What are the key ingredients of choosing a university? Degree, location and the facilities and support available make up a large part of the university experience. Whether you're certain on what you'd like to study and how this will benefit your future, or are still exploring your options; your December newsletter explains a little more about Cass Business School.
You'll find a summary of the Undergraduate courses available, showing topics you would learn and where your degree could take you in your career. Plus, read about what its like to live in London; from ideas for exploring the diverse culture, to ways to live in London on a budget. See for yourself with a 'day-in-the-life' video from a 3rd year student. Read on more to see why you should choose Cass, or click here for help with applying.
12 Dec 2011
Why choose Cass?
For UK and International undergraduate students, Cass offers a world-class education, a high quality student experience and an excellent pathway to graduate employment, all based in the heart of the City of London.
Here are six great reasons for studying at Cass:
1. Highly ranked We have been ranked 1st in London and 3rd in the UK by the Guardian four years in a row. We’re very proud that we do well in plenty of league tables – particularly those that concentrate on universities who deliver a top quality student experience, and get their students into the best jobs at the best companies.
2. Our London location
If you want to play as hard as you work, where better than London? It is one of the world’s great cities, offering all you could ask for in terms of socialising, culture, entertainment and sport. If you want to earn a meaningful degree in a dynamic, world class location, Cass is the place for you.
3. Ties to the City of London
Our programmes are constantly evolving to meet the needs of an ever-changing business world. They are delivered within the context of a vibrant, diverse and multinational environment which is part of the City of London. Not only in terms of its location, but also in terms of the role we play as an intellectual hub for the City. Many of our academics and lecturers have worked in industry and continue to consult for corporate organisations, so you benefit from their first hand knowledge and business experience.
4. Teaching you real skills for the real world
Cass prides itself on teaching you in a way that means you will hit the ground running when you enter the workplace. We underpin your learning with the basics of theory but embed this with real life practices so you understand the way that things really work within organisations. We use case studies, real life scenarios and group work to give you a head start in the real world.
5. Our employability record
Cass students are focused on their careers – they know what they want to achieve and that Cass will help them get there. The reputation Cass students have built up with employers is impressive. The major banks such as Goldman Sachs and Barclays know that Cass students are highly selected, high achievers, with the right attitude – and a ready to go to work approach. That’s why Cass is a target institution for major recruiters and why many of our graduates find jobs straight away – some before they’ve finished their final year.
6. Our global perspective
Students from all over the world want a Cass degree – because they know that it takes them places. The changing nature of business is that it is global: to be successful you are going to have to know how business works across the globe, not just in London. The content of our degrees broadens your horizons, and working with your colleagues from places such as Singapore, The Netherlands and Russia will give you hard currency to take with you when you enter the workplace.
Our degree programmes
Our degrees range from general business and management to more specialist programmes such as Actuarial Science Investment and Financial Risk Management. All programmes provide the full scope of business skills and understanding, combined with in-depth knowledge of industry specific sectors.
General degrees:
BSc Accounting and Finance
Developed and operated in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and offering eight exemptions from their Associate Chartered Account (ACA) professional exams, this degree will prepare you for a career with the leading accountancy firms. In order to qualify as an qualified accountant, there are a number of professional exams you will need to take. The Cass course gives 8 of the 12 exemptions from the ACA exams, and Cass also provide tutorials to prepare for the remaining 4 exams. The course has great partnerships and links with the City, with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) delivering some modules, offering the ideal combination of a university education and a professional qualification.
BSc Business Studies
Ranked 1st in London, 3rd in the UK, this highly flexible and adapting to the changes in the economic climate and trends, this degree will equip you with the broad-based knowledge, skills and training for a successful career in the global business world. At Cass, our Business Studies course is well known for being rich in provision of problem solving skills, something that will set you apart with employers. We will equip you with those skills, both soft and technical, that employers most prize. Students who are interested in Business Studies aren’t afraid to look at the bigger picture, and have willingness to question. The degree allows specialise in either marketing or finance, and is highly practical in the use of real-life case studies. Students securing first time employment after graduating from BSc Business Studies receive an average salary of £27,500. Recent graduates have secured jobs with internationally recognised companies such as Goldman Sachs, Ernst & Young, and the BBC.
BSc Management
The Cass BSc Management degree focuses on developing the research, modelling and analysis skills required to make good decisions in contemporary organisations and businesses. In other words, the rigorous scientific principles of a BSc are applied to the practice of management. Our BSc Management degree will equip you with the skills and competencies to begin a career as a consultant or analyst with international management consultancies, banks and other global businesses. It will also equip you with the skills to start and manage your own business or give the edge to a smaller business by providing a better informed view of the consequences and implications of change. It also provides a good grounding for post-graduate studies in a range of areas.
