Study Finance and Accounting in the UK
Overview
A Finance and Accounting BSc (Hons) is an excellent choice for students who want to develop a strong understanding of accounting, finance and business while preparing for a wide range of professional careers.
This degree combines the theoretical and practical aspects of finance and accounting, helping students understand how financial information is created, analysed and used to support business decisions. Alongside technical knowledge, students develop valuable transferable skills including communication, problem-solving, enterprise and quantitative analysis.
Whether your ambition is to become a qualified accountant, work in financial services, pursue auditing or taxation, or move into wider business and management roles, a degree in Finance and Accounting can provide a strong foundation for your future career.
Key Features of the Finance and Accounting Degree
- BSc (Hons) Finance and Accounting
- Three-year degree option
- Four-year option including a Foundation Year
- Combination of theoretical and practical learning
- Focus on accounting, finance and business
- Development of quantitative and analytical skills
- Opportunities to develop professional and employability skills
- Designed with professional accounting progression in mind
- Up to nine exemptions from professional accounting foundation papers, subject to the relevant professional body’s rules and eligibility requirements
- Employability support including CV development, interview techniques and career counselling
What Will You Study?
The Finance and Accounting degree is designed to progressively develop your knowledge from fundamental accounting and finance principles through to advanced financial management, auditing and strategic business decision-making.
The course combines academic learning with practical and real-world content, helping students develop skills that can be applied in professional environments.
Foundation Year
Students taking the Foundation Year develop the academic, digital and professional skills needed to progress successfully onto the degree.
Modules include:
- Academic and Study Skills
- Data and Digital Skills
- Personal and Professional Development
- Skills for Accounting and Finance
- Foundations of Accounting and Finance
The Foundation Year can be particularly useful for students who need additional preparation before progressing to degree-level study.
Year 1 – Building Your Knowledge
The first year introduces students to important concepts in accounting, finance and business.
Modules include:
- Sustainable Business in the Contemporary Environment
- Academic and Professional Skills
- Business Planning
- Introduction to Financial Accounting.
Year 2 – Developing Professional Skills
The second year moves into more advanced areas of accounting, finance and business performance.
Modules include:
- Business and Corporate Law
- Managing Business Performance
- Financial Reporting for Businesses
- Taxation for Business
- Sustainability in Career Development
Year 3 – Advanced Finance and Accounting
The final year focuses on advanced financial and strategic areas while allowing students to apply their knowledge to significant accounting and finance-related issues.
Modules include:
- Financial Management in Organisations
- Executing Business Strategy
- Financial Auditing
- Undergraduate Major Project – Finance and Accountin
Professional Accounting Progression
- For students considering a career as a professional accountant, this degree can provide an important academic foundation.
- Successful completion of the course may provide up to nine exemptions covering foundation papers associated with a professional accounting qualification, subject to the requirements and eligibility rules of the relevant professional accounting body.
- This can be particularly relevant for students considering a professional qualification such as ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
- Students interested in professional accountancy should always check the latest exemption requirements directly with the relevant professional body, as exemptions can be subject to professional and regulatory requirements.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements can vary depending on your qualifications, country of study and whether you are applying for the standard degree or the Foundation Year route.
Students are normally expected to demonstrate that they have the academic preparation necessary for undergraduate study.
Standard Degree Entry
Applicants with suitable Level 3 qualifications or equivalent international qualifications may be considered for direct entry to the undergraduate degree.
Foundation Year Entry
The Foundation Year provides an alternative route for students who may not meet the requirements for direct entry to the first year of the degree but have the potential to succeed at university level.
International Students
International applicants may need to provide evidence of:
- Appropriate academic qualifications
- English language proficiency
- Passport or relevant identification documents
- Any additional documentation requested during the application process
Important: Exact entry requirements, qualification grades, English language requirements and international equivalencies can vary. Students should check the current requirements for their chosen course before applying.
What Skills Will You Develop?
A Finance and Accounting degree is not only about learning accounting rules and financial concepts. Students also develop a broad range of skills that can be valuable across the business and financial sectors.
During the course, you can develop:
- Financial analysis skills
- Accounting knowledge
- Quantitative and numerical skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Communication skills
- Business planning skills
- Analytical thinking
- Research skills
- Professional development skills
- Strategic thinking
- Understanding of financial reporting
- Understanding of auditing
- Understanding of taxation
- Business decision-making skills
The course specifically combines subject knowledge with transferable skills such as communication, enterprise, problem-solving and quantitative analysis.
Career Opportunities After Finance and Accounting
A Finance and Accounting degree can open the door to careers across accounting, finance, business and financial services.
Potential career routes include:
- Chartered Accountant
- Stockbroker
- Actuary
- Economist
- Tax Adviser
- Forensic Accountant
The course profile also identifies these career routes as potential destinations for graduates.
Other opportunities may exist across areas such as:
- Financial services
- Banking
- Corporate finance
- Management accounting
- Financial reporting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Business analysis
- Finance administration
- Commercial management
Career outcomes will depend on individual experience, further qualifications, professional accreditation and the graduate’s chosen career path.
- Employability Support
- Developing your employability is an important part of the student experience.
- The course includes the opportunity to participate in an Employability Scheme designed to improve future employment prospects.
Why Study Finance and Accounting in the UK?
- The UK is an attractive destination for students looking to study accounting, finance and business because of its established financial and professional services sector.
- Studying Finance and Accounting can provide students with an opportunity to develop internationally relevant knowledge while gaining experience of the UK higher education environment.
- For international students, the course can also provide a foundation for understanding how financial information, business performance and accounting practices operate within a modern business environment.
Is Finance and Accounting a Good Degree for International Students?
Finance and Accounting can be a strong choice for international students who enjoy working with numbers, business information and analytical problems.
The degree is suitable for students who are interested in understanding:
- How businesses manage money
- How companies report financial performance
- How financial decisions are made
- How businesses plan and manage performance
- How taxation affects organisations
- How auditing supports financial reporting
- How financial information can support strategic decisions
Students do not necessarily have to become accountants after graduation. The analytical, business and financial skills developed during the degree can be relevant to a wide variety of careers.
Who Is This Course Suitable For?
This course may be suitable for students who:
- Have an interest in accounting and finance
- Enjoy working with numbers and financial information
- Want to understand how businesses operate
- Are interested in becoming a professional accountant
- Are considering careers in banking or financial services
- Want to develop analytical and problem-solving skills
- Are interested in auditing or taxation
- Want to progress towards professional accounting qualifications
- Are considering a career in business and finance