Curious about studying Finance and Mathematics - BA (Hons)at University of Stirling? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Stirling Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
4 Year
Rooted in international research and shaped by the latest developments in finance theory and practice, this course will give you a comprehensive understanding of how stock markets work, how companies reduce foreign exchange risk, why corporate governance matters and why financial crises occur. As you study, you’ll gain a thorough grounding in the theoretical and analytical skills needed for a career in corporate finance, investment management or financial services. Your studies in Finance can also be combined with one of four complementary subjects, including our professionally accredited Accountancy course. Graduating with an Accountancy and Finance degree from Stirling means you’ll be granted significant exemptions from professional exams when you begin your career.
This module introduces students to the discipline of economics by asking questions of the real world. More importantly, as this module is built on the principles of the CORE project, students are introduced to a radically different way of approaching Economics which is question-motivated, student-centred, and data-founded. From the outset, the ways that economists think will be explored using contemporary and historical problems, with an emphasis on real world examples. By the end of the module, students will have explored the challenges that economics has faced, introduced students to economics as a science, identified the importance of data, and equipped students with the analytical tools to look at the world in a different way.
This module is the first module on accounting and finance degree programmes and provides the stepping stone for further study of accounting and finance. We look at different organisation types from sole traders to partnerships and limited companies and examine their legal, tax and accounting characteristics. You will learn the basic language of accounting and use this knowledge to prepare income and financial position statements. We introduce the various sources of finance available to businesses and analyse firm performance using ratio analysis based on accounting information.
The aim of the module is to introduce students to the role of management accounting in providing management with information for decision-making, planning and control.
Mathematics is at the heart of all quantitative subjects so a solid grasp of the fundamentals of mathematics is essential to success. This module will deepen students understanding of the mathematical basics learned in high school, recapping the fundamental concepts you've learned in limit theory, calculus, vectors, and matrices while presenting them in a way that will broaden your understanding if these topics. You will explore: functions and calculus of single variables and use calculus to solve important optimisation problems; vectors and matrices to solve systems of equations and understand the nature of these solutions, solve geometic problems using vectors, and mathematically model some real world phenomena using matrices.
This module provides an extension of first-semester calculus and an introduction to the theory of probability. As an extension of first-semester calculus, this module is important for mathematics students. It extends the theory of differential calculus to functions of more than one variable and introduces techniques for solving some differential equations. It also considers the approximation of arbitrary functions by polynomials and develops an understanding of infinite series. This part of the module provides mathematical techniques that are widely used in physical sciences, signal processing, quantitative analysis in finance as well as many other areas of mathematics. Probability theory is a mathematical framework that quantifies uncertainty about the world. In many situations, being certain is impossible. Probability theory enables us to reason and analyse effectively in such situations. It is at the foundation of statistics and is incorporated into many modern-day technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence in general. This part of the module acquaints students with the basics of probability theory, illustrates some of its applications in solving real world problems and demonstrates its relevance to statistical analysis.
This module continues the CORE approach of learning in economics to study how the aggregate (macro) economy works. Students are given an immersive learning experience through the constant use of data, research developments and real-world issues in policy design and evaluation. Students are therefore introduced to the most important contemporary issues that policymakers in the globalised world, from technological change and artificial intelligence in the labour market, to global inequality and instability. By putting the student in the role of policymaker, the importance of understanding data, identifying the limitations to economic models and the trade-offs between competing objectives is brought to life by using both contemporary and historical data. There is a dedicated capstone unit to economic history and financial crises.
Real and Complex Analysis are of foundational importance in mathematics. This module rigorously examines concepts such as convergence of a sequence and continuity of a function, and introduces the theory of functions of a complex variable, giving a solid theoretical foundation. For most, this is the first module that greatly relies on theorems and proofs. The high level of logical reasoning is hard, but we are rewarded with the elegance of the proofs, and the well-deserved sense of achievement upon completion of the module.
This module covers the regulations of financial reporting and examins the provisions of selected accounting standards. Including preparing and interpreting company financial statements. To enable students: to understand the purpose and practice of the regulation of financial reporting; to prepare company financial statements including cash flow statements; to examine the provisions of selected accounting standards.
