Finance and Financial Technology (BSc)

Award
Bachelor of Science

Typical Offer
AAB

AAB

View full entry requirements

Duration
3 years

Course Type
Full-time

Campus
Highfield

UCAS Course code
F99C

About this course

Explore the fundamentals of finance and the rapidly evolving industry known as Financial Technology (FinTech). This 3-year programme will put you at the forefront of research and development within this sector, allowing you to gain the skills necessary to pursue a wide range of careers.

You’ll have the opportunity to: 

develop an in-depth understanding of the business environment and the real-world application of relevant theories that underpin finance 
utilise our Financial Laboratory (FinLab), home to our Bloomberg terminals
learn the basics of computer programming, and become a confident user of statistical software, such as Eviews, Stata, and Matlab, and more advance machine learning and AI techniques
understand the foundations of Financial Technology, and the most recent innovations in this area
develop a high level of numeracy and a capacity for reasoned thought and analysis

Financial Technology remains a vital part of the modern finance debate. To capture this, the course combines key quantitative and analytical skills in finance, with modern, fintech related topics such as: 

cryptocurrency
crowdfunding
peer-to-peer lending

The programme will prepare you for a career in the dynamic financial environment by providing a technical and research-driven curriculum. 

You’ll graduate with the ability to apply the most recent developments in Finance to complex real-world problems.

Your studies will be informed by the latest findings, with our academics operate at the forefront of research in areas such as: 

FinTech 
high-frequency trading 
 corporate finance 
 portfolio theory  
 alternative investments 

Year in placement

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year. You'll spend this extra year in an approved industrial placement in a business organisation, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.
View year in placement course.https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/finance-financial-technology-with-placement-year-degree-bsc

Year abroad

Experience an extra year studying abroad with one of our worldwide partner universities. View year abroad course.

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/finance-financial-technology-with-study-abroad-year-degree-bsc

Study Finance and Financial Technology (BSc) in Malaysia

You can also study this course at University of Southampton Malaysia.https://www.southamptonmalaysia.edu.my/

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/governance/disclaimer

Accreditations

Chartered Financial Analyst Institute

https://www.cfainstitute.org/

Learn more about this subject area

Business, accounting, finance and marketing

Learn to succeed in business and shape industry practice. At Southampton Business School you'll develop the skills to understand the real-world issues facing businesses, organisations and government.

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/study/subjects/business-accounting-finance-marketing

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.https://www.southampton.ac.uk/student-life/campuses/highfield

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Download

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/programmespecs/2425-8894-bsc-finance-and-financial-technology

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

AAB including Mathematics

A-levels additional information

Excluded subjects are General Studies.

The below subjects are considered as restricted. This means that we can accept one subject from the following list if combined with other academic subjects:

Applied subjects, Art (including Design, Fine Art, Photography, Textiles), Communication Studies, Communication and Culture, Creative Media, Creative Writing, Critical Thinking, Dance, Drama, Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Home Economics, Hospitality and Supervision, ICT/IT Leisure Studies, Media Studies, Music Technology, Outdoor Education, PE, Performing Arts, Public Services, Sports Studies/Science, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, World Development.

Please note; Computing, Computer Studies, Product Design and Applied Business (single and double awards) are not considered to be restricted subjects

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including Mathematics and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 points at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Some subjects are excluded and restricted - please check the subjects listed under the A level section which also applies to all qualifications.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

BTEC

D in the Business BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB from two A levels including Mathematics

DD in the Business BTEC National Diploma plus B in A level Mathematics

We do not accept BTEC National Extended Diploma unless A level Mathematics is taken alongside this qualification. If it has, the offer is DDD plus B in A level Mathematics

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

BTEC qualifications should be in Business, please check with us if your BTEC qualification is in a different subject before applying. We do not accept BTEC Extended/National Extended Diploma's unless A level Mathematics has been taken alongside (grade B)

QCF BTEC

D in the Business BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from two A levels including Mathematics

DD in the Business BTEC Diploma plus B in A level Mathematics

We do not accept BTEC Extended Diploma unless A level Mathematics is taken alongside this qualification. If it has, the offer is DDD plus B in A level Mathematics

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Other requirements

UK students

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C)

International students

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements
overall score
6.5reading
6.0writing
6.0speaking
6.0listening
6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Course structure

The course is made up of a combination of modules, some of which you'll choose yourself to reflect personal interests or future career options.

