Accounting and Finance (including Year Abroad)

The BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive understanding of the core principles that underpin financial management, accounting practices, and the broader economic environment. Designed to develop critical thinking and analytical skills, this programme equips students with the practical knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic world of finance and accounting. Throughout the course, students explore a wide range of topics including financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, financial markets, and auditing. The programme emphasizes real-world application through case studies, projects, and industry placements, fostering a strong link between academic theory and professional practice.

A distinctive feature of this degree is the opportunity to undertake a Year Abroad, typically in the third year of study, allowing students to experience different cultural and business environments, enhance language skills, and gain international exposure. This global perspective is invaluable in today's interconnected financial markets and enhances employability upon graduation. The curriculum is regularly updated in collaboration with industry professionals to ensure relevance and alignment with current standards and regulations. Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated support from experienced academic staff, and active links with local and international businesses.

Graduates of the programme are well-positioned for careers in accounting firms, financial consulting, banking, investment analysis, or further study such as postgraduate qualifications. The programme also prepares students to pursue professional certifications such as ACCA, CIMA, or CFA, providing a firm foundation for professional advancement. With a blend of academic rigor and practical learning, the BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance at Essex is ideal for those aspiring to build a successful career in the financial sector or to develop robust financial management skills applicable across various industries.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available. We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Compulsory
Introduction to Accounting; Quantitive Methods and Finance; Introduction to Management; Economics for Business;

Year 2

Compulsory
Financial Reporting and Analysis; Management Accounting I; Corporate Finance; Financial Modelling; Management Accounting II; Portfolio Analysis; br>
And one other Essex Business School (Colchester Campus) option.

Year 3

Year Abroad

Year 4

Compulsory
Current Issues in Financial Reporting; Advanced Management Accounting; Options and Futures; Bank Risk Management;
Optional
Final Year Accounting or Finance Option;
Accounting or Finance Option
Essex Business School (Colchester Campus) Option.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: AAB - ABB
• GCSE Mathematics: C
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 33 - 32 points, including Standard Mathematics grade 4 (we consider IB certificates at the Higher level on a case-by-case basis)
• BTEC qualifications, in relevant disciplines, will be considered on an individual basis, depending on the units studied. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above).
• English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive understanding of financial principles, accounting practices, and the broader economic environment. This programme is designed to develop analytical and problem-solving skills, enabling graduates to excel in various financial sectors such as auditing, banking, investment, and corporate finance. The course syllabus typically covers core topics including financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and financial markets. Students benefit from a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, often engaging with real-world case studies, financial software tools, and industry simulations to prepare for professional roles.

One of the distinctive features of this programme is the Year Abroad option, which allows students to spend a year studying at a partner university internationally. This experience enhances language skills, cultural awareness, and global perspectives on business and finance issues. The Year Abroad is integrated into the course structure and usually takes place between the second and final years of study. Students can choose from a range of partner institutions across Europe, North America, and beyond, subject to exchange agreements.

The programme is designed to be accessible for students with varied backgrounds, offering foundational modules in the first year to establish essential knowledge, followed by more specialized and advanced courses in later years. Assessment methods include coursework, examinations, group projects, and presentations, providing a well-rounded evaluation of academic and practical competencies. Graduates from the programme often pursue careers in accounting firms, financial institutions, public sector organizations, or continue their studies with postgraduate degrees in finance, accounting, or related fields.

The University of Essex emphasizes a supportive learning environment, with access to experienced faculty members, modern facilities, and links to professional bodies like the ACCA, CIMA, and ICAEW. The programme's accreditation and strong industry connections facilitate employability and career progression for graduates. Overall, this programme aims to produce competent, ethical, and globally-minded accounting and finance professionals equipped with the skills necessary for a dynamic and competitive job market.