BSc Management graduates seek rich and diverse roles in a wide range of industries. Typical roles for first-time employment include analyst, management consultancy, project work involving data analysis/trends, and the implementation of planning and control within a business context. Others will secure places with banks and leading organisations as part of graduate trainee programmes with banks and leading organisations such as IBM, Barclays Capital, Esso and Morgan Stanley, with some entering postgraduate study.
Specialist degrees:
BSc Actuarial Science
As the longest established Actuarial Science degree in England, and equips you with sound education in actuarial and financial studies. The degree focuses heavily around probability and modeling – what is the likelihood of something happening. This practice is then applied to the financial markets. The degree is ideal if you are naturally gifted at math’s, and enjoy modelling and probability - and asking 'what if?'
In order to qualify as an actuary, you will be required to pass the professional examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Specific modules in all three years of the Cass degree give you the opportunity to earn exemptions from eight of the nine core technical stage modules and of a total of thirteen of these professional examinations.
The BSc Actuarial Science degree will prepare you to become an Actuary - but also gives a solid starting point for those wanting to use their skills in investment management, or financial analysis.
BSc Banking and International Finance
The innovative BSc Banking & International Finance degree equips you with the academic knowledge to operate in the increasingly competitive world of financial markets, and provides you with a broad and deep knowledge of financial management. BSc Banking and International Finance covers areas including risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and profitability in banks using a mixture of macro and micro analysis.
Teaching is much more vocational at Cass and students on the course will be expected to use real data in real situations, using theory but applying it with real skills.
The majority of graduates from BSc Banking & International Finance embark on exciting careers in the faced-paced world of global finance. Many will join investment banks and secure positions in trading, investment banking and sales, and will specialise in areas such as derivatives. Others will join brokerage houses.
Many graduates will also enter career paths in operations, consultancy and postgraduate study. On average, graduates from BSc Banking & International Finance can expect to earn up to £28,000 for their first year of employment.
BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management
This degree is the route to become a trader, a fund manager, a broker or analyst in any area of finance. With its strong practical approach, provides an in-depth understanding of investment and risk management practices, focusing on securities, buying, selling, trading, fund management, and hedge funds.
If you are interested in the BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management degree, it is likely that you have a very clear goal in mind about your future career. You should be confident, questioning, and curious about the world of banking and the financial markets - and want to make your mark with some of the square mile's top employers.
Demand for well qualified students in this area is high and the economic events of recent years have highlighted how lucrative a career in banking can be. Average starting salaries can start at £35,000 and recent employers include: Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas, Morgan Stanley and RBS.
To find our more, visit www.cass.city.ac.uk/undergraduate
Rewarding excellence
Cass Business School is recognising the exceptional academic performance of its undergraduates with scholarships of £2,000 a year for students from the UK and EU.A-level entry requirements at Cass are A*AA or above for BSc Accounting and Finance and BSc Actuarial Science and AAA or above for BSc courses in Banking and International Finance, Business Studies, Investment and Financial Risk Management, and Management (or equivalent).
Those from the UK and EU with these grades (or equivalent) will also be eligible for a Lord Mayor of London Scholarship of £2,000 a year for at least 3 years.
Richard Gillingwater CBE, Dean of Cass Business School, comments: "We believe that exceptional academic performance should be recognised and rewarded so we are very pleased to offer these scholarships. These Lord Mayor of London Scholarships will make it easier for the most able students, regardless of background or circumstance, to study at Cass."
For further information on the new scholarships please visit http://www.city.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/scholarships
Living in London
London is home to more international students then any other city in the world. More than 90,000 international students, from over 200 countries, study in London.
As one of the most dynamic, exciting and culturally diverse cities, London offers endless opportunities; you can be sure that you are always spoilt for choice, no matter who you are. Nowhere else will you be able to find such a colourful variety of things to do, places to visit and people to meet.
People from all over the world come together to experience a hugely diverse mix of art, literature, history, culture and international business, and you will have the opportunity to meet new and interesting people.
Discover new things about London on a daily basis, ranging from the vintage coffee shop around the corner to secluded places right in the City. However, if you want some time away from the hustle and bustle of the City, London still allows for some extent of isolation if needed, simply by sitting underneath a tree in Hyde Park in summer and reading a good book undisturbed.
London is also one of the world's best places to launch a career. Studying here can enable you to network and meet with successful, enthusiastic and extremely inspiring people, and there are numerous events and skill improving sessions which take place in the city.
The perceived cost of living in London is often a concern shared by many students, however London is a city for all tastes and budgets. It is possible to enjoy a great student and social life if you take advantage of the many reduced priced services and facilities.
