BSc Finance

Finance is at the heart of every business, industry and society around the world – and its role has never been more complex. There’s a huge demand for talented, ambitious graduates with the right financial acumen to meet these challenges. This rigorous programme equips you with the necessary financial knowledge and quantitative skills.

You’ll delve into the use of specific finance techniques, financial decision-making, risk management and the behaviour of the financial markets. Importantly, you’ll learn how to think analytically, evaluate financial issues from different perspectives and apply analytical methods to real-world problems.

You’ll be taught by world-leading academics and practitioners in the field. We make the most of our proximity to the city and financial districts and you’ll benefit from our links with industry practitioners, regulators and policymakers.

Our graduates are well-prepared for careers in investment banking, sales, trading, investment management, management consulting, start-ups, research and academia.

If you wish to gain further insight into the subject, we suggest that you look at one of the following books, papers and videos:

• A Admati “Seeing through “the banker’s new clothes””, TEDxStanford
• W Clarke How the City of London Works (7th edition, Sweet and Maxwell, 2008)
• B Graham The Intelligent Investor (HarperBusiness, 2003)
• M Lewis The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine (Penguin, 2011)
• D McCloskey Economical Writing
• PwC: Peer Pressure – How peer-to-peer lending platforms are transforming the consumer lending industry
• H Rey “Monetary Policy and International Capital Flows” IMF Mundell-Fleming Lecture

Annual reviews:

• D Lucas Valuation of Government Policies and Projects
• P M Dechow, R G Sloan, and J Zha Stock Prices and Earnings
• C Frydman and D Jenter CEO Compensation

The Royal Economic Society Public Lectures:

• T Harford “How to run – or ruin – an economy”
• S Flanders “The UK economy after the crisis”
• R Griffith “Does Starbucks pay enough tax?”

The Department of Finance is one of the largest and most highly respected finance groups in the UK and Europe.

With a longstanding reputation for excellence in both teaching and research, we offer various undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes.

Our research and teaching span the full range of financial sub-fields, including:

• corporate finance
• asset pricing theory
• risk management
• empirical analysis of capital markets
• behavioural finance
• portfolio analysis
• derivatives pricing
• microstructure
• financial econometrics.

We are also closely associated with two leading research groups at LSE – the Financial Markets Group and Systemic Risk Centre, which host seminars, conferences and public lectures by renowned academics and practitioners.

Our research is regularly published in leading academic journals globally. Faculty members work closely with national and international institutions, such as the Bank of England and the World Bank, informing policy at the highest levels.

The department was ranked the top place to study finance in the Good University Guide 2024.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Finance

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• strong analytical skills and a high level of numeracy
• an ability to apply logic, follow complex lines of reasoning and identify trends
• the ability to think independently
• a creative and flexible approach to problem-solving
• time-management skills and resilience (to thrive under pressure)
• great communication skills
• intellectual curiosity
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams. Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is given within two weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This assessment counts towards your final course mark and the degree award.

Summative assessment usually involves written examinations at the end of each academic year. To progress through the degree, you’ll need to pass the appropriate examinations.

Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. Details on the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course are given in the relevant course guide.

You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of individual course assessments (except on final submitted dissertations). This feedback is generally provided before the examination period.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

Graduates from this programme will be well prepared for careers in investment banking, sales, trading and research, investment management, management consultancy, start-ups and other professional careers in the City, as well as further academic study.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

The department is committed to supporting students' options after graduation in the world of work or further studies by organising a careers programme tailored specifically to International History students with the help of LSE Careers. Also, many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.