Business and Finance with placement

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Salford

Program Overview

This program blends business management expertise with advanced financial skills, preparing you for high-impact careers in corporate finance, investment banking, and consultancy. It suits students who want to combine strategic leadership with technical financial programming, while gaining a year of professional industry experience through the placement option.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year builds a strong foundation in both business and finance. You’ll study Understanding Organisations, Essentials of Corporate Finance, and Introduction to FinTech, alongside Data Driven Decision Making and Global Business and Sustainable Digital Futures. These modules introduce you to how businesses operate, the principles of corporate finance, and the impact of digital technologies like blockchain and open banking, while developing analytical and sustainability-focused skills.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll move into applied financial practice. Modules such as Securities and Investments, Advanced Data Analytics, and Financial Automation sharpen your ability to evaluate investments, apply data tools, and design automated financial processes. You’ll also take Project Management and a Live Project for Finance, working directly with organisations to solve real-world challenges, while developing teamwork and consultancy skills.

Year 3 – Placement Year

Between your second and final year, you’ll complete a paid industry placement or study abroad. This year gives you valuable professional experience, industry contacts, and global exposure, ensuring you graduate with proven workplace skills and a competitive edge in the job market.

Final Year

Your final year focuses on advanced financial management and leadership. Modules such as Advanced Corporate Finance, Financial Programming (Python), and Fixed Income Derivatives equip you with high-level technical and analytical skills. You’ll also study Sustainable Finance and Organisational Strategy and Leadership, preparing you to lead responsibly in global financial contexts.

Focus Areas

Corporate finance, investment management, financial programming, fintech, automation, sustainability, leadership.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will master financial analysis, investment strategies, programming for finance, and sustainable business practices, while developing leadership and strategic decision-making skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Training in Python, R, SQL, Power BI, and Xero Accounting Software.
Industry-informed curriculum with live projects and employer engagement.
Placement and study abroad opportunities integrated into the program.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Salford Business School is known for its industry-focused teaching and strong employer links.
Graduates progress into roles such as corporate finance analyst, investment banker, financial planner, and wealth manager.
Alumni highlight the value of placements and live projects in securing employment immediately after graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the strongest features of Salford’s Business and Finance with Placement program is how it blends academic study with real-world practice. You won’t just learn about corporate finance and business strategy in theory — you’ll actively apply your knowledge through live projects, industry placements, and hands-on training with professional software. The placement year is a standout opportunity, giving you up to 12 months of paid industry experience before graduation, ensuring you leave Salford with both a degree and proven workplace skills.

Here’s how experiential learning is built into your degree:

Live Projects with Employers: Modules such as Live Project for Finance connect you directly with organisations, where you’ll work on real business challenges and present solutions to industry professionals.
Professional Software Training: Gain proficiency in Python, R, SQL, Power BI, and Xero Accounting Software, ensuring you graduate with digital and financial programming skills that employers demand.
Placement Year: Between your second and final year, you’ll complete a paid industry placement or study abroad, giving you valuable professional experience and global exposure.
FinTech and Automation Modules: Explore cutting-edge topics like Financial Automation and Introduction to FinTech, applying digital tools to real-world financial scenarios.
Group Projects and Consultancy Work: Collaborate with peers on applied finance and management problems, sharpening teamwork, leadership, and presentation skills.
Peel Park Campus Facilities: Study in modern lecture theatres and collaborative learning spaces, with access to specialist labs for data analytics and financial programming.
Library and Digital Resources: Use the Clifford Whitworth Library, which provides extensive digital databases, journals, and financial market resources to support your studies.
Industry Engagement: Benefit from Salford’s strong employer connections through guest lectures, career fairs, and employer-led workshops, helping you build networks while you study.

This combination of live projects, professional software training, and a dedicated placement year ensures you graduate not only with academic knowledge but also with industry-ready skills and global experience — making you confident to step into roles in corporate finance, investment banking, or consultancy.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Salford’s Business and Finance with Placement program are equipped with both managerial expertise and advanced financial programming skills, making them highly employable in diverse sectors. Typical career paths include corporate finance specialist, investment banker, financial officer, and wealth manager, with alumni progressing into roles that demand both strategic leadership and technical financial analysis. The placement year ensures you graduate with proven workplace experience, giving you a competitive edge in the job market:

Career Services Support: You’ll benefit from Salford’s Careers and Enterprise team, which provides tailored employability workshops, CV and interview coaching, and access to employer networking events. The Salford Business School Employability Hub also connects students directly with industry opportunities.
Employment Stats: Salford Business School highlights strong graduate employability, with many students securing roles in finance and business immediately after graduation thanks to placements and live projects.
Industry Partnerships: The program integrates live projects with employers and has strong links with organisations across Greater Manchester’s financial and business sectors, giving you direct exposure to real-world challenges.
Accreditation Value: Training in Python, R, SQL, Power BI, and Xero Accounting Software ensures long-term recognition of your digital and financial skills, aligning with industry standards.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni progress into high-demand roles in corporate finance, investment management, and consultancy, with competitive starting salaries in the UK finance sector averaging £28,000–£32,000.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSc Business and Finance with Placement, students can continue their studies at Salford through a Master’s in Finance, MSc International Business, or MBA, deepening expertise in global markets, leadership, and advanced financial management. Many graduates also pursue professional qualifications such as the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), leveraging their undergraduate training to fast-track professional accreditation.