Students can benefit from the range of generous discounts available in shops, theatres, restaurants and cinemas, and also receive a 30 per cent discount on all travel round London. Don’t forget that cultural sites such as museums and art galleries are free entry, and many nightclubs often hold student nights with discounted drinks deals.
If you want to study in an institution that is ranked 1st in London, then choose Cass.
Student life
Find out what life at Cass is really like - Kasper Hellberg, a 3rd Year BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management student shows you a typical day.
‘Like’ the Cass Official Facebook page and connect and network with prospective and current students, take part in a discussion forum, and discover an interactive map of London; highlighting favourite or interesting places near the School, as well as finding out more on exclusive discounts available to students.
19 Sept 2011
Welcome to September's Undergraduate newsletter
Thinking about university might be far from your agenda right now and maybe it feels too early to explore your options. But thinking about your future should always be on your agenda and even reading this newsletter is a step in the right direction.
Perhaps you have considered Cass as a place to study, or maybe you just want advice on where to start the process, this edition of the Cass Undergraduate newsletter can help. We look at topics from just why university is so good and how to choose one, to how to write a stand-out UCAS application and what you'd expect from one of our courses, BSc Accounting and Finance.
If you want to see for yourself what is available at Cass Business School and have questions that need answering, why don't you think about coming to our next open day? Register for your place >>
16 Sept 2011
What's so good about university?
Three (or four) years of this kind of discovery makes a graduate much sought-after, especially in a tough job market. A good degree is an essential start in any career and the first step in life-time earnings up to 50% more than a non-graduate.
You may acquire skills and knowledge that are directly required by the job you choose, but the real key to university is that it will help you in any career because it gives you the skills to think clearly.
Of course there’s more to university than what you do with it after you leave. It’s an intense period in your life, where you can build your self-belief in the company of like-minded (and completely different!) people. Living away from home can bring an exhilarating sense of independence (and the life-changing experience of doing your own laundry).
Top tips for selecting your degree
Here are the key areas that you may want to start thinking about
- Which courses are you interested in?
Preparing for university life is an exciting and critical time. It’s important that you choose the institution and course that’s right for you. Some basic but vital questions are: what subjects at school and college particularly interest you? Is there an area that you may want to work in after graduation?
You may want to start looking into prospectuses from different universities and get a feel of what the subjects are like. At Cass we offer 8 BSc courses in Business, Management and Finance related areas. Find out more at http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/undergrad/courses
- What are you looking for in a University?
Looking at the leader boards is a good place to start. These are available online, in national newspapers, among other places. Look for the highest regarded universities in your area of study. For example, Cass is ranked 1st in London and 3rd in the Uk for business related degrees (see Guardian article).
University is supposed to be an enjoyable time of your life. There are a lot of opportunities and experiences exclusive to university life. Things to considers are how active is the student’s union and what societies and clubs are on offer to make it easy to meet friends who like similar things to you.
- Consider location
Not only should the university itself be taken into great consideration, but where the university is situated is important too. You will be spending at least eight months per year living in or near your university, so it's important that you are happy with its location. Things to think about are:
How far away from home are you? Some people prefer to get as far away as possible so they can truly experience independence from home life. Others prefer to stay nearer home so they can pop back and get their mum to do their laundry
Would you prefer a tranquil, out-of-town site or somewhere right at the heart of City? If City life is what you want, then Cass might be the right place for you.
- Entry requirements
Get acquainted with the different entry requirements for each university. These are the standards that prospective students need to meet before they can start a course. These may include particular exam grades or Tariff points. The universities or colleges to which you apply will decide if your qualifications meet these requirements when they consider your application. Remember that your overall suitability for the course and your personal statement will be assessed as well as your qualifications.
- How to apply
How to make your UCAS Personal Statement stand out
A personal statement is a ‘snapshot’ of your life, your study and your career aims. It’s your chance to advertise your best qualities and why you deserve a place at a chosen university.Don’t underestimate its importance - the personal statement is a key part of the UCAS application form. If you make the effort, it will deliver a powerful first impression and give you the edge over the competition. Admissions staff in universities will use it to assess your suitability for a course – and to evaluate your written skills.
What to include
Some people have no trouble in writing about themselves – but for those who find it tricky, if not daunting, here are a few tips.
Start by writing a few things about yourself that truly mean something to you. Don’t try to second guess what you think people might want to hear. If you’re honest about what excites you about your chosen course, your extra-curricular activities, your life experiences and your goals, your energy and focus will come across.
Five or six paragraphs, each concentrating on one subject, will do the job. Here are a few pointers to help you:
1.
- Why I’m interested in the subject I’m applying for
- What I’ve done outside of school that involves my interest
- What issues in my subject area are currently in the news
2.
