Curious about studying Finance with a Foundation Yearat Swansea University? 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 Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Bay Campus 1
Full Time
Jan 2027
4 Year
The BSc Finance with a Foundation Year degree at Swansea University will do just that. If you don’t achieve the necessary grades to enrol on to the BSc Finance course, the BSc Finance with a Foundation Year degree is for you. The Foundation Year is an excellent pathway to gaining the required knowledge and skills in finance before joining Year 1 students of the BSc Finance degree within the School of Management.If a career as a stockbroker, investment banker or finance analyst excites you or if you see yourself as an actuary, financial manager or data analyst; then this four year degree is the best grounding for the financial career of your choice. As a finance specialist you will play a fundamental role in the running of a business – big or small. Managing budgets and taxes, financial reporting, completing audits - all are critical in ensuring that a business or organisation runs as effectively and successfully as possible.The Foundation Year is taught at The College, located next to the School of Management. Once you complete this year, you will move to the School of Management building for the remainder of your studies.Finance at Swansea is a flexible degree with the chance to study abroad for a year, or work in industry for a year. This can give you a real competitive advantage and will broaden your horizons when it comes to seeking employment.Your first year (the Foundation Year) is taught at The College, located next to the School of Management, and your final three years are taught within the School of Management itself.As a graduate from Swansea, you will find yourself in a great position to secure rewarding employment at any desirable organisation.Whether your target is to work for the world’s biggest banks or broking firms, this degree makes you a strong candidate for employment. Your next step could lie in any of these roles: Wealth management or investment adviser, Accountant or actuaryBanking professional, Auditor, Finance analyst
The module introduces students to the mathematical concepts necessary for further study in accounting and finance. On completion of this module students should be able to: Make use of basic tools in algebra; Demonstrate an understanding of basic functions used in economics & business; Demonstrate the use of mathematics in formulating and solving quantitative problems in economics & business; Demonstrate the ability to apply standard techniques of differential calculus; Use mathematics to solve problems in business and economics; Represent problems graphically, interpret graphical representations of business and economic problems.
The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the principles, and mechanics involved in the preparation of external financial statements. On completion of this module students will have the technical ability and understanding to:- Identify the scope and purpose of financial reporting; Explain the main elements of financial reports; Apply double entry and balancing accounts; Identify the basic distinctions between sole trader, partnership and companies; Prepare final accounts from the trial balance; Produce adjustments to the financial statements.
This module provides an introduction to the concept and practice of marketing and strategy. On completion of this module students should be able to: Strategy - 1 Appreciate the importance of the business environment on strategy in both national and international contexts, and analyse and apply relevant theories. 2) Analyse and apply selected concepts and theories of business and corporate strategy to large organisations, both private and public sectors. Marketing - 3) Understand and apply essential marketing concepts and theories within both an operational and strategic context. 4) Analyse and apply the components of the marketing mix to the strategy and operation of the marketing process for both goods and services.
This module builds provides a rigorous understanding of basic micro-and macro-economic principles by combining theory and application to contemporary issues, such that students have a sound basis for progression to understand the context for business/finance actions in the wider economy.
This module provides students with an understanding of structure and functions of financial systems, and introduces them to quantitative techniques used in investment and financial decision making at a basic level in preparation for further development of these subjects later in the degree.
The module will provide an overview of the statistical methods necessary for accounting/finance analysis, focusing specifically on the use of computer packages (primarily SPSS) to conduct statistical analysis.
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamentals of management accounting. Both Financial and Management Accounting are of critical importance in the support of all business activities so this course is designed to introduce the basic concepts on which management accounting is based, providing students with a toolkit that enables a better understanding of the performance of businesses and the decisions and problems they face.
This module provides the student with a broad overview of the management functions while introducing the opportunities that digital technologies provides businesses today to achieve competitive advantage. The module provides a contemporary curriculum that meets the needs of industry in the 21st century, by underpinning each topic within the digital context within which the business is situated. The module introduces the students to three main topic areas: the first provides an overview of the management functions within the context of the digital age, it then explains the importance of managing big data, data, information, knowledge as well as processes, to enhance competitive advantage, and lastly addresses the key leadership and management issues faced within the digital age.
This is an introductory course addressing the main aspects of corporate finance and the financial markets. It requires a minimum level of mathematics and whilst it is a self-contained module, it is designed to serve as a basis for further financial modules in the final year of degree schemes.
This module provides students with an introduction to econometrics and in particular to the use of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). The module seeks to provide students with basic assumptions of the OLS model and the consequences for estimation when these assumptions are not met. Students are introduced to the principles of statistical inference and diagnostic testing at a practical level based on the econometric package e-views.
