From preparing and presenting financial information to interpreting data and business planning, this degree opens the door to opportunities with leading organisations in both business and the financial sector and beyond.
Combining the study of accounting and the study of finance in a business context, the Accounting and Finance degree is an ideal foundation for many careers, including careers in the accountancy profession or across the wider business sector. You will study modules in accounting and finance developing a strong understanding of core business principles and practice that will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to move into a number of exciting careers or for further study.
Using examples from real businesses you’ll learn how a business’ finances impact on every aspect of an organisation. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to make finance, accounting and business decisions, relating to the legal, regulatory and social contexts within which accounting operates.
By carefully blending academic theory with real-world practice, the degree has been devised to give you the skills to succeed in the modern financial world. You will be introduced to the vast array of sophisticated financial products traded in today’s global financial markets. You will cover a diverse range of subjects from essential skills in financial and management accounting to the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data on the world of accounting.
The curriculum links academic theory with practical experience through a combination of core and optional modules that offer plenty of opportunities to tailor your studies as your interests evolve. You have the option to complete the course in three years or add a placement year or spend a year abroad.
What’s more, several modules will give you exemption from some of the ACA, ACCA and CIMA professional examinations (exemptions are subject to module choice and, in some cases, the mark obtained on the module). These industry-recognised qualifications can help boost your employability and fast-track your career.
The first year forms the foundation of the degree and as such introduces the key areas of accounting and business. As you progress through the course you can focus further on your specific areas of interest with a selection of optional modules. This culminates in the final year dissertation in an area of accounting of your choice.
Course structure
Year 1
Core modules:
Financial Accounting teaches the techniques of double entry accounting and its application in recording transactions, adjusting financial records and preparing non-complex financial statements.
Quantitative Methods 1 provides the fundamental quantitative techniques needed for your degree. Additionally, it provides a rigorous introduction to the foundation mathematical techniques needed for various modules throughout the degree program.
Fundamentals of Management Accounting teaches you to understand, apply and critically appraise the fundamental knowledge and techniques that underpin the area of management accounting, from planning and control to costing and decision making.
Ethics and Sustainability will introduce you to the social and ethical contexts in which business operate, using real-world examples. You will learn about the professional codes of ethics, learn to identify when an issue arises and develop the skills to propose alternative solutions. Additionally, you will gain understanding of the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and their implication in the wider business societies.
Introduction to Financial Economics introduces the basic principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics explores areas including the role of consumers and businesses in the marketplace, markets in action, market structure, strategic rivalry and growth strategies. Macroeconomics includes exchange rates and the balance of payments, globalisation, fiscal policy, inflation, unemployment and economic growth.
Foundations of Finance examines the key principles of corporate finance and their importance to firms. It also provides students with a solid grounding in issues of finance as they relate to business and financial markets.
Principles of Taxation enables you to understand the general objectives of tax and to complete basic calculations in relation to income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, corporation tax, and VAT. You will also be able to prepare basic tax computations and provide tax advice to individuals and companies.
Year 2
Management Accounting covers the major techniques in modern management accountancy including decision making, appraising risk and budget control
Assurance develops your understanding of the critical aspects of managing an assurance engagement (including audit engagements). It covers the process from acceptance, planning and managing through to concluding and reporting.
Corporate Finance provides theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of key theories in finance and corporate policy decisions.
Plus two modules from a list of options which may include subjects such as:
Intermediate Financial Economics
Banking
Taxation
Business Strategy and Technology
Financial Econometrics 1
Financial Technology
Innovation Management
Entrepreneurship
A credit-bearing language module
You will also benefit from additional employment-focused activities in Year 2 including advice on optional modules for Year 3.
Year 3
Core modules:
Research Methods in Accounting equips you with the knowledge and skills to undertake an independent research project. You will learn to distinguish between research philosophies, identify appropriate research methods, plan a research project and complete a literature review.
The Dissertation, on an accounting topic of your choice, develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning. It provides you with an opportunity to research the topic and present your findings and conclusions.
Plus three modules from a list of options which may include:
Big Data Analytics
Corporate Reporting
Tax Planning for Business
Corporate Governance
Audit and Assurance
Corporate and Business Law
Financial Econometrics 2
Financial Derivatives and Financial Engineering
Behavioural Finance
Real Estate Finance
Corporate Governance
A credit-bearing language module.
Placement
You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.
