If you’ve decided that you’d like to enter the finance space, then there are plenty of diverse career options available in this industry – so you’ve got a lot of choosing to do ahead of you. From a career as an accountant to a job as an investment banker, this industry has a lot of different businesses, branches and specialisms – so there’s a lot to be thinking about. Whether you want to study in Manchester or go somewhere else, there are many location options on offer.
Decide on study levels
Some finance industry careers are much more study-heavy than others, so you’ll need to incorporate consideration of this into your decisions. If you want to become a chartered accountant, for example, then you’ll probably need to study one of the major qualifications in this field, such as the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) or the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). Some professions in the finance industry, though, don’t require a financial qualification, at least at the outset: investment banking graduate schemes usually only require education to degree level in order to complete, though it’s possible that you’ll need to study for qualifications later.
Think about location
Studying finance in the UK is a common choice, so you’ll be spoiled for options when it comes to picking a city in which to learn. Some people choose to focus on the capital, and it’s easy to see why: with London enjoying the presence of a number of major firms such as Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland, there are plenty of opportunities for work placements and internships here. However, other vibrant UK cities also have educational institutions that are equally as good. In Manchester, for example, the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) provides everything from MBAs to investment qualifications. The LSBF offers free foundation certificate in the AAT Level 2 for new accountants, which gives it a real edge.
Consider duration
Finance courses come in all shapes and sizes – and durations. A typical Bachelor of Arts degree in a subject such as finance, for example, will probably take three years to complete. However, from there on in, it gets trickier: an MBA at Birkbeck takes 18 months part-time, while a CIMA qualification usually takes about four years in total, though this can vary. Before committing to a course, you should work out exactly how you’d manage it practically. If you have family or work commitments, for example, then agreeing to a full-on three-year course may not be the wisest move, unless you can work out a compromise of some sort.
Finding a finance course that suits your needs is essential. There are a whole host of qualifications to choose from, and there are plenty of different locations in which your study can take place – all of which means that there’s a big decision ahead. By carrying out research and looking into everything from duration to course type, though, you’ll be able to narrow down the list and embark on the ideal financial career of your dreams.
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