Course content

You will learn a range of analytical and quantitative skills including practical experience using professional software such as Bloomberg and Stata.

You will explore the economic behaviour of households, businesses and governments, the functioning of markets and the effects of fiscal and monetary policies. You will examine the behaviour of financial institutions, such as banks, hedge funds and portfolio managers, their instruments and how they interact in markets. Wider contemporary issues such as the ethics of banking and lending markets will also be analysed. 

The course will equip you with a range of skills and capabilities, both subject-related and more general lifelong skills of analytical ability, critical thinking and advanced numeracy. You will develop an awareness and confidence in using professional software tools, such as Bloomberg and Stata. These tools will enable you to analyse and interpret economic and financial data.

Every year, at least one statistical module is compulsory, to prepare you to take advantage of the professional opportunities made possible by the big data revolution. All these skills are highly attractive to employers. If you decide to add a placement year, entrepreneurship year or study abroad option, you will get a further opportunity to build the skills to enhance your employability.

 

Variations to 2020/21 courses

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

A Level requirements

• A Level requirement  - ABC-CCC

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

GCSE requirements

• Maths at B (or 6) 
• English at C (or 4)

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DDM

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

International Baccalaureate

• 32 points. If you do not hold GCSE Maths, please contact our Admissions team

Access to HE Diploma requirements

• Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 120 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Foundation year content

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

You will have a foundation for many careers in business and government. You might work as an economist in the City or with the prestigious Government Economic Service. You could go into banking, insurance or management consultancy or use your transferable skills in an indirectly related career of your choice. You could go on to study at postgraduate level within these fields.

Recent employers

• Barclays Bank
• HSBC
• Santander
• Compass Group UK and Ireland
• Local Government
• British Gas
• Ernst and Young
• Natwest Bank
• NHS
• RBS
• Allianz Insurance
• Corona
• Sparta Global
• Dow Jones
• Capita
• HMRC
• National Trust

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Economist
• Statistician
• Investment Analyst
• Financial Adviser
• Financial Trader
• Investment Banker
• Banker
• Chartered Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Tax Adviser
• Insurance Broker

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.