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Economics with International Finance and Banking BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): L1N3 / L1NH
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Three years full-time, four years with a placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Economists are regarded as great problem solvers, highly analytical, numerate and able to make sense of large amounts of complex information.
Our BSc (Hons) Economics with International Finance and Banking course uses the threshold concepts of economics to critically analyse decisions involving instruments of finance and banking. You will learn about the important role of finance and banking in affecting investment and growth and develop crucial employment skills in the tools and techniques of financial analysis.
You’ll develop your decision-making skills in ways that are distinctive to the discipline of Economics – making you highly employable across a range of sectors.
As an Economics student you’ll have access to our unique Business Lab facility. With double-screen workstations, the room gives you a simulated experience of working in the fast-moving world of shares and trading. You can access sophisticated analysis tools and data on worldwide financial markets.
Nottingham Business School enrols its economics students with The Society of Professional Economists (SPE). SPE is the leading organisation serving professional economists in the UK and has more than 600 members, drawn from all areas of the profession including finance and commerce, industry, government departments, private sector consultants, business schools and universities.
This course can be studied over three years full-time or four years with a placement, and offers all students the opportunity to gain some industry experience or travel overseas to study abroad in one of our partner universities with our unique opportunities scheme.
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91% student satisfaction for Economics with International Finance and Banking course (National Student Survey, 2022).
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As an economics student we will enrol you with The Society of Professional Economists (SPE).
What you’ll study
We are currently reviewing the content of our courses to ensure that they remain relevant and current to our students’ future ambitions and society. Please continue to check this course webpage for the latest developments.
The course begins in September 2023. Take a look at the academic calendar for term dates. The academic calendar will apply throughout your course, aside your placement year (if you have chosen to undertake one).
Principles of Macroeconomics
This module will introduce you to key macroeconomic variables, such as growth, inflation, unemployment and trade, and to theoretical perspectives on their determination applying models in a national and international context. It provides the building blocks for further critical analysis later in the course.
Principles of Microeconomics
This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to microeconomic theory and enable you to analyse markets, institutions and policy. In doing so, you will learn to understand the interconnectedness of economic participants, such as consumers and producers.
Quantitative Methods for Economists
An ability to understand and analyse quantitative data is an important part of an economist’s toolkit. This module will develop your numeracy, enabling you to explore, describe and utilise data in economic and business analysis.
Introductory Finance for Economists
Learn how to apply economic principles to the analysis of business and finance issues. You will develop an understanding of the link between economics, finance, and business.
Economic Policy in Context
Provides an historical background to the process of economic development and introduces influential economic scholars and schools of thought. You will reflect on the parallels between contemporary economic issues and debates with those of the past.
Personal and Academic Development
Helps you recognise the personal skills, behaviours and attributes you currently have, and supports you in formulating a continuous personal and professional development plan to develop the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your future ambitions and realise your full potential.
First half of Year Two - Core Modules
Intermediate Macroeconomics
This module looks to develop students understanding of macroeconomic theory. It will provide students with the necessary conceptual foundations to appraise alternative perspectives on key controversies in macroeconomics. In looking consistently to draw potential policy implications its focus will be on both the short- term dynamics of economies frequently buffeted by economic shocks and the longer-term drivers and influences on economic growth and development.
Intermediate Microeconomics
This module aims to deepen and widen students understanding of microeconomics by building upon the foundations students acquired from the Principles of Microeconomics module. This module will explore the complex interconnectedness of individual decisions, which arise because of rival demands on globally scarce resources. Additionally, this module will introduce students to some of the controversies associated with alternative theoretical approaches.
Optional Modules
Econometrics
This module will develop further the tools and techniques that enhance your ability to use quantitative data to evaluate economic and business decisions. It will help you to build and test models of economic phenomena and introduce you to forecasting and hypothesis testing.
Survey Research and Analysis for Business
This module draws on conceptual material in the area of Survey Methods widely used in business and the application of analytic methods to the data generated. One of the primary focuses of this module is to help you understand how to plan and conduct surveys but also interpret the results within the appropriate business context. With the aid of appropriate professional statistical software you will be encouraged to apply statistical methods of analysis to data. The module is designed to allow you the opportunity to analyse and interpret “real data” from various areas of the business world. In studying this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in conducting survey research within business.
You will be given the opportunity to plan and execute a survey; design and implement a survey instrument; analyse survey results using applications software; and interpret and communicate analytical findings.
Second half of Year Two
You can either select one of our unique opportunities initiatives or continue with your taught modules.
