Business Management with Finance BSc(Hons)

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Top reasons to choose this course?

• The University of Brighton is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – an accreditation achieved by fewer than 6% of business schools globally.

• Our Business Management with Finance BSc is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

• Provides you with a strong foundation in business.
• Prepares you for careers in the finance sector.
• Gain industry insight via experienced academics and guest lectures.
• A course that develops your academic, professional and personal skills.
• Tailor your degree to your interests through your choice of option modules.
• Graduate with a year of work experience when you choose a placement year.

Year 1

All our Business Management degrees share the same first year core modules which cover aspects of economics, entrepreneurship, marketing, HR, organisational behaviour, law and finance to give you a broad understanding of business principles and practice.

You can then choose to specialise from year 2.

In your first year your classes will be over three days each week and they will not start before 10am. You may have other activities on campus on other days.

Modules

• Marketing Principles

  You will gain an overview of marketing as a discipline and its core concepts during this module. You will cover areas including the role and function of marketing; the external marketing environment; internal marketing analysis tools; competitor analysis and competitive marketing strategy; segmentation, targeting and positioning; pricing strategies and tactics; and branding, differentiation and key selling points.

• Financial Knowledge and Skills for Business

  This module provides you with an introduction to fundamental concepts in the fields of financial accounting, management accounting and finance. You will develop a basic understanding of an organisation’s financial position and performance through the application of appropriate analytical tools and procedures.

• Managing Systems and Operations

  This module will introduce you to the use of digital technologies and operations management in business. You will look at how managers use digital technologies to measure and improve operations and systems performance and gain an understanding of the processes and methods to improve these in both service-oriented and manufacturing-sector organisations. A range of contemporary issues, innovation and future trends in Information Systems (IS) and operations management will be explored.

• Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

  This module will introduce you to a range of concepts, principles and theories that have been adopted within the study of organisational behaviour and human resource management and will give you an insight into how people are managed and organised in the workplace. You will develop an understanding of the relationship between the internal and external environment and the role that employees play in designing and achieving organisational goals.

• Business Economics

  In this module you will develop your understanding of key economic concepts by applying them to contemporary issues within the world of business and through the application of quantitative techniques. You will also gain an understanding of how political, economic and environmental factors influence the world of business.

• Enterprise Project and Skills

  In this module you will create a business plan, a project plan and a marketing plan that include a digital presence. You’ll integrate and apply skills and learning from other year 1 modules using project management skills to deliver a practical and applied business project, to demonstrate your understanding of market dynamics, financial structures and HRM employment strategies.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. If you apply to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 2

From your second year, through the module choices you make, you can either continue along the Business Management with Finance degree route, or specialise in HR, economics, law, entrepreneurship or marketing.

The university teaching hours are between 9am and 6pm. In year 2 the days and times you will need to be on campus will depend on a number of things including the option modules that you choose.

Modules

Core modules

• Business and Corporate Law

  In this module you will gain an understanding of the principles of business and company law and develop an awareness of how important law is within the business context. You’ll examine the general principles of the English legal system and examine contract law, the law of torts, agency law and partnership law. You will also look at the law governing the formation, financing and management of companies through to corporate collapse and acquire a sound knowledge of the legal issues involved in business organisations.

• International Business Analysis

  This is your opportunity to apply both macro and microeconomic analysis to a related set of case studies. You will start by analysing an industry at a global level, move onto looking at macroeconomic data for a country that is key to that industry, and then apply microeconomic analysis to a company within that industry.

• Managing Digital Transformation

  On this module you will explore the impact of digital transformation in the context of business management. You’ll cover the evolution of information systems, the role of AI in business and different digital business models. You will examine ethical and social considerations, including data privacy and the digital divide, and the relationship between technology and inequality. Finally, you’ll look at future trends in digital business, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

• Understanding Finance Theory and Practice

  This module explores the theoretical underpinning of financial decision-making and considers approaches to the assessment of investment opportunities. This will enable the development of the knowledge and skills expected of a finance manager, particularly in relation to investment and financing decisions.

Options*

• Personal Financial Planning

  This module is an exploration of the principles of personal financial planning and investment, integrating theory and practice. You’ll gain knowledge and understanding of the interlinked relationships between the various components which encompass personal finance matters. This includes an analysis of various generic products, incorporating the inherent elements of risk and taxation, and the techniques and stages of personal financial planning. 

• Economic Theory and Applications

  This module provides you with a firm grounding in key concepts in economics and their real-world applications with an emphasis on the importance of history, institutions and policy in economic analysis. You will become familiar with economic methods of analysis and develop a foundation of economics knowledge that will support your final-year studies.

• Money, Exchange Rates and Trade

  The module will help you to develop your understanding of monetary economics and its relationship with the exchange rate and international trade. Through this, you will further develop your appreciation of trading blocks, currency unions and commercial policy, and their impact on international finance and trade.

• Applied Business Analytics

  This module will help you to develop an analytic mindset and equip you with basic data literacy that is useful for the business environment. You will look at methodologies, algorithms and challenges related to analysing and presenting business data alongside applying data analysis to support decision-making across business functions and industries.

• Financial Modelling and Dealing

  During this module you will learn the basic tools and data handling skills that will enable you to model financial relationships and understand the principles of stock market trading. You will also be introduced to specialist software to carry out set tasks. You’ll develop the practical skills and knowledge needed for further study and to enhance employment opportunities.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

Following year 2 you can gain valuable industry experience and earn money on an optional placement year, returning to your final year with confidence, hands-on experience and contacts.

