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Durham University

UCAS Code: N408 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Entry requirements

A level

A,A,B

We consider all A level subjects, with the exception of General Studies, therefore General Studies would not be included in any offer. A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken as an A level subject, a grade 6 (or grade B) in Mathematics at GCSE is required. We particularly welcome the introduction of the Core Mathematics Qualification and we will accept a Core Maths Qualification (grade B minimum) in lieu of our GCSE Mathematics requirement.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,M:15

We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. Please contact departments for further information. The following are a guideline and may be subject to change as further information becomes available. A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken as an A Level subject, a Grade 6 (or Grade B) in Mathematics at GCSE is required. We particularly welcome the introduction of the Core Mathematics Qualification and we will accept a Core Maths Qualification (Grade B minimum) in lieu of our GCSE Mathematics requirement.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,M2

A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

36

To include 665 in higher-level subjects. If Mathematics is not taken at a higher level, then it is required at standard level 6.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3

A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

DDD

A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.

Scottish Advanced Higher

A,A,B

A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or A) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.

Scottish Higher

A,A,A,B,B

Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis. A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.

At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds.  We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level.  Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements. Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/ A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.

UCAS Tariff

136-160

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2025

Subject

Accounting

Accounting is the ideal choice if you have an analytical mind and like solving problems – contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to be a maths expert to study accounting - communication in both written and verbal form is just as important as crunching numbers. Accountants are trusted business advisors and work in many areas of business. This single honours degree will immerse you in the study of accounting and business from day one. Offering maximum professional accreditation from some ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA examinations, on successful completion you can graduate as a partly exam-qualified accountant, with only work experience and a few final exams to complete to be fully-qualified (subject to optional module choices and to achieving specific grades in certain papers).

The degree has six subject pillars and one theme:

Financial accounting
Management accounting
Technology
Audit and assurance
Taxation
Research in accounting
Employability theme
The subject pillars build throughout the degree so that you can identify links between modules. The employability theme helps you to understand the connection between work done and employability skills gained.

Employability is woven into every aspect of the course, from modules developed in consultation with accounting bodies and leading employers to guest lectures and additional activities. We also offer the option to apply to add a placement year.

The degree has been designed for maximum professional exemptions which means the first two years are made up of core modules. You will have an opportunity to study subjects connected to your specific interests during the final year. You will also complete an independent piece of research in an area related to work experience or an area of special interest.

The BSc in Accounting combines academic excellence, insightful research and exceptional global business connections. On completion you will be equipped with the skills to become an innovative business thinker in and beyond your career.

Modules

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 To provide the fundamental quantitative techniques needed for your degree. Additionally, it provide 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 Introduce 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.

Assessment methods

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 in an area of accounting of your choice is worth one-third of your final-year marks.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£29,500
per year
International
£29,500
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

Extra funding

We're committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/

The Uni

Course location:

Durham City

Department:

Durham University Business School

Read full university profile

What students say

We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

92%
Accounting

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Accounting

Teaching and learning

89%
Staff make the subject interesting
95%
Staff are good at explaining things
95%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
86%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

86%
Library resources
94%
IT resources
94%
Course specific equipment and facilities
88%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

37%
UK students
63%
International students
49%
Male students
51%
Female students
88%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
A

After graduation

The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Accounting

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£29,800
high
Average annual salary
94%
med
Employed or in further education
89%
high
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

77%
Business, research and administrative professionals
7%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
3%
Functional managers and directors

You don't have to be an accountant if you take this degree, but over half of graduates take a look at the rewards on offer for accountancy trainees and go into the job. Many others go into other parts of the finance industry as advisors or book-keepers, and some go into management or marketing. London is very popular for accountancy graduates going into their first job, but it's also quite common to work in Scotland, with Glasgow a perennial hotbed of Scottish accountancy recruitment. If you want to find a job in finance as an accountancy graduates, recruitment agencies were particularly important last year, so try to get in touch with one as soon as you can to improve your chances.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Accounting

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£31k

£31k

£42k

£42k

£45k

£45k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here