BSc Finance: Business Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

BSc Finance: Business Management at the University of Exeter is ideal for students who want to develop strong financial knowledge while gaining a broad understanding of how businesses operate in today's global economy. Alongside the standard three-year degree, you can choose a four-year Industrial Experience route or a Year Abroad option, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable professional or international experience while studying corporate finance, investment, business management, leadership, governance, and sustainability.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year introduces the core principles of finance, economics, and business management while building the analytical skills needed for a successful career. You'll study modules such as Finance and Investment, Introduction to Business and Management, and Economic Principles, alongside financial accounting and data analysis.

Year 2
In the second year, you'll develop a deeper understanding of corporate finance and business strategy while exploring how organisations operate in a global environment. Core modules include Corporate Finance, Investment Practice, and Ethics and Corporate Governance, with optional business management modules that let you tailor your studies to your interests.

Year 3
Your final year focuses on advanced financial decision-making and strategic business management while giving you greater flexibility through specialist optional modules. You'll build expertise in finance, governance, leadership, and business strategy, preparing you for careers across the finance and business sectors.

Industrial Experience / Year Abroad (Optional)
If you choose the Industrial Experience pathway, you'll spend an additional year gaining practical workplace experience before returning for your final year. Alternatively, the Year Abroad allows you to study at one of Exeter's international partner universities, helping you develop global business knowledge and valuable cross-cultural skills.

Focus Areas (in a string)

Corporate Finance, Business Management, Investment Practice, Financial Reporting, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Sustainable Business, Responsible Leadership, Financial Decision-Making, Global Business Environment, Commercial Awareness, FinTech, Professional Skills

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Develop expertise in financial analysis and investment, understand how organisations operate in global markets, evaluate corporate finance decisions, apply ethical and sustainable business practices, interpret financial reports, strengthen analytical and quantitative skills, communicate financial information effectively, work collaboratively, develop leadership and problem-solving abilities, build commercial awareness and professional judgement

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme includes modules that can contribute towards exemptions or progress with recognised professional accounting and finance bodies, depending on the modules you choose.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Joint 3rd in the UK for Accounting and Finance Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2027)
Top 10 in the UK for Accounting and Finance (Complete University Guide 2027)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BSc Finance: Business Management at the University of Exeter gives you plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn in real business and finance settings. Throughout the programme, you'll develop practical skills through case studies, group projects, presentations and an applied finance project, while strengthening your analytical, leadership and commercial decision-making abilities. You can also enhance your experience by choosing an optional Industrial Experience Year or a Year Abroad, helping you graduate with valuable professional or international experience. Your learning is supported by the modern facilities and dedicated careers services at the University of Exeter Business School.

This practical approach is supported through a range of learning opportunities and facilities, including:

Study in the modern University of Exeter Business School on the Streatham Campus.
Learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, coursework, presentations, examinations and collaborative projects.
Complete an Applied Finance Project in your final year, applying your financial knowledge to a real-world business challenge.
Gain valuable workplace experience through the optional Industrial Experience Year, with dedicated support to help you secure and prepare for a placement.
Previous placement employers have included Adidas, Apple, ASOS, Bank of England, Deloitte, Disney, EY, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman Sachs and PwC.
Choose the optional Year Abroad to study at one of Exeter's international partner universities and develop a global perspective on business and finance.
Build teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills through group assignments and presentations that reflect professional business environments.
Explore practical topics in business analytics, entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation through a range of optional modules.
Receive tailored career support, including CV advice, interview preparation, placement guidance and career planning from the Business School Careers Team.
Broaden your knowledge through the University's Future Skills Pathways, allowing you to take modules beyond your main subject area.
Access extensive library resources, digital learning platforms and dedicated study spaces to support research, coursework and independent learning.
Study in a Business School that integrates responsible leadership, sustainability and technological innovation throughout the programme.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A BSc Finance: Business Management from the University of Exeter equips you with the financial expertise, commercial awareness and problem-solving skills that employers look for across a wide range of industries. Whether you want to work in finance, consulting or corporate management, you'll graduate ready to pursue careers such as Financial Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst, Business Consultant, or Corporate Finance Executive. To help you achieve your career goals, the University offers a wide range of employability support and industry connections:

The University of Exeter Business School Career Zone provides one-to-one careers guidance, CV reviews, interview preparation, networking events, employer presentations and employability workshops.
Students on the optional Industrial Experience pathway receive dedicated support with placement applications, employer connections and interview preparation.
More than 500 employers recruit through the Business School's MyCareerZone platform, offering placements, internships and graduate opportunities.
Around 250 students secured placements through the With Industrial Experience programme during the 2024/25 academic year.
Previous placement employers include Adidas, Apple, ASOS, Bank of England, Deloitte, Disney, EY, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman Sachs and PwC.
Graduates go on to careers in finance, investment banking, banking, accounting, auditing, consultancy, corporate finance, government organisations and the public sector.
Depending on the modules you choose, the programme can support progress towards recognised professional accounting and finance qualifications, adding long-term value to your degree.
Students completing the Industrial Experience year typically earn between £19,000 and £23,000, with some placements offering salaries of up to £52,000.
97% of graduates who completed the Industrial Experience pathway were in graduate employment or postgraduate study within six months of graduation, compared with 93.5% of graduates who followed the standard route.
The University of Exeter is consistently recognised as one of the UK's most targeted universities by leading graduate employers.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, you can continue your studies with a postgraduate qualification such as an MSc Finance, MSc Financial Analysis and Fund Management, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Business Analytics, MSc Management, MSc Marketing, or an MBA after gaining professional experience. You can also work towards respected professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA or CISI, helping you build specialist expertise and advance your career in finance and business.