Ashbourne Finance Programme
Designed to give students the best possible chance of getting onto competitive finance, business or economics related degree courses at a top UK university.
Designed to give students the best possible chance of getting onto competitive finance, business or economics related degree courses at a top UK university.
Ashbourne Finance Programme (AFP) students embark on a journey to financial literacy and explore the intricacies of the financial world so they can confidently navigate its landscape. Learning how to decipher balance sheets, dissect financial statements and decode complex financial news are just a few of the skills students develop as part of the programme.
At weekly meetings throughout the term, Ashbourne Finance Programme students are expertly guided to analyse real-world case studies. This helps them develop the analytical, critical and problem-solving skills necessary not only to make informed decisions in their own lives, but importantly in their exams and far beyond.
The Ashbourne Finance Programme complimented the A level Economics course and improved my understanding of commerce greatly.
Zack, International Management, Warwick University
Students examine the historical development of the financial market and discuss a wide range of current issues that push them to challenge their preconceptions and deepen their understanding in the field.
Students practise researching and scrutinising concepts to prepare them to face the more rigorous demands of university courses. Each student will receive individual, expert guidance and support in their UCAS application including choosing the right university degree course for them, writing a compelling personal statement and any interview practice required.
Ashbourne played a huge role in helping me get into my dream university whether that be during the application process, personal statement writing or just by encouragement throughout the years, and also in shaping my personality and preparing me for life after school. And for that I’m extremely grateful.
Ashbourne takes advantage of London’s status as a financial hub to visit leading institutions. Students also get to hear inspiring university talks at LSE and UCL and from external speakers from city institutions giving their analysis of trends in the financial world. These unique insights into the experiences of knowledgeable professionals from the financial world help students shape their own career ambitions.
In addition to broadening students’ understanding of how the global economy functions and helping them to develop analytical, critical and practical skills, the Ashbourne Finance Programme also creates valuable experiences that provide great material to include in their UCAS personal statement.
The Ashbourne Finance Programme was an insightful introduction to trading before starting university. This helped me in my decision to pursue my degree course as I wanted to understand markets and trading on a deeper mathematical level.
Ashbourne’s A level courses, taken in conjunction with the Ashbourne Finance Programme, offer outstanding opportunities for ambitious and hardworking students who will benefit from the individual support and choice we offer to help students reach the highest grades.
Ashbourne students consistently achieve outstanding A level results, 52% A*A (2024-2025), 51% A*A (10 year average).
Over 60% of our students applying for degree courses in the UK go on to study at Russell Group universities, including UCL, King’s College London, Imperial, Warwick and Cambridge.
Ashbourne offers an adult-approach to learning which is less formal than most schools yet is demanding and disciplined. We believe this helps nurture confident, self-reliant and independent thinking students prepared for the next stages of their lives. We attract students from all over the world making the college a vibrant, diverse and exciting place to learn.
Click here to contact our admissions team if you’re ready to apply or want to explore our offering further.
1. What is the Ashbourne Finance Programme?
The Finance Programme (AFP) introduces students to the world of finance, equipping them with financial literacy skills and the ability to analyse balance sheets, financial statements, and global economic news.
2. Why should I join the Finance Programme?
The programme helps students build analytical, critical, and problem-solving skills through real-world financial case studies. These skills are valuable not only for university applications but also for personal and professional decision-making.
3. What skills will I gain from the Finance Programme?
Students learn to interpret financial data, evaluate economic trends, and analyse case studies, while developing strong research and communication skills.
4. Are there opportunities to engage with real-world finance?
Yes. Students benefit from London’s position as a global financial hub, with visits to leading institutions, talks at LSE and UCL, and guest lectures from industry professionals.
