Accounting and Finance BSc

Course overview

You'll study your Accounting and Finance degree at our world-renowned Leeds University Business School. This is a leading and innovative course that delivers a strong accounting and finance knowledge base, whilst helping you develop a wider skill set, in preparation for a career in accounting or finance, as well as a range of other sectors.

This Accounting and Finance degree offers you the opportunity to graduate with significant exemptions from the main accountancy professional bodies, giving you a head start for your career.

You'll develop a deep understanding of the way financial information is used and managed within organisations and how it is reported, both internally and externally. You'll learn about the modern economy, the nature of business, and the role that accountancy and finance can play within in it.

This course will give you the practical knowledge and skills that top accounting and finance employers are looking for. Compulsory modules will develop your analytical skills and gives you a broad understanding of key topics in economics, financial and management accounting, corporate finance and financial analytics.

You can also tailor your studies with optional modules as diverse as forensic accounting and finance, corporate social responsibility and strategic management.

Leeds is one of the largest city regions for financial and business services in the UK which makes it an ideal place to study accounting and finance. You'll also have a range of opportunities to gain relevant work experience within the sector.

Shape your learning with pathways

This course offers pathways from Year 2, which allow you to tailor your course to your specific interests or professional aspirations. The pathways provide modules that can be taken in particular areas and can be followed through to your final year. This unique level of personalisation and self-direction provides you with flexibility to meet your career goals, whilst helping you stand out from the crowd when you graduate.

The pathways available on this course are:

• Enterprise and Innovation
• Ethics and Sustainability
• Economics
• Business Management

Course highlights

• Choose to take an optional year in industry gaining practical experience, or immerse yourself in a new culture studying in a different country at one of our many partner universities across the world.

• Access to our state-of-the-art trading room, helping you develop practical skills for your career. You'll have the chance to gain certification for taking part in Bloomberg Market Concepts training in your first year, and to participate in a live trading simulation in your final year.

• Learn from highly qualified and experienced professional accountants and world-renowned academic researchers.

• Graduate with the opportunity to receive significant exemptions from the main accountancy professional bodies, giving you a head start for a career as a Chartered Accountant.

Supporting your personal development

Throughout your studies, you'll benefit from the support of your Academic Personal Tutor who will work in partnership with you to maximise your personal and professional development.

You’ll also have access to support from the Business School’s Employability and Opportunity team who will help you explore opportunities to develop your professional network and gain work experience.

Read more about personal development support within the Business School.

Specialist facilities

At Leeds University Business School, you’ll have access to specialist facilities including state-of-the-art lecture theatres, collaborative learning and teaching spaces with the latest interactive technology and modern study spaces with dedicated computer clusters. As an accounting and finance student, you will also have use of our state-of-the-Bloomberg Trading Rooms, enabling you to engage with practical applications of both finance and investment decision-making. Read more about our Business School facilities.

Explore our virtual campus tour.

Accreditation

Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS

This course is an ICAEW Strategic Partnership Degree and is recognised as a University Affiliation Programme (UAP) by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute.

Exemptions

Our BSc Accounting and Finance offers significant exemptions from the main accountancy professional bodies, which include:

• the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

• the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)

• the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

• the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

Course details

Our degrees have a modular structure. This means that the theoretical and applied content within our compulsory modules provide you with the core knowledge and skills that you need.

Alongside these compulsory modules, you'll also have the opportunity to shape your course through optional, pathway and discovery modules. They're a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out in a competitive graduate job market.

• Optional modules are related to the field of accounting and finance, enabling you to deepen your knowledge and skills within this area. 
• Pathways are optional modules themed around key business disciplines, designed to complement your core knowledge and skills in accounting and finance and broaden your expertise. Pathway modules are available in your second and final year. You’re able to study modules from only one pathway during each year, with the opportunity to continue, choose a different pathway* or return your focus to accounting and finance optional modules as you progress between years.
• Discovery modules give you opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside your subject area. They are categorised into 10 Discovery Themes ranging from arts to sciences, and from theory to practice.   

