Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance Management

IBSF Code: SBFB01 • School of Banking & Financial Services

Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance Management

Award: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Banking and Finance Management

School: Banking & Financial Services Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance Management
Duration: 3 Years-Structure: 6 Semesters
Delivery: -- Face-to-face | Online | Blended
Target Market: Global Applicants Level: Undergraduate / First Cycle

Course Overview

International academic positioning

Explore Course Overview

Professional

International academic positioning: The proposed programme is structured as a three-year, 180-ECTS first-cycle degree, consistent with the European Higher Education Area, where 60 ECTS represents a full academic year and first-cycle bachelor's degrees commonly carry 180–240 ECTS.

For dynamic changes to course availability or to review details under the official School Calendar rules, view the official Course Specifications Guide.

Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance Management

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance Management is an internationally oriented undergraduate degree designed to prepare students for professional careers in commercial banking, central banking, investment management, treasury, financial markets, risk management, financial regulation, FinTech, insurance, wealth management and corporate finance.

The programme combines the disciplines of banking, finance, economics, accounting, investment, risk, financial technology, regulation and management.

Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies through:

  • Banking operations
  • Financial accounting
  • Economics
  • Corporate finance
  • Financial markets
  • Investment management
  • Treasury management
  • Credit analysis
  • Risk management
  • Banking regulation and compliance
  • FinTech and digital banking
  • Financial data analytics
  • Islamic finance
  • Sustainable finance and ESG
  • Wealth management
  • Central banking and monetary policy
  • Financial research
  • Professional internship

The programme deliberately combines compulsory modules that establish the common professional foundation with optional modules that allow students to develop specialist interests.

This structure is consistent with contemporary business education approaches that combine disciplinary depth with analytical, digital, ethical and experiential competencies.

Programme-aims

The programme aims to produce graduates who can:

  1. Explain the structure and operation of domestic and international financial systems.
  2. Apply economic, accounting and financial principles to real-world decisions.
  3. Analyse banking institutions and financial markets.
  4. Evaluate investment opportunities and financial instruments.
  5. Assess and manage financial and banking risks.
  6. Understand banking regulation, supervision and compliance.
  7. Use financial technology and data analytics in decision-making.
  8. Develop financial models and forecasts.
  9. Apply principles of corporate and strategic financial management.
  10. Demonstrate ethical, professional and responsible financial practice.
  11. Conduct independent financial research.
  12. Communicate financial information effectively to professional and non-specialist audiences.

Entry Requirements for Global Applicants

  1. Standard Entry

Applicants should normally possess:

  • A recognised senior secondary/high-school qualification.
  • A qualification that provides eligibility for undergraduate university admission in the applicant’s country.
  • A satisfactory level of mathematics or quantitative studies is recommended.
  • Adequate English-language proficiency.

The exact admission threshold should be determined by the institution and the applicable national higher-education regulator.

  1. International Qualifications

Applicants may be considered with equivalent qualifications including:

  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • GCE A-Levels
  • US High School Diploma
  • Canadian Secondary School Diploma
  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate
  • European secondary-school qualifications
  • National secondary-school certificates
  • Recognised international foundation programmes
  • Recognised diplomas providing university entry
  1. Diploma / Advanced Standing

Applicants holding a recognised:

  • Diploma in Banking
  • Diploma in Finance
  • Diploma in Accounting
  • Diploma in Business Administration
  • Diploma in Economics
  • Diploma in Investment
  • Other related qualification

may be considered for credit transfer or advanced standing, subject to institutional policies, curriculum mapping and recognition of prior learning.

  1. Mature-Age Entry

Applicants who do not meet the standard academic entry route may be considered through:

  • Mature-age admission
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  • Relevant professional experience
  • Institutional entrance assessment
  • Interview

subject to applicable regulations.

  1. English Language

International applicants whose previous education was not conducted in English may be required to provide evidence of English proficiency through an institutionally accepted test or qualification.

