In recent years, Northern Ireland has become a leading global location for financial, legal and professional services investment. According to Invest NI, as of 2019, 6,555 people in Northern Ireland were employed in legal services and 39,287 were employed in financial services.
The BSc (Hons) in Corporate Law and Finance is a new addition to the financial sector suite of programmes currently on offer at SWC. The degree has a focus on corporate finance, financial investment and analysis, financial maths and statistics, financial services law, corporate law, intellectual property, corporate governance, risk management, and financial crime.
It is a programme aimed at students with a level 3 qualification who wish to pursue a career in the legal and financial sector. Siobhan Breen, Deputy Head of School for Business Management and Specialist Education, says: “The overall aim of the BSc Honours in Corporate Law and Finance is to provide a sufficiently broad education in legal and financial services, which will ensure degree holders are well equipped for further career enhancement.
Students will undertake a programme that combines technical skills, academic knowledge, and transferable skills that local employers are demanding.
“To meet these objectives, students will not only cover a broad base of subjects in both corporate law and finance, but will also experience guest speakers, industry visits and projects, Erasmus+ openings and access to real-life problem solving.”
The BSc (Hons) in Corporate Law and Finance is a new course at South West College, and Siobhan stated the decision to offer this as a study option at SWC reflects the importance of employability post education, SWC are ensuring that their students are prepared for a sustainable career after their studies.
She says, “Students will undertake a programme that combines technical skills, academic knowledge, and transferable skills that local employers are demanding. On-going consultation through the College’s Industrial Advisory Board ensures the industry relevance of the programme, and will guarantee that suitable ranges of career paths are available to the graduate.
Students who study in both the legal and financial fields possess a rare skillset which is highly sought after by employers, PARTICULARLY In Northern Ireland.
“the decision to introduce this course came from the course planning team, who felt that graduates would gain the leadership, interpersonal, technical and analytical skills that are needed to start a career in this rapidly growing sector. The course team also, in consultation with a number of professionals within the sector, felt that Corporate Law and Finance would be an appropriate pathway given that this sector has been identified as having a skills deficit.
“Students who study in both the legal and financial fields possess a rare skillset which is highly sought after by employers. The programme focuses on the law affecting major global financial markets and their regulation. In Northern Ireland we have access to legal and financial centres in both Belfast and Dublin. Students will gain a thorough knowledge of how law works, as well as how finance shapes leadership and risk management within organisations, ensuring that they are qualified for numerous career opportunities in their future.”
You have still time to apply for Higher Education courses through clearing at South West College. SWC are running a live online clearing event on Thursday 10, September, this event will provide you with information on courses, support structure, the benefits of studying locally along with information on how to apply. Full details on the event schedule are available at www.swc.ac.uk/gohigher