Why study this course | Modules | Fees and Funding | Entry Requirements | How to apply

The individual components in the accountancy and finance degree programme are continually being revised and updated to make sure the skills you develop are always relevant to contemporary professional and business needs. This course enables you to study for a degree that incorporates current local and international accounting standards, corporate governance requirements and key developments in finance and information technology.

Academic year tutors (for all years) ensure that your personal as well as professional development remains a key component to this course.

First year

Your first year studying an accountancy and finance degree provides a basic knowledge of the general business context for accounting and finance, ranging widely over topics such as accounting, finance, economics, law, management, quantitative methods and information technology.

A key feature of our degree is the ability to work towards our Professional Skills course, which aims to develop good information retrieval skills, incisive writing ability and confident oral presentation through projects focusing on the role of accounting and finance information in the business world.

This course also includes a compulsory three-day teambuilding session at the University’s outdoor pursuits centre at Coniston in the Lake District. Set in the beautiful and inspiring landscape of the Lake District -  this unique activity provides an ‘outward bound’ experience in which students join together to face challenges and develop key skills in leadership, team building and team working. You’ll then return to campus life with new and further developed personal skills to not only ensure you get the most out of your time here at Birmingham, but to also start preparing your for future employment

Second year

You will build on your basic accounting and finance knowledge, as well as exploring auditing taxation and accounting information systems. You will also complete your essential business studies with specific courses in Personnel Management, Marketing and Business Law.

Third year

Your compulsory Accounting and Finance modules will bring your technical competence to a high level, reaching into the areas of policy-making and management. Alongside these modules, your study options including Marketing, International Corporate Governance, Strategic Management, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Studies, Risk Management and Insurance, and Financial Statement Analysis. You will also write an extended essay on a topic of your choice.

If you want to take advantage of a unique opportunity to be supported with a work placement opportunity as part of your final year, this course includes the opportunity to undertake a 'Professional development' module as part of your optional module choices.

How will I be taught?

As a Birmingham student you are part of an academic elite and will learn from world-leading experts. From the outset you will be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner. We want you to be challenged and will encourage you to think for yourself

Your learning will take place in a range of different settings, from scheduled teaching in lectures and small group tutorials, to self-study and peer group learning (for example preparing and delivering presentations with your classmates).

To begin with you may find this way of working challenging, but rest assured that we’ll enable you to make this transition.  You will have access to a comprehensive support system that will assist and encourage you, including personal tutors and welfare tutors who can help with both academic and welfare issues, and a formal transition review during your first year to check on your progress and offer you help for any particular areas where you need support. 

The Business School has strong links with professional accountancy firms and local businesses such as Deloitte, KPMG, PwC and Ernst & Young. So as well as exploring theoretical aspects, you’ll find that this degree programme has a strong practical focus, which is reflected in the way you’ll be taught.

Find out more about our academics' approaches to teaching and learning.

Personal Tutor

From the outset, you will be assigned your own Personal Tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies, providing academic and welfare advice, encouraging you and offering assistance in any areas you may feel you need extra support to make the most of your potential and your time here at Birmingham.

Contact hours

As well as time with your lecturers and personal tutor, academic and professional services staff (like our dedicated Careers Network team) will be avialable to offer individual and group support throughout your time here at Birmingham.

Learning settings

You’ll find our Accounting and Finance department here at Birmingham located in University House. Set in landscaped gardens this multi-million pound home to Birmingham Business School is equiped with the latest facilities and technology to ensure your studies are inspired by their surroundings.Lectures and teaching will take place in a variety of versatilelecture theatres and breakout rooms which, as well as the traditional whiteboard and pen, are equipped with wireless connection and constantly updated technology including all the audio-visual equipment that you would expect from one of the UK’s premier insitutions.

Small-group tutorials/personal tutorials run alongside our lectures, addressing any individual problems you may have and allowing you to consolidate lecture material, as well as test your understanding through problem-solving exercises.

Self study is an essential part of the programme and requires self motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It also allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry and become an independent thinker.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is an excellent tool for supporting our academic courses, allowing you to share throughts on assignments with other students via the discussion group facilities, and even submit your work electronically.

Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) is a group activity which requires you to work in a team, with a variety of assessment methods; in either a group or individually, by written reports and sometimes as a presentation. Based on techniques used in research-led organisations like the University of Birmingham, EBL gives you a research-orientated approach to a problem and helps you to gain essential skills that are highly valued by employers.

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CV’s and job applications will help give you the edge. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects. 

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Career opportunities

As well as giving exemption from several examinations of professional accountancy bodies (for example, ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA), your degree equips you to pursue a career as an accountant in business, professional practice or the public sector. Our graduates also work successfully in finance institutions and many prefer to follow a career in general business management. Strong links with the major accountancy and financial services firms have helped our students in shaping their future careers.

Add value to your degree with the Careers Network

Our employability service is continuously enhancing its range and quality of service in order to help you identify and achieve your individual career aspirations, source great work experience and jobs, enhance your skills and take an enterprising approach to developing your career. 

Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP “The University of Birmingham produces enthusiastic, motivated individuals who are ready to enter the world with us.”

Your College Careers Team

Each College has a dedicated employability team, who will be able to offer you:

• Careers consultancy and careers guidance tailored to your academic subject area
• Assistance with finding internship opportunities and work experience
• Individual advice about your applications and CV

The College careers employability team consists of careers advisers, job application support staff and internship officers who can give you specialist support within your college.

Employer Relations

The Employer Relations Team work with top Graduate Recruiters to support students and graduates with their career choice and that all important selection process. We host Careers Fairs; both general and industry sector specific, interactive skills sessions, workshops, presentations, specialist skills programmes and College specific tailored events in conjunction with employers such as Deloitte, Accenture, PWC, KPMG, Ernst & Young and many more. 

Experience in the real world

The expansion of the University’s work experience offering and bursary programme will see more of our talented students being able to:

• experience commercial environments
• develop professional and transferable work skills
• work with our experienced alumni 
• build a competitive advantage in their graduate job search and career planning

Personal Skills Award (PSA)

Special features of our service include:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a dedicated team providing support to students setting up a business
• A CV advice service run by members of our unique Student Paraprofessional Team
• The Alumni Leadership Mentoring Programme, a number of high profile Birmingham alumni providing one-to-one mentoring to selected students throughout their final year.
• Careers workshops and events for International students.
• A ‘Careers in Business’ team providing specialist support for our postgraduate Business School students