Programme Structure

Academic Year Semester Credits
Year 1 Semester 1 30 ECTS
Year 1 Semester 2 30 ECTS
Year 2 Semester 3 30 ECTS
Year 2 Semester 4 30 ECTS
Year 3 Semester 5 30 ECTS
Year 3 Semester 6 30 ECTS
TOTAL 6 Semesters 180 ECTS

Important: Each semester contains 24 ECTS of compulsory modules and 6 ECTS of optional modules. Students select one 6-ECTS option from the approved list.

This creates a programme with a strong common professional core while allowing students to progressively specialise.

Year One — Foundations Of Banking And Finance

SEMESTER 1

Foundations of Business, Economics and Banking

Compulsory Modules — 24 ECTS

Code Module ECTS
BFM 101 Principles of Banking and Financial Services 6
BFM 102 Principles of Economics 6
BFM 103 Financial Accounting I 6
BFM 104 Business Mathematics and Financial Mathematics 6
Compulsory Total 24

Optional Modules — Choose ONE — 6 ECTS

Code Optional Module ECTS
BFM 105A Business Communication and Professional Skills 6
BFM 105B Digital Literacy and Information Systems 6
BFM 105C Introduction to Entrepreneurship 6
BFM 105D Introduction to International Business 6

Semester Total: 30 ECTS

Major learning areas

Principles of Banking and Financial Services

  • History and evolution of banking
  • Commercial banking
  • Retail banking
  • Corporate banking
  • Financial intermediation
  • Banking products
  • Financial institutions

Principles of Economics

  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Markets
  • Inflation
  • Employment
  • Economic growth
  • Fiscal and monetary policy

Financial Accounting I

  • Accounting principles
  • Double-entry accounting
  • Journals and ledgers
  • Trial balance
  • Income statements
  • Balance sheets
  • Cash-flow fundamentals

Business & Financial Mathematics

  • Percentages
  • Ratios
  • Interest
  • Present value
  • Future value
  • Annuities
  • Loan calculations
  • Amortisation

SEMESTER 2

Accounting, Statistics and Banking Operations

Compulsory Modules — 24 ECTS

Code Module ECTS
BFM 106 Financial Accounting II 6
BFM 107 Microeconomics and Macroeconomics 6
BFM 108 Banking Operations and Management 6
BFM 109 Statistics for Finance and Business 6
Compulsory Total 24

Optional Modules — Choose ONE — 6 ECTS

Code Optional Module ECTS
BFM 110A Business Law and Legal Environment 6
BFM 110B Corporate Governance and Business Ethics 6
BFM 110C Marketing of Financial Services 6
BFM 110D Customer Relationship Management in Banking 6

Semester Total: 30 ECTS

Major learning areas

Banking Operations and Management

  • Deposit operations
  • Current and savings accounts
  • Lending
  • Payments
  • Cards
  • ATM operations
  • Branch operations
  • Customer service
  • Digital banking

Statistics for Finance

  • Descriptive statistics
  • Probability
  • Sampling
  • Correlation
  • Regression
  • Statistical inference
  • Financial data interpretation

Year Two — Finance, Investment And Risk

SEMESTER 3

Financial Markets, Corporate Finance and Investment

Compulsory Modules — 24 ECTS

Code Module ECTS
BFM 201 Financial Markets and Institutions 6
BFM 202 Corporate Finance 6
BFM 203 Financial Statement Analysis 6
BFM 204 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management I 6
Compulsory Total 24

Optional Modules — Choose ONE — 6 ECTS

Code Optional Module ECTS
BFM 205A Research Methods in Business  and Finance 6
BFM 205B Business Analytics for Finance 6
BFM 205C Entrepreneurship and Small Business Finance 6
BFM 205D Financial Econometrics 6

Semester Total: 30 ECTS

Major learning areas

Financial Markets and Institutions

  • Money markets
  • Capital markets
  • Bond markets
  • Equity markets
  • Foreign-exchange markets
  • Investment institutions
  • Financial intermediaries

Corporate Finance

  • Capital budgeting
  • Cost of capital
  • Capital structure
  • Dividend policy
  • Working capital
  • Business valuation

Financial Statement Analysis

  • Ratio analysis
  • Profitability
  • Liquidity
  • Solvency
  • Cash-flow analysis
  • Credit analysis

