A Career in...Financial Services

Financial Services is a large sector in Scotland with a number of employment opportunities.  Our courses combine core elements of Business with specialist Financial Service units that have been selected specifically to give you an advantage if applying for roles in Financial Services.  

Why choose Finance, Risk and Business?

Finance is a major employer in the Glasgow region with around 20% of the city’s workforce employed directly in the industry.  The sector is key to Glasgow’s long-term economic prosperity. 

  • 48,800 people are employed in Financial Services in Glasgow.
  • The Broomielaw is home to Glasgow’s International Financial Services District with new sites currently being developed along the river Clyde. 
  • 7000 jobs are expected to open up in the next 5 years.
  • Glasgow is the UK’s largest hub for Insurance and Long Term Investment providers.

Fast Track to Financial Services

Our award winning Fast Track to Financial Services Award is a fully-funded (the course is offered free of charge for domestic learners) six-week work-readiness course developed for anyone looking to progress a career in Scotland’s financial services sector. 

You may be an unemployed graduate or currently working but need more experience and support to secure a role in financial services successfully.

Or you may be affected by redundancy in a sector where you have developed customer services and operational skills (such as tourism, travel, retail or hospitality) which can be complemented with an immersive course where you can retrain for roles in the financial services sector.

This course will help you secure customer services and operations jobs in this growing sector, which has identified this course as a key recruitment channel for entry-level roles. In addition to college learning, you'll meet employees currently working in Financial Services who will deliver lessons and workshops, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and enhance your industry network and contacts.

Former student Kris Small recently graduated and said "I cannot thank the lecturers enough for all the work they did, especially having to teach us all online virtually. All the help and guidance given in and outside of the course has been mind-blowing.

This whole experience has been life-changing.  Finding a career path I enjoy, and has even led me to earning a position at Santander UK, my first placement being a part of the Consumer Team at Ludgatehill.  I want to give a huge shout out to all the people behind the scenes who made this course possible. Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks!"

Another successful student Euan Sheridan talks about the Fast Track to Financial Services course and how it helped him gain employment in the Financial Services industry.

 

What are Technologies in Finance and Business (FinTech)?

Fintech describes new tech that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services. ​​​ It is designed to help companies, business owners and consumers better manage their financial operations, processes.  This can be done by utilising specialised software and algorithms that are used on computers and, increasingly, smartphones.

Scotland is home to over 70 FinTech companies and counting. This isn’t a surprise as Scotland has been voted the best European place to start a tech business. The Scottish FinTech firms are tackling societal and economical challenges with innovative solutions and technologies.

Tech Industries are one of the fastest growing in Scotland with huge employment opportunities. Companies of all types increasingly rely on skills such as website development, cloud technologies, machine learning, data analytics and digital marketing to survive and thrive. As the demand for digital skills grows, so do the opportunities and financial rewards. 

Our HND Technologies in Business and Finance is designed to address the business need for multi-skilled individuals possessing the IT, business and inter-personal skills required for the digital economy. 

This course will advance the careers of learners who wish to pursue a business career in the digital economy. The award provides the essential and highly sought-after mix of technology and business skills that enables progress to further academic and professional qualifications before embarking on a career in a diverse range of business areas within the public and private sector. 

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’s 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 have recently 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.

Our Courses

We've got a range of finance courses at the college depending on your previous experience and qualifications. All our courses are open for applications so apply now to secure your place.

Full-time Courses

Evening Courses 

Fast Track to Financial Services - an award is a part-time evening based qualification aimed at those who want to: 

  • Progress a career in Scotland’s financial services sector. 
  • Gain experience of studying Financial Services with a view to completing an HNC/D in the subject. 
  • Have a better understanding of the financial services sector in Scotland. 

Breaking News

  • The college’s joint entry with Skills Development Scotland won the Pioneer category at the Scottish Financial Services Awards for their innovative Fast Track work-readiness course.  The judging panel praised the original and collaborative approach between education and industry in creating a new route into the financial services industry.

  • In collaboration with Edinburgh College, the College was named the winner of the Partnership Award for the college’s collaborative work in delivering the Fast Track into Financial Services course. Beating off stiff competition, the two colleges were commended for their innovative collaboration on the six-week work-readiness course which is having a transformative impact on the upskilling needs within the financial sector.

  • With Fintech expected to be one of the main areas of post-pandemic growth, City of Glasgow College is ensuring the increased demand for the sector’s skill sets is met - read our article in The Herald.