Option 1 – study abroad
Experience life in another country by studying at one of our partner universities. Choose from a host of countries in Europe or go further afield and study in the USA, South America, Australasia and South East Asia. This is a great opportunity to develop your independence and explore another culture.
Option 2 – enterprise project
Explore your entrepreneurial side and start to develop the meaningful and practical skills needed to run your own business. Supported by NTU Enterprise, NTU's centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, during this opportunity you'll work alongside other young entrepreneurs and a dynamic network of mentors and advisors, to develop your own ideas into a live enterprise project.
Option 3 – internship
Get a taste of the working world and gain some essential industry insight with a 16-18 week work placement. The experience will allow you to put your learning in to practice, with the experience gained improving your future career prospects, and sharpening your interpersonal and professional skills.
Option 4 – continue with taught modules
If you didn't fancy doing any of the above options then you can continue your studies at university. With a mixture of both compulsory and optional modules, the first will enhance your knowledge and skills set in your area of study, with the later allowing you to tailor your learning experience.
Core modules:
Employment and Enterprise
Following on from the Personal Development module in Year One, you will build and further reflect on your personal and professional skills, attributes and behaviours. You will have the opportunity to participate in part-time work, volunteering, consultancy work, business competitions and challenges, and develop a range of skills to enhance your employability.
Global Financial Markets
Financial markets enable the transfer of funds from those who want to save to those who want to borrow to invest in productive activity. This module deepens the analysis of the major markets, participants and instruments in a global context.
Economics of International Banking
This module analyses the activities of banks both in a national and an international context, assessing their economic role and impact on wider economic activity. You will develop your competency in analysing the performance of banks and risk management.
Placement Year
A vital component of our degree courses is the placement year. This time spent working in business provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. We have links with a wide range of sectors, firms and organisations that offer student placements. If you have decided to undertake a placement year then this will last for a minimum of 48 weeks during your third year.
Our Employability Team is here to inspire and enhance every stage of your career planning and as a graduate of NTU, you will be able to access their services for three years after your course has finished.
Services they provide include:
- Finding placements, internships and part-time work
- Pursuing self-employment
- Taking gap years and time out
- Getting into volunteering
- Providing advice on further study.
Or;
Taught Modules
If you have decided to continue with your studies please view the 'Final Year' tab for your list of modules.
Developing Professional Impact
This module is designed to expand your horizons and challenge your attitudes and behaviours both in relation to subject specific issues and wider business concerns such as global citizenship and sustainable business practices. It will encourage you to build on your strengths and explore a range of possibilities as you embark on your next steps.
Developments in Economic Theory
The module builds on the micro- and macro-economic theory developed previously on the course, providing a critical analysis of economic theories and principles which affect individual, government, business and managerial decision-making. You will apply both microeconomic and macroeconomic ideas to analyse a range of contemporary issues of concern to decision-makers.
Money and Risk
On this module you will be introduced to the concept of information efficiency in traditional and non-traditional financial and speculative markets, and associated theory and evidence. You will also explore the theory and applications of financial risk management, including analysis of the use of derivative contracts.
International Finance and Banking
This module builds on work earlier the course so as to develop a more critical understanding of international finance and banking markets. As well as analysing international capital flows, the determination of interest rates and exchange rates it takes a critical perspective on the origins of the financial crisis.
Plus one optional module from:
Research Project
This module will see you undertake an individual in-depth study of a topic related to economics. During the project you will develop your skills to independently manage a major piece of work. The work will be written in the style of an academic article giving you the chance to practice writing for an academic audience.
Sustainability in Enterprise Project
This module is designed to give you a deeper understanding of sustainability issues affecting firms. It incorporates a live consultancy experience, where you are required to apply your knowledge to critically review aspects of enterprise practice and infrastructure and recommend ways to reduce carbon emissions. You will learn how to critically review sustainability issues presented by an enterprise and analyse evidence, arguments, concepts and data to formulate sustainability and carbon management recommendations for an enterprise.
Plus one optional module from:
Contemporary Economic Perspectives
This module will provide you with a critical perspective on the methods and analysis of economists. You will compare the different interpretations of contemporary economic issues and events and the lessons that can be drawn. The module adopts a pluralistic approach enabling a critique of mainstream economic thinking.
Investment and Portfolio Management
This module examines appropriate Investment and Portfolio Management theory. You will have the opportunity to put this theory into practice principally via the construction and running of a portfolio of equities.
Econometric Theory
This module build on the econometrics from earlier in the course to develop your ability to use appropriate statistical methods to test economic and financial theories to aid the evaluation of government, business and investments policies and strategies.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you’re taught
Assessment methods include; examinations, practically assessments including policy briefings; economics impact analysis; business and finance investment analysis using contemporary software; business analysis reporting; and country trade-flow analysis.