*Subject to prerequisites in year 2.   

Whether you choose optional, pathway or discovery modules, you’ll be shaping your course to suit your personal interests and career aspirations. In all years, you will be able to choose from a selection of modules that reflect the research interests and expertise of staff at Leeds.

Year 1

You’ll be introduced to a set of compulsory modules that lay the foundations of your studies. You’ll learn and develop the mathematical knowledge and skills you need and be introduced to key financial and economic principles, as well as study the fundamentals of financial and management accounting. You’ll also choose an optional module based on your current level of mathematics and statistics knowledge, and be offered discovery module(s) from a broad range of University-wide disciplines.

Year 2

Building upon your knowledge base from first year, you’ll undertake further compulsory modules that will develop your understanding of corporate finance, and financial and management accounting. You’ll also develop essential skills including research methods and analytical techniques.

Optional modules will allow you to focus on areas including applied credit analytics, business and the legal environment and banking systems. You’ll also have the opportunity to study pathway modules in areas of economics, enterprise and innovation, ethics and sustainability and business management. A choice of discovery modules will again be offered.

Final year

When you enter your final year, you will have developed high-level research and analytical skills. You’ll apply these to a project that runs throughout the year, which could be either a research dissertation on a topic of your choice or in-depth financial analysis on a major organisation. You will also have the opportunity to explore advanced topics in finance and undertake a complex case study.

Optional accounting and finance modules will span diverse topics, such as auditing, taxation, forensic accounting and finance, private equity, behavioural finance and international banking and finance. You will also have the option to continue to study pathway modules. A choice of discovery modules will also be offered in your final year.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information please read Accounting and Finance BSc in the course catalogue.

Year 1

Compulsory modules  

• Foundations of Finance (20 credits) 
• Academic and Professional Development for Studies in Finance (20 credits) 
• Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business 1B (10 credits) 
• Introduction to Financial Accounting (10 credits) 
• Introduction to Management Accounting (10 credits) 
• Economic Theory and Applications for Finance (20 credits) 

Optional modules  

• Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business 1A (10 credits) 
• Foundations of Banking (10 credits)

Year 2  

Compulsory modules  

• Corporate Finance (20 credits)  
• Financial Econometrics (10 credits)  
• Commercial Skills for Finance Professionals (10 credits)  
• Intermediate Financial Accounting (20 credits)  
• Intermediate Management Accounting (20 credits)  

Optional modules  

• From Study to Work (10 credits)  
• Applied Credit Analytics (10 credits)  
• Banks and Banking Systems (10 credits)  
• Business and the Legal Environment (20 credits)  

Pathway modules  

Enterprise and Innovation pathway  

• Leading and Managing Small Business (10 credits)  
• Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice (10 credits)  
• Managing Innovation in Business (10 credits)  
• New Enterprise Planning (20 credits)  

Ethics and Sustainability pathway  

• Leadership Ethics (10 credits)  
• Contemporary Industrial Relations (10 credits)  
• Corporate Social Responsibility (10 credits)  

Economics pathway 

• Industrial Economics (10 credits)  
• Mathematics for Business and Economics 2 (10 credits)  
• Business Economics (10 credits)  
• Intermediate Microeconomics (10 credits)  
• Intermediate Macro Economics (10 credits)  

Business Management pathway 

• Leading and Managing Small Business (10 credits)  
• People in Organisation (10 credits)  
• How Managers Make Decisions (10 credits)  
• Evidence Based Consultancy (10 credits)  

Final year

Compulsory modules  

• Advanced Financial Accounting (10 credits)  
• Advanced Finance (10 credits)  
• Critical Cases in Accounting and Finance (20 credits)  
• Dissertation for Accounting, Banking and Finance (40 credits)  OR Financial Analysis (40 credits)  

