Business Finance

Business finance brings together the analytical frameworks of accounting and the strategic thinking of business management to address the fundamental question of how organisations raise, deploy, and account for money. It sits at the heart of corporate decision-making, connecting the day-to-day mechanics of financial reporting with the longer-term judgements about investment, risk, and value creation that determine whether businesses succeed or fail. As financial systems grow more complex and the pace of innovation in financial products accelerates, the need for people who combine technical rigour with genuine business understanding has never been greater.

At Birmingham City University, this three-year full-time degree gives you a grounding in both the technical and strategic dimensions of finance. You will develop skills in financial analysis, corporate finance, and the management of financial resources, studying how organisations make decisions under uncertainty and how financial information is prepared and used by different stakeholders. The sandwich placement year is a central feature of the programme, giving you the opportunity to spend an extended period working within a real organisation and applying your knowledge in a professional finance environment before you complete your final year.

Work placement experience is integrated throughout, and the programme is designed with your employability firmly in mind.

Finance is a discipline that rewards both precision and creative thinking. You will learn to interrogate financial data, build and evaluate arguments about financial performance and strategy, and communicate your conclusions clearly to colleagues and decision-makers.

Graduates go on to work in corporate finance, investment banking, financial planning, management accounting, treasury, and consultancy. The programme also provides a strong platform for pursuing professional qualifications, including those offered by ACCA, CIMA, and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, which many graduates pursue alongside or after their degree. Further study at master's level in finance, accounting, or business is also a common next step.