Overview

Are you interested in how money and finance 'work'? Do you want to use that knowledge to make a difference for individuals, businesses, and wider society?

With our BA (Hons) Finance, Investment and Risk degree, you’ll develop in-demand skills and expertise across finance and financial services. You’ll get to grips with how finance can affect local and global economies, and how it can impact all aspects of our lives.

You’ll study topics including:

personal finance
corporate finance and investment
banking
technology and international finance
risk
sustainable finance.

Working in our industry-standard Bloomberg Lab, you’ll learn how to use the world’s leading information platform for global business, and have access to real-time financial data. You’ll hear from employers and professional bodies during guest lectures and networking events, and build important professional networks.

Our close connections with industry, such as our relationships with Barclays and the Chartered Insurance Institute, ensures our course always reflects the latest developments in this fast-paced and innovative field. We work with employers to deliver what they need, and give you valuable opportunities to gain a competitive edge.

Why study Finance, Investment and Risk at GCU?

Access the world’s leading platform for real-time global business and finance news, data, analytical tools, and research – the Bloomberg Finance Lab.
Our course is one of the few in the UK focusing specifically on careers in the financial services industry, a major UK employer.
Engage with high-profile guest lecturers from top organisations such as Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Argyle Consulting, Scottish Building Society, and Glasgow Credit Union.
Bringing together research and professional experience, our staff ensure the course is always up to date with the latest ideas and innovations.
Benefit from employer-sponsored prizes and free student membership of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) on this accredited course.

Chartered Insurance Institute

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What you will study

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

The UK government is aiming to become the world’s most innovative full-service financial centre by 2035. This means there are exciting opportunities ahead for Finance, Investment and Risk graduates.

Glasgow is recognised as one of the UK and Europe’s leading financial centres, ranking 43rd globally and 15th in Western Europe in the 2026 Global Financial Centres Index, reflecting its international reputation and competitiveness. With major global firms such as Barclays, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, and JP Morgan having significant operations in the city, Glasgow continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic hub for financial services talent, innovation, and investment.

Studying at GCU means gaining your finance education in one of Europe’s fastest‑rising financial centres, giving you direct access to a thriving hub of employers, industry opportunities, and career‑relevant networks.

At GCU, you’ll be based near the centre of one of the UK’s most successful financial services clusters: Glasgow’s International Financial Services District (IFSD). You’ll also benefit from being exposed to the activity of Fintech Scotland – the second largest fintech cluster in the UK, with more than 250 fintech firms – as well as our proximity to Edinburgh, ranked 28th in the 2026 Global Financial Centres Index.

Past GCU students have secured jobs at:

Tesco Bank
Morgan Stanley
The Financial Conduct Authority
Royal Bank of Scotland
Virgin Money
Standard Life
Barclays Investment Bank
Santander UK
Capco
EY (Ernst & Young)
BlackRock.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
BA (Hons)	Full Time	4 year	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
BA (Hons)	Full Time	4 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Year 1

Standard entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 108

Scottish Higher: BBBB or equivalent

A Level: BCC or equivalent

Minimum entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 90

Scottish Higher: BCCC or equivalent

A Level: CCC or equivalent

Year 2 entry

Standard entry requirement

HNC Accounting (Next Gen) Achieved with Merit or 15 credit HNC Accounting or Business or Financial Services with B in the graded unit

Year 3 entry

Standard entry requirement

HND Accounting (Next Gen) Achieved with Merit or HND Finance Risk and Business, Business, Accounting graded units AAB/AB.

English language

IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent)

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Assessment methods

Assessments are there to develop your independent learning while testing your ability to address problems, develop arguments and analyse key issues.

They can be traditional exams, case studies or presentations, or real-world tasks like portfolio management and client reports. Assessments help enhance your written and numerical skills, as well as your interpersonal, team working, problem-solving and leadership skills.

Placement opportunity

You’ll have the chance to be supported in finding opportunities for hands-on experience through a 24-week industry placement in Year 3. You’ll develop key skills that will boost your employability. These include problem solving, data analysis and time management.

Exchange and study abroad

You will have the opportunity to go on an international exchange and study at university abroad for a trimester.

Recent exchange locations include:

Denmark
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Netherlands
Malaysia
Poland
Spain
USA.

Studying and living abroad opens up personal, academic and cultural horizons. It can help develop your confidence, adaptability and communication. These are key transferable skills, highly valued by employers.

Bloomberg suite

The Bloomberg Finance Lab introduces you to the world of financial leadership. It trains you to use the market-leading platform for global business and finance news, data, analytical tools, and research.

You’ll be using the same platform as decision-makers, asset managers, and policy architects across business, finance and government, providing access to real-time financial data.

There is an option to complete the online Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) course.

It covers the most important functions of financial markets including economic indicators, fixed income, equities, and foreign exchange markets. Once you complete the course, you will be a certified Bloomberg user – something that will impress potential employers.

You'll also have the opportunity to complete further Bloomberg certifications.

Research expertise

You’ll learn from top academics specialising in topics such as:

corporate governance
credit risk
vulnerability and financial consumers
pensions and pension policy
board gender diversity
cyber risk
risk modelling
financial advice
boardroom compensation
innovation in financial services.

Accreditation

The BA (Hons) Finance, Investment and Risk is accredited as recognised prior learning by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and counts towards its professional insurance and personal finance qualifications. This accreditation can enhance employability and accelerate progression within the finance and insurance sector.

You’ll get free student membership of the CII, which gives you access to a range of online resources, seminars and events.

Visit the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) website

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.

Overview

Why study Finance, Investment and Risk at GCU?

Accreditations

What you will study

Careers

Course information