The financial sector is one of the most dynamic sectors of a modern global economic system. Innovations within the financial system of developed economies have been increasingly important in recent years and they have been evolving continuously. It is, therefore, important to analyse and understand the main institutions in financial markets, and examine the nature of the financial instruments (securities) they use. This module aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of financial systems, institutions, markets and instruments. In addition, this module also provides the gateway for students to understand the practice, policy and contemporary topics related to the financial markets and institutions.
The module is designed to develop an awareness of investments, specifically the asset classes of equities and fixed-income securities. On completion of this module students should be able to: Hold an in-depth understanding the characteristics of equities; Hold an in-depth understanding the characteristics of fixed-income securities; Hold an in-depth understanding the different approaches to valuing equities and fixed income securities; Evaluate critically the techniques for valuation of equities and bonds; Recognise the limitations of the various valuation techniques for equities and bonds.
The module is designed to develop an awareness of the hypothesis of financial market efficiency and the challenges to this hypothesis from behavioural finance. On completion of this module students should be able to: Analyse the key literature on the efficiency of equity markets based on both the EMH and behavioural views; Appraise and implement the fundamental quantitative techniques used to test the degree of efficiency of equity markets; Evaluate the role of and the main differences between active and passive equity investing; Use Microsoft Excel to test the efficiency of equity markets using real-world financial data.
The module is designed to develop an awareness of how investment banking operates. On completion of this module students should be able to: Understand in depth and critically analyse the theory and extant literature of investment banking; Understand in depth and critically evaluate the key activities of the investment banks; Apply the key techniques used in investment banking and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the key techniques.
This module is concerned with recent advances in asset and portfolio management. It seeks to provide a systematic understanding of the portfolio management concepts and its components. Emphasis is given to the asset allocation process, the equity and fixed-income portfolio management strategy and performance evaluation. The students will have an opportunity to learn how to make use of the database, DATASTREAM. This database provides information on a variety of assets, macro-economic data and financial statements of companies around the world.
This module aims to provide an understanding of how companies and financial institutions can manage risk through the use of financial derivatives and covers the role of hedging and risk management in business organisations. Different types of financial derivative will be introduced and their roles in financial markets in terms of trading and hedging will be covered. Basic pricing theories and techniques will also be covered in this module.
Foundation Year
This module provides students with knowledge of the fundamental aspects of business and business management. It offers extensive considerations in terms of business planning, product marketing, managing people and the legal side of business. This module also focuses on change management, essential in an age of continual technological advances.
Foundation Year
The module provides students with the fundamental knowledge base and skills required at undergraduate level. The module aims to assist students in improving their academic performance in terms of writing, referencing and presenting by dedicating time to allow students to understand the importance of feedback and reflection in order to improve future performance.
Foundation Year
The module provides students with the fundamental knowledge based and intellectual skills associated with thinking critically. This module provides an understanding of the basic requirements for building and consolidating a reasoned argument. A great focus is placed on the issue of the credibility of ideas and texts.
Foundation Year
This module has been designed to help native and near-native students develop to develop their academic literacy and communication skills in preparation for undergraduate study and to understand the institutional culture, practices, norms and expectations of British higher education in an international academic context and community; and to enable students to develop academic, research and communication skills using contemporary resources. A subsidiary aim of this module is to ensure that students develop transferable and portable skills of effective and professional communication to support ongoing study as well as providing a basis to foster career and life-building skills. The module utilises a number of practical activities to allow candidates to develop these essential skills. The module is aimed at students with a minimum of CEFR B2+ who already meet the English language entry criteria for direct entry to undergraduate study.
Foundation Year
This module provides an introduction to statistical concepts within the context of business, industry and government. Numerous data sources are employed including business, sport, medicine, physical science, engineering sciences, biological science and social science. This module provides an opportunity for meaningful interpretation of statistical information and results through a variety of statistical measures.
Foundation Year
The module gives students an insight into some of the key elements of both micro and macro-economics providing a solid foundation and sound understanding for the further study of the varied field of economics s. A focus is given to the demand and supply model, elasticities, the functions of money and the role the central bank, market structures, economic growth, inflation, equilibrium in the macro-economy and government policies.
Foundation Year
This module presents the fundamental aspects of Globalisation in relation academe and the realities of today?s world. This module considers the economic, political, technological and social forces currently impacting on globalisation. Providing an insight into the implications of continued globalisation on Multi-National Corporations and global trade.
Foundation Year
The module provides students with the fundamental knowledge base and intellectual skills associated with thinking critically. This module provides an understanding of the basic requirements for building and consolidating a reasoned argument. Great focus is placed on the issue of the credibility of ideas and texts.
Foundation Year
This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of current ICT issues. Students will gain the skills to equip them in the use of common productivity and content management software programmes, in the context of mobile technology, home appliances and entertainment. This module also emphasises the use of Microsoft Windows packages including PowerPoint, Excel and Word as a platform for further study.
H2H2H2H2H2H3 Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
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