Finance & Investment, BSc

We are looking forward to welcoming you on the BSc (Hons) Finance & Investment course.

​Welcome Week: Your Foundation Starts Here

The first time we will meet will be Welcome Week. During this week you will be introduced to the structure of the programme, the expectations of university-level study, and the full range of support systems available to you. You will meet your lecturers, connect with fellow students, and begin to build the collegiate networks that will serve you throughout your degree and career.

​Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)

​A distinctive and highly valuable feature of your experience at Canterbury Christ Church is the Personal Academic Tutor system. Your PAT is a dedicated member of academic staff assigned to support your individual academic and professional development throughout your degree.

They are your first and most important point of contact for guidance on academic progress, module choices, career planning, and any challenges you may encounter along the way. Your PAT will meet with you regularly across the academic year, and I strongly encourage you to approach these meetings proactively.

Your Course​

The first year of your course will build robust intellectual and technical foundations across core disciplines of finance, accounting, economics and statistics.

During your first semester you will study the following modules:

• Applied Business Statistics
• Financial Accounting
• Success Modules – 3 x 5 credit modules. These modules are designed to develop your academic skills, critical thinking, and professional capabilities to ensure your success throughout your degree.

​You will learn more about the module content, meet the module leaders, and find out more about your timetable during Welcome Week. 

How You Will Learn

The BSc Finance & Investment programme uses a variety of teaching methods to help you build both your academic knowledge and practical industry skills.

• Lectures - Most modules include weekly lectures where you will be introduced to key finance and investment concepts, theories, and current developments in the financial sector.
• Seminars and Tutorials - These smaller, interactive sessions give you the opportunity to discuss lecture topics, ask questions, and apply what you have learned. You will often be asked to complete readings or activities before attending, and active participation is encouraged.
• Workshops and Practical Sessions - A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. You will use the Business School Trading Floor to work with live financial data, trading simulations, and financial modelling software.
• Group Projects and Presentations - You will regularly work with other students to analyse real-world financial situations, develop solutions, and present your findings. These activities help build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Online Learning - Alongside your in-person classes, learning materials such as lecture recordings, readings, assessment information, and additional resources will be available on Blackboard. This allows you to study flexibly and review content whenever you need to.

Where You Will Study

Most of your teaching will take place on the Canterbury Campus. Practical trading sessions will be held in the Bloomberg Trading Room, and additional learning materials will be available online through Blackboard.

​Blackboard: Your Virtual Learning Environment

​Blackboard is the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and will be your central digital hub throughout your studies. From day one, you should familiarise yourself with the platform as all module-related activity — resources, communication, and assessments — will flow through it. 

​You will be able to access Blackboard once you have created your University Computing Account - please keep an eye out on your e-mails for instructions on how to do this. There will be a  dedicated Blackboard induction during Welcome Week where we will walk you through the platform's key features. Attendance at this session is strongly advise

To help you prepare

​To maximise your readiness for degree-level study in finance, I would strongly encourage you to complete the following before the start of term:

• ​Read the Financial Times regularly — develop a daily habit of engaging with financial news, market commentary, and economic analysis. Register for the FT's student subscription via CCCU Library search. Library subscribes The Financial Times.
• ​Bloomberg Terminal — Familiarize yourself with the Bloomberg Terminal available at Business School Trading Floor. Bloomberg Terminal (on Campus) offers several free introductory e-learning modules that provides an excellent primer on financial markets, economics, and data analysis.
• ​Revisit GCSE/A-Level Mathematics — a confident grasp of algebra, statistics, and basic calculus will serve you well in your Quantitative Methods module.
• ​Begin introductory reading — consult the Pre-Reading List provided separately and prioritise the accessible introductory titles, particularly The Intelligent Investor (Graham) and The Big Short (Lewis). Each module will offer its own reading list.
• ​Familiarise yourself with Microsoft Office package— proficiency in MS Office is an essential professional skill. If you are not already confident, complete introductory course before term begins. Please note that you will get access to Office 365 package while you are studying at CCCU.
• ​Set up your University IT accounts — ensure your CCCU email, Blackboard access, and Library accounts are all active before your first week of teaching

​​Equipment and Resources

​To participate fully and effectively in your studies, you will need the following:

​Essential:

• ​Laptop or Personal Computer — a reliable personal device capable of running Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is essential.

• ​Microsoft Office Suite — available free of charge to all registered CCCU students via your University account. Details of how to access this will be provided during the Welcome Week. You may also contact IT services and Student Zone for assistance.

​Recommended (but not essential):

• ​Financial Calculator — a dedicated financial calculator (such as the Texas Instruments BA II Plus, widely used in professional finance examinations) is recommended for quantitative modules and financial analysis work.

​​University-Provided Resources

You will have access to the following University resources during your course:

• ​Bloomberg Terminal Access — all students have scheduled access to the University's 10-workstation Bloomberg Trading Floor as part of their programme

• ​Library Resources — full access to electronic databases, e-books, academic journals, and physical collections via www.canterbury.ac.uk/library-services

• ​Computer Suites — on-campus computing facilities are available across the Canterbury Campus for students who require University-provided hardware.

• ​Other applications – University provides access to computing, statistical and analytical applications for free while you are studying at CCCU. These includes several statistical software applications, such as the STATA, SPSS, AMOS, among others.

We recommend taking a look at the below introductory texts to help you prepare for the start of your course:

​Accessible Introductory Reading

• ​Graham, B. (2003) The Intelligent Investor. Revised edn. HarperCollins.

• ​Lewis, M. (2010) The Big Short. Penguin.

• ​Kay, J. (2015) Other People's Money: Masters of the Universe or Servants of the People? Profile Books.

​​Recommended Periodicals and Financial Press

​Students are also strongly encouraged to develop a habit of regular engagement with financial and business media as an integral part of their academic and professional development.

​Daily and Weekly Publications

• ​Financial Times (ft.com) — The essential daily reference for global financial markets, macroeconomic analysis, and corporate news. Students are advised to register for the FT's student subscription scheme.

• ​The Economist (economist.com) — Indispensable for developing a broad understanding of global economics, geopolitics, and business strategy.

• ​Wall Street Journal (wsj.com) — A leading source of US and international financial markets coverage and investment analysis.

​Specialist and Professional Magazines

• ​Euromoney — Authoritative coverage of international capital markets, banking, and investment.

• ​The Banker — Essential reading on global banking, financial regulation, and institutional finance.

• ​Investment Week — Focused coverage of asset management, fund performance, and investment strategy, particularly relevant to the UK market.

• ​Bloomberg Businessweek — Combines in-depth investigative journalism with market data and industry analysis.

• ​Harvard Business Review (hbr.org) — Strongly recommended for developing critical thinking on strategy, leadership, and corporate finance.

​Sustainable Finance and ESG

• ​Responsible Investor (responsible-investor.com) — The leading publication covering ESG, sustainable finance, and impact investing.

• ​GreenBiz (greenbiz.com) — Useful for understanding the intersection of sustainability, business, and investment strategy.

​Digital and FinTech

• ​Finextra (finextra.com) — A leading source of news and analysis on financial technology and digital banking.

• ​CoinDesk (coindesk.com) — Recommended for following developments in digital assets, cryptocurrency markets, and blockchain technology.