3-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate for Business, Law, and Social Sciences - Transfer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Finance

Program Description Build a future by studying in the UK, with a pathway course at Kaplan International College (KIC) London. Situated in the world’s top academic city (QS Best Student Cities 2019), the College will prepare students for a university degree, and for a successful career. Study at one of the most respected international colleges in London, and progress to one of 8 universities, including the University of Westminster. The commercially well-connected University of Westminster is hugely international. Students can study alongside students from nearly 170 countries. This exciting programme is designed with input from financial firms, public and private companies. The aim is to combine theoretical learning content with practice to give students a deep understanding of modern financial theories together with learning about how companies make investment, financing and acquisition decisions. It will prepare students for a career in the dynamic, highly regulated world of financial services. Developing core quantitative and analytical skills, students will learn how to prepare and interpret financial data and managerial information. This education will enable students to develop expertise to evaluate financial issues to confidently make financial decisions. Students will gain a broader understanding of the socio-economic, legal and professional environment within which finance operates. Graduates from this programme will be better placed to provide expert guidance to both professionals and non-professionals to solve complex real-world problems – the scope of the subject areas is broad ranging from graduates taking on roles from corporate financial management to highly analytical areas of the field in financial risk and investment management. The University is also recognised by the Chartered Financial Institute (CFA) as a University Affiliated Program partner. A fair proportion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge is is embedded in this specialist finance degree. Students will be taught by academics with professional experience in investment banking, derivatives, asset pricing, Treasury Management, algorithmic and high frequency trading, pricing and hedge fund trading. Theoretical aspects of learning are seamlessly blended to develop practical skills using the state-of-the-art Financial Markets Suite (FMS). The learning resources facility provides access to a rich source of financial and market data. As well as a firm grounding in investment, finance fundamentals and general management, students will be able to study a wide variety of specialist finance modules, such as portfolio management and securities analysis. With the City of London's global financial institutions on our doorstep, students will begin building their professional network from day one. Students also have guest lecturers and industry speakers, from big brokerage firms and asset management companies. The course enhances analytical abilities, together with team-working, problem-solving, communication skills and commercial awareness needed to meet the needs for talent in a changing global financial world. The skills and knowledge developed will open up a range of careers in the skills necessary for a successful career in the financial services industry, economic consultancy, government departments or in regulatory agencies. With further study, students could also progress to professional finance qualifications from the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) and the CISI. The course was designed with input from a range of industry professionals with expertise in financial markets, institutions and financial regulation. To retain currency and relevance, the course receives ongoing feedback from the School of Finance and Accounting’s Employability Advisory Board, whose members include practitioner representatives from Vanguard, JPMorgan and Global Structured Finance, as well as former students now working in the finance industry who provide suggestions on how to improve future employability for students. As much as 70% of the BSc Finance course content is in line with the CFA’s study units’ syllabuses.