A professional workspace showing a laptop with financial spreadsheets and charts, alongside bound reports and a notebook, representing the analytical and organised nature of accounting work

DEGREE GUIDE

Accounting

What do Accounting degrees involve?

Accounting degrees teach students how to manage finances, analyse financial data, and ensure businesses keep accurate records. These courses cover key topics such as financial and management accounting, taxation, auditing, and business law. Students develop problem-solving and numerical skills while learning how financial decisions impact organisations. Many degrees also offer opportunities to gain professional accreditation or work experience, helping graduates prepare for careers in accounting, finance, and business management.

Example
Modules

Financial Accounting: Learn how to record, classify and report financial transactions, focusing on double-entry bookkeeping and the preparation of key financial statements.

Management Accounting: Explore how financial data supports decision-making inside organisations, including budgeting, costing and performance analysis.

Quantitative Methods: Apply maths and statistics to solve accounting problems and interpret financial information with accuracy.

Common Degree Names

💼 Many Accounting degrees offer a placement year in industry.
🌍 Study abroad options are available at some universities.

BSc (Hons) Accounting
BA (Hons) Accounting
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
BA (Hons) Forensic Accounting
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Economics
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Management
BA (Hons) Accounting and Law
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Mathematics
MAcc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
MAccFin (Hons) Accounting and Finance

BA and BSc degrees cover similar content. BSc usually includes more maths or data analysis; BA may include more business or law.

MAcc and MAccFin are integrated Master’s degrees including postgraduate-level study.

A computer monitor displaying a colourful accounting software dashboard with financial charts, graphs and metrics, illustrating the digital tools and data analysis skills used in modern accounting

Level 3 (A-level / IB Diploma (HL) / Scottish Highers)

Accounting degrees teach you how to prepare, analyse, and interpret financial information. Most universities look for students who can work confidently with numbers and understand how businesses operate.

Universities usually expect:

Maths – most often required or preferred
Economics or Business Studies – useful but not essential
Other academic subjects (Psychology, History, Sciences) – show analytical and written skills

✨ Maths keeps the widest range of Accounting courses open for you. If you haven't taken Maths, some courses will still consider you, but your options may be narrower.

BTEC Extended Diplomas in Business, Finance, or a related area (sometimes alongside A-level Maths or another academic subject).
T-levels in Finance or Business Management & Administration.
Cambridge Pre-U, or the IB Careers Programme (IBCP) with relevant business-related units.

✨ Always check the entry requirements for the exact course you’re applying to on the institution's website. Entry criteria can vary more than you might expect!

Level 2 Qualifications (GCSE / MYP / National 5)

Most Accounting courses ask for:

GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent qualifications like National 5s or MYP).

✅ These subjects are essential for building your numeracy and communication skills.

📘 Taking subjects like Business Studies or Economics can be helpful too. They're not required, but they’ll give you a great head start in understanding the world of finance and business.

💬 Interviews
Formal interviews aren’t usually part of the application process for Accounting. However, some universities may invite you for a short conversation—either online or in person—to learn more about your interest in the subject.

📝 Admissions Tests
There are no standard admissions tests required for Accounting degrees in the UK. This means the application process is usually straightforward and stress-free.

If your current qualifications don’t quite meet typical entry requirements, don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to get onto an Accounting degree.

🌱 Foundation Year (Year 0)
Lots of universities offer a foundation year in Accounting or Business. This option is designed to help you build the skills and knowledge you need if:

You didn’t study the required subjects at Level 3
You just missed the grades needed for direct entry
Or you're coming from a different educational background.

🎓 Access to HE Diploma
If you're returning to study later or haven’t followed the traditional A-level route, the Access to HE Diploma could be a great option. Look for Access courses in Business, Finance, or Maths-related areas—they’re widely accepted by universities offering Accounting degrees.

🛠️ Level 3 Apprenticeships
A Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship or Finance-related apprenticeship is another valuable route. It gives you real workplace experience and a qualification that can lead either straight into a job or onto further study, including a university degree later on.

Is this degree right for you?

Members can explore whether this degree fits who they are:

Skills you'd develop and whether they match your strengths
How this aligns with your interests, motivators and values
Career paths and where graduates end up

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Skills you would develop in an Accounting degree

Numeracy & Financial Literacy: Feel confident working with numbers, budgets, and financial data.
Analytical & Critical Thinking: Learn how to interpret and make sense of financial information.
Attention to Detail: Develop accuracy when managing financial records and data.
Problem-Solving: Become skilled at spotting issues and finding practical financial solutions.
Digital Literacy & IT Skills: Get comfortable using accounting software and other digital tools.
Business & Commercial Awareness: Understand how businesses make and manage their money.
Communication (Written, Verbal, Digital): Clearly and confidently explain financial ideas to others.
Decision-Making: Learn to make smart, informed financial choices.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Work effectively with others on financial projects and tasks.
Ethical Awareness & Sustainability: Learn how responsible financial decisions can positively impact society.

Is this a good fit for you?

Use the tabs to explore the kind of person that this would be a good fit for. Do you share the Interests, Motivations and Values that people who thrive in this course tend to have? How does it compare to your Holland code?

Not sure what your Holland Code is? Want to get a better understanding of yourself to help you understand if this would fit you? Explore our pages on Self-Knowledge here.

Interests that would make an Accounting degree a good match for you

Careers an Accounting degree could lead you to