BA Hons Accounting
ApplyKey facts
- UCAS Code: N400
- Accreditation: Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Ranked: 2nd in the UK for Accounting & Finance (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023).
Second-year entry may be available to suitably-qualified students
Study with us
Obtain a comprehensive understanding of accounting with our BA (Hons) Accounting degree. This programme delves into crucial areas in accounting that shape society, such as financial accounting, management accounting, and sustainability accounting.
Studying at Strathclyde Business School, you'll be learning at a pioneering internationally-renowned academic organisation that shapes and develops the business minds of tomorrow. We're the only institution to have won the Times Higher Education University of the Year award twice (2012/2019).
- learn about the preparation, presentation and interpretation of financial information
- accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
- one of only 118 business schools in the world to be triple-accredited by AACSB, EQUIS & AMBA (MBA Today, January 2023)
Why this course?
Our BA Hons in Accounting allows you to study accounting in combination with a range of business subjects.
In the majority of combinations, accounting is fully accredited for entry to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. You may be offered possible exemptions to other professional bodies, for example, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
An in-depth understanding of economics and law will complement your accounting studies and prove valuable to employers.
You’ll learn about the preparation, presentation, and interpretation of financial information. You’ll also learn how to read and interpret accounting information. You’ll also explore how accounting can be developed to meet the needs of society and provide information to investors.
Create your own course
Modern business is too complex to be covered by a single subject. Modern managers need to have a broad outlook.
You'll follow a broad-based Year 1 curriculum which will introduce you to foundation accountancy and finance concepts, plus economics and a choice of other introductory business disciplines.
These modules will be taken alongside the Business School’s core modules for international business, business knowledge and skills (the Management Development Programme), and academic skills support. This provides you with the opportunity to try new subjects, some of which you won’t have experienced at school or college.
At the beginning of Year 2, you choose two subjects to continue studying in Years 2 and 3, along with modules required if you follow the accredited accounting pathway, plus further Management Development modules in Year 2 and 3.
What you’ll study
You'll study core accounting and finance subjects, along with economics. You can also complete accreditation requirements for professional accountancy bodies, if you take the required modules, such as taxation and law.
In your Honours year, you can either specialise in accounting as a single Honours subject or continue to a joint Honours degree.
You'll also study issues in class and then investigate them further in a dissertation project.
Progression requirements
Please note: competitive progression requirements are in place for entry to the Honours year – currently this is a 55% average in the Year 2 and 3 subject modules.
Course content
The Accounting programme follows a suite of accounting and finance modules, providing a grounding in these subjects, plus economics and business analysis, plus a choice of another introductory business module.
These are supplemented by the three integrating Business School modules in:
- international business
- business knowledge and skills, and
- academic skills
In Years 2 and 3 you will study accounting plus another business discipline of your choice. The accounting programme will cover:
- financial reporting
- management accounting governance taxation
- auditing and assurance
Year 4 (Honours) offers a range of modules, for example:
- Sustainability Accounting
- Sustainable & purposeful finance
- Management Accounting Theory & Practice
- Auditing Theory & Practice
- Accounting technologies
- Accounting & Risk
Introduction to Finance and Financial Analysis
This module will provide you with an introduction to finance and accounting, covering the basic concepts and practicalities of corporate finance, the principles of valuation, financial management and business investment, the role and purpose of company accounts and their usefulness, security analysis, risk and returns from investments, and personal finance.
At all times the module content will be linked with financial behaviour and events in the real world.
Introduction to Finance & Financial Statistics
This module provides an introduction to finance for accounting students who require a finance stream for professional accreditation. The module will cover an introduction to financial management and statistical applications in finance.
The module provides an introduction to finance, covering the basic theories of financial markets, corporate finance and investment, financial management, personal finance, security analysis and statistical applications in finance.
Accounting Technologies
This module will introduce students to the study of management and financial accounting. It's designed to provide an introduction to accounting for those students who intend to study accounting in subsequent years. It assumes no prior knowledge. It ensures that, in combination with other modules, the accreditation requirements of Professional accountancy bodies are met.