Teaching and learning on the economics course involves a blend of three crucial elements:
- Exposure to a variety of economic perspectives;
- Application of theories and concepts to policy issues in business, trade and finance; and
- Development of quantitative and qualitative skills of economic analysis
You will also have a number of one-on-one tutor sessions during each year, which will allow you to:
- Discuss your personal and professional development.
- Discuss and gain feedback about your work.
- Ask questions about the projects you're working on.
- Raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your University experience.
You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that gives you 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.
Contact hours
Full time version of the course (3 years)
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (31%) and independent study (69%).
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%) and independent study (76%).
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (23%) and independent study (77%).
Sandwich version of the course (4 Years)
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (31%) and independent study (69%) .
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%) and independent study (76%).
- Year 3 placement (100%).
- Year 4 lectures/seminars/workshops (23%) and independent study (77%).
How you’re assessed
Full time version of the course (3 years)
- Year 1 coursework (57%) and written (43%).
- Year 2 coursework (43%) and written (57%).
- Year 3 coursework (53%), written (40%) and practical (7%)
Sandwich version of the course (4 Years)
- Year 1 coursework (57%) and written (43%).
- Year 2 coursework (43%) and written (57%).
- Year 3 placement (100%).
- Year 4 coursework (53%), written (40%) and practical (7%)
Careers and employability
Graduates from this course have gone onto working in both public and private sector, undertaking positions such as:
- Risk Analyst
- Market Analyst
- Junior Auditor Assistant
- Fraud Coordinator
- Sales Assistant
In the last few years, graduates from this course have gone onto securing roles with well known employers such as:
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Deutsche Bank
- Ernst and Young
- Santander UK
- Delloite
- KPMG
- IBM
- Barclays
Notable Alumni
We like to keep in touch with all our past students to see what they have been up to over the years. A notable alumnus for our Economics with International Finance and Banking course is:
- Selasi Gbormittah - Semi-finalist of BBC TV's Great British Bake Off 2016
Guest Lectures
Through our popular Business Leaders Lecture Series, you'll have the chance to listen to experts from a wide range of industries who will share their knowledge with you. Recent guests have included Jason Bates, the co-founder of digital banks Monzo and Starling.
Campus and facilities
We are continually investing in our facilities, and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere.
Our School is based in the impressive Newton building on NTU's City Campus. The building was recently involved in a £90 million regeneration project on the site. The Grade II* listed building was transformed into an ultra-modern complex while keeping its historic beauty.
Fantastic facilities
- You can take advantage of the Link Lounge, a space dedicated to Business School students, located on floor zero of the Newton building.
- Explore your career prospects with the help of the University's Employability Team.
- You will benefit from spacious teaching rooms and lecture theatres and a variety of social spaces.
- Our Student Services Centre will also be on-hand should you need support.
- A new City site Students' Union building giving you an exceptional array of social, leisure and well-being facilities. Our SU has been named Higher Education Students' Union of the Year 2015 by the National Union of Students (NUS).
Business Lab
Our Business Lab, a unique facility with 12 double screen workstations allows access to worldwide financial markets data and sophisticated analysis tools. As an integral part of your learning experience you can use industry technology, create stock portfolios, monitor their performance and use near-live reporting to make quick-fire, informed decisions.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City site, with PCs providing access to:
- Microsoft Office
- web browsing
- networked file storage
- high-speed online printing services
- the University’s main resource room in the library is available 24 hours a day.
Book and library resources
In our library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within business, Marketing, Finance, Economics and HRM. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our:
- electronic resources
- journals
- books.
We have a liaison librarian who is available to give you detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources. They can also help you with things such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
City location
The location of the City Campus also means that you have easy access to:
- sports facilities
- shops
- student accommodation
- music venues
- cafés.
Entry requirements
- 120 – 128 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
- GCSE English grade C / 4 and Maths grade B / 5.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, please get in touch through our enquiry form
- 128 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
- GCSE English grade C / 4 and Maths grade B / 5.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs. Placement opportunities are available in the UK and overseas and travel grants and funding may be available to help fund any international travel costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Tuition fees for September 2022 entry
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. Visit our fees page for more information.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Students completing the four year degree may choose to apply for a study abroad option instead of a work placement (or a mixture of study abroad and work placement) during the third year of the course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on study abroad/placement. Travel grants and Erasmus funding may be available to help fund international travel costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Apply through UCAS. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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