Finance

Finance is the study of how money is raised, allocated, invested, and managed over time, and how the risks involved in those decisions are assessed and priced. It encompasses the functioning of financial markets, the valuation of assets, corporate financial management, investment analysis, and the complex instruments and institutions that make up the global financial system. It is a rigorous, quantitative discipline that combines economic theory with the analytical tools needed to understand real financial markets and institutions.

At the University of Exeter, this three-year, full-time programme provides a thorough grounding in financial theory and its application to real-world problems. You will study corporate finance, investments, financial markets, derivatives, risk management, and the quantitative methods that are essential to modern financial analysis. A sandwich placement year is built into the programme, allowing you to spend a full year in a professional financial environment and to apply your knowledge in a context where it matters.

A year abroad option and work placement opportunities are also available, giving you international exposure and professional experience that strengthen your position in a competitive graduate market. Exeter's partnership with the CQF Institute means students benefit from free membership, which includes resources and opportunities relevant to quantitative finance.

Graduates are well-placed for careers in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, financial analysis, risk management, consultancy, and the full range of financial services. The combination of rigorous quantitative training and professional experience that the programme provides is valued by employers across the sector. Many graduates also pursue professional qualifications such as the CFA or professional accounting examinations, and postgraduate study in finance, financial economics, or quantitative finance is another route for those who wish to develop their expertise further.