Introduction to Economics and Business Analysis & Technology (20 credits)
The module will provide you with a balanced introduction to economics which will be based on a programme of systematic directed reading, supplemented by experiments and exercises undertaken in tutorials.
The module uses the innovative CORE (Curriculum Open-Access Resources in Economics) Econ resources, which provides a complete introduction to economics and the economy. CORE Econ teaches about the economy and economics by starting from a question or a problem about the economy - why the advent of capitalism is associated with a sharp increase in average living standards, for example - and then teach the tools of economics that contribute to an answer. This innovative approach ensures that students understand how the tools of economics can help us understand the modern economy.
The second half of the module is the study of how analytical thinking, scientific method and associated tools can be used to help decision making. This Business Analysis element of the module will provide an overview of where methods and tools are widely used across a large range of industries including the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, travel, and electronics industries, as well as in local and national government.
Examples of where Business Analysis is put into practice are:
- the management of new building projects
- the design of efficient transport systems and plant layouts
- personnel scheduling
- allocation of resources and financial modelling and forecasting
This area of expertise can help to reduce costs, increase revenues, improve customer service, increase efficiency and can even save lives.
Introduction to International Business
This module introduces learners to the field and practice of international business and management.
Drawing on classical and recent debates in theory and practice including, but not limited to commercial concerns, learners will be equipped with an understanding of the foundational principles and developments of the subject.
In the module, we consider how international business and management is researched, and facilitate a critical understanding based on real-life case studies in international contexts. This module gives learners the capacity to look at the past, present and future in organisations and provides the foundations for intellectual progression in the subject, and broadly, for year two and beyond.
Management Development Programme 1
The ICE Pathway - “Innovation, Commercialisation & Entrepreneurship”, where you'll learn about the Foundations of 'What is Business’. Alongside:
- Personal & Professional Development: Who am I? How Do I learn? How do I lead & work in a team?
- Knowledge & Practice: What is a business/organisation? Why does this matter? How does this affect society?
- Experiential Learning: Real-world cases & clients; team-based and student-centred Learning approaches
Academic Skills
This class aims to support you in developing key skills that are important to both your academic and future career. These include skills associated with:
- research
- data analysis
- critical writing
- team working
- communication
Management Development Programme 2
Topics
Semester 1 topics include:
- Working in Business Organisations
- Working Business Research & Consultancy
- Working Internationally
- Working in the Third Sector
- Rhetorics & Oratory
Semester 2 is about developing the proposal of Management Development Programme 3; with a presentation and a final report.
Class description
The second year concentrates on developing understanding through industry-specific contextualisation. Sessions are weekly and three hours in length.
The sessions are thematically linked to the pathways for individualised experience in third year whilst also drawing on the theoretical knowledge developed in Management Development Programme 1. In order to develop understanding, organisations will deliver a half-day session. This consists of a one hour plenary introduction where the company and case study are introduced. This is followed by the group sessions where you undertake activities in relation to the case study set by the company.
Course summary
Students develop skills in financial and management accounting and have the opportunity to study taxation.
Management Development Programme 3
The third year of centres on individualised experience in an organisational context through one of the following pathways:
- Internship/Charities - gain practical experience in a private or third sector organisation. You need to negotiate and locate your own organisation and experience – this is one of the key learning points of the pathway.
- Research and consultancy - a facility for local small businesses to gain from the experience and expertise of those within Strathclyde Business School. You work on two live business consultancy projects (one in each semester) and, as a team of six, develop solutions and strategic initiatives for the local SME economy.
- International experience – only available for students who are undertaking an international exchange for either one semester or full year.
- Vertically Integrated Projects - working on a cross-faculty basis to research longitudinal projects (including the ‘Bill Gates Toilet Challenge, Solar Panels for Gambia and Enterprise in Schools) you work with a team of students from all levels of study (first year undergraduate to final year PhD) to further the work of the project.
