Business Analytics with Finance

BSc (Hons)

Through academic rigour and experiential learning on this multidisciplinary course, you will gain cutting-edge skills in data analytics, data science and artificial intelligence, with application to key business and finance decisions.

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Entry year

Start date

September 2024

Duration

3 years

Duration with placement

4 years

Application deadline

Jan 2024

Campus

Northampton Square

UCAS Code

USBANF

Overview

Who is it for?

A rigorous teaching approach is chosen to deliver the underlying academic knowledge, which is combined with practical industry-related elements that are essential for enhancing your employment outcomes.

A testament to the modern teaching approach that will be provided in these two courses is its bespoke course structure. This includes the following elements of experiential learning:

five Bootcamps (developing cutting-edge technology skills),
two Data Olympics Competitions (developing dissemination skills),
five knowledge integration modules (developing analytical thinking skills),
one work experience knowledge integration module (developing actionable insights skills),
two modules that deliver work experience (micro-placements and summer internships), and
industry sponsored projects.

In line with City, University of London’s Career Application Programme the industry sponsored project serves as a work experience knowledge integration module and follows the successful model delivered by the Business Analytics Industry Partnership Programme to MSc in Business Analytics since 2018 where all our postgraduate Business Analytics students have been provided with industry sponsored projects.

Besides many accounting, financial litigation, insurance and marketing consulting companies, and well-known UK retailers and wholesalers, other business partners are Bank of England, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, the UK Government Actuary's Department, the UK National Health Service, Vodafone UK, etc.

Objectives

The Business Analytics with Finance course has a modular approach as follows:

Core Development – Year 1 and Term One of Year 2
Core Specialisation – Term Two of Year 2
Deployment Specialisation – Year 3

On successful completion of the Core Development Stage, students will have acquired a foundational knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and principles underlying your area of study, the ability to recognise and explain them, and to identify and apply appropriate solutions when presented with a problem.

On successful completion of the Core Specialisation Stage, students have built on the knowledge and understanding gained at the Core Development Stage and demonstrated an ability to analyse and apply these concepts and principles to complex problems and scenarios.

In the Deployment Specialisation Stage, students are able to develop a very distinctive range of knowledge and skills which will supplement the objectives that underline the course as a whole. Students may also produce a final year project which provides you with work experience by delivering an industry sponsored project.

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Structure

Core modules:

Finance and Investment
This course introduces the role of finance in investment decisions and the major financial instruments used by businesses and investors.

It introduces discounting as a tool for making financial decisions, and then considers the major financial markets (bonds, equities, FX and derivatives).
Introduction to Management
The aim of this module is to increase your ability to understand and function effectively in organizations as individuals, as team members, as managers and leaders, and as participants in a global business environment.

We will cover fundamental management and organisational behaviour (OB) concepts and consider how they can be effectively used in organizations through case studies and exercises that illustrate and problematize key ideas.
Mathematics for Business Analytics
This module provides an introduction to key numerical techniques used in business analytics to aid decision making.
Data Visualisation
This module provides design principles along with frameworks and techniques to synthesise and illustrate complex information via data visualisation, which enables you to understand the significance of data by placing it in a visual context.

You should expect to learn different approaches to data visualisation (e.g., pattern recognition or 'data storytelling') and to mobilise these approaches in order to reach a range of types of audiences.
Business Economics
This module will introduce you to the main ideas and tools used by economists to analyse marketplace interactions between consumers and firms, the role of government in the economy, and the drivers of productivity and economic growth.

The module will cover several fundamental theories in economics across microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Statistics for Business Analytics
Unsupervised Machine Learning
This module introduces modern machine learning methods and techniques for the modelling and reasoning about uncertainty in large datasets, as well as the latest machine learning techniques used in diverse applications such as graph mining and link analysis, and multimodal signal processing including large-scale video and sensor data.
Data Wrangling and Exploratory Data Analysis

Core modules:

Applied Business Intelligence
This module focuses on the use of modern tools to easily interact with and analyse datasets (both small and massive) on current or historical trends, and make actionable business decisions.

You should expect a) to learn effective methods to extract relevant information out of real-world business data, b) by familiarising yourself with a popular business intelligence software (e.g., Tableau) and c) using software capabilities to present findings, make informed decisions, and set realistic goals.
Applied Natural Language Processing
This module focuses on modern frameworks and tools to analyse massive datasets containing `natural language’ data―e.g., economic-financial reports, press releases, speeches, or online product reviews.

