Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 2 years

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

Financial Services is a large sector in Scotland with a number of employment opportunities.  This course combines core elements of Business with specialist Financial Service units that have been selected specifically to give learners an advantage if applying for roles in Financial Services.  The second year of the course looks more closely at specific financial services sectors such as Investment, Pensions, Insurance and Lending.  

This HND is designed to provide you with the key competencies required by anyone entering the Financial Services Industry as a trainee, or at a technical level, or for anyone already working in such a position but wishing to lay the foundation of a professional career.  Further details of the topics covered are provided in the section “what you study” below. 

The aims of the HND are to:

• Develop a range of vocational skills specific to the financial services industry, in relation to product and service knowledge, and an understanding of the role of its providers.

• Preparing you for employment in the Financial Services Industry at clerical, sales or administration levels.

• Developing a broad-based range of vocational skills in relation to, for example, communications, customer service, and the use of information technology.

You'll be assessed throughout this course, with the assessments taking the form of practical assessments, assignments and case studies.  You'll also undertake a Graded Unit project, which is designed to assess your ability to integrate the knowledge and skills gained through the mandatory units. 

City of Glasgow College has strong links with Financial Services organisations, which provide industry visits and guest speakers to add value to the academic content of the course. 

Throughout the course, you'll undertake a programme of guidance activities designed to help you make the most of your qualification and college experience. 

You'll be required to attend college on 4 days every week from 9am to 5pm for two academic years.

Why Choose City of Glasgow College?

City of Glasgow College is a next-generation college.  Our Campuses at City and Riverside have been meticulously designed to offer superb opportunities to our students and to meet and adapt to the changing needs of future generations. This future-proofing complements the vast open and inspiring learning and teaching environment.  Here are just a few reasons why you should make City your first choice:

• We have designed our curriculum to develop the technical skills of students and it is closely aligned with industry requirements, meaning our graduates can successfully transition from their course into employment. 
• Our Financial Services curriculum has been recognised by the industry in Scotland as we won the 2019 Pioneer Award as a result of our industry engagement and teaching content. 
• We support our students in a classroom environment encouraging student engagement and improving attainment.
• Over 90% of our successful students progress directly to further learning, apprenticeships, or employment. 
• All of our students have a named Academic Advisor who can provide advice, support and signposting in key areas, such as:
  • Opportunities to discuss your academic progress.
  • Encouragement and an informed view with ways to enhance your academic studies.
  • Planned workshops from the student services team on a range of areas including finance and funding, careers information, help to be a class rep etc. You can suggest to your Academic Advisor workshops and talks that would benefit you.
  • A reliable point of contact throughout your studies, enabling you to make the most of your time at the college.

Make City of Glasgow College your first choice for a world-class education.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

Entry into Year 1

• Two Highers at Grade C or above in relevant* subjects with National 5 Maths and National 5 English at Grade C or above (if not completed at Higher); OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience. 

* Relevant subjects include any from a STEM discipline, Business or English. 

Direct Entry into Year 2

• HNC Financial Services full-time course with 15 credits.

Applications for HND Financial Services year 2 will not be processed until the end August 2025 as internal applicants are given priority. 

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

Year 1

• Financial Sector:  An Introduction.
• Creating a Culture of Customer Care.
• Information Technology:  Applications Software 1.
• Business Communication.
• Managing People and Organisations.
• Personal Financial Services.
• Financial Services:  Graded Unit 1.
• Mathematics for Business.
• Business Accounting.
• Business Law.
• Economic issues.
• Marketing.

Year 2

• Investment.
• Principles of Insurance.
• Pension Provision.
• Financial Services Regulatory Framework. 
• Income Tax.
• Statistics for Business.
• Economics 1:  Micro and Macro Theory and Applications.
• Personal and Business Lending.
• Research Skills.
• Graded Unit 2 Project.

After the course

Careers

This course combines core elements of Business with specialist Financial Service units to give learners an advantage if applying for roles in Financial Services.

Continuing Study

This course is designed as a pathway to BA Finance Investment and Risk at Glasgow Caledonian University. 

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods