Are you passionate about money? Do you have a talent for macro-economics? Are you looking to pursue a career in the corporate world? If so, then perhaps a course in finance would be perfect for you.

However, those who do study finance should not only be able demonstrate a natural aptitude for mathematics, but should also have an interest in laws and the regulation of the financial sector, As part of the programme students will have to learn about taxation alongside monetary and fiscal economic policies and the impact that this may have on the financial industry.

There is a lot of content involved in a finance course, so it is important that students are hard workers and willing to conduct extra research in their own spare time in order to achieve top level grades.

The majority of graduates who pursues qualifications end up pursuing career within the financial sector working as investors, financial risk analysts or bankers.

However, there is also the option for finance graduates to undertake further study post-graduation. Some students opt to take professional accountancy qualifications, whereas others take the Graduate Diploma in Law with the hopes of pursuing a career in the financial or commercial law sector.

Similarly, there is also the option for graduates to study for PGCE qualifications in order to teach at secondary school level or to pursue careers in financial journalism. Students may also use the business knowledge acquired to set up their own business or work within HR and marketing departments.  

Those with strong writing skills may also work for not-for-profit organisations as bid-writers and fund-raisers generating finance for a number of charitable purposes.

The way in which the course is structured will depend very much upon your level of study. Most degree courses at undergraduate level last for a minimum of 3 years. Applicants should have a minimum of 3 A-level, or equivilant, in related academic disciplines. Some candidates may be allowed to extend the course for an extra year between stages 2 and 3 in order to undertake an industry-related work experience placement.

There are also a number of post-graduate finance courses available. Such programmed will last for a minimum of a year, although this will depend upon the level studied and whether you opt to study full-time or part-time. Potential candidates will be expected to have a 2:1 qualification in a similar academic field.

Students will be expected to attend regular lectures and their comprehension of the course will be assessed through the submission of written work. For all courses, those who don’t speak English as a native language will be expected to sit an IELTS test and score a minimum of 6.0 – 6.5 in order to start their particular course of study.

Irrespective of which course you decide to study, the location of the university itself should also be taken into consideration when deciding where to study. You will be studying for a minimum of 3 years, so it is important that your university of choice is located in an environment where you will thrive both socially and academically. Discovering new cultures and meeting new people is a huge part of student life and it is vital that you make the most of your university experience. Do you want to study in a large city or at a smaller University with a more communal focus?

Although many of the core degree modules are similar between courses, modules offered may differ depending upon the institution. It is always worth investigating whether your university of choice offers you module choices that appeal to your areas of interest and will benefit your career upon graduation.

You should always look at the entry requirements and your own finances before submitting an application to your university of choice. Do you have the right grades for entry? Are the fees manageable along with the cost of living? If you’re still struggling to secure funding you should always investigate whether or not you are eligible for a scholarship or bursary.

It is also important to ensure that you attend a University that is both prestigious and has strong links within the career fields you are interested in. Many top firms cultivate relationships with certain academic establishments from which they will recruit the majority of their entry level staff. This is particularly relevant within the financial sector where networking plays a crucial role in career development.