- How the chosen degree fits with my career aims
- What I know about the industry I want to enter
3.
- What I’ve enjoyed most in my current studies - and why
- What knowledge I’ve gained through such things as assignments and group project work
- What skills I’ve developed (for instance analytical, confidence, people skills)
4.
- What positions I might have outside of school
- Examples of team work, inside and out of school
- A part- time job?
5
- My life experiences
- What awards / achievements I’ve received (academic, sports, arts)
- What school productions I’ve been in
6
- What makes me different
- My interests – but be specific: for instance film (Woody Allen? Wes Craven?) sport (football? deep sea diving?), history (archiving? archaeological digs?) music (brass band? West Coast rap?)
Always end on an energetic and optimistic note – say what you are most looking forward to at university: is it the chance to move away from home, increased independence, meeting new people from a variety of backgrounds? Whatever the reasons, this is your chance to sell your best points and to persuade the university that they would be foolish not to offer you a place!
Don’t forget
UCAS has already started receiving applications for 2012. The closing date is 15 January 2012.
Spotlight on a course – BSc Accounting and Finance
Dr Bala Balachandran, Course Director for the BSc Accounting and Finance programme at Cass shares a conversation about the course, Cass and - What is Accounting and Finance, and why is it such a key degree?
Accounting is concerned with the ways in which organisations communicate information about their performance to the outside world while Finance deals with how the business is funded
It is a key degree as it is a relevant degree to the accountancy profession and offers exemptions from the professional accountancy examinations. For instance the BSc A& F offers EIGHT credits for prior learning.
- What makes the degree at Cass so special and unique from others?
Manchester, Warwick and Cardiff are part of the Undergraduate Partnership programme with the ICAEW. Cass is not. This means we can be different. We are different from the other three in that in the third year we prepare students for the external examinations of the ICAE. Also the great advantage is that Cass is in the heart of London, and the City – the world’s financial centre, so all the najor accountancy, financial and business firms are here, and Cass has excellent links with them.
- Which areas of accounting and finance do the course cover, and what are we expected to study as students?
The course covers a broad range of accounting and business subjects which will equip you with the fundamental knowledge required for your future career. Year one will see you cover the basic principles of accounting and finance, as well as developing your quantitative skills. On to year two, you will be introduced to more complex topics such as financial accounting, and are allowed to choose a range of elective modules that deepen and further your knowledge and skills and can be reflective of your career aims.
The final year builds on all your knowledge gained whilst focusing on highly specialised areas including audit, assurance and corporate finance.
- Are there any unique key aspects of the degree?
Yes We prepare students for the external examinations for the ACA qualification.
- What do you look for in student’s qualities?
Motivation., Time management, group or team working skills , above all lots of hard work.
- Some students may feel that Accounting and Finance is quite a specialised degree, is this true?
Yes. It is specialised as opposed to a general degree, however that doesn’t limit you in terms of looking for a job after graduation, you have a deeper understanding of the area you want to focus your career in, however during your three years you cover a wide range of broader areas as well, so the choice is really yours want you want to go into. Many employers, don’t just look for specific academic training, what they want are skills, to be flexible, able to work to timescales, and sell yourself.
- What I can expect after graduation, what career opportunities are available to me?
The world is your oyster: you can work in banks, accounting practice such as auditing and taxation, charities and football clubs.
To find out more on BSc Accounting and Finance and our suite of undergraduate programmes, why not register for the next Open Day on Saturday October 22nd 2011.
You will have the opportunity to meet current students, lecturers, and gain valuable tips and advice of gaining a top job in the City.
Or by ordering a Cass Undergraduate Prospectus
Find out more, register for our next open day!
Attend the City University London open day, and discover our range of degrees. You will have the chance to meet academics, current students and alumni, find out more about our innovative courses and gain useful information about applying for degrees in the exciting area of business, management, finance and actuarial science.
The only world class business school in the heart of the City of London.
Our undergraduate business, management and finance degree courses are ranked first in London and third in the UK (Guardian Good University Guide 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).
Cass graduates are highly regarded by City employers and we have partnerships in place with leading firms and institutions across the globe. This means our degree courses embrace the challenges of changing markets, use the latest technologies and help create a solid foundation for students to meet the demands of the global workplace.
Our undergraduate business, management and finance degree courses are ranked first in London and third in the UK (Guardian Good University Guide 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).
Cass graduates are highly regarded by City employers and we have partnerships in place with leading firms and institutions across the globe. This means our degree courses embrace the challenges of changing markets, use the latest technologies and help create a solid foundation for students to meet the demands of the global workplace.
To register your place please visit: http://www.city.ac.uk/events/2011/oct/undergraduate-open-day
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