Banking and Finance

Banking and finance is a degree that prepares you for one of the most dynamic and consequential sectors of the global economy. Banks and financial institutions facilitate the flow of capital that underpins investment, trade, and economic development, and the professionals who work within them need to understand not only how financial products and markets work but how risk is assessed, regulated, and managed in an environment that is constantly evolving. The field encompasses retail and commercial banking, investment banking, private banking, financial risk management, and compliance, among many other specialisms.

At Coventry University, this three-year programme develops the knowledge and skills that could help you pursue roles across investment banking, private banking, retail banking, and compliance and risk management. You will study the principles of financial markets, banking operations, credit and risk assessment, financial instruments, regulation, and the quantitative methods used to analyse financial data and model risk. The programme develops both your technical financial understanding and the broader commercial awareness that employers in financial services look for in graduate recruits.

The degree includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience. This combination is particularly valuable in a sector where professional networks, practical experience, and international perspective are all important for building a career. The sandwich placement gives you extended experience in a financial services environment, while the year abroad broadens your understanding of how banking and finance operate in different regulatory and market contexts.

Graduates from banking and finance degrees move into roles across the financial services sector, including investment banking, asset management, retail and commercial banking, financial analysis, risk management, treasury, and compliance. Many pursue professional qualifications alongside their careers. Postgraduate study in finance, financial economics, or risk management is a natural route for those who wish to develop further expertise.