The students should expect: a) to learn efficient methods to represent and store `natural language’ data; b) to familiarise with the latest developments in the area of semantic and topic modelling; and c) to mobilize natural language processing algorithms in the context of deep learning frameworks (e.g., Google’s Tensor Flow library).
Financial Econometrics
This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts of econometrics and its usefulness in analysing financial data. It is designed to give you an understanding of why econometrics is necessary, to provide you with a working knowledge of basic econometric tools, to introduce you to an econometric and data science software and to illustrate their application in finance.
Supervised Machine Learning
This module introduces modern machine learning methods and techniques for the modelling and reasoning about uncertainty in large datasets, as well as the latest machine learning techniques used in diverse applications such as graph mining and link analysis, and multimodal signal processing including large-scale video and sensor data.
Predictive Analytics Knowledge Integration
Scalable Analytics Methods
Frontiers of Business Analytics
Deep Learning

Core modules:

Data Management Systems
This module focuses on modern frameworks and tools to getting, storing, and deploying massive datasets.
AI-Powered Analytics
Explainability of Analytics Methods
Fintech in Banking and Finance
The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the evolving nature of Fintech, including an overview of the underlying technologies in order to be able to assess the ongoing impact that this new sector is having on traditional banking and finance and the manner in which regulators domestically and internationally are approaching emanating regulatory challenges and opportunities.
Quantitative and Algorithmic Trading

Elective Modules

Final Year Applied Research Project
Spatial Analytics
Consulting Research Methods for Business Analytics
Micro-placements
Summer Internship
Advanced Econometrics and Forecasting
Derivatives
Network Analytics
Change Management
Embedding Innovation
Financial Engineering
The Role of Environmental, Social and Governance in Banking and Finance

Assessment methods

You will be assessed using a variety of methods, depending on module choices including:

Coursework
Unseen written examinations, taking place at the end of each term (or at the end of a year, if a module is taught over two terms)
Class tests
Online quizzes and tests, using the Virtual Learning Environment
Presentation
Group projects, individual projects.

Overall workload

Most contact hours take the form of lectures. A number of tutorials, exercise classes and surgery hours are scheduled during the first year, the number decreasing as you progress and you become more able to direct your own learning. Approximate study time based on 2022/23 entry is as follows:

Year 1

20% scheduled learning, 80% independent learning

Year 2

17% scheduled learning, 83% independent learning

Year 3

13% scheduled learning, 87% independent learning.

Term dates

Academic year

For a full breakdown of the current and forthcoming academic year view our term dates page.

Timetables

Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.

View academic timetables

Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.

Application

How to apply

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

UCAS Institution code: C60 (Bayes Business School and City, University of London)
UCAS Course code: USBANF

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

More information about applying to Bayes

Terms and conditions

Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

Information for international and EU applicants

For international applicants requiring a Student Route visa we accept any of the below English language proficiency qualifications at the grades listed.

Please note, the Official Certificate must be awarded OR the qualification must be verifiable online. Statement of Results will not be accepted.

The English Language qualification or test needs to have been taken no longer than two years from the date that the CAS is generated.

English Language Tests:

IELTS (Academic, UKVI or IELTS Indicator): 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any sub test.
Language Cert International ESOL: Language Cert B2 Communicator High Pass
TOEFL (Test centre or iBT Special Home Edition): 92 overall (24 Writing, 23 Reading, 22 Speaking, 21 Listening)
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 59 overall with minimum of 59 in each sub test
Cambridge English Advanced (also known as Certificate in Advanced English): Grade C (180 overall) at CEFR Level C1 with minimum 170 in each sub test
Cambridge English Proficiency (also known as Certificate of Proficiency in English): Pass qualification (all grades accepted)
Oxford Test of English 130 overall with minimum 120 in each sub test

English Language Qualifications:

IGCSE: English as a First Language (Syllabus 0500 & 0522) or English as Second Language (Syllabus 0510 & 0511) at Grade B or above
International Baccalaureate: Grade 5 at Standard level or Grade 4 at Higher level
Trinity College (Integrated Skills): ISE III – pass in each area
INTO City Pre-sessional English: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any sub test (NB. Must be the 6 or 8 week Bayes-specific course)
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): English Language Examination grade 4 or above
GCSE English Language Grade C/5 or above but 1) Qualifications must be issued by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA regulated body in the UK; 2) Education must be undertaken in a UK school.
A Level English Language Grade C or above but 1) Qualifications must be issued by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA regulated body in the UK; 2) Education must be undertaken in a UK school.
Vitnemal English grade 5
French Baccalaureat: 14/20 in English
Malaysian GCE O Level (SPM-1119 syllabus only): grade A

An exception to the above criteria applies to Student Route visa applicants from the below majority English-speaking countries for whom we can accept a wider range of English qualifications:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Malta
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
United States of America

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Information for home applicants

In addition to the above English language proficiency qualifications accepted for International applicants, as a Home or EU applicant we can also accept any of the below English qualifications:

GCSE: Grade C or 4
O-Level: Grade C
A-Level: Grade C
Cambridge English First (also known as Certificate of First in English): Grade A (180-190) at CEFR Level C1

Study abroad

Bayes Business School gives you the opportunity to spend a term or a year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions, which are located around the world in Australia, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

*Please note that the partner universities available is dependent on the study abroad programme you apply for and on your degree. The list of partner universities is also subject to change.

