.

A career in international finance will suit you if you are focused, target-driven and enjoy working with numbers. Although the course is unique and covers topics not found elsewhere in the UK, it will not limit you to a future career in banking. Cass works with major employers to ensure that the course supplies students with the skills they need to succeed in the financial world more generally.

Over 80% of BSc Banking and International Finance students go straight into graduate jobs. (Unistats) Cass students have a great reputation with employers, which is due to the targeted nature of the syllabus, and the fact that we prepare you 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.

Six modules (five core and one elective)

Core modules:

  • Foundations of Economics for Finance
  • Introduction to Banking and Financial Intermediation
  • Introduction to Finance
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • Introduction to Statistics

Elective modules - choose one from:

  • International Business Environment
  • Introduction to Business Law
  • Introduction to Management
  • Introduction to Management Accounting
  • Introduction to Visual Basic

Read the full programme specification.

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.

Eight modules (six core and two electives)

Core modules:

  • Bank Risk Management 
  • Derivatives
  • Economics of Foreign Exchange Markets
  • Financial Econometrics
  • International Banking
  • Monetary Economics

Elective modules - choose two from:

  • Asset Management
  • Business & Industrial Economics
  • Company Valuation
  • Corporate Law
  • European Studies
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Modelling with Visual Basic
  • Introduction to Real Estate Investment
  • Management Accounting
  • Mathematical Finance
  • Personal Finance
  • Real Estate Valuation

Read the full programme specification.

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 two 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.

Seven modules (five core and two electives)

Core modules:

  • Banking Regulation
  • Corporate Finance
  • Final Year Project
  • Fixed Income and Option Pricing
  • International Finance

Elective modules - choose two from:

  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Art and Antiques Markets
  • Bank Strategy and Management
  • Business Forecasting
  • Corporate Strategy
  • Emerging Markets
  • European Business Seminar
  • Financial Forecasting
  • Real Estate Finance and Funding
  • Technical Analysis
  • Object Orientated Programming

Read the full programme specification.

Placements and internships

Over the years, Cass has established excellent relationships with a wide variety of leading investment houses, so we are able to offer students on the BSc Banking and International Finance course a wealth of placement opportunities.
Investment houses which currently offer our students placements include the Bank of England, Morgan Stanley, KPMG, American Express, Nomura and Citi. Students can expect to cover a range of disciplines on their placements, such as financial analysis, global markets, operations and research.

Study abroad

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)

Australia

Queensland University of Technology

QUT is triple accredited (AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS). The Garden Point campus is in Brisbane's central business district next to the city Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane River.

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

CUHK is ranked fifth in the QS Asian University Rankings 2011.The 137 hectare campus overlooking Tolo Harbour houses a range of facilities such as world-class libraries, art museums, music halls, a swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts, squash courts, a water sports centre and gymnasiums.

Italy

Bocconi University, Milan

Based in Milan, Bocconi is a triple accredited school (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB) and is ranked 7th in the Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking 2011.

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST)

HKUST is ranked first in the QS Asian University Rankings 2011. HKUST Business School was the first school in Asia to be awarded dual accreditation by AACSB and EQUIS. It offers 10 undergraduate business programmes.

Singapore

Singapore Management University

SMU was founded in 2000 by the government of Singapore, modelling itself on an American style university structure. SMU has over 180 exchange partner universities around the world.

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

NTU is ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide. In 2011/12 they received around 900 exchange students from around the world.

United States

Emory University, Atlanta

Located in Atlanta, Emory University Goizueta Business School's BBA programme is currently ranked No. 3 by Bloomberg BusinessWeek and No. 12 in U.S. News & World Report.

2. Sandwich Year Abroad

You can spend a year of your degree course studying at one of our partner institutions, between your second and third year of study. This would add a year to your degree and you would complete your degree in four years.

Increasingly, host universities offer courses taught in English, although in some cases you will need appropriate foreign language skills.

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 will not count towards your degree classification. However, your degree title will state that you have studied abroad and the partner university will give you a transcript of the modules you have studied there.


Country

Host institution (Sandwich Year, Banking & International Finance)

Austria

Universität Wien, Vienna

The University of Vienna was founded in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world. You will be studying classes in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics.