In addition, you’re required to undertake a social responsibility element (this accounts for one quarter of the overall workload).
These have been designed to provide support to the Curriculum for Excellence and the Widening Access to Higher Education programme. There are no formal classes for Management Development Programme 3 although there is pathway support with the pathway leads and tutor support.
Year 3 Course summary
Students study advanced topics in financial and management accounting and auditing. By the end of this year, you'll normally have completed the accreditation requirements for professional accountancy bodies, provided you have taken the classes prescribed for the accredited pathway.
Year 4 Course summary
Honours classes include:
- Management Accounting Theory & Practice
- Accounting Information Systems
- Sustainability Accounting
- Theory & Practice
- Strategic Accounting & Financial Management in Entrepreneurial Firms
- Public Sector Accounting
- Accounting Theories
- Accounting & Risk
- Corporate Governance
- Contemporary Issues in International Financial Reporting
- Understanding 21st-century Accounting Technologies & Institutional Structures
- Integrative Studies in Management & Accounting
- Accounting Ethics
- Auditing Theory & Practice and Taxation
Triple-accredited business school
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in Glasgow
Learning & teaching
Teaching is over two semesters in blocks of 12 weeks. Classes are taught through lectures, tutorials, and seminars alongside team-based projects, online materials, and interactive sessions using personal response systems.
External contributors from partnership corporate organisations are involved in teaching and/or assessment of student presentations.
The innovative and highly acclaimed Management Development Programme (MDP) is at the core of our undergraduate degrees in the Business School and comprises a series of classes which you take throughout Years 1 to 3.
You develop knowledge and skills in key areas of management, and team-working, communication and decision-making skills, all of which are highly sought-after by employers.
Major employers and alumni from all sectors are involved in the MDP, participating in group sessions, observing student presentations, and providing feedback. Organisations involved include Barclays, Deloitte, Procter & Gamble and Ernst & Young. In first year the best teams are selected to present to senior staff in one of the sponsoring organisations, and there are prizes for the best projects.
The programme builds your confidence and entrepreneurial capabilities and promotes awareness of globalisation and ethical issues in personal and business decision-making. In Year 3, you develop your own pathway from internships, involvement with business projects, engagement in interdisciplinary activities and business clinics.
Assessment
The majority of classes involve a final unseen exam, which is normally at the end of the semester. This is typically supplemented by individual and/or group coursework.
Students normally have one opportunity to be re-assessed for a failed class. Exam resits usually take place during the summer.
A range of assessment techniques are used including:
- business reports
- case studies
- essays
- presentations
- individual and group projects
- learning journals
- peer assessments
BA Hons Accounting entry requirements
Entry requirements for our BA Hons Accounting degree are as follows.
Required subjects are shown in brackets.
| Highers |
(English B, Maths A)
(Maths A, English B) |
|---|---|
| A Levels | AAA (GCSE English Language 6/B or Literature 6/B, or an essay-based A Level B may be considered in lieu of English; A Level Maths A) |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 (no subject below 5 and including English SL5, Maths/Maths Studies HL5) |
| HNC/HND | Relevant HNC/HND, A in Graded Units; for advice on entry to Year 2, contact Business School Admissions: |
| International students | View the entry requirements for your country. |
| Deferred entry | Not normally accepted. |
*Standard entry requirements
Offers are made in accordance with specified entry requirements although admission to undergraduate programmes is considered on a competitive basis and entry requirements stated are normally the minimum level required for entry.
Whilst offers are made primarily on the basis of an applicant meeting or exceeding the stated entry criteria, admission to the University is granted on the basis of merit, and the potential to succeed. As such, a range of information is considered in determining suitability.
In exceptional cases, where an applicant does not meet the competitive entry standard, evidence may be sought in the personal statement or reference to account for performance which was affected by exceptional circumstances, and which in the view of the judgement of the selector would give confidence that the applicant is capable of completing the programme of study successfully.
