Accounting and Finance

Course overview

This degree thinks beyond the numbers and makes sure your learning is applicable to real-life situations by giving you both theoretical and practical skills and knowledge.

This course will equip you with business-critical skills and knowledge that are transferable in any sector. It will teach you the accounting and financial strategies that underpin the running, operation and performance of organisations, which you can apply to any business.

If you want to progress into accounting roles, your accreditation exemptions from the course mean that you will graduate with a proportion of the qualification already achieved.

The course is delivered by Aston Business School which is part of an elite group of global business schools that hold the gold standard of ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

Why Accounting and Finance at Aston University?

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Professionally accredited

This programme leads to accreditation or exemptions from several professional bodies, including CIMA, ACCA, ICAE, and AIA

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Safe in our hands

Accounting and Finance was ranked 21st in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – outcomes’ (Complete University Guide, 2024)

66th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)

Paresh's story

Paresh Bodhani shares his experience of studying Accounting at Aston University, and how the course helped him in setting up his own successful accountancy practice - Onyx Accountants Ltd.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Course description

BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Our BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree at Aston University will provide you with the essential skills, in-depth knowledge and practical experience required to analyse financial data, make informed decisions and contribute to the financial health of organisations in today's complex business landscape.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a mixture of industry professionals and academic experts who will inspire and excite you. Our degree is informed by our research-active teaching staff who are at the forefront of key accounting and finance research topics with some members researching green and ethical business.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a passion to learn and an ambition and drive to excel. A willingness to ask questions and take risks.

What skills we teach
You will develop proficiency in the core technical aspects of audit, tax and governance and a professional scepticism in reviewing spreadsheets. In addition to digital skills you will learn effective decision making, communication, team meeting skills, business acumen and business awareness. Accounting and finance knowledge and expertise provides you with significant analytical, problem-solving transferable skills that are valuable in all manner of business disciplines.

Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills.

The placement year is compulsory for BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance students. International students can request permission to opt out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Accounting and Finance graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: Deloitte, KPMG and PwC.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach is both modern and innovative. Alongside traditional lectures and training in the latest analytical tools, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience during your placement, enhancing your overall learning. At the beginning of your course, you'll be assigned a personal tutor for individual study guidance. Module tutors are readily available to answer questions, and all lectures are recorded for future reference.

Our emphasis is on practical knowledge application, with guest lectures from prominent business leaders and mentoring programs offering unique insights. Our renowned Visiting Professors, top UK business figures, share their expertise and expectations from students and graduates.

Complementing traditional teaching, our virtual learning environment provides electronic support materials. You'll have access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. University-wide services like the careers service, Jobshop, counselling and advice services, sports facilities, and Chaplaincy enhance your overall university experience and prepare you for your professional career.

Aston University also offers an array of extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies like Aston Bright Futures, which works with leading businesses across various sectors. These activities not only enrich your student experience but also help you explore your specific interests and career pathways.

What you will learn

You will study management and financial accounting, business financial analysis, audit, taxation and financial management. These topics enhance your decision-making skills and give you an appreciation of the importance of risk management. This theoretical understanding will be applied to real-life situations during your integrated placement year before you tailor your final year to the areas in which you want to specialise. Accounting and finance are brought to life through case studies and examples from real businesses, plus creative coursework opportunities where topical business case solutions will be explored.

First year

In your first year you will study a wide range of business subjects, gaining the broad insight into management required by all accounting professionals. You will study topics, designed to give you a solid foundation for your business degree.

Second year

From the second year you will explore financial and management accounting in depth, participate in events organised in conjunction with accountancy firms, visiting businesses and undertake an interactive business game module. This structure ensures your degree is taught with both a professional orientation and a proper regard for the conceptual bases of the subject.

Placement year

The Aston University placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

Placement stories

This course offers an Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway, meaning you could study overseas at one of our partner institutions during your placement year and graduate with two undergraduate degrees for the price of one.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

Final year

In your final year, accounting studies are taken to a more refined level, similar to a professional qualification standard, but retaining theoretical analysis.

A journey of self-discovery

Find out how BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance graduate Syed Hasnat Ahmed embarked upon a journey of self-discovery during his unusual placement experience.

Discover Syed's journey

Course objectives

Develops your understanding of core theory and the necessary technical competence in the field of accounting and related management disciplines.
Develops your ability to apply your knowledge with the objective of recommending and justifying appropriate operational and strategic decisions, based on robust analysis and sound judgement.
Develops your ability to locate, extract, analyse and evaluate data from multiple sources with the objective of forming a reasoned conclusion.
Develops your ability to apply critical analysis, evaluation, and appropriate reflection.
Demonstrates appropriate professional skills including effective communication, the ability to think holistically and to work collaboratively.
Develops your ability to work effectively as an independent, proactive, self-managed learner to meet deadlines and successfully complete tasks.
Develops your ability to gain an ethical approach to business situations, promoting social responsibility and cultural sensitivity.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Foundations in Financial and Management Accounting	30
Careers in Accounting	15
Introduction to Organisational Behaviour	15
Law for Business	15
Foundations of Business Analytics	15
An introduction to Business Economics	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Explain and effectively use a wide range of theories across accounting and related management disciplines.
Use accounting techniques and concepts to arrive at technically correct solutions.
Recommend managerial responses in non-complex scenarios, linked to supporting calculations or written analysis.
Identify the relevant data for use in analysis, and clearly link the analysis performed to the conclusion reached.
Recognise the importance of critical analysis, evaluation and reflection in academic and professional practice.
Plan and prepare communications including essays and reports with evidence of appropriate referencing.
Demonstrate an understanding of the range of professional skills which are relevant to accounting professionals and managers in business.
Demonstrate an awareness of business ethics and the role of accounting in society.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
International Financial Reporting	30
Applied Management Accounting	30
Business Tax	15
Audit, Governance and Company Law	15
Financial Management	15
Accounting in Practice	15
Total	120