During your placement year you will complete a business project which is an assessed part of your degree and, depending on the topic you choose, could also provide a valuable piece of insight for your placement employer.

Previous placement companies include:

• American Express
• BMW
• Bosch
• Channel 4
• Disney
• L'Oréal
• Electronic Arts
• Hewlett Packard
• Home Office
• IBM
• ITV
• lastminute.com
• Microsoft
• Volkswagen Passenger Cars
• Rolls-Royce.

Our dedicated Placements and Employability team are here to help you get a placement and support you while you’re on placement.

Final year

In your final year you will have the opportunity to develop a specialism by selecting from a broad range of business and finance options.

You will also be able to tailor your course to your interests through option modules, including financial markets, international business, and corporate social responsibility.

The university teaching hours are between 9am and 6pm. In your final year the days and times you will need to be on campus will depend on a number of things including the option modules that you choose.

Modules

Core modules

• Managing, Teams and Developing People

  Using a hands-on approach, you’ll reinforce and build upon your understanding of theories and models, and apply these concepts by working in team activities involving management of yourself and others. You’ll explore common issues that are faced when working in groups and teams, equipping you with the skills to become an effective team worker and leader.

• Corporate Financial Management

  This module is a specialised finance option for final year students. It has two parts: the first builds upon applied topics in corporate finance and the second explores treasury and risk management tools and techniques. You will focus on financial management mainly in terms of issues affecting corporate financial managers.

• Strategy

  On this module you’ll focus on the strategic business management of organisations in industry. You will explore and apply techniques for the analysis, development and implementation of strategies in order to achieve business goals, spanning domestic, international, global levels and in the context of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

• Developing Professional Practice in Business

  For students who aren’t undertaking a work placement year, this module is an opportunity to complete a 30-hour business or consultancy project to develop skills in problem-solving, creative thinking, analysis and project management. The project can be based in a range of settings including those offered by the Community University Partnership Programme, volunteer work or part-time employment. 

Options*

• Environmental Economics

  Issues surrounding the environment and natural resources are becoming increasingly mainstream in economics. This module follows the year 2 module of the same name and further explores how economic concepts, tools and policy instruments are relevant and are used to understand and manage environmental issues at business and government level.

• Financial and Capital Markets

  This module will develop your understanding of the financial system and enable you to get some experience of financial markets. You’ll have an opportunity to manage a portfolio of assets and analyse the performance of that portfolio as well as explore the investment environment.

• Fintech (Financial Technologies)

  This module explores how fintech is reshaping the financial services ecosystem with emphasis on regulation, competition and financing of innovation. You will examine payments, deposits and lending, blockchain, insurance (insurtech), open banking, capital raising, wealth management and market provisioning domains. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from guest lecturers from fintechs and banks, plus gain hands-on experience through solving case studies.

• Carbon Accounting

  This module covers the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GGP) with its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions as well as associated issues such as net-zero, carbon offsets and certification processes. You will use University of Brighton HESA Estates data to demonstrate your understanding of GGP and to explore potential mitigating strategies. You’ll also undertake a short (equivalent of two days) consultancy with small local businesses to understand their emissions.

• Banking and Money

  This module introduces the study of banking and money. You’ll cover two broad areas: the first covers microeconomic and managerial aspects of banking, such as the bank risk, efficiency, competition and performance; and the second looks at the macroeconomic elements of banking instability, the role of banks in the monetary transmission mechanism, the interplay between banks, regulators and policy makers, and the role of banks in setting the interest rates.

• Game Theory in Economics, Finance and Business

  Game theory is one of the most exciting, stimulating and promising subjects in modern microeconomics and is now also broadly applied in philosophy, sociology and political science among other fields. The module gives you the chance to apply game theory to financial and business analysis topics to deepen and widen your knowledge of economics, finance and business as an ongoing strategic game.

• International Finance

  International Finance takes the areas of finance and financial management you’ve studied in a domestic setting and explores how the domestic theory alters in an international setting due to factors such as exchange rates and country risk. You will also be introduced to the international financial management complexities associated with the foreign direct investment decisions of multinational companies.

• Development Economics

  During this module you will be introduced to the field of development economics and gain the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to conduct socio-economic analysis of the conditions and institutions across the developing world. There will be particular emphasis on human development, migration, inequality, poverty, health, the environment and international trade.

• Researching Contemporary Issues in Finance

  You will select a specific current issue in finance to study in depth during this module. You’ll review and analyse a wide range of published data with the aim of summarising good practice and recommending a possible solution to the problem in your final report. Issues might include finance for SMEs, bank lending, working capital management, financial risk management techniques, dividend policy and effect on the value of a company and bond markets and instruments.

• Placement Project

  This project module enables you to further develop problem solving, creative thinking, analysis and project management skills while on a placement year between year 2 and 3 of your degree. It's an opportunity to reflect on your placement role and experiences and how they contributed to your personal development, shaped your thinking about future careers and enhanced your employment prospects.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Course leader

Course fees

This course offers a professional placement (sandwich) year in year 3. If you choose to take this placement you will pay a reduced fee during this year. For students starting their undergraduate degree in the 2025–26 academic year, the fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £1,850 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases in line with inflation.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf) for more on University of Brighton tuition fees.

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