Finance Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Finance Studies in The United Kingdom

The Cass Business School in London

Finance is the study of how money is invested, valued and managed under risk. In the United Kingdom it is taught as a degree of its own and, very often, combined with accounting, economics or business. Courses are taught in English. This directory lists 36 schools for finance in the UK, nine of them in London, three in Manchester and two each in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow.

How the degree is organised

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the first degree is a bachelor's degree with honours, usually a BSc, a level 6 qualification that normally takes three years full time. Lancaster University offers a three-year Finance BSc, the University of Bristol and the University of Surrey offer three-year BSc degrees in Accounting and Finance, and Newcastle University's Finance BSc takes three or four years. In Scotland, degree-level study usually takes four years. The University of Strathclyde awards a BA (Hons) in Finance.

Many courses add a year in industry. At Lancaster, students can spend the third year on an industry placement and return for a fourth year; the fee for the placement year is 20% of the standard course fee.

After the bachelor's degree, a taught master's (MSc, level 7) usually takes one year. The Finance MSc at the University of St Andrews lasts one year full time and includes a dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words. A doctorate (PhD) is a level 8 qualification.

What students learn and professional exams

Strathclyde's degree covers the principles of investment and value, business finance and decision-making, and the analysis of bonds, shares and derivatives.

Degrees can shorten the route to professional qualifications. Bristol states that its Accounting and Finance BSc is accredited by ACCA, CIPFA, ICAEW, ICAS and CIMA, and Surrey states that its degree is accredited by five UK accountancy bodies, which gives exemptions from some professional exams. At Lancaster, students can take the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 examination as part of the course. Exemptions depend on the modules taken, so they should be checked with each university.

Where to study

London examples in this directory are the University of Westminster, London South Bank University, London Metropolitan University and the London campus of ESCP Business School. In Manchester there are The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Salford Business School. In Scotland the list includes The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University in Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of St Andrews; in Wales, Cardiff University and Swansea University. Elsewhere in England there are Lancaster University, the University of Bristol, Newcastle University and the University of Surrey in Guildford.

Admission and English level

Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements, usually stated as A levels, and many accept equivalent international qualifications. UK ENIC, the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, issues statements that compare a foreign qualification with the UK system. The courses cited here ask for AAA at Bristol, AAB at Lancaster and Newcastle, and ABB at Surrey. For English, Lancaster requires IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component.

Undergraduate applications are sent through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. For 2027 entry, the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time); for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge it is 15 October 2026. Many universities accept international applications until later in the year. Master's applications go directly to the university: St Andrews asks for a 2:1 Honours degree in Economics or Finance, or an equivalent qualification.

Costs and visa

Fees depend on fee status. Lancaster lists undergraduate fees for 2027/28 of £10,050 for home students and £27,100 for international students. For 2027 entry, Bristol lists £29,300 for the first year for international students, Newcastle £25,750 and Surrey £24,600. The St Andrews Finance MSc starting in September 2027 costs £15,900 for UK students and £32,700 for students from the rest of the world.

International students normally need a Student visa for a full degree. According to GOV.UK (checked on 8 October 2026), applicants must be 16 or over, hold an offer from a licensed student sponsor and prove English equivalent to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study. The application costs £558 from outside the UK, plus a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year for students. Applicants must also show living-cost funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months, and can apply at the earliest six months before the course starts.

Careers

Strathclyde names banking, investment management, pension fund management and insurance as career paths for its finance graduates. St Andrews states that alumni of its master's programmes work in management consultancy, accountancy, investment analysis, investment and commercial banking, and trading and asset management. After the degree, the Graduate visa allows a stay of 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a finance degree take in the UK?

Three years full time in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or four with a placement year, and usually four years in Scotland. A taught master's normally adds one year.

Does a UK finance degree give exemptions from professional exams?

Some do. Bristol and Surrey state that their Accounting and Finance degrees are accredited by UK accountancy bodies, and Lancaster lets students take the CFA Level 1 examination as part of the course.

How much does a finance degree cost for international students?

Each university sets its own fee. For 2027 entry the courses cited here list between £24,600 (Surrey) and £29,300 (Bristol) for the first year.