Argentina
Universidad Argentina de la Empresa
Located in the heart of Buenos Aires, UADE has exchange agreements with 40 partner universities around the world. You will take modules from the undergraduate Global Management degree.
Australia
Queensland University of Technology
Located in the bustling city of Brisbane, QUT was the first Australian university to gain 'triple crown' accreditation (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB).
RMIT University
Giving you the chance to study in Melbourne, Australia's 2nd largest city, RMIT is one of Australia's original educational institutions. Their well-established business school allows students to choose from a wide-range of subjects.
University of Queensland
Located in the popular Australian city of Brisbane, the University of Queensland features in the top 100 of 3 of the major rankings (QS, THE and ARWU).
University of Sydney
As Australia’s first university, the University of Sydney has an excellent long-standing reputation and is also ranked best student experience in Australia.
Austria
Vienna University of Economics and Business
WU has triple accreditation, one of only two German-speaking universities belonging to this group. They have a well-established exchange programme, with around 240 partner universities around the world.
Canada
HEC Montreal
Like Bayes, HEC Montreal 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.
Smith School of Business - Queen's University
Queen's Smith School of Business has a rich history dating back to 1841 and is consistently ranked as one of Canada's leading universities. It welcomes over 300 exchange students every year from more than 40 countries.
Ivey Business School, Western University
Ranked in the top 100 for Financial Times MBA Rankings, Ivey School of Business provides a competitive combination of world-class teaching and modern facilities.
Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia
UBC is one of Canada's leading research universities and is consistently ranked in the top 40 of the world. Located 30 minutes from the heart of down-town Vancouver it attracts students from more than 140 countries world-wide.
Chile
Universidad de Chile
Based in the cultural city of Santiago, the Universidad de Chile is one of only 10 Latin American universities ranked among the world’s top 500. It is ranked 6^th in the QS Latin American Ranking 2016.
China
Renmin University of China
Located in Beijing, Renmin Business School is both EQUIS and AACSB accredited. Their MBA programme is ranked in the top 50 in the world by the Financial Times.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
You will take classes from the Antai College of Economics and Management, which was the first business school in mainland China to have been triply accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. They have Bachelor programmes in Economics and Finance.
France
ESCP Europe, Paris campus
Like Bayes, ESCP is triple accredited (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 4^th in the Financial Times rankings (2016).
ESSEC Business School
Established in 1907, ESSEC is one of the leading institutions in Europe for business education. Their BBA was the first programme in France to receive the prestigious AACSB and EQUIS accreditations.
Germany
University of Mannheim
The University of Mannheim Business School is highly ranked and has an excellent reputation. You will be studying modules from their Bachelor degrees in Business Administration and Business Education in either German or English.
Technische Universität München
TU Munich was named as the number one university in Germany in the QS World University Ranking 2016.
Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
CUHK was ranked the most innovative university in Hong Kong in 2016 (Reuters). 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.
University of Hong Kong
HKU is consistently ranked in the top 50 world universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). You will be studying at their Faculty of Business and Economics.
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
HKUST is ranked 4^th in the QS Asian University Rankings 2016. HKUST Business School was the first school in Asia to be awarded dual accreditation by AACSB and EQUIS. It offers 11 undergraduate business programmes.
Italy
LUISS Guido Carli
LUISS Guido Carli is a private Italian university located in the heart of Rome. They are currently EQUIS and AMBA accredited and Luiss was actually the first Italian institution to have all its management programs accredited by EQUIS back in 2015, from the bachelor's degree program to the Master in Business Administration, as well as additional master's, specialization, doctoral, and business training programs. We are also currently ranked 59th in the QS ranking for Business and Management and our Master in Management is ranked 1st by the Financial Times based on career progress.
Bocconi University
Based in Milan, Bocconi is a triple accredited school (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB) and is ranked 6th in the Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking 2016.
Norway
BI Norwegian School of Management
BI is the only Norwegian university with triple accreditation and has student exchange agreements with more than 200 institutions in 45 different countries.
Singapore
National University of Singapore
NUS is ranked 1st in the QS Asian University Rankings 2016 and is one of the top 25 world ranked universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). More than 1,000 exchange students visit NUS each year.
Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang is ranked 54^th in the Times Higher Education's World University Rankings. You will have the chance to study at one of Asia's most prestigious universities in the heart of 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.
South Korea
Seoul National University
SNU was founded in 1946 as the first national university of Korea. SNU Business School was also the first business school in Korea to be certified by the Associate to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Spain
IE Business School
Situated in the heart of Madrid's financial district, IE Business School is ranked 1^st in Spain and 5^th in Europe (FT European Business School rankings 2015).
ESADE Business School
The school is located in Europe’s most international city and Spain’s second largest city, Barcelona. Like Bayes, ESADE is triple accredited (EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB).
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.
USA
Emory University, Atlanta
Located near downtown Atlanta, Emory University Goizueta Business School's BBA programme is currently ranked No. 15 by both Bloomberg BusinessWeek and U.S. News & World Report.
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
One of the largest business schools in the US, McCombs is ranked the 6^th undergraduate business programme in the 2017 US News and World Reporting Ranking.
Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
Located in College Park, eight miles from The White House and downtown Washington, D.C. you will be studying at the Robert H. Smith School of Business whose undergraduate programme was ranked number 19 in the USA (2016 U.S. News & World Report).
Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
The Ross School of Business has one of the top undergraduate business programmes in the USA, ranked #4 (US News & World Report, 2016). You will take modules from their Bachelor in Business Administration.
McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia
The McIntire School of Commerce is regarded as one of the best business schools in America. Their UG programme is #5 in the USA (Bloomberg Business Week, 2016). They are partnered with a select number of business schools around the world, with Bayes being one of them.
Vietnam
RMIT Vietnam Campus
Living and studying at RMIT Saigon South campus in Ho Chi Minh City will give you great opportunities to get immersed into a dynamic, multicultural and intriguing city.

