Course summary

This course teaches you to apply economic theory and analysis to real-world financial problems. It provides you with the subject knowledge to understand key developments in global markets and the challenges faced by economies alongside building the technical and analytical skills you need to find innovative solutions. You gain an in-depth understanding of the main ideas and principles of modern economics and finance, and how they shape the operation of businesses, policies of governments and interactions between countries. Foundation Year In the Foundation year you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years. Facilities and Specialist Equipment

• New business analytics suite to support data analytics, 'big-data', data mining, SEO and other management skills needed in today's workplace.

• Access to industry-standard applications and platforms to aid practical learning including Sage, Refinitiv Workspace and econometrics software STATA.

• Access to digital learning platforms and knowledge tools.

• A well-equipped trading room to access economic data and enhance your financial skills.

• Gain competencies in key digital skills such as Excel through SIMnet, our Microsoft Office training platform.

• Benefit from our connections with top financial firms, including Ernst & Young (EY), KPMG, PwC, and Deloitte, along with professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

• Our business analytics suite and state-of-the-art trading room give you the opportunity to simulate real-world economic decision-making; you experience what it’s like to be on the trading-room floor, reacting to live ‘stock-market’ data and building international investment portfolios.

• Build your transferable skills and experience in critical thinking, problem solving, presentation and team working as well as in using information technology.

• Learn from masterclasses from industry experts, benefitting from their experience and keeping at the leading edge in the finance field.

• Enhance your student experience with conferences, Industry networking events and field trips to major financial institutions including the Bank of England.

• Working with the University’s Research and Innovation Service (RIS), get involved in solving real-life problems for businesses, from start-ups to established corporations, through our business development packages.

• Companies that have benefited from our business development packages include Vauxhall; Drax Technology; the Royal Air Force; Luton and Bedford Borough Councils; and a range of national charities.