Economics, Finance and Banking, BA (Hons)

This dynamic course will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful career in investment banking, financial analysis, or the wider business world. Offering a number of work experience opportunities, on this course you will also apply economic analysis to real-life issues and problems, preparing you for employment with strong and practical knowledge. Why choose this course?

100% of our graduates who studied the BA (Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking full time course are employed or engaged in further study six months after leaving (Latest DLHE Survey Undergraduate results 2011/12).

After the financial disasters of the last few years, economics and the financial industry has been in focus like never before. Through this course you will be introduced to key economic concepts and theories, as well as issues relating to today’s economic and financial environment.

The course emphasises the application of economic analysis using real-life issues and problems in the field of finance and banking. This will enable you to develop important skills for employment in the finance sector, including quantitative and analytical skills.

You will also develop transferable skills to boost your CV:

• presentation skills (writing and oral)
• team work
• time management.

Unique opportunities

You will be offered a number of opportunities to boost your employability as part of this course, including a year-long placement in industry.

If you choose not to undertake a placement, you can benefit from the opportunities available exclusively to full-time students, including:

• studying abroad
• a short internship
• running an enterprise or community project.

Graduates from this course have gone on to successful careers in both the private and public sectors, securing positions such as:

• Accounts Executive
• Imports Coordinator
• Trainee Assistant Merchandiser
• Trainee surveyor
• Business Analyst.

86% of our students said they were satisfied with the BA (Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking full time course(National Student Survey, 2013).

To find out more about BA (Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking you can request a course brochure. We also recommend you attend an open day to find out more about our courses and experience NTU for yourself. Can't make the open day? Take a virtual tour instead.

Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4460
Visit the Nottingham Business School website

UCAS codes

• LN1H BA/EFB3 full-time
• LN13 BA/EFB4 placement

Start date

September

This is a three or four-year course depending on whether you take a work placement year.

Whichever route you choose, you will study core economics modules in Years One and Two to develop your knowledge and understanding. This will be supported by a significant number of specialised modules of finance and banking throughout the course, particularly at level three though.

The first year of your degree is designed to equip you with the skills and insights needed to ‘think like an economist’. These core economics modules are shared with students on BA (Hons) Economics and BA (Hons) Business Economics. After successfully completing your first year you may, if you wish, choose to switch to these courses and so complete either a more general economics course or perhaps apply your economic knowledge to the world of business.

Term time will follow the standard academic calendar throughout the three years, except for those taking a placement year, who during their third year will work for a minimum of 48 weeks of the year.

You will attend lectures and seminars at NTU's City site, in the impressive Newton building, home to Nottingham Business School.

What will I study?

Typical module titles include the following.

Year One

Core modules include:

• Economics in Graduate Occupations
• Microeconomics I
• Macroeconomics I
• Introductory Finance for Economists
• Quantitative Methods for Economists
• Economics in Context.

Year Two

First half of year

Core modules include:

• Microeconomics II
• Macroeconomics Theories, Issues and Policies (II)
• Financial Decision Making with Econometrics.

Second half of year

Full-time students (three years) will choose one of the following opportunities:

• study abroad
• undertake an enterprise project
• work on a community project
• take an internship
• taught modules (see below).

Sandwich students (four years) will study the following taught modules, along with those that have selected option five above:

• Economics of International Banking
• Global Financial Markets.

Plus either of the following optional modules:

• China Economy
• Management Accounting for Decision Making.

Year Three

This is your placement year, if you are on a four-year course.

Final year

Core modules include:

• Leadership and Employability
• Research Project
• Money and Risk
• Financial Risk Management and Derivatives
• International Finance and Banking.

Plus one optional module from:

• Jean Monnet Europe and the World Economy
• Investment and Portfolio Management
• Econometric Methods.

Making your education current and relevant

The Business School has recently undergone a curriculum review to ensure that all modules are relevant and up-to-date. This means that every module you study has been incorporated in your course to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to boost your employability.

How will I learn?

The teaching team offers a range of stimulating activities designed to develop your existing knowledge, skills and qualities. We use a mixture of teaching methods, including:

• traditional lectures and seminars
• workshop practice sessions
• guest lectures (these have previously included the Economics Network and Bank of England)
• problem-based learning
• group discussions.

In addition to this you will also be involved in a variety of practical work such as:

• individual and group presentations
• student-led seminars
• debates
• role play
• industry-sponsored competitions
• project work.

Although these practical elements will not be assessed, they are included to help you develop a range of skills, including:

• time management
• effective presentation
• clear communication
• customer focus
• entrepreneurial skills
• team working.

Final year students are also encouraged to act as mentors to incoming students, providing an important, additional source of assistance, advice and support, whilst also giving finalists valuable experience.

Contact time

On average you will receive 12 - 15 hours of teaching per week from a combination of lectures and seminars. You will then be expected to increase your understanding of the subject area through independent study for each module.

Throughout the three years of your course the scheduled contact hours you receive will gradually decrease as you develop the skills required to undertake independent study and the research project in your final year. This will still remain at approximately 12 hours a week though and during this time you will still have regular contact with your tutors.

Additional to this, you will also have further time-tabled contact time for your induction, at the beginning of the year and sessions on employability and opportunities that you can get involved with whilst at university.

Teaching support and personal tutor sessions

Our teaching and personal support staff have been commended and recognised in as excellent in successive independent reviews.

You will have a number of one on one tutor sessions during each year, which will allow you to:

• Discuss and gain feedback about your work.
• Ask questions about the projects you're working on.
• Raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your university experience.

During your first year, these sessions will be scheduled approximately once a fortnight. During your second and final year, this will be approximately once a month.

Virtual learning environment

You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW which is a flexible web-based system that allows you to have 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and other students, and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.

How will I be assessed?

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways. Examples of assessment include written examinations, reports, essays, individual and group coursework, presentations, and research projects. The degree classification is based on 25% of second year work and 75% of final year work.

In response to student feedback the university have introduced a policy that ensures you are given feedback on assessment within three weeks of submission.

Welcoming students from across the world

Nottingham Trent University HAS a diverse student community, with a significant number of international students choosing to study here from across the world. We provide specialist staff, services and facilities to help you through all stages of being a student. Find out more about our International support services.

Economics Taster Day

Each year Nottingham Trent University hold various taster events designed to give you a more in depth understanding of a specific subject area. Click on the videos tab to find out more about what happened at the recent Economics Taster Day.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

We are continually investing in our facilities, and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere.

The School is based in the impressive Newton Building on NTU's City site. In 2009 the building was involved in a £90 million regeneration project on the site. Whilst maintaining its historic beauty, the Grade II* listed building was transformed into an ultra-modern complex.

Fantastic facilities

• You can take advantage of the NBS Link Lounge, a new space dedicated to Business School students, located on floor seven of the Newton building.
• Explore your career prospects with the help of the University's Career and Placements Centre (new for September 2012).
• You will benefit from spacious teaching rooms and lecture theatres.
• We provide students with a variety of social spaces.
• Your studies will benefit from the £13 million pound Boots Library.
• Students take advantage of our 24-hour IT facilities.
• Our Student Services Centre will also be on-hand should you need support.

The location of the City site also means that you have easy access to:

• sports facilities
• shops
• student accommodation
• music venues
• cafés.