Investment Analysis

  • Risk and return
  • Equity valuation
  • Bond valuation
  • Portfolio theory
  • Diversification
  • Asset allocation

SEMESTER 4

Risk, Treasury and International Finance

Compulsory Modules — 24 ECTS

Code Module ECTS
BFM 206 Banking Risk Management 6
BFM 207 Treasury and Liquidity Management 6
BFM 208 International Banking and Finance 6
BFM 209 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management II 6
Compulsory Total 24

Optional Modules — Choose ONE — 6 ECTS

Code Optional Module ECTS
BFM 210A Insurance and Risk Management 6
BFM 210B Pension Fund Investment Management 6
BFM 210C Foreign Exchange and Derivatives 6
BFM 210D Development Finance 6

Semester Total: 30 ECTS

Major learning areas

Banking Risk Management

  • Credit risk
  • Market risk
  • Liquidity risk
  • Operational risk
  • Interest-rate risk
  • Foreign-exchange risk
  • Enterprise risk management

Treasury and Liquidity Management

  • Bank treasury
  • Cash management
  • Liquidity forecasting
  • Asset-liability management
  • Interest-rate management
  • Foreign-exchange management

International Banking and Finance

  • International financial systems
  • Cross-border banking
  • International payments
  • Correspondent banking
  • Country risk
  • Sovereign risk
  • International capital flows

Year Three — Advanced Banking, Fintech And Strategic Finance

SEMESTER 5

Banking Regulation, FinTech and Advanced Finance

Compulsory Modules — 24 ECTS

Code Module ECTS
BFM 301 Banking Regulation, Supervision and Compliance 6
BFM 302 FinTech, Digital Banking and Payment Systems 6
BFM 303 Financial Modelling and Data Analytics 6
BFM 304 Strategic Financial Management 6
Compulsory Total 24

Optional Modules — Choose ONE — 6 ECTS

Code Optional Module ECTS
BFM 305A Islamic Finance and Banking 6
BFM 305B Sustainable Finance, ESG and Green Investment 6
BFM 305C Wealth Management and Private Banking 6
BFM 305D Financial Crime, AML and Forensic Finance 6

Semester Total: 30 ECTS

Major learning areas

Banking Regulation and Supervision

  • Prudential regulation
  • Banking supervision
  • Capital requirements
  • Governance
  • Compliance
  • AML/CFT
  • KYC
  • Consumer protection

FinTech and Digital Banking

  • Mobile banking
  • Digital payments
  • Open banking
  • Blockchain
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Digital identity
  • Cybersecurity
  • RegTech
  • SupTech
  • CBDCs

Financial Modelling and Data Analytics

  • Excel modelling
  • Forecasting
  • Scenario analysis
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Financial dashboards
  • Data visualisation
  • Predictive analytics

Strategic Financial Management

  • Financial strategy
  • Capital allocation
  • Business valuation
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Restructuring
  • Financial performance management

SEMESTER 6

Central Banking, Professional Practice and Research

Compulsory Modules — 24 ECTS

Code Module ECTS
BFM 306 Central Banking, Monetary Policy and Financial Stability 6
BFM 307 Advanced Banking and Financial Management 6
BFM 308 Banking & Finance Internship / Professional Practice 6
BFM 309 Bachelor Research Project / Dissertation 6
Compulsory Total 24

Optional Modules — Choose ONE — 6 ECTS

Code Optional Module ECTS
BFM 310A International Treasury and Public Finance 6
BFM 310B Advanced Investment and Portfolio Management 6
BFM 310C Central Bank Digital Currency and Digital Finance 6
BFM 310D Financial Inclusion and Development Finance 6

Semester Total: 30 ECTS

Specialisation Pathways

The optional modules can be deliberately organised into specialist pathways.

PATHWAY 1 — COMMERCIAL BANKING

Recommended options:

  • Banking Operations
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Banking Risk Management
  • Banking Regulation
  • Advanced Banking Management

Potential careers: Branch Manager, Banking Officer, Credit Analyst, Relationship Manager, Corporate Banking Officer.

