Finance

Finance as an academic discipline is concerned with how resources are allocated and valued over time under conditions of uncertainty. It asks how financial markets work, how firms make decisions about investment and capital structure, how investors construct and manage portfolios, and how risks are identified, measured, and managed. These are questions with profound real-world implications, touching on how capital flows through economies, how companies fund their growth, and how the financial system supports or undermines broader economic stability and welfare.

At the University of Reading, this programme is offered as Finance with a foundation year, making it four years of full-time study in total, and it also includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement. The foundation year provides a structured introductory year that builds academic and financial literacy skills before you begin the main degree content, making the programme accessible to students who want additional preparation. As you progress through the degree, you will study financial markets and instruments, corporate finance, investment analysis and portfolio management, financial econometrics, risk management, and the regulatory framework governing financial activity.

Reading has a particularly strong reputation in finance, partly reflecting its proximity to London's financial district and its well-established connections with financial services employers.

Graduates from this programme go on to careers in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, risk management, financial analysis, treasury, and many other roles in financial services. The sandwich placement and work placement experiences give graduates professional credibility alongside their academic qualification, which is particularly valuable in a competitive financial services job market. Some graduates pursue professional qualifications in finance, investment, or accountancy after graduation, while others continue to postgraduate study in finance or financial economics.