Most subjects are taught in small workshops, blending teaching activities with an opportunity to try out new skills and knowledge individually or in groups. Up-to-date resources such as Dow Jones, Refinitiv and Bloomberg are used in relevant modules. You’ll also benefit from one-to-one support from your lecturers and from contact with an individual member of academic staff throughout your course – as your academic adviser.
In addition, the Department hosts specialist accounting events where you can further develop your knowledge and start to build industry networks.
All learning is supported by Learn Ultra, our state-of-the-art virtual learning environment which stores all course materials in one place. You also use it to submit assignments and get involved in group discussions.
We place great emphasis on high-quality small-group teaching sessions to help you get more out of your learning. As you progress through the course, you’ll find an increased focus on self-directed learning and independent research in preparation for professional or postgraduate life. Teaching staff offer drop-in surgeries to support self-directed learning.
In the final year the dissertation module allows you to produce a piece of individual work on an area that interests you. You will have support from an individual dissertation supervisor – a member of academic staff who supports your journey into individual academic research.
Assessment
Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations, written assignments and reports, projects and presentations.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues.
The 10,000-word dissertation is worth one-third of your final year-marks.
Entry requirements
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken as an A level subject, GCSE grade 6/B in Mathematics/Core Maths B is required.
IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects. If Mathematics is not taken at higher level, then it is required at standard level 5.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
We consider each application holistically, on an individual basis and against the other applications we receive. Whilst academic achievement is important, it is not the only factor that we consider when assessing applications and applicants who have achieved, or are predicted to achieve, close to our typical offer, but who have not met it exactly, will be welcome to apply if they have a strong application in other key elements, for example if they can demonstrate merit and potential through their personal statement or their reference.
We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications, please email us for more information.
We are willing to consider applications for deferred entry from those who have well-structured plans for work or travel, for example. We may, however, need to restrict the number of deferred entry offers we make because we have to be careful not to fill too many of next year’s places in advance. However, if you do apply for a deferred place and are unsuccessful, you are welcome to reapply the following year.
You are welcome to apply if you are taking resits; we do not make higher offers to students who declare resits.
If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.
Science A levels
Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.
In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of;
6%, or,
the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Business School (School of Economics, Finance and Business)
Our students graduate with specialist knowledge in areas of accounting and of finance, as well as the analytical, IT and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers in the UK and internationally. This combination of academic knowledge and transferable skills will open up a range of career opportunities in the financial world and beyond.
Our focus on employability extends beyond the classroom. You will benefit from employability-focused events that will give you a competitive edge in the job market. From interview advice and employer talks to subject-specific careers fairs, we work with you to achieve your goals.
Previous graduates have gone on to work within the accountancy profession and for businesses as accountants, specialising as auditors, financial accountants, tax specialists, management consultants etc. Graduates have also specialise in areas of finance such as financial analysis, risk management and investment banking. For employers such as PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, National Audit Office, Capita, Deutsche Bank and Sage Plc. Many have been offered places on graduate talent schemes across a range of sectors, while others have taken on roles in charitable organisations and in general management.
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
100% of accounting graduates are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes
Of those in employment:
100% are in high skilled employment
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduatoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
Business School (School of Economics, Finance and Business)
The Departments of Accounting and Finance are two specialist departments within Durham University’s Business School; one of the UK's longest established business schools. We offer an inspiring and stimulating learning environment, and consistently rank highly for the quality of our teaching, research and for graduate career prospects.
Our reputation is down to the expertise of our staff. Their global experience, outstanding research insight, professional experience and real business connections keep us at the leading edge. We offer a wide selection of courses in both accounting and in finance, including specialist routes that are designed to provide maximum accreditation from professional accountancy qualifications.
Areas of study in accounting may include financial and management accounting, the legal, regulatory and social context within which accounting operates, the mechanisms by which individuals plan their tax affairs, the role of the accountant in achieving sustainable business practices and the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data on the world of accounting. You won’t just learn the technical side of accounting, but you’ll also have the opportunity to think critically about how accounting impacts on the global world of business.
If you are interested in finance your studies may include areas such as corporate finance, investments, financial institutions and the vast array of sophisticated financial products traded in today’s global financial markets.
Both our finance and our accounting courses offer a final year dissertation – an independent piece of research – which helps you build your research skills and allows those looking for further Masters study able to demonstrate their research skills.
You’ll be taught across the University campus by world leading academics from the Business School. You’ll have access to the Business Schools modern, spacious meeting rooms and study areas. The University campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status. Resources include up-to-date financial information and online databases. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.
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The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.
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