Finance (Foundation)

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Key information

UCAS code: N3NF

Duration: 4 years

Attendance mode: Full-time

Fees: £8,000 (more information)

Location: Northampton Square

Start of programme: September 2024

Application deadline: January 2024

Entry year: Showing course information for 2024

Acquire the fundamental knowledge needed to enter a Bayes undergraduate Finance degree

Overview

Finance (Foundation) Who is it for?

The Foundation Year is designed to prepare UK students for the key subjects that will form the core of the rest of your degree in Finance.

On successful completion of the Foundation Year you will have obtained a fundamental knowledge of mathematics, statistics, economics, IT and business management which will ensure that you are fully prepared to enter Programme Stage 1 of the main degree.

The BSc Finance degree provides you with the skills needed for a variety of careers within the finance world- from brokerage, auditing and consulting to risk management, and financial analysis within both debt and equity markets.

Course objectives

The Foundation Year is a one-year full-time programme that provides an entry route to the first year of one of the following courses at Bayes:

It is designed to prepare you for the key subjects that will form the core of the rest of your degree.

Teaching staff

Course director:

Dr Malvina Marchese

Senior Lecturer
photo of Malvina Marchese

Course content

The Foundation course has been designed to familiarise you with the material that you will study in more depth in the later years of the degree programme.

Course structure

Modules

You will take seven core modules:

  • Introduction to economics

    This course will cover fundamental topics in both macro and micro economics. We will assume that you have not covered this material before and this module will help you prepare for first year economics modules at degree level. This module will have an integrated study skills module which will develop your ability in such areas as note taking, essay planning, mind maps, etc., which will help both with this module and the rest of your studies and later employment.

  • Introduction to finance and accounting

    This module will introduce you to concepts such as interest rates, discounted cash-flows, different types of investments and company accounts. It will also provide real world skills for the analysis of companies and investments.

  • Introduction to Microsoft Office Suite

    This module is taught online but supported with a weekly in-person tutorial. This module will help with future studies where Microsoft Office products are used, as well as providing real life skills which will be attractive to employers.

  • Introduction to Business and Management

    This module will help you to develop an understanding of how businesses operate and how they are managed. This will be particularly useful to you if you will be undertaking an undergraduate degree involving the study of business. The unit covers the following areas: models of management, the business environment, managing people, leadership, corporate social responsibility, human resource management, corporate strategy, marketing, organisation structure, managing operations.

  • Foundation Mathematics and Statistics

    Through this module, you will extend your existing knowledge of mathematics to develop your analytical skills. The programme of study will be divided into lectures in algebra, calculus and statistics and the focus will be on giving students an understanding of how mathematical techniques can be used to model and then solve practical problems. If we find that a large proportion of the class already has a knowledge of mathematics which goes beyond the material taught on this module, we will run additional, more advanced tutorials which will emphasise the process used and methods required when you are working towards the solution of more complicated problems.

  • Individual Project

    This module aims to develop transferable skills which will be of value to you on whichever degree you choose to study. With the support of a nominated academic supervisor, you will be required to design, research and write a report of approximately 3000 words. You will then deliver a 10 minute presentation on the content of your report. Bayes academics will suggest a limited range of possible topics, for students to write their project on, all centred on the theme of business and finance. You may also suggest a topic of your own, along with a written explanation of why you believe it would be a good choice. Student-generated project topics are subject to approval by the Course Director.

  • Business London

    The Business London module introduces you to the historic role of London in the development of international business and finance.  Some sessions will involve standard lectures, but for others you will be expected to walk around the City of London and to visit London institutions. This will help you to appreciate the role of the geography of the City in its development into a leading centre of global commerce.

Assessment methods

  • Course work
  • Presentation
  • Tests

Term dates

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

Study abroad

This is an option on the Bayes undergraduate degrees to which you can progress upon successful completion of the Foundation year.

Asia and Australasia

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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

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 4th 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.

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 54th 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).

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.

Europe

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.

Denmark

  • Copenhagen Business School

    Copenhagen Business School often abbreviated and referred to as CBS, is a public university situated in Copenhagen. It is considered one of the most prestigious business schools in Western Europe and the world. CBS has been engaged in student mobility for decades and has a large number of partner universities all over the world. They send over 1,100 students to study at partner universities every year

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 4th 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

  • Technische Universität München

    TU Munich was named as the number one university in Germany in the QS World University Ranking 2016.

  • 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.

Italy

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

Spain

  • 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).

  • IE Business School

    Situated in the heart of Madrid's financial district, IE Business School is ranked 1st in Spain and 5th in Europe (FT European Business School rankings 2015).

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.

The Americas

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.

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.