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Utilise core theories of accounting and management to address problematic issues in given scenarios.
Apply accounting techniques and concepts to complex scenarios to determine possible answers and select the most appropriate solution.
Make sound managerial recommendations by performing quantitative and qualitative analysis and interpreting data from arrange of sources.
Obtain data from a variety of sources to perform analysis and demonstrate a logical flow to link the analysis and the conclusion reached.
Evaluate and critically analyse academic theory, management and professional practice and reach a supported conclusion.
Communicate concepts and the results of quantitative and qualitative analysis in a manner appropriate to the task and audience.
Apply an ethical and culturally sensitive approach to business problems and challenges.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Showcase a portfolio that includes a reflection of your experiences and an educational artefact evidencing your analysis of a situation identified within the placement organisation or module assessment if studying at a partner institution.
Identify and analyse an organisational issue using appropriate concepts and techniques.
Prepare and present a professional report containing a clearly articulated discussion of issues and recommend appropriate, commercially feasible action for the organisation based on the analysis performed.
Evaluate the use of academic theories in analysing real-life issues and in supporting recommendations.
Reflect upon and articulate your own personal development and learning during the placement year.
Consider and react in an appropriate way to the ethical implications of real-life work situations.

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Advanced International Financial Reporting	30
Strategic Management Accounting	30
Integrated Case Study	15
Total	75

You will choose three of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Tax Policy and Personal Tax	15
Audit and Professional Ethics	15
Financial Analysis	15
Risk Management	15
Contemporary Issues in Accounting	15
International Finance	15
Fraud, Bribery and Corruption	15
Ethics in a Crisis	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Integrate theories, concepts and techniques to explore accounting and managerial issues in a broad range of multifaceted scenarios.
Apply accounting techniques and concepts to evaluate a range of challenging organisational situations in order to solve complex problems.
Justify appropriate managerial resolutions based on sound and integrated evaluation of financial and non-financial information.
Apply professional scepticism to recognise situations where data should be challenged and where information provided is incomplete or technically incorrect.
Construct arguments that use appropriate theory and the results of relevant analysis and evaluation synthesise all sides of an argument and come to a conclusion.
Prepare and present clear, concise and effective communications in respect of complex situations for a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Evaluate ethical dilemmas using an appropriate framework and justify a valid response.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

There may be some change to some of the modules on this course for 2025/26 entry.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB (standard offer)
BBC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)
BBC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDD (standard offer)

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM (contextual offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

31 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 5,5,5 in 3 higher level subjects.

You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 21 credits at distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
Education and Childcare - grade D
Onsite Construction - grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
Digital Business Services - grade D
Digital Support Services - grade D
Health - grade D
Healthcare Science - grade D
Science - grade D
Accounting - grade D
Finance - grade D
Management and administration - grade D
Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Legal Services - grade D

5 GCSE grades A*/9 - C/4

GCSE Maths – grade B/5

GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 2

Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£18,250
During placement year:	£2,500

Fees listed are for 2024 entry. For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

Assessment is provided through a mix of coursework and examinations. In addition, you will also be assessed on your portfolio that will be produced as part of your placement experience. You will reflect on your experience and evidence your analysis of a situation identified within the placement organisation which draws on learning from your previous studies.

Career prospects

This course will make you career ready. Our graduates are in high demand by organisations that need managers who can combine broad-based and specialist knowledge in areas such as accounting and finance, marketing, business administration, and operations management.

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

Our recent graduates were successful in finding graduate accounting and financial management roles such as:

Accountants associate
Commercial analyst
Auditor, tax analyst
Tax trainee
Risk consultant
Business analyst

Graduates went on to work at companies such as Carphone Warehouse, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), RSM UK, Deloitte LLP, BDO and Grant Thornton.

Dreaming big

Ali-Reza Panjwani talks about his experience at Aston University and how it propelled him to becoming an executive director at J.P. Morgan in New York City.

Discover Ali-Reza's journey

Aston Business School graduates achieve some amazing things - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Simba's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I went on The Apprentice

Sunjay's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I worked with Kylie Minogue

Christine's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I founded a global football franchise

Frequently asked questions

Why study accounting and finance?

If you are interested in a career in either an accounting or a more broadly focused management role, or want a career leading a business or not-for-profit organisation, this course will equip you with business-critical skills and knowledge that are transferable in any sector.

If you want to progress into accounting roles, your accreditation exemptions mean that you will graduate with a proportion of the qualification already achieved. Accounting and finance knowledge and expertise provides you with significant analytical, problem-solving transferable skills that are valuable in all manner of business disciplines.

Does accreditation matter for accounting and finance?

Yes. You can graduate with recognised technical knowledge that can instantly be applied, whether that’s specifically in an accounting role or more broadly within business. You’ll get theoretical, technical and practical experience within this programme.

What is the Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway?

You can deepen your learning and stand out from other graduates whilst gaining a fantastic learning experience overseas. The Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway is similar to an exchange programme, but during your placement year you’ll follow a particular curriculum, setting you on the track for our partner institutions degree award. This means, if successful, you will graduate with two undergraduate degrees.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

How will a placement year benefit me?

Whether you choose to study abroad or do a work placement, Aston University’s links with employers and universities around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work.

Our work placements give you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt on your course while gaining valuable professional and paid experience. It can enhance your graduate employment prospects and help you to make more informed career decisions. Around one in five of our placement students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employer.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham