Finance Programme

Students are set real life investment challenges where they have to put theories to the test. They gain excellent experience in research, analysis and trading as well as the opportunity to practise their communication skills by pitching their ideas to a live panel. At budget time the Finance Programme leader throws a party for the students to watch it together so they can analyse and debate the chancellor’s proposals and come up with their own verdict.

“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.” Noor, Investment and Financial Risk Management, City University

Finance Programme students attend regular group sessions and take part in a variety of trips, events and workshops, complemented by a lively Programme blog, that helps deepen their understanding of current affairs and keeps them up to date with the latest issues and developments in the field.

Students engage in debates on current financial issues which push them to consider a range of ideas and challenge their preconceptions. Students are also encouraged to participate in essay writing competitions that require them to conduct independent research and present their findings in an academic-style piece of writing.

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.

We take advantage of London’s status as a financial hub to visit leading institutions and an annual trip to the City of London and London Docklands. Students will get the chance to hear inspiring university talks at LSE and UCL and work on reviewing the latest books in the field. External speakers from leading financial institutions in the city come in to give their analysis of trends in the financial world.

Students are offered unique insights into the experiences of knowledgeable professionals from the financial world, helping to shape their own career ambitions. As well as helping students broaden their understanding of how the global economy functions and offering them to tools to examine in-depth economic issues from wide range of contexts, the Programme also create experiences that provide great material for students to include in their UCAS personal statement.