Optional modules  

• Private Equity (10 credits)  
• Forensic Accounting and Finance (10 credits)  
• Behavioural Finance (10 credits)  
• International Banking and Finance (10 credits)  
• Financial Derivatives (10 credits)  
• Auditing and Assurance Services (20 credits)  
• International Business Finance (10 credits)  
• Contemporary Issues in Accounting (10 credits)  
• Professional Portfolio Management (10 credits)  
• Principles of Taxation (20 credits)  

Pathway modules  

Enterprise and Innovation pathway  

• Enterprise Consultancy (20 credits)  
• Critical Perspectives in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (20 credits)  
• Innovation Thinking and Practice (10 credits)  

Ethics and Sustainability pathway  

• Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspectives (20 credits)  
• Diversity Management (20 credits)  
• Business Ethics (20 credits)  

  Economics pathway 

• Advanced Microeconomics (10 credits)  
• Advanced Macro Economics (10 credits)  
• Environmental Economics (10 credits)  
• Modern Theories of Money and Monetary Policy (10 credits)  
• Political Economics of Work (10 credits)  
• Economics of Business and Corporate Strategy (20 credits)  

Business Management pathway 

• Enterprise Consultancy (20 credits)  
• Strategic Management (20 credits)  
• International Business Management (20 credits)  
• Leadership in Organisations (10 credits) 

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will benefit from access to our Bloomberg Trading Rooms, including two brand new 24-seat suites. The trading rooms allow you to apply your finance theories to decision making in a safe environment using real time information.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop a range of transferable skills that you’ll need in professional life. These are likely to include coursework, exams, oral presentations, group reports and a dissertation.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or higher including Mathematics grade A/7 and English Language grade B/6 or equivalent, or an appropriate English language qualification.* *If you have a B/6 in GCSE English Literature we will accept a Grade B/5 or C/4 in GCSE English Language.

Other course specific tests:

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications for this course.

Alternative qualification

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer
A level: ABB

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or higher including Mathematics grade A/7 and English Language or English Literature grade C/4

Access to Leeds: Pass

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Read more about International Entry Requirements for Leeds University Business School on our Entry Requirements page.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £28,750 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Leeds University Business School awards a generous range of scholarships.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The deadline for international students to apply to Leeds University Business School courses is 30 June.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

We typically receive a high number of applications to our courses in Leeds University Business School. The number of applicants exceeds the number of places available so, to ensure that we treat all applications fairly and equitably, we wait until after the UCAS equal consideration application deadline has passed before making a final decision on applications.

If we put your application on hold for review after the UCAS application deadline, we will send you an email to let you know. Although you may have to wait longer than usual to receive a decision, you will hear from us by mid-May at the latest, in line with the deadline that UCAS sets universities for making decisions on applications submitted by the January UCAS deadline.

Offer decisions are made based on an overall review of applications including predicted grades, breadth of knowledge demonstrated through qualifications, personal statement, extra-curricular and work experience, and contextual information. We look for enthusiastic and talented students who have the potential to succeed in their studies with us and contribute to our community.

Please see our How to Apply page, under “Application decisions” for details.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

This course is taught by

Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Leeds University Business School Course Enquiries Office

Email: lubsugadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

Careers support

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend an additional academic year studying abroad. The University has partnerships with more than 300 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include the USA, Canada, Australia, countries in Asia and countries in Europe.

You can also apply to take part in a short-course summer school at one of our overseas partner institutions. A summer school can be taken as part of a three-year degree, or in addition to a study year abroad or year in industry.

Read more about studying abroad.

Work placement

Work placements can help you decide on your career and improve your employability prospects. You’ll have the opportunity to put theory from your course into practice whilst gaining practical work experience and transferable skills sought after by graduate employers.

On this course you have the option to apply to spend a year in industry working within organisations across the public, private or voluntary sectors, in the UK or overseas. If you take this option, your degree will be extended to a four-year course with the third year spent on placement.

Support to find shorter summer internships is also available.

Learn more about work placements.

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