Module choices on this degree are flexible. You could learn more about international banking, or select modules in other areas of business and management, such as marketing, human resources management or project management.

Compulsory modules provide a foundation in finance and business, while optional modules include everything from human resources to international banking.

You’ll be able to broaden your studies by choosing:

interdisciplinary modules

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/learning-teaching/customise-your-degree/interdisciplinary-modules.page#what_are_interdisciplinary_modules%3F
language modules

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/language-modules.page

You don't need to select your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 1 overview

You’ll take four modules in the first semester:

Introduction to Management 
Introduction to Accounting and Finance 
Introduction to Marketing 
Foundations of Business Analytics 

These are similar to other programmes at Southampton Business School and will allow you to gather skills in other aspects of business.

In Semester 2 you’ll take two finance-specific modules such as Personal Finance, and Foundations of Finance. These will lay the foundations for the rest of the programme.

Some seminars of Foundations of Finance module will be delivered in the Financial Laboratory (FinLab), home to our Bloomberg terminals.

These help students to learn how to use Bloomberg from Year 1 and to experience how investors would manage their risks through a practicum in the FinLab.

In semester 2 you’ll also be able to choose 2 out of the 5 optional modules to start customizing your degree.

Year 2 overview

In year 2 you will again take four core modules:

Financial Econometrics
Financial Management
Introduction to Fintech
Portfolio Theory and Financial Markets

Introduction to Fintech is offered exclusively for BSc Finance and Financial Technology students.

The Financial Econometrics module is imperative to be able to collect and correctly analyse financial data, which will be key during the dissertation and in the job market search. 

In the second semester, you will have the opportunity to choose Econometrics with Big Data, a module that will further demonstrate how large datasets can be analysed to extract useful insights from data in variety of formats. 

Financial Management provides the foundations of corporate finance where you will learn how firms operate and strike the key balance between debt and equity.  

Portfolio Theory and Financial Markets introduces you to financial markets and traditional portfolio theory, where you will learn how to price various financial assets, understand the importance of risk and learn how to create the optimal portfolio.  

Overall, year 2 has the largest number of optional modules, with the opportunity to choose 4 out of 11 options offered.  

Year 3 overview

Your final year showcases the ever-changing world of finance by examining new alternative investments, as well examining the importance of investor psychology in financial markets.

Climate Finance and Cryptocurrency Investments are two notable examples of contemporary finance modules that will expand your understanding of the Fintech applications and alternative investments.

These modules are essential for any students entering the finance workplace as they both are increasingly important areas.

The dissertation module is a compulsory module that runs year-long in the final year. You can also choose a range of optional modules to tailor the final year to your interests.  

Optional modules include: 

Auditing Corporate Governance 
 Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business 
International Banking 
Risk Management 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/finance-financial-technology-degree-bsc#main

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Foundations of Business Analytics

Business analytics is closely related to management science and operational research. It refers to the use of statistical methods and models as well as empirical data to support the process of making business decisions. This module provides general knowle...

Foundations of Finance

The module develops an understanding of the role Finance has in the world today by examining topics such as Ethical Finance, compounding and discounting cash flows, as well as an introduction to risk management. This module is critical for laying the fou...

Introduction to Accounting and Finance

The course seeks to provide an introductory, but comprehensive overview of financial accounting, management accounting, and financial management to non-specialist students. The course is delivered with particular emphasis on helping students of management...

