1. Leeds University Business School
  2. Undergraduate
  3. Accounting and Finance BSc

(Full time) 2019 start

Accounting and Finance BSc

Course information for 2025 start

Overview

Offering significant exemptions from the main professional bodies in the field, this degree provides excellent preparation for a career in business, but particularly in accounting or finance.

You’ll also develop a strong base of knowledge and skills that will put you in a good position to launch a variety of exciting careers in other sectors too.

Throughout the course you’ll develop a deep understanding of the way financial information is used and managed within organisations and how it is reported both internally and externally. You’ll gain a mature understanding of the modern economy, the nature of business and the role that accountancy and finance can play within it.

Core modules will develop your mathematical skills and give you a broad understanding of key topics in economics, financial and management accounting, corporate finance and financial analytics. You can also tailor your studies to suit you with optional modules as diverse as forensic accounting, corporate social responsibility and strategic management.

Accreditation

This is an ICAEW Strategic Partnership Degree.

Recognised as a University Affiliation Programme (UAP) by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute.

Exemptions

Our BSc Accounting and Finance currently carries the following exemptions (subject to change):

Course content

Our degrees have a modular structure. This means that compulsory modules provide you with the core knowledge and skills that you need, while optional and discovery modules allow you to shape your course to suit your personal interests and career aspirations.

Year 1 comprises a set of compulsory modules that lay the foundations of your studies. You’ll develop the mathematical knowledge and skills you need and be introduced to key financial and economic principles, as well as the fundamentals of financial and management accounting.

In Year 2 you’ll build on this knowledge base: compulsory modules will develop your understanding of corporate finance and financial and management accounting, as well as helping you to develop skills in research methods and analytical techniques. Optional modules will focus on a range of topics within economics, or areas like the complexities of corporate social responsibility or the legal context in which businesses operate.

When you enter your final year, you will have developed high-level research and analytical skills. You’ll apply these to a project that runs throughout the year, which could be either a research dissertation on a topic of your choice or a piece of financial analysis. You’ll also explore advanced topics in finance and accounting theory. Optional modules will span diverse topics from auditing to corporate governance and taxation.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

In Year 1 you’ll also benefit from dedicated academic counselling from your Head of Year, a lecturer in your subject area who will meet you individually during the year and act as a personal tutor.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop a range of transferable skills that you’ll need in professional life. These are likely to include coursework, exams, oral presentations, group reports and dissertations.

Entry requirements, fees and applying

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

GCSE: Mathematics grade A/7 and English Language grade B/6 or equivalent, or an appropriate English language qualification.

Other course specific tests:

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications for this course.

  • Access to HE Diploma

    We consider the Access to Higher Education Diploma to be suitable for mature UK/EU applicants (21+ at the start of the undergraduate programme) who have been out of full-time education and have not passed or completed qualifications that would allow them to study at degree level (for example, an applicant who has left school after completing GCSEs).

    Applicants must complete a Business-related diploma of 60 credits with 45 credits at Level 3. A minimum of 30 Level 3 credits must be awarded at Distinction level and 15 at Merit.

    Applicants are expected to meet the GCSE Maths and English Language minimum requirements for their chosen degree programme.

    Please note, all who apply with the Access to Higher Education Diploma are interviewed and must present a recent piece of academic writing for review.

  • BTEC

    We will consider BTEC qualifications alongside academic A-levels. Read more about our BTEC entry requirements.

  • Cambridge Pre-U

    D3, D3, D3. Please note that this requirement excludes the Cambridge Pre-U Certificate in Global Perspectives and Independent Research. We also consider applicants who offer a combination of Pre-U and A-Level qualifications. Please contact lubsugadmissions@leeds.ac.uk for further advice.

  • International Baccalaureate

    35 points overall including 5 in Standard level/Maths Studies or 4 in Higher level Maths and 5 in English (Standard or Higher Level), with 17 points from Higher Level subjects.

    For those candidates who meet our Maths or English requirements through another qualification, these minimum points for