PATHWAY 2 — INVESTMENT & WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Recommended options:

  • Investment Analysis
  • Portfolio Management
  • Financial Econometrics
  • Advanced Investment
  • Wealth Management

Potential careers: Investment Analyst, Portfolio Analyst, Wealth Manager, Investment Officer.

PATHWAY 3 — CENTRAL BANKING & TREASURY

Recommended options:

  • Development Finance
  • Foreign Exchange
  • Treasury Management
  • Central Banking
  • International Treasury and Public Finance

Potential careers: Treasury Analyst, Central Banking Officer, Monetary Policy Analyst, Financial Markets Analyst.

PATHWAY 4 — FINTECH & DIGITAL BANKING

Recommended options:

  • Digital Literacy
  • Business Analytics
  • FinTech
  • CBDC
  • Digital Finance

Potential careers: FinTech Analyst, Digital Banking Officer, Payments Analyst, Financial Data Analyst, Digital Finance Specialist.

 

PATHWAY 5 — RISK, COMPLIANCE & FINANCIAL CRIME

Recommended options:

  • Risk Management
  • Financial Crime
  • AML/CFT
  • Banking Compliance
  • Forensic Finance

Potential careers: Risk Analyst, Compliance Officer, AML Analyst, Financial Crime Analyst, Internal Control Officer.

PATHWAY 6 — ISLAMIC & SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

Recommended options:

  • Islamic Finance
  • ESG
  • Green Investment
  • Sustainable Finance
  • Financial Inclusion

Potential careers: Islamic Banking Officer, ESG Analyst, Sustainable Investment Analyst, Development Finance Officer.

Learning and Teaching Approach

The programme should use a combination of academic, applied and experiential learning.

Teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Seminars
  • Case studies
  • Banking simulations
  • Investment simulations
  • Financial modelling
  • Group projects
  • Problem-based learning
  • Research projects
  • Industry guest lectures
  • Banking-sector visits
  • Internship
  • Digital learning platforms

The inclusion of internships, consulting projects, study abroad and other experiential activities is consistent with contemporary international business-education approaches.

Learning and Assessment

Assessment should measure both academic knowledge and professional competence.

Recommended assessment framework

Assessment Indicative Weight
Final examinations 30%
Continuous assessment/tests 10%
Individual assignments 10%
Case studies 10%
Practical financial modelling/analytics 10%
Group projects & presentations 10%
Research assignments 5%
Professional/internship assessment 5%
Final research project/dissertation 10%
Total 100%

Assessment may include:

  • Written examinations
  • Online examinations
  • Case-study analysis
  • Financial modelling
  • Investment simulations
  • Portfolio construction
  • Credit-analysis exercises
  • Financial-data analysis
  • Presentations
  • Group projects
  • Research papers
  • Internship reports
  • Dissertation

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should demonstrate the ability to:

Knowledge

  • Explain banking and financial systems.
  • Understand financial markets and institutions.
  • Explain accounting and economic principles.
  • Understand investment and financial instruments.
  • Explain financial regulation and supervision.

Analytical Competence

  • Analyse financial statements.
  • Evaluate credit applications.
  • Assess financial risks.
  • Analyse investment opportunities.
  • Construct financial models.
  • Interpret financial and economic data.

Digital Competence

  • Use spreadsheet-based financial models.
  • Apply data analytics to financial problems.
  • Understand digital banking and payment systems.
  • Evaluate FinTech applications.
  • Understand emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain and CBDCs.

Professional Competence

  • Make evidence-based financial decisions.
  • Communicate financial information.
  • Work effectively in financial-sector teams.
  • Demonstrate ethical conduct.
  • Apply global and cross-cultural perspectives to financial management.

International Standards and Benchmarking

The diploma is positioned as internationally benchmarked, drawing on Islamic-finance standards alongside mainstream international investment and financial-management practices.

AAOIFI

The programme uses AAOIFI as a major specialist reference for:

  • Islamic investment
  • Shari’ah-compliant financial contracts
  • Islamic capital markets
  • Sukuk
  • Investment funds
  • Shari’ah screening
  • Governance
  • Ethics.