Introduction to Management

This module provides you with a broad view on key management related topics. It also provides a chance for you to gain hands-on experience on teamwork through preparation and delivery of a group presentation as part of the module assessment. The lectures ...

Introduction to Marketing

The module introduces you to the basic concepts of marketing and explains its function in today’s business environment. You will discuss principal theory and practice of marketing and how marketing builds value to the firm and the customer with examples a...

Personal Finance

This module develops your understanding of important household financial decisions by introducing some relevant theoretical concepts, showing how actual calculations are made, and then discussing how these individual decisions are important for society. T...

Statistical Methods for Finance

Statistical Methods for Finance is a critical module for you to learn basics for future modules on Econometrics, as well as their final year dissertation. This module covers important topics such as probability, discrete and random variables, Probability...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

Analytics Implementation I: Spreadsheets and Databases

This course provides essential knowledge and skills required to support students’ future learning in future data analytic modules. Without prerequisite knowledge in data analytics, this module will cover spreadsheet analytics and relational database t...

Digital Technologies in Business

Digital technologies ranging from the Internet to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, etc. are often not just a key part of organisational operations; they also create opportunities for developing new digital businesses and their applications can ha...

Finance with Python

Finance with Python is a critical module for you to learn computer programming and perform financial data analysis. This module covers the use of Python in finance, including financial data analysis and statistical modelling, which includes an introductio...

Financial Accounting 1

• Introduction. • Conceptualising Financial Statements. • Introduction to Double Entry & Accounting Equation & Trial Balance. • Adjustments: Accruals, Prepayments & Bad Debt. • Assets, Inventory, Depreciation and Disposal. • Sources of finance and...

Introduction to Economics For Non-Economists

This module introduces economic principles, theories, and methods of analysis. It provides a framework for the application of economic theory to real-world problems. The module will cover key concepts in economics. It will provide a non-technical overv...

Year 2

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Financial Econometrics 1

Financial Econometrics 1 provides you with the necessary skills to undertake quantitative research in finance. Lectures will introduce a broad range of topics (e.g. regression). However, you will discover that by understanding and applying some basic conc...

Financial Management

This module provides a deep insight in some key theories and topics in Financial Management. The module looks at how firms and corporation manage financial investment and decisions in the long term and short term. The module will discuss topics ranging fr...

Introduction to Fintech

This module introduces a novel area of Finance known as Financial Technology (FinTech). This module will explain what Blockchain is and what its applications in Finance and Business are. You will understand how the financial technologies are changing the ...

Portfolio Theory and Financial Markets

The module aims to develop understanding of the role of financial markets, security analysis and valuation, efficient market theory, asset pricing theory and portfolio management. This is an excellent module to understand the basics of finance, how financ...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

Analytics Implementation II: Visualising Data for Effective Communication

Referred to as the ‘the new oil’, the importance of data as a resource to modern society cannot be underestimated. Yet many individuals and organisations alike do not use data effectively, if at all. Effective use of ‘big data’, with its vast sizes and ...

Business Analytics Programming II: Algorithmic Thinking

Programming is a structured way of giving a computer unambiguous instructions to perform specific tasks. Knowledge and experience of programming not only improves your employability but it also teaches you analytical skills such as breaking down a problem...

Econometrics with Big Data

The module will proceed from a review of known content (like matrix algebra, linear regression, hypothesis testing) to more advanced topics such as multiple linear regression, heteroscedasticity, restrictions in hypothesis testing, issues of model misspec...

Financial Accounting 2

The module is intended to introduce students to regulation in financial reporting and to examine specific problem areas using a conceptual framework as a basis of the analysis. This allows an evaluation of current external reporting practice within the co...

Financial Econometrics 2

The module is intended to build on Financial Econometrics 1 and offers a deep understanding to undertake empirical research in finance. Lectures will cover topics from introductory level to more advanced econometrics material. The students will learn how ...