  • University of Waterloo

    For 19 years in a row, Waterloo has been named Canada's most innovative university in the Maclean's annual university reputational rankings. The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at Waterloo is among the top academic units for statistical and actuarial science in the world and is home to over 900 undergraduate students.

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 6th in the QS Latin American Ranking 2016.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

    One of the largest business schools in the US, McCombs is ranked the 6th undergraduate business programme in the 2017 US News and World Reporting Ranking.

  • 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.

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.

Fees & funding

UK/Home fee

September 2024 entry

£8,000

The Foundation Programme is for home fee paying students only.

Tuition fees are subject to annual change.

Tuition fee increases

Fees for each subsequent year of study are subject to an annual increase to take account of City's increased costs of delivering educational services. This increase will be 5% for each subsequent year of study. You should expect your fee to increase by this amount and budget accordingly.

Scholarships & bursaries

Each year, Bayes Business School, City, University of London and generous donors create opportunities for students to fully fund or part fund their undergraduate studies. Find out more about scholarships and loans available to support you as you progress on to an undergraduate degree.

Careers

As a graduate of this course, you will be well-placed to enter a career in the finance industry, within the finance function of a corporation, in consulting, or in regulation and government.

Job roles include Assistant Auditor, Consulting Analyst, Financial Analyst, Graduate Analyst, Insurance Broker Assistant, Investment Banking Analyst, Investment Banking Credit Risk Analyst, Market Analyst, Risk Management Assistant and Underwriting Assistant

Find out the types of positions our graduates have gone on to work in.

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

Entry requirements

The Foundation Programme is for home fee paying students only. If you think you may still be eligible based on your circumstances, for example you have EU Settlement/Pre-Settlement Status, Indefinite Leave to Remain or Refugee Status, please email bayesug@city.ac.uk.

If you are an international student please refer to INTO City for information about the International Foundation Programme.

Standard home offer

  • A LEVEL
    BBB
    GCSE Mathematics at grade 6/B
  • IB
    30 points
    overall with minimum 5 in Standard Level or 4 in Higher Level Maths and English.
  • BTEC
    BTEC options considered

UK qualifications

Core English and Mathematics requirements

In addition to the qualifications below (excluding IB), the following is required: a minimum of grade 4 (C) in GCSE English Language and grade 6 (B) in GCSE Maths.

Level 3 Certificate in Core Mathematics with a minimum grade C is also accepted.

Further entry requirements

A-Level: BBB

  • If you are studying General Studies or Critical Thinking these subjects will not be included in any offer condition.
  • We accept all foreign language A Level subjects, and such subjects are considered for entry even if it is the applicant’s native language.

BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM

For candidates taking a combination of A Level/BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications we accept the following:

  • BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 National Diploma (grades DD) with one A-Level (grade B)
  • BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (grade D) with two A-levels (grades BB)

Access to Higher Education: Pass the course with 45 level 3 credits including minimum 15 distinction credits and no more than 15 credits at Pass.

IB: 30 points overall, including either HL4 or SL5 in both Mathematics and English. Please note that we are happy to accept both Maths Analysis & Approaches and Maths Applications & Interpretations.

Contextual offers

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care, attend a low performing school, live in an area where few students go to university, or are the first generation of their family to enter Higher Education.

Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically up to two grades lower for A-levels and one grade for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

English language requirements

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

  • GCSE: Grade C or 4
  • IGCSE: Grade C
  • O-Level: Grade C
  • TOEFL (Test centre or iBT Special Home Edition): 92 overall (24 Writing, 23 Reading, 22 Speaking, 21 Listening)
  • A-Level: Grade C
  • IELTS (Academic, UKVI or IELTS Indicator): 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any sub test
  • IELTS One Skill Retake: Must be taken within six weeks of previous IELTS test.  Accepted for one sub test where all other components and the overall score have been met.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 59 overall with minimum of 59 in each sub test
  • International Baccalaureate: Grade 5 at Standard level or Grade 4 at Higher level
  • 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)
  • Cambridge English First (also known as Certificate of First in English): Grade A (180-190) at CEFR Level C1
  • Vitnemal: English grade 5
  • French Baccalaureat: 14/20 in English
  • Malaysian GCE O Level (SPM-1119 syllabus only): grade A

Student life

Study at Bayes and take advantage of all that London has to offer - from entertainment and nightlife to West End theatres, museums and world-famous shopping districts and markets.

See our Undergraduate Student Life page for further information.

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Apply

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

Bayes Business School works in partnership with INTO City and Kaplan International College London to offer foundation courses for international students.

More information about applying to Bayes

Apply via UCAS

  • Institution code: C60 (Bayes Business School and City, University of London)
  • Course code: N3NF (BSc Finance with Foundation Year)

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

Apply via UCAS | N3NF

Contact us

Speak to one of our staff from UG's programmes teams.

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