BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with International Foundation Year - September Entry
Program Overview
This BSc program, tailored for international students, combines mathematics with finance and investment banking. It features an International Foundation Year, providing students with the skills needed for undergraduate studies. Students can customize their degree by choosing optional modules in their final year, exploring areas such as fintech, private equity, and differential equations. Support is provided through tutorials, placement opportunities, and a student partnership group.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Expand your mathematical knowledge, gain practical experience, and help prepare for a professional career with our BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with International Foundation Year degree. A programme designed for international students You will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking degree. This means you can apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of your studies. Foundation year The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. Our high-quality teaching is geared towards the needs of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. Tailor your degree In your final year, you will be able to explore your areas of interest in greater depth. Alongside your mathematical and/or statistical project work, you will choose from a range of optional modules such as: Fintech and cryptocurrencies Private equity and venture capital Partial differential equations and applications Number theory and cryptography Applied stochastic processes. Support across your studies Support for the transition to university-level mathematics will be provided through weekly tutorials. You will also be encouraged to get involved with the Department of Mathematics Student Staff Partnership Group. Placement opportunities You can choose to undertake a summer placement to gain valuable insight and experience. Alternatively, you can opt for our four-year BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with Placement Year course, which includes a year in industry between your second and final year of study. Students on our three-year course can choose to transfer to the four-year course if they wish.
Outline:
Foundation Year
Compulsory modules Academic Skills Enhance your academic study and communication skills while gradually building confidence and mastering transferable abilities. Engage in various in-class group activities and individual study tasks to develop these skills effectively. Core Mathematics Learn the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of mathematical problems. You'll gain general mathematical skills as well as skills that are more related to your degree programme. Quantitative Methods Discover the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of statistical problems. You'll gain general theoretical skills as well as numerical skills that are more related to your degree programme. Physics Gain deeper, transferable knowledge and understanding of the major concepts of physics such as: the atomic structure and phases of matter, thermodynamics, electric fields and potentials, mechanical forces, work and energy, and the principles of simple periodic motion. You’ll also learn to apply both mathematical and physical concepts to solve advanced problems. Further Mathematics Gain a solid grounding in the aspects of vectors and matrices, kinematics of motion, advanced integration techniques and differential equations at A-level standard. You’ll develop a foundational understand of the key mathematic concepts required for future study throughout your degree. Optional modules Academic English 1 Develop the necessary basis in English for study at undergraduate level. You’ll develop key skills and a perspective on a range of contemporary topics that will equip you for study throughout your degree. Academic English 2 Develop your competence in the use of English for academic purposes. Foundation Economics - Microeconomics Discover how individuals and companies allocate and utilise resources. You’ll learn the neoclassical model of demand and supply, markets failures and the behaviour of firms. Foundation Economics - Macroeconomics Learn models and theories used by economists to understand the performance of the economy. You’ll develop basic mathematical and statistical skills and apply these to economic decision making. An Introduction to Business and Management Develop your ability to think critically and argue persuasively in business and management contexts. You'll learn basic business and management theory such as entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing, human resource management, finance and accounting. Foundation Statistics and Data Science Gain an introduction to statistics and data science, and develop key theoretical, practical, and numerical skills to help you succeed in your future undergraduate studies. These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Year 1