The course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of finance. In particular, it provides an understanding of the basic concepts underlying two major areas of business finance: the financing decision and the investment decision.
FINU9F4 is an advanced semester, level 9 module that carries a credit value of 20. The prerequisite is FIN9F3 or FINU9F3 or FIN9CF or FINU9CF. Students who study this module will be able to evaluate a firm?s corporate financing decisions and gain an understanding of how finance is raised through the capital markets.
This module is about Linear Algebra and provides a well-balanced mix of theory and applications. The theory includes vector spaces and subspaces, bases, dimensions, inner product spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and diagonalization of matrices. The applications include transformations, powers of matrices, systems on differential equations and quadric surfaces. One of the interesting things about this module is how everything connects. You learn a little theory, and you may think you are finished with it when, lo and behold, it turns up again ? perhaps in a different context, or as a supporting result for something else. You will also learn the importance of theory; some applications rely on theoretical conditions being satisfied, such as applications for diagonalizable matrices ? if the matrix is not diagonalizable then the application will not work.
Lots of mathematical problems are too hard and are not suitable for most existing exact solution techinques. The course aims to introduce students to a wide variety of numerical techniques which are useful for solving problems in various areas of application. The numerical methods discussed in the module allow to seek for some approximate but still accurate solutions. While the practical aspects of the subject will be emphasised with the given programming language, the students will be encouraged to investigate the theoretical limitations of the various methods.
This module will enable students to develop skills in the interpretation and use of financial statements. For example, to aid in the decision as to whether to buy, hold, or sell a particular firm?s stock. Focussing on company valuation it includes a project in which a group of five students work together to write, and present, an investment analysis report on a UK quoted company based on the company financial statements and other publicly-available information. The module will benefit students who are interested in pursuing careers in the city as investment managers, stock brokers, bankers, accountants or consultants.
This module provides an understanding of the key areas of international finance. It focuses on: the operation of the foreign exchange market; the determination of exchange rates, relationship between exchange rates, interest rates and inflation rates; the nature of foreign exchange risk and its management; the use of the main derivative products in international finance; international portfolio diversification.
This module aims to introduce you to the theoretical and practical aspects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from an interdisciplinary perspective. It will enhance your learning and communication skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills, and the ability to link theory with practice in demonstrating the different stages of a real-life M&A deal process. You will explore what motivates companies? strategic decisions to expand through M&A, how they identify and value targets, how they finance them, the integration issues that could arise, the roles of corporate governance and culture, and what alternative corporate restructuring activities they could pursue.
Many people lack confidence when dealing with their personal finances. This module aims to improve knowledge and understanding of this important area; it is arguably the most relevant module in our degree programmes! The sooner we can appreciate financial products, the less likely we are to become victims of mis-selling and scams and the more likely we are able to make informed financial decisions.
The module is for students who want an introductory course in quantitative methods relating to business finance or who need such a course to meet professional accounting body requirements.
Students have the opportunity to study optional modules in this year.
This module prepares students for doing their dissertation and will introduce them to qualitative and quantative research methods, literature reviews, data collection and analysis and assist students in selecting an appropriate research topic.
This module is the Mathematics Research Portfolio, a 60 credit research module where you have the opportunity to demonstrate all the knowledge, skills and techniques that you have acquired during your university career. You will be expected to produce a number of projects, demonstrating your ability to work independently and as part of a team. There are a series of work sessions designed to reinforce and extend your skills, including research, report writing, presentations, posters, statistical packages.
The module builds upon the material covered in Finance I and Finance II. However, it looks at financial securities from the point of view of an investor, rather than an issuer. Therefore, it explores, in greater detail, certain topics that are introduced in Personal Financial Planning. The aim is to provide an overview of the main types of securities traded on the World?s capital markets, providing detailed analysis of equity products, derivatives and bonds. Popular trading strategies are examined including an introduction to short selling and pair trades that may be used by hedge funds, or other institutional and private investors. The importance of benchmark indices and robust performance measurement techniques for evaluating the performance of investment managers are also demonstrated. Ample attention is paid to the valuation of forward, futures and options contracts.
Accommodation(Based on the range of costs for a self-catered room in university halls of residence. Includes cost of electricity and wi-fi.)360.20 to 795.48 (Monthly expenditure)
4.2
