Plymouth Business School

BA (Hons) International Finance

UCAS course code N304
Institution code P60
Duration

1 year
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth
Register for open day
Apply at UCAS.com

Explore the challenges of today’s global financial community and investigate how the stock market and international money markets work. Graduate equipped to pursue a career in finance, accounting or management anywhere in the world. Learn about international finance, examining the constraints and competitive pressures faced by investment managers and finance professionals around the world.

Careers with this subject

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.
We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month.
We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.
Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.
We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

Key features
  • The course has an international focus and outlook, as a recognition and response to the increasingly international character of financial markets.
  • Enhance and broaden your existing knowledge of accounting and finance and investigate the challenges of financial management in the international arena.
  • Build the confidence you’ll need to meet the challenges of economic change and graduate ready to be a successful player in the world of international finance and accounting.
  • Get invaluable training on important finance software such as Bloomberg and DataStream so that when you start your career you can contribute from day one.
  • Designed for International students, an English language and communication module is integral. This module aims to improve your English ability and push your IELTS score to 7.0. There is also a wide range of support and help for International students, including workshops and guidance at the start of the course which further explains aspects of studying in the U.K.

Course details

  • Course overview

  • In this top-up year you’ll learn about international finance, examining the constraints and competitive pressures faced by investment managers and finance professionals around the world. You’ll develop a critical perspective of finance as an academic subject and learn how it contributes to practice in the real world of finance.

    Core modules

    ACF6004
    Financial Modelling 20 credits

    The module covers financial modelling for bonds and rates, equities, currencies and options. While analysing and modelling each category of securities with specific and pertinent approaches, it stresses the underlying principles governing all valuation processes. The module also equips the students with the skills to use software, such as Excel, for implementing models and perform analysis.

    60% Examinations

    40% Coursework

    ACF6006
    Credit Management: Theory and Practice 20 credits

    You will gain an in-depth knowledge of how to manage trade, consumer and export credit, exploring the economic importance of credit and the contribution it can make as a competitive device to add value to organisations.

    70% Coursework

    30% Examinations

    ACF6007
    International Finance and Investments 40 credits

    This module presents financial and investment decisions in a global setting, built upon modern investment science of dynamic decision-making under uncertainty. It equips you with essential knowledge and analytical skills in investment appraisals, financial instruments and their valuation, portfolio theory and asset pricing, foreign exchange markets and transactions, international monetary theories, foreign exchange risk management and global investment strategies.

    50% Coursework

    50% Examinations

    ACF6008
    Investment Management 20 credits

    In this module, you will develop a broad understanding of the portfolio management with the focus on portfolio building and evaluation, portfolio risk and diversification. You will explore portfolio concepts such as: investors risk aversion, efficient frontier, capital asset pricing model. In addition, you will learn and discuss market efficiency, behavioural finance and fintech.

    60% Examinations

    40% Tests

    Optional modules

    ECN6006
    International Trade and International Finance 20 credits

    This module explores the economic and financial implications of globalisation by examining contemporary topics in international trade and international financial markets. It enables the consideration the impact of the contemporary trading and financial system on areas key business decision making.

    100% Coursework

    ELC317
    Professional Communication for International Finance 20 credits

    The module develops your English language skills in order to achieve full and effective communication within your course of study.

    50% Coursework

    50% Practicals

    DEAS300
    Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Final Year Students 0 credits

    This module focuses on the study skills required for the study of business in UK HE for international direct entry final year students, it provides generic skills for students who are new to UK HE, such as information literacy, criticality, different types of assessment, assignment briefs, preparation and planning, and marking rubrics.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

This course lasts for one year and is designed as a 'top-up' if you have already successfully completed study equivalent to a Foundation Degree, HND or an equivalent professional qualification. At the end of it you will be eligible to receive a full U.K. honours degree. You will also need IELTS of 6.0 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in listening, reading, speaking and writing). If you have an IELTS of 5.0 or 5.5 you will need to attend a short course before the degree starts to improve your English and study skills.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Please contact the Admissions Team with any queries.

Fees, costs and funding
New student 2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,535
International £17,100 £17,600
Part time (Home) £770 £795
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs .

How to apply
Applications for this course are usually made through the University of Plymouth International office: international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
You may also use an agent in your home country who will help you apply; see the country guides for details about agents in your country.
If you have questions about studying with us an an international student, please contact us for international student advice .
The course is also available to UK students, applications, in this case, are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
Apply for this course on the UCAS website.
For more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Meet our experts

  • Professor of Finance
    Expert in international and financial economics and trade
  • Lecturer in Accounting and Finance
    Expert in corporate and social responsibility and governance
  • Emeritus Professor
    Specialist in credit management, management accounting and corporate finance

Plymouth Business School

  • ?Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

  • ?Committed to social, economic and environmental responsibility

  • ?Supporting the internationally recognised focus on sustainability and social purpose of the University

  • ?Leading business ready graduates onto a successful career and happy life

  • ?Supporting graduates to make informed choices based on current economic and market trends

  • ?Building students resilience and confidence

  • ?Promoting practical skills development

Fitzroy Building

The University of Plymouth is creating an exciting new space for the Plymouth Business School in which current and future students can foster the knowledge and enthusiasm that they will need to achieve their ambitions. Work is underway at the heart of our city centre campus.
Watch our video visualising what the new building will look like.