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Finance with Foundation

Study level:
Undergraduate

Course options

Study mode:
Full-time
Qualification:
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Duration:
4 Years
Start date:
10/2025
Campus:
Main Site
20252026
Apply

Course summary

Prepare for a career in the fast-paced industries of corporate finance, financial services or financial markets with our BSc Finance with Foundation degree.
The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.
After successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll progress onto our three-year BSc Finance degree, which will help you develop the key skills and knowledge to meet the most recent changes in finance head-on, as you gain a deep understanding of finance and the financial services industry.

Experts from from Henley Business School will introduce you to the:

  • fundamental principles of accounting, finance and economics

  • quantitative techniques of finance

  • role of finance in business and society

  • ethics required to work in the finance industry.

As your studies progress, you’ll gain deeper knowledge of the core concepts in:

  • portfolio management

  • financial modelling

  • corporate finance.

You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and self-guided study. This will provide the opportunity to discuss subject materials in an in-depth way with your lecturers and fellow students.
For more information, please visit the programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/foundation-programmes-ug/bsc-finance-with-foundation

Modules

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2025/26. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Core modules for this course:

  • Core Mathematics
  • Introductory Securities and Markets
  • Introductory Economics for Business and Finance
  • Corporate Finance
  • Management of Risk

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available in the summer of 2024. We suggest that you regularly revisit our course page during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.
Check our website for more details about the course structure.

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
N3F1
Institution code:
R12
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Reading has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
N3F1
Institution code:
R12
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - CCC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 0 credits M: 45 credits

Scottish Higher - BBBCC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DM

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma is only accepted when taken alongside one other acceptable level 3 qualification such as an A level or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate can also be accepted when taken alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications e.g. two A levels or a BTEC National Diploma.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher - CCC

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - C

The Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the grade achieved.

Extended Project - Not accepted

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H4, H4, H4

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M3, M3, M3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths C (or 4), English Language or English Literature C (or 4). GCSE Physics or IT C (4) is acceptable in lieu of GCSE Maths.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DM

The Cambridge Technical Diploma is only accepted when taken alongside one other acceptable level 3 qualification such as an A level or Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma.

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma - DMM

The Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma can also be accepted when taken alongside two other acceptable level 3 qualifications e.g. two A levels or a Cambridge Technical Diploma.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - DMM

The Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate can also be accepted when taken alongside two other acceptable level 3 qualifications e.g. two A levels or a Cambridge Technical Diploma.

OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate - Not accepted

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
TOEFL (iBT)88We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking.
Cambridge English AdvancedBWe require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCWe require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.
PTE Academic69We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Institution's Own TestTest of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Trinity ISEMeritWe require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element.

Full list of acceptable English Language Tests http://www.reading.ac.uk/ad-EnglishTests.aspx

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We issue offers to best fit the different circumstances and experiences of our applicants. We take a tailored and holistic approach, considering extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. We recognise that some students are more likely than others to face barriers to fulfilling their academic potential at school, through no fault of their own. More information on our supportive offer making approaches can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/what-offer-will-i-get

Learn more on the University of Reading website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades students were previously accepted with - learn more. It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course and 5 other business and management (foundation only) courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

CCD Most common
  1. BBC
  2. Highest grades
  3. CDD
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

95% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

80 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

100 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£5760Year 1
Northern Ireland£5760Year 1
Scotland£5760Year 1
Wales£5760Year 1
Channel Islands£5760Year 1
Republic of Ireland£5760Year 1
EU£22500Year 1
International£22500Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For EU and International students: tuition fees for 2025/6 (the foundation year) will be £22,500 (a decrease from the standard International tuition fee rate applicable to the subsequent years of the Bachelors degree). The tuition fee for the following years of Bachelors level study (i.e. those following the foundation year) will be £29,950 per year.

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