**Minimum entry requirements
Contextual Admissions for Widening Access
We want to increase opportunities for people from every background.
Strathclyde selects our students based on merit, potential, and the ability to benefit from the education we offer. We look for more than just your grades. We consider the circumstances of your education and will make lower offers to certain applicants as a result.
University preparation programme for international students
We offer international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Strathclyde the option of completing an Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Business and Social Sciences at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre.
Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Strathclyde.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
| Scotland |
Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Funding Council. Scottish undergraduate students undertaking an exchange for a semester/year will continue to pay their normal tuition fees at Strathclyde and will not be charged fees by the overseas institution. |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £9,250 Assuming no change in fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2024/25, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and integrated Masters programmes), MPharm students pay £9,250 for each of the four years. Students studying on integrated Masters degree programmes pay an additional £9,250 for the Masters year with the exception of those undertaking a full-year industrial placement where a separate placement fee will apply. |
| International | £19,600 |
| University preparation programme fees | International students can find out more about the costs and payments of studying a university preparation programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre. |
| Additional costs | Course materials & costsTextbooks do vary in price from around £40 to £100. The majority are provided free in the library or via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) platform. For budgeting purposes, we recommend allowing £200 per academic year for books. Other costsStudents may be required to make hardcopy submissions for some assignments and will cover the cost of printing. Students are required to print and bind their dissertation. The cost will depend on the length of dissertation but an average cost would be in the region of £40. Graduation gown hire. Study abroadTypically, the cost of one semester abroad could be between £6,500 to £8,500 depending on the destination, currency exchange rates and lifestyle choices. Tuition fees are not paid to the exchange institution but continue to be paid to Strathclyde University in the usual way, however students are responsible for their own travel and living expenses i.e. flights, insurance, visa application, vaccinations/associated medical costs, accommodation, food, textbooks etc. Students are eligible to apply for a student loan as usual but must let the award agency (eg SAAS) know that they will be studying or working overseas on a compulsory exchange. Students may be eligible for external funding however this is not guaranteed; the University of Strathclyde will continue to participate in the Erasmus programme until May 2023 however are also participating in UK’S Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme offer contribution towards living costs for students undertaking work or study abroad as part of their degree and is calculated based on length of placement and living costs at destination. Students with an exchange place outside Europe are eligible to apply to the Neil Hood Memorial Fund for a scholarship. Full details of the application process are provided to all eligible students. Other scholarship opportunities may be available through the Alumni & Development department. International studentsInternational students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: All fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my studies?
Students from Scotland
Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland, you may be able to apply to the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. Scottish students may also be eligible for a bursary and loan to help cover living costs while at University.
For more information on funding your studies have a look at our University Funding page.
Students from England, Wales & Northern Ireland
We have a generous package of bursaries on offer for students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales:
You don’t need to make a separate application for these. When your place is confirmed at Strathclyde, we’ll assess your eligibility. Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.
International Students
We have a number of scholarships available to international students. Take a look at our scholarship search to find out more.
Careers
The majority of study combinations of this course leads to a fully-accredited degree, allowing you to train for membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
Many of our accountancy graduates go onto qualify as Chartered Accountants through one of the major accounting bodies (ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA and CIPFA).
Some graduates enter branches of commerce such as banking, insurance and fund management.
Employers include Santander, Ernst & Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, HBOS, KPMG and Morgan Stanley.
This course is also useful for those considering a more general business career.
Where are our graduates now?*
Job titles include:
- Accountant
- Analyst
- Audit Trainee
- Chartered Accountant Trainee
- Corporate Tax Associate
- Financial Analyst
- Management Trainee
- Risk & Control Analyst
Employers include:
- Barclays Wealth & Investment
- Deloitte
- HMRC
- KPMG
- Lloyds
- Scottish and Southern Energy
*Based on the results of the national Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education
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Start date:
Accounting (1 year entry)
Start date: Sep 2024
Accounting (1 year entry)
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