Most people believe that accounting is a boring job that has to do with laws, circulars and numbers, its permanent accessory being a calculator with which one constantly adds numbers. Obviously, anything related to the operation of businesses is based on the law and anything related to financial data includes numerical operations, but accounting is much more than this. And finance is a science that stretches far beyond accounting.
A financial expert is someone who will secure capital, evaluate investment decisions, manage the portfolio, the relationships with banks, insurance companies, as well as the stock market in case of a listed company, also dealing with risks, forecasts on the direction of the market in terms of interest rates, raising capital, as well as the country’s economic model. The financial sector is one of the three main pillars of a company’s operation (the other two being production and marketing) and the way it works can make the difference between a company’s success and failure. There are several examples of businesses that had a very good product and successful marketing, but went bankrupt due to poor financial decisions.
Particularly in a complex international environment in which funds can be transferred from one end of the world to the other just by pressing a button, the financial expert proves to be a valuable partner for every business and the person who can successfully lead it to the international markets. Indeed, if we also consider that every business has its peculiarities and moves in a different financial “ecosystem”, it is clear how important it is for a member of the industry to have been taught and to know in depth the financial “personality” of companies with a different organisation and operation: industrial, commercial, primary production, or service companies, banks, stock exchange companies, insurance companies, public organisations etc.
In the Greek as well as the foreign market, specialised financial scientists are in high demand, therefore commanding high salaries.
Graduates can work as freelancers (financial advisors or accountants) or as business executives, or continue with postgraduate degrees (Master’s, PhD), attending all their classes and preparing all their assignments in Greece (in the English language) at BCA.
October for the Fall Semester or
February for the Spring Semester
4 years for October or February entry
3 years for October or February entry, for those students who have a high school certificate (apolytirion) 17 or above and recognized English certificates (B2+ and above).
Morning or/and evening classes
1st and 2nd Year: Either English or Greek
3rd and 4th Year 4: English or
All years in English
Holders of an Accounting & Finance degree from the University of West London enjoy a competitive advantage on the international labour market, according to the Employment Performance Indicators (EPI) issued by the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in 2018: six months after obtaining their degree, 98% of UWL graduates are either working or continuing with postgraduate studies.
Teaching is conducted through a combination of methods that aim to sharpen students’ creativity and develop their critical thinking. It is complemented by lectures and seminars by market executives.
The UWL has received a silver sliver award by the Teaching Excellence Framework, in recognition of its consistently high level of teaching.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter John, has received the highest decoration and has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s 2020 New Year honours list for his outstanding work and service to higher education.
Students can learn foreign languages on top of those that they may already know, thus gaining a significant advantage in today’s globalised job market.
During the programme, students have several opportunities to participate in activities such as educational trips and visits to companies.
Studying at BCA, you live in Greece but you are exposed to the learning experience designed and provided by a high-level British or Swiss University and you are awarded the same, Bachelor & Master degrees, awarded to UK and Swiss students., which are recognized in the Greek and international labor market. In addition, you will benefit from the digital technology with the specialized online educational platforms developed by BCA and incorporated into the Blended Learning philosophy.
The successful course of BCA is certified by the multiple awards it has received during the years of its educational operation. One of the most important prizes was its announcement of being the “COLLEGE OF THE YEAR”, awarded by the Education Leaders Awards Special Committee. More information on the BCA College Awards can be found here.
The programmes of study provided by BCA College are further enriched with industrial visits, seminars and lectures organised during the year in parallel with the curriculum. These co-curricular activities bridge the academic theory taught in classrooms with current professional practice, transfer students’ know-how and expertise in real time, and connect them with renowned executives, entrepreneurs, and people with key positions in their field.
An indicative applicant should possess an Apolytirion of at least 12 or IB Diploma or equivalent. However, we would welcome students to apply who have an Apolytirion of less than 12 provided that their marks on relevant subjects achieved prior to the panhellenic exams in the final year of schooling are at the level of 12 or above. Interviews will be conducted, and applicants will be considered for their overall ability to attend the programme alongside all the above grades.
Applicants have the option of attending the first 2 years of the programme either in English or in Greek. Those who wish to attend the first year in English are required to submit one of the following certifications:
Applicants can be admitted to the second year of undergraduate studies (Level 4) as long as the grade of their high school certificate (apolytirion) is 17 or above.
Applicants have the option of attending the first two years of the programme either in English or in Greek. Those who wish to attend second year modules in English should also submit one of the following certifications:
International Baccalaureate Diploma Graduates
Applicants can be admitted to the second year of undergraduate studies ( Level 4) as long as the grade of their Diploma is 28 and above including at least 15 at higher level. IB students meet the English language entry requirements if they attain a minimum of 4 points in English at higher level. Those who do not have at least 4 points in English and wish to attend second year modules in English should also submit one of the above English certifications.
Mr Elias Pavlou was educated both in Australia and the UK. He received his first degree in mathematics by the University of Wollongong, Australia. He continued his tertiary studies in the University of NSW, Australia where he acquired a Masters in Statistics. Later on, while working in the city of London as an analyst, he completed a Masters degree in Finance at the University of London, Birkbeck college.
Mr Pavlou has been working at the Business College of Athens since 2009 where he teaches quantitative modules and research methods both at undergraduate and
postgraduate level. For the last 5 years he has been a Programme Manager at postgraduate and undergraduate level in the fields of Shipping and Accounting & Finance.
Prior to his teaching career he had been working for about 15 years as a Research Analyst for blue chip companies both in Australia and the City of London. His duties involved proactively supporting the investment management decision making in the areas of performance, fund appraisals and pricing.