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Subjects

Accounting courses

Accountancy or accounting courses can provide a fast track to working in an accounting profession. Courses usually include learning skills and knowledge (and taking some of the exams needed) to qualify in areas of accountancy such as chartered, management or public finance. You will also study maths, statistics, economics and finance and may put theory into practice on a placement. As well as going into accountancy, graduates from this course typically enter finance, business, the public sector, banking, marketing and management.
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Studying accounting at university

Example course modules

  • Accounting and accountability
  • The context of business
  • Business Law
  • Management accounting
  • Auditing
  • Financial accounting theory
  • Understanding statistics
  • Commerce, banking and investment
  • Taxation
  • Reporting financial performances

Teaching hours / week

Average for this subject

10
Low
12
Hours
13
High
5
14
Hours

Average for all subjects

Average hours for this subject: 12 (Low 10 - High 13). Average hours for all subjects: 14.

The time you'll spend in lectures and seminars each week will vary from university to university, so use this as a guide.

More on studying and contact hours at uni

Who studies this subject

  • Female : 40%
    Male : 60%
  • Mature : 19%
    School leaver : 81%
  • Full-time : 96%
    Part-time : 4%

What students say about accounting

What you need to get on a course

Subjects you need

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required

  • No Specific Requirements

Useful to have

  • Economics
  • Mathematics

Application checklist

Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.

  • January application
  • October application
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio
  • Interview
  • Entry test
  • Work experience
  • Audition

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!

Career prospects

Sources: HECSU & KIS
You don't have to be an accountant if you take this degree, but a lot 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, and some go into management or marketing. The recent setbacks in the finance industry have meant the employment figures are not as good as usual and if the industry recovers, we'd expect to see that data improve. 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 hotbed of Scottish accountancy recruitment in 2012. If you want to find a job in finance as an accountancy graduate, recruitment agencies were particularly important last year, so try to get in touch with one as soon as you can to improve your chances.
Professional and accrediting bodies:

Six months after graduating

Sources: DLHE & Graduate prospects
Typical graduate job areas
  • Business, finance and related associate professionals

Longer term career paths

Jobs where this degree is useful

  • Chartered accountant
  • Taxation investigator
  • Financial accounts manager

Other real-life job examples

  • Actuary
  • Broker/financial trader
  • IT business analyst

What employers like about this subject

An accounting degree will develop subject-specific skills in areas including the theories and practices of accountancy; in the use and preparation of financial information in decision-making and in understanding commerce, industry and finance. A professional accountancy qualification is also necessary to become a qualified accountant. Useful transferable skills you can gain from an accounting degree include numeracy, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking and a business focus. Accountancy graduates are in demand from business across the finance industry, but as many larger firms have their own accounts departments, they are employed all over the economy.

Related subjects to explore

Economics

Business and management studies

Finance

Maths

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