Money, Banking and Finance with Integrated Foundation Year BSc
About This Programme
The BSc Money, Banking and Finance with Integrated Foundation Year adds a foundation year in Dubai to the University of Birmingham Dubai's money, banking and finance degree, making a four-year programme for students who need a foundation year before first-year university entry. Blending economics with finance, it prepares students for the fast-changing financial services sector, with an understanding of the global financial market and in-depth knowledge of economics and corporate finance. The course covers economics, accounting, banking, finance, law and quantitative techniques. Being in Dubai lets students see the region's challenges at first hand, from Islamic finance to improving financial inclusion, and look at how FinTech and RegTech, using AI, provide financial security checks across the MENA region.
Course Highlights
- The option to spend the third year of study on the Birmingham-based Money, Banking and Finance programme in the UK: 10 places, for students with a 60% weighted average and the right to study in the UK.
- A degree from the triple-crown accredited Birmingham Business School, studied in Dubai's business hub.
- Study in a region that is home to some of the largest financial institutions, which also feed into the course content.
- A shared community of economics and finance students for exchanging ideas and debate.
- Guest lecturers from the region on Islamic and Sukuk banking, a specialist part of the programme.
- A small cohort, with tailored mentoring from a range of experts.
What You'll Study
Classes are small, students have one-to-one sessions with their tutor, and teaching comes from academics in both the UK and Dubai. Teaching combines lectures and tutorials, using innovative techniques where possible, and students work in groups and give presentations, both skills employers value. Students have 30 hours of contact time a week; the rest is independent study based on each module's content and requirements. Modules are assessed through a mix of exams, tests and coursework that depends on the modules chosen.
Foundation Year
A supported first year in Dubai that prepares students for undergraduate study, covering academic skills, quantitative methods for business and economics and more. Completing it with at least 100 credits guarantees progression to the BSc Money, Banking and Finance.
- Introduction to Business and Management20 credits
- Business and the Market20 credits
- Introduction to Global Environmental Issues20 credits
- Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics20 credits
Students are also enrolled on one of these English modules, depending on their IELTS score.
- Academic English and Study Skills40 credits
- Advanced Academic English and Study Skills40 credits
- Advanced Academic Skills (SSBL)40 credits
Year 1
Undergraduate study begins with principles of economics, economic mathematics, financial accounting, applied statistics and professional skills.
- Financial Accounting and Accountability20 credits
- Introduction to Mathematics for Economics20 credits
- Principles of Economics20 credits
- Professional and Academic Skills Development for Economists A10 credits
- Applied Economics and Statistics20 credits
- Decision Making and Control20 credits
- Professional and Academic Skills Development for Economists B10 credits
Year 2
Corporate finance, econometrics, financial markets and institutions, financial reporting, macroeconomics and microeconomics. Up to 10 students with a 60% weighted average can take this year (the third year of study) on the Birmingham-based Money, Banking and Finance programme in the UK, provided they establish the right to study in the UK.
- Corporate Finance20 credits
- Macroeconomics20 credits
- Microeconomics20 credits
- Econometrics20 credits
- Financial Markets and Institutions20 credits
- Financial Reporting20 credits
Year 3
Advanced corporate finance, financial markets and institutions, macroeconomics and microeconomics, and a researched economics dissertation. Module titles and content may change as teaching is reviewed.
- Advanced Finance20 credits
- Advanced Microeconomics20 credits
- Advanced Financial Markets and Institutions20 credits
- Advanced Macroeconomics20 credits
- Economics Dissertation40 credits
Entry Requirements
The foundation pathway suits students who finished high school to a high standard but would normally need a foundation year before first-year undergraduate entry to UK universities.
Careers
Finance leads to a wide range of careers, including trainee accountant roles in professional practice, industry or the public sector, tax consultancy and banking, and the degree's transferable skills are valued by many other employers. Students get support throughout, with events on CV writing, interview preparation and summer internships, and regular careers fairs where employers visit campus. The University also mentions mentoring across all specialisms and a final-year placement as a step into work, and the Careers Network Dubai offers information, advice and guidance.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation register as the Bachelor of Science in Money, Banking and Finance. Birmingham Business School holds triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS).
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Start Date
September 2026 (applications closed; September 2027 details to follow)
Duration
4 years (including the foundation year)
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Business & Finance
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Single honours, Integrated foundation year
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 123,506/yr
AED 123,506 for the foundation year, full-time, as published for September 2026 and January 2027 entry; each later year costs AED 128,695. The fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation, is charged for each year of study, and can be paid in full or in three instalments a year. Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are closed, and details for September 2027 entry will be published later. Applications are made directly through the University of Birmingham Dubai Admissions portal (not UCAS), with no application fee, and are usually decided within 10 working days of all documents arriving. A non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, is paid on accepting an offer. Scholarships of up to 30% are assessed from the application itself, with no separate form.