BSc Finance

Global finance and its role in the world has never been more complex. Recent events have shown that it is more important than ever to have an understanding of the theory and logic behind the practice of financial decision-making, risk management and the behaviour of financial markets.

Teaching on the programme is informed by the latest research in the field, and we make the most of the School’s location close to the City of London, the financial district, and practitioners, regulators and policy makers in the industry, with an easy exchange of ideas and public lectures.

BSc Finance is a rigorous quantitative programme which will equip you with a strong financial foundation and the necessary quantitative skills, as well as teaching you the logic behind the use of specific finance techniques and financial decision-making. 

You will learn to think analytically and to critically evaluate key issues in finance from a variety of perspectives. You will also learn to apply the analytical methods in finance and financial economics you have learn to a range of real world problems.

Entry Requirements:

• Below we list our entry requirements in terms of GCSEs, A-Levels (the entry requirements should be read alongside our A-level subject combinations information) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK and from overseas.
• GCSEs
• A strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• GCSE (or equivalent) English Language and Mathematics grades should be no lower than B (or 6)
• We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile
• A-levels*
• A*AA, with an A* in Mathematics
• Please also see subject combinations regarding Further Mathematics requirements.
• We also consider your AS grades, if available.
• Contextual admissions A-level grades**
• A*AB with an A* in Mathematics
• IB Diploma 
• 38 points overall. 766 in higher level subjects, including 7 in Mathematics
• Please also see subject combinations regarding Further Mathematics requirements.
• Contextual admissions IB grades**
• 37 points overall including 765 in higher level subjects, with 7 in Mathematics.
• *Read our A-level subject combinations information below.
• **Read our UG Admissions Information to learn more about contextual admissions.
• A-level subject combinations
• We consider the combination of subjects you have taken, as well as the individual scores.
• We believe a broad mix of traditional academic subjects to be the best preparation for studying at LSE and expect applicants to have at least two full A-levels or equivalent in these subjects.
• For the BSc Finance we are looking for students with a strong mathematical ability, and A-level Mathematics or equivalent is therefore required. If you take three or more A-levels, you will be expected to achieve A*AA (with A* in Mathematics).
• Further Mathematics at A-level is also desirable, and is acceptable for entry in combination with Mathematics and one other A-level. We understand however that not everyone has the opportunity to follow a Further Mathematics programme, and you will not be disadvantaged because of this. Therefore it is helpful if you and/or your referees can indicate whether or not your school or college offers Further Mathematics classes.
• For programmes requiring A* in Mathematics A-level, an A* in Further Mathematics in addition to an A grade in Mathematics is an acceptable alternative.
• In addition to Mathematics, we are looking for subject combinations which indicate that you possess both analytical and writing abilities. Subjects which appear as common post-16 choices are Economics; Physics; History; Chemistry; Government and Politics.

Programme Structure And Courses:

• The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. In the first year you will gain an essential foundation in finance, equipping you with the necessary quantitative skills. 
• The second year will concentrate on building a firm grasp of core analytical methods in finance and financial economics and applying them to a range of problems, while the third year allows you to gain in-depth knowledge in a range of finance subfields.
• First year
• You will take compulsory introductory courses in economics, mathematics and statistics as well as LSE100.
• (* denotes a half unit course)
• Introduction to Finance*
• Introduces you to the core issues in finance.
• Microeconomics I*
• This course provides a foundation to help students understand key microeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.
• Macroeconomics I*
• This course provides a foundation to help students understand key macroeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.
• Elementary Statistical Theory
• This is a theoretical statistics course which is appropriate whether or not your A level Mathematics course included statistics. It forms the basis for later statistics options.
• Quantitative Methods for Finance*
• This course connects the mathematical tools that students have acquired in previous courses with the economics and financial models that they will be covering in their subsequent courses.
• Methods in Calculus and Linear Algebra*
• This is an introductory level course for those who wish to use mathematics seriously in finance or economics.
• One from the following two options:
• Elements of Financial Accounting*
• Introduces you to the preparation, uses and limitations of accounting convention.
• Programming for Data Science*
• The primary focus of this course is to cover principles of computer programming with a focus on data science applications.
• LSE100*
• A half unit, running across Autumn and Winter Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students. This innovative and interactive course is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems as a social scientist through interdisciplinary, research-rich education.
• Second year
• You will take compulsory courses in finance, microeconomics, econometrics.
• Principles of Finance
• Examines companies' longer term investment decisions, and the ways in which these may be financed in the financial markets.
• Financial Systems and Crises*
• Covers the historical development of financial markets and institutions, including the evolution of banking, financial exchanges and regulation.
• Macro-Finance*
• Studies the relationship between financial markets and the macro-economy. 
• Microeconomics II*
• This intermediate-level course will help students understand key microeconomic questions and challenges and also evaluate possible solutions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.
• Econometrics I*
• Introduction to econometrics to teach students the theory and practice of empirical research in economics.
• Econometrics II*
• Intermediate-level course to teach students the theory of econometrics and the practice of empirical research in economics.
• Either 
• Managing Visualising Data 
• This course focuses on the fundamental principles of effective manipulation and visualisation of data.
• Or a half unit optional course
• Third year
• In the third year you will take six more half-unit compulsory courses. You will also choose two half units or a full unit outside option from a selected list of relevant courses offered outside the Department.
• Market Anomalies and Asset Management*
• Examines the extent to which financial markets are informationally efficient and analyse portfolio optimisation techniques and how performance can be measured. 
• Theories of Corporate Finance*
• Examines the theory and evidence concerning major corporate financial policy decisions, focusing particularly on the firm's decision to finance with debt versus equity, the impact of taxes on such decisions, and the role of dividends. 
• Risk Management and Modelling*
• Develops the fundamental concepts of how to deal with risk, such as value at risk, portfolio management, hedging and risk measurement.
• Derivatives*
• Explores the theoretical foundations of financial derivatives on a variety of asset classes, including bonds, stocks, commodities and currencies.
• Applied Corporate Finance*
• Illustrates and extends the corporate finance topics previously learnt with a range of case studies. 
• Advanced Financial Economics*
• Covers the modern theories of asset valuation.