Replacement Term Abroad

Spend the first term of your 2^nd year studying abroad in English at one of our partner universities. You would take modules to the value of 60 credits abroad and return to Bayes in the 2^nd term to complete your 2^nd year.

*Please note that the partner universities available abroad for the replacement term abroad programme vary from degree to degree and are more limited than for the sandwich year abroad programme. If you would like to check the current available partners for your desired degree, please email [email protected].

Sandwich year

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

Please be aware that the options available to you from the full list of partner institutions will depend on the study abroad programme you select. For more detailed information on this, please contact the Student Exchange Team.

Student Exchange Team

Our dedicated Student Exchange Team are available to offer advice to students who wish to explore their study abroad options. They will also support students throughout the application process and during their study abroad year or term. To contact them, email: [email protected].

Placements

Support from the Placements Team

A dedicated placements team will support you through the placements process. The team advertise a number of work placement and summer internships annually, and invite businesses to Bayes to meet with you and discuss the roles available. The team offers 1-2-1 advice on CV's and covering letters, as well as organising workshops to help you enhance your skills and competencies with applications and interviews. Also the team support students throughout your placement year including offering advice, guidance and monitoring your progress.

Fees

                        UK
                        £9250*
                        
                        Tuition fees are subject to annual change
                    
                            EU
                            £22000
                            
                            Tuition fees are subject to annual change
                        
                        International
                        £22000
                        
                        Tuition fees are subject to annual change

UK Students

Fees for students commencing study in 2024/25 are £9,250*

EU and Non-EU international students

There are a variety of funding options for all levels of study, including loans, grants and scholarships. Find out more about funding and financing your time at City here.
Each year, Bayes Business School, City, University of London and generous donors create opportunities for students to fully fund or part fund their studies. Find out more about scholarships and loans.
Fee waivers may be available for this course
Means tested support may be available for 2023/24 entry. .

Career pathways

The Business Analytics with Finance course provides a solid foundation for those that would like to pursue a career where data-based decision making, technology and analytics skills are essential differentiators.

The Finance pathway is targeted towards a career within the fintech sector and the wider financial sector as graduates will gain more finance-specific domain knowledge. Graduates of this pathway are suitable for entering a career in the finance industry (e.g. quantitative trading and analysis), finance function of a private or public institution, regulatory bodies of financial markets or financial consulting.

Graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills that will enable to begin a career in the financial sector that requires analytics skills such as auditing/brokerage/consulting/financial/market analyst, but also emerging roles such as personalisation and product development in banking, investment and wealth management.

Alumni stories

Hear from our alumni. Discover the real experiences of learning at Bayes and how Bayes helped to boost our graduates' careers.

Read all stories

Course information and statistics

3rd in the uk

for Business Administration and Finance research [Shanghai Rankings’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022]

City is located within walking distance from Tech City, which is Europe's leading tech hub, and City of London, which is the historical core of major financial institutions.

Multidisciplinary course design includes industry sponsored projects and modern teaching approaches such as Data Olympics competitions, Bootcamps, knowledge integration modules, experiential learning orientated modules, and modules that account for work experience.

Business Analytics with Finance