Finance Degree Entry Requirements

Entry requirements vary all the time. Not all universities have the same requirements, and not every university favours the same things when considering potential applicants. Some may prefer students with heaps of industry work experience, while others may be more interested in your qualifications.

What is a Finance degree?

Finance degrees cover many disciplines and are often paired with other subjects. It is common to find that universities do not offer accounting courses or just finance courses but will instead offer them together or that you will find business and finance courses available instead.

That being said, some universities do offer finance as their own course. In these instances, you will find that the degree covers areas including international finance, socio-economic trends, business management, principles of operations management and finance law.

What are the entry requirements for a Finance degree?

The entry requirements for a finance degree will vary depending on where you apply. Most universities will have fairly high university entry requirements for a course like this, as it is such a complex subject, but others may be more lenient.

The most common entry requirements for a finance degree are:

Not all universities will accept the same qualifications. Some universities have accepted newer qualifications such as T Levels. Still, others do not - make sure you speak to your university and see if they accept them (and any other qualifications you may have).

A Levels

All universities accept A Levels. Despite this, you must have the right scores in the right subjects before applying. Understandably, you will need to have high scores in maths, while other subjects will be up to you. That being said, subjects such as general studies will not help your overall score.

BTECs

A BTEC is an A Level alternative. Almost all universities will generally accept this subject, though some may make an exception in their admissions criteria. You will typically need to have studied business, engineering, or a science-based subject to be considered.

IELTS

The IELTS are for international students only. You will not necessarily need a high overall score, but you may still need to score high in certain sections of the exam. International students will have slightly different entry criteria compared to UK students.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate is also only for international students. As finance is a fiercely competitive degree, you will likely need to have a 6,6,6 at Higher Level. Standard Level maths may also be accepted, but this will depend on the institution.

T Levels

T Levels are a new form of qualification in the UK. Not all universities will accept these, and the subjects you can study may vary. Accountancy and legal subjects are the most likely to be accepted.

What is the best university to study a Finance degree?

There isn’t really a top university for finance or anything like that. You will generally find that the best universities are the ones that cater to your needs as a student rather than the ones that don’t.

Do not be taken in by big names. Russell Group Universities tend to be the universities that everyone wants to sign up with but are often taken in by the name and prestige of the university rather than their fit with the university.

There are plenty of questions to ask yourself before you begin. Does the university meet your specific learning requirements? Is there enough support for you at these universities? Do they have good industry connections? What is the teaching like, and does it cater to how you learn? Find these things out before deciding.

How to write a Finance personal statement

Your personal statement reflects on you as a person and a student. You will generally want to make sure you walk the fine line of discussing your abilities and interests while also trying to make them specific to the course you are applying for, if possible.

From a personal standpoint, don’t be afraid to share. Universities are interested in you and what makes you who you are. If you are a volunteer, have work experience or just enjoy watching films at the cinema with your friends, be sure to mention them. Universities like to know what kind of addition you will be to the student population.

Of course, no finance personal statement is complete without mentioning why you want to study it. What makes you want to study a finance degree? What piqued your interest? What is it that you want to learn? These are important touch points. It is also good to mention any relevant material you might have gleaned from elsewhere. Have you read some finance-related books? Watched some YouTube videos? Or even watched a film, documentary or TV show to try and enhance your knowledge? All of this is great stuff for your personal statement.

Are Finance courses available during Clearing?

Finance is a very popular course, so some universities will likely offer Clearing finance courses. Of course, not all universities will do this, but many will.

You may find these courses are a little easier to apply for. These courses will have slightly lower entry requirements or different approaches, meaning they are easier to apply for. For example, you may find that universities start offering a foundation year as part of their courses when in Clearing, which is a good way to get started and acclimatise to university life.

What jobs can I get with a Finance degree?

Plenty of jobs will open up for those with a finance degree. Not all of these jobs have to take place in the finance world, as many careers will open up in other sectors and industries.

The most common jobs for those with a finance degree are:

• Accountant
• Actuary
• Auditor
• Bank manager
• Business adviser
• Business development manager
• Commercial analyst
• Company secretary
• Compliance manager
• Credit controller
• Data analyst
• Finance manager
• Forensic accountant
• Investment banker
• Stockbroker
• Tax adviser

It is also possible to get into teaching. However, teaching will require that students have either a Masters Degree in Education or a PGCE degree before they can do so.