Economics and Finance with Foundation Year

Economics and Finance with Foundation Year is a degree that combines two of the most powerful analytical frameworks for understanding the modern world, giving students who need additional preparation a clear and supported pathway into degree-level study in both subjects. Economics provides the theoretical and empirical tools to understand how markets work, how economies grow, and how policy shapes outcomes at the national and international level. Finance extends this into the management of capital, the valuation of financial assets, and the assessment of risk in conditions of uncertainty.

At the University of Derby, this four-year, full-time programme is professionally accredited by the Chartered Institution for Securities and Investment, which supports progression towards a globally recognised professional qualification alongside your degree. The foundation year provides the additional time and support needed to build the mathematical, analytical, and academic skills required for success in the degree proper. You will go on to develop the capacity to undertake economic research and analysis, handle complex financial data, diagnose problems, and make the strategic decisions expected of professionals in both fields.

The degree includes a sandwich year, work placements, and the option of a year abroad, all of which provide substantial professional and international experience.

Graduates are well placed for careers across the financial and economic sectors, including banking, investment management, financial analysis, economic consultancy, and the public sector. The CISI accreditation is a meaningful professional credential that employers in the securities and investment industry recognise. Many graduates also pursue professional qualification routes such as the CFA, or go on to postgraduate study in finance, economics, or financial economics.