Finance Fundamentals: Financial Planning and Budgeting from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more For further information about registration, the final assessment course, your eligibility and the BA in Business Management, visit the Open University website . If you are aiming to use your study of courses in the Business and Finance Fundamentals program to obtain academic credit, please be aware that the final planned presentation of the Open University Assessment Course BXM191 Business and Finance Fundamentals in Practice starts October 2020. Please ensure that you allow yourself enough time to obtain all eight Certificates of Achievement from courses in the program before registering for the Assessment Course. Details of runs of the relevant FutureLearn courses in 2019 and 2020 are available here .

Topics Covered

Financial planning over the life course
Prioritising plans
Human behaviour and financial decisions
Applying a financial decision-making model
Income and inflation
Income and taxation
Government benefits
Factors influencing household expenditure
Creating and managing a household budget
Understanding when to buy insurance products
The range of insurance products

Reviews summary

Essential personal financial management fundamentals

Learners say this course offers a strong foundation in personal finance, with many highlighting its exceptional clarity and practical advice. The course's bite-sized modules and relatable examples make complex topics like taxation and insurance accessible. Students particularly appreciate the focus on budgeting and financial decision-making, finding the strategies immediately applicable. While ideal for beginners, some with prior knowledge note it can be a bit basic or wish for more advanced depth in certain areas. Overall, it's considered an indispensable guide for anyone seeking to improve their financial literacy.

Mixed views on delivery; some found it dry.

"The course is okay. It covers the basics, but I felt some parts were a bit dry."

"The examples were very relatable, and the 'Creating and managing a household budget' module alone was worth the price."

"Content is good, but the overall presentation is a bit dry. I preferred more interactive elements."

Offers a comprehensive starting point for novices.

"A solid foundation in personal finance. Good for beginners, perhaps a bit basic for those with prior knowledge."

"Excellent course for anyone looking to understand personal finance from the ground up."

"It’s perfect for true beginners."

Breaks down complex financial concepts effectively.

"The instructor explains complex concepts clearly, making them accessible to everyone."

"As someone who felt overwhelmed by financial jargon, this course broke everything down into digestible 'bite-sized modules'."

"The clarity of the instructor and the logical flow of topics... made it easy to grasp."

Provides immediate, actionable strategies.

"The section on 'Human behaviour and financial decisions' was a game-changer for me. It provided practical tools and strategies I could immediately apply."

"Absolutely indispensable! I'm already applying what I've learned. The practical tips for 'Prioritising plans' were super helpful."

"I really appreciated how practical and actionable the advice was, allowing me to start implementing changes right away."

May lack depth for those with prior knowledge.

"While it covers a wide range of topics, I found some areas, like advanced investment strategies, were touched upon too briefly."

"I felt the pace was a little slow for me, having some prior understanding of finance."

"I agree with some previous comments that it might be too basic for someone with existing financial knowledge."

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