Compulsory modules Calculus Extend your existing knowledge of calculus into two or more dimensions, exploring techniques of ordinary differential equations of the first and second order and learning how programming has mathematical applications. Foundations of Mathematics Gain a solid introduction to fundamental topics in mathematics and develop the necessary skills to study mathematics at university-level. You’ll focus on the concept of sets, functions and various familiar number systems, as well as the importance of proofs and how to construct them. Linear Algebra Learn how to solve systems of linear equations, determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and develop the algebra of matrices which are used as a stepping-stone to the more general theory of liner and inner-product spaces. Probability and Statistics Understand probability and probability distributions, results and techniques for statistical reference and data science, and regression and hypothesis testing. Introductory Securities and Markets Explore financial institutions, credit risk, maturity transformation and liquidity, plus the economics of banking and types of money including cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies. Focus on sustainable finance and its important contribution to achieving Net Zero by 2050. Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I Get an overview of the role the financial system plays in the economy. Discuss the main players in the system, the instruments they trade, and the trading prices. Focus on capital markets and the private and public financial institutions participating in these markets. Real Analysis I Explore mathematical analysis concepts including inequalities, sequences, series and functions. These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Year 2
Compulsory modules Mathematical Modelling and Professional Skills Develop your problem-solving and independent research skills by applying mathematical modelling techniques to solve real-world problems across a broad range of scientific, engineering and economical areas. You’ll also expand your team-working, presentation, career management, technical, verbal and written communication skills. Differential Equations Build on your knowledge of ordinary differential equations and explore partial differential equations and their applications. You’ll explore non-constant coefficients, integral and series solutions, Fourier series, the theory of boundary value problems, diffusion equations, wave equations and Laplace’s equation. Numerical Analysis I Describe, analyse and implement numerical methods for problems in continuous mathematics, including solution of linear equations and nonlinear scalar equations, interpolation, scalar optimisation and solution of ordinary differential equations. Financial Modelling Put finance theories, that you studied during Part 1 Introductory Finance, into practice with the use of Microsoft Excel functions, giving you the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge to solve some real-life financial problems. Optional modules Trends in Finance Contextualise current issues and debates in finance by placing them in the historical evolution of finance. Understand how finance has evolved over time and where it may develop in the future. Sustainable Finance Learn about the basics of Sustainable Finance, covering applications in financing and investment activities. You'll explore the Environmental, Social and Governance factors, and will discuss the relevant policies and international regulations. Fx and International Debt Markets Study the international debt markets, equip yourself with the tools to analyse and compare products, and determine trading and hedging strategies. Develop an understanding of the products and practices of international money and bond market cash instruments and bond futures. Linear Models and Data Analysis Gain understanding of the most common models, including multiple linear regression and completely randomised designs, and explore the key principles of planned experiments. Learn how models are applied to practical problems and gain experience of real-life data analysis. These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Year 3
Compulsory modules Portfolio of Projects Conduct a series of projects on mathematical or statistical topics and develop your technical and professional skills. Derivative Securities Explore derivatives markets and their products through theories and practical trading strategies. Become equipped with the essential knowledge to continue studying the advanced derivatives pricing model and practising trading with derivatives. Advanced Statistical Modelling Develop an understanding of situations in which different models are likely to be appropriate, learning more about generalised linear models, repeated measurement data, and traditional and modern approaches to data analysis. Optional
New UK/Republic of Ireland students:
£9,250
New international students:
£27,650
University of Reading
Overview:
The University of Reading is a public research university located in Reading, Berkshire, England. It is known for its strong academic reputation and its commitment to providing a high-quality student experience.
Academic Programs:
The University of Reading offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various subject areas, including:
Arts and Humanities:
Ancient History, Archaeology, Art, Classics, Creative Writing, Drama, English Language and Applied Linguistics, English Literature, Film and Television, History, Languages and Cultures, Linguistics, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Theatre & Performance, War and Peace Studies.Science and Engineering:
Agriculture, Architecture, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Bioveterinary Sciences, Chemistry, Climate Science, Computer Science, Ecology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medical Sciences, Meteorology and Climate, Microbiology, Nutrition, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Zoology.Business and Social Sciences:
Accounting, Business and Management, Consumer Behaviour and Marketing, Economics, Education, Finance, Healthcare, International Development, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Public Policy, Real Estate and Planning, Social Policy, Strategic Studies, Teaching.Other:
The University of Reading has a strong research focus and is ranked among the top universities in the world for its research output. It also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has been recognized for its efforts in this area.
Entry Requirements:
A Level
See entry requirements
GCSE
Grades 9–4 (A –C) in five subjects, or equivalent qualifications
IELTS
A minimum overall score of 5.5 in IELTS, with no component below 5.5.