Canada

HEC, Montréal

Like Cass, HEC is triple accredited (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB) and was the first school in North America to achieve this. There are opportunities to study in French or English.

University of British Columbia, Vancouver

UBC was ranked 22nd in the Times Higher Education World Rankings 2012. Their Sauder School of Business is accredited by EQUIS and AACSB.

France

ESCP Europe, Paris

Like Cass, ESCP is triple accredited by Equis, AMBA and AACSB. The Paris campus is located in the centre of the city.  The Masters in Management, from which you will take classes, is currently ranked 3rd in the Financial Times rankings.

ESSEC Business School

ESSEC is a highly ranked business school located in Cergy-Pontoise, around 35 minutes from central Paris.  It is both EQUIS and AACSB accredited.

Germany

Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin

Located in the capital of Germany, you will need appropriate German language skills to study here and will take classes from the School of Economics and Management.

Technische Universität Münchcn, Munich

TU Munich is ranked in the top 100 world universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011/12).

Italy

LUISS Guido Carli, Rome

LUISS Guido Carli is a private Italian university located in the heart of Rome. You are able to study in either Italian or English and there is an intensive Italian language course available before the start of term.

The Netherlands

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

RSM is consistently ranked in the top 10 business schools in Europe and has 'triple crown' accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS). You will study all modules in English.

Norway

BI Norwegian School of Management, Oslo

Located in the business district in Oslo, BI is EQUIS accredited. It is a self-owned, not-for-profit foundation whose sole focus is education and research.

Singapore

National University of Singapore

NUS is ranked 3rd in the QS Asian University Rankings 2011 and is one of the top 40 world ranked universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011/12). More than 1,000 exchange students visit NUS each year.

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

NTU is ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide. In 2011/12 they received around 900 exchange students from around the world.

Spain

Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona

The UPF campus is located in the heart of Barcelona. You would take classes from the Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences where delivery is in English, Spanish or Catalan.

IE Business School (Madrid and Segovia)

Situated in the heart of Madrid's financial district, IE Business School is ranked 1st in Europe (FT European Business School rankings 2012)

Accreditation

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).


Entry requirements

Qualification Requirement
A-levels AAA
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

 In addition to the above, GCSE Maths (grade A) and English language (grade C) or equivalent is required.

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.

International students 

We accept a wide range of International and other UK qualifications at Cass. Typical offers for International and other qualifications

If you do not qualify for direct entry, INTO City University London offers an International Foundation Programme. This course offers a route to City University London through an excellent teaching and learning experience located in purpose built study facilities. Successful completion of the International Foundation Programme at INTO City University London to the standard required provides guaranteed progression to this degree.

English language requirements

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

Qualification Requirement
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

View further information about the minimum acceptable English language requirements for Tier 4 students.

Application and fees

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

  • UK/EU students: £9,000 per annum
  • Non-EU international students: £14,000 per annum

Term dates 

Activity From To
Pre-sessional Maths (Part 1) 12 Sept 2012 21 Sept 2012
Autumn Term
Induction week (Part 1) 24 Sept 2012 28 Sept 2012
Teaching 01 Oct 2012 14 Dec 2012
Vacation 17 Dec 2012 11 Jan 2013
Spring Term
Exams 14 Jan 2013 25 Jan 2013
Teaching 28 Jan 2013 12 Apr 2013
Vacation 15 Apr 2013 10 May 2013
Exams 13 May 2013 07 Jun 2013
Graduation 15/16/17 Jul 2013 (TBC)

Your career after Cass

The majority of graduates from BSc Banking and International Finance embark on exciting careers in the fast-paced world of global finance. Many join investment banks and secure positions in trading, investment banking and sales, specialising in areas such as derivatives. Others join brokerage houses. Many graduates also enter career paths in operations or consultancy, or take up postgraduate study. 

On average, graduates from BSc Banking and International Finance can expect to earn around £28,000 in their first year of employment.
Recent employers that have recruited Cass BSc Banking and International Finance graduates include Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, BNP Paribas and Lloyds Banking Group.

Find out how studying at City University London helps you to improve your job prospects.