AAOIFI states that its Shari’ah standards cover Islamic banking, insurance, investment banking, capital markets and financing, and are used by regulators and financial institutions in numerous jurisdictions.

AAOIFI’s current standards framework also includes specific governance standards for areas such as Sukuk, Shari’ah compliance, internal Shari’ah audit and Shari’ah governance.

IFSB

Relevant IFSB principles include:

  • Islamic investment risk
  • Capital adequacy
  • Governance
  • Disclosure
  • Risk management
  • Supervisory review
  • Investment-account considerations.

IFSB’s disclosure framework emphasises transparent, timely and relevant information about the financial condition and risk profile of Islamic financial institutions.

International Financial Reporting

Students are introduced to relevant IFRS concepts applicable to investment and financial instruments.

For example, IFRS 9 addresses classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities, including amortised cost and fair-value categories.

The programme uses these concepts comparatively, recognising that Islamic investments may have distinctive contractual and Shari’ah characteristics.

European Benchmarking

Relevant European investment-management concepts include:

  • Investor protection
  • Suitability and conduct
  • Financial-market regulation
  • Investment-fund governance
  • Sustainable finance
  • Risk management
  • Portfolio management.

United States Benchmarking

Relevant U.S. concepts include:

  • Investment analysis
  • Portfolio management
  • Fiduciary principles
  • Investor protection
  • Asset allocation
  • Wealth management
  • Financial planning
  • Investment advisory practices.

Graduate Destination

The degree is designed to support employment across banking, finance, investment, government and technology-driven financial services.

 

 

 

Commercial Banking

  • Banking Officer
  • Credit Officer
  • Credit Analyst
  • Relationship Manager
  • Corporate Banking Officer
  • Retail Banking Officer
  • Branch Operations Officer
  • Treasury Officer
  • Payments Officer
  • Digital Banking Officer

Investment & Finance

  • Financial Analyst
  • Investment Analyst
  • Portfolio Analyst
  • Investment Officer
  • Corporate Finance Analyst
  • Treasury Analyst
  • Financial Planning Analyst
  • Wealth Management Associate

Risk & Compliance

  • Risk Analyst
  • Credit Risk Analyst
  • Operational Risk Officer
  • Compliance Officer
  • AML/KYC Analyst
  • Financial Crime Analyst
  • Internal Control Officer

Central Banking & Public Finance

  • Central Banking Analyst
  • Monetary Policy Analyst
  • Financial Markets Analyst
  • Treasury Analyst
  • Public Finance Analyst
  • Financial Stability Analyst

FinTech

  • FinTech Analyst
  • Digital Finance Officer
  • Payments Analyst
  • Financial Data Analyst
  • Digital Banking Analyst
  • RegTech Analyst

Other Financial Institutions

Graduates can also work in:

  • Insurance companies
  • Pension funds
  • Investment funds
  • Microfinance institutions
  • Development-finance institutions
  • Financial regulators
  • Accounting firms
  • Audit firms
  • Consulting firms
  • Corporate finance departments
  • International financial organisations

International academic positioning

Award: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Banking and Finance Management
Duration: 3 Years
Structure: 6 Semesters
European Credit Framework: 180 ECTS
US Credit Reference: Approximately 120 semester-credit equivalent
Delivery: Face-to-face | Online | Blended
Language: English
Level: Undergraduate / First Cycle

International academic positioning

The proposed programme is structured as a three-year, 180-ECTS first-cycle degree, consistent with the European Higher Education Area, where 60 ECTS represents a full academic year and first-cycle bachelor’s degrees commonly carry 180–240 ECTS.

For international comparability, the curriculum is also designed around the broad business-school expectations reflected in international standards, including accounting, economics, finance, management, information systems and quantitative methods, together with analytical, ethical, global and experiential learning.

For the US comparison, a typical bachelor’s degree is commonly structured around 120 semester credits; therefore, the institution should specify its official credit-conversion policy when presenting the 180 ECTS programme to US institutions or credential evaluators.