Human Resource Management

This module concerns issues in human resource management and organisational design. These are what ultimately implement the firm’s strategy. Although many organisations recognise the importance of managing the work force effectively and even "know" what a...

Innovation, Technology and the Environment

This module explores the opportunities and challenges presented by the growing importance of the environmental agenda in the political, social economic and technological context. With increasing environmental awareness comes a need for commercially sustai...

Islamic Banking and Finance

There is a growing demand for studying Islamic banking within a highly integrated global financial market. This module provides comprehensive insights over how Islamic finance operates and the structure of Islamic financial institutions in various nationa...

Management Ethics

This module discusses issues related to business ethics. It covers philosophical foundations of ethical theories, and applications of ethical theory to real-life case studies and hypothetical dilemmas. It also discusses causes and consequences of unethica...

Year 3

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Alternative Investments

Alternative investment strategies became increasingly popular among investors to achieve better returns. This module looks beyond the traditional investments such as shares and bonds. It covers a range of topics that introduce the world of alternative in...

Behavioural Finance

Behavioural finance (BF) is an unorthodox area of finance that assumes financial markets are fundamentally inefficient. Advocates of BF believe that investor behaviour and decision making are driven by aspects of personal and market psychology. This modul...

Cryptocurrency Investments

This module develops your understanding of a new method of making payments which is an alternative to cash or credit cards. The first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was introduced by Satoshi Nakomoto in 2008, and today around 2,000 cryptocurrencies are availabl...

Dissertation

To provide an opportunity to undertake a sustained piece of individually researched academic study. Inter alia this provides a context within which research skills may be developed and demonstrated.

Futures and Options

In the last 30 years derivatives have become increasingly important in finance and many different types of derivatives are actively traded on exchanges throughout the world. This module explores the pricing and use forwards, futures and options with a par...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Climate Finance

This module will help you to understand how Finance can help to address Climate Change issues. Climate Finance is a broad discipline that scrutinises both the types of climate risks and the sources of financing of environmental projects that aim to mitig...

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business

This module covers the development of the concept and the meaning of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business (SB); how CSR and SB models are being implemented in today’s corporations, its impact and likely future directions...

Derivatives Trading Book Management with Programming

Derivatives Trading Book Management with Programming is a practically focused advanced course in the market-making of derivatives products using computational modelling. Students will get a bird's eye view of the derivatives industry, and the roles of the...

Empirical Finance

Specifically the module aims to provide a bridge to the more theoretical articles in finance theory, by offering a simple framework of conceptual knowledge that enables thinking while making financial decisions. As such the module gives an appreciation of...

Financial Accounting 3

It is a continuation module from financial accounting 2. Students will be exposed to more advanced knowledge of accounting such as consolidated group financial statements, financial instruments and share based payment.

Hacking for Ministry of Defence

Hacking for MoD (H4MoD) is an interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial module that provides you with the opportunity to learn from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) to better address the nation’s emerging threats and security cha...

International Banking

Banks are at the heart of the global financial system. This module strives to link the theory and practice of banking in a real-world setting. Considerable attention is given to the vast array of risks that banks face and this is achieved by learning abou...

International Finance

This module deals with finance in an international context. This includes spot and the forward exchange rates, the operation of common currency systems and also international cultural differences which affect the way business is governed.

Risk Management

This is a holistic module because it emphasises that its constituent topics dealing with diverse aspects of risk management are highly interconnected. Mastery of the subject is conceived as requiring a strong understanding of these interconnections. For e...

Technological Innovation

Technological innovation is increasingly recognised as one of the most important sources of sustainable competitive advantage for businesses around the world. However, building an organization which can successfully and repeatedly create technological inn...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
independent learning (studying on your own)

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Woon Leung is the course leader.

Careers and employabilityEmployability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

Research
Critical thinking
Commercial awareness
Self-management
Communication
Teamwork
Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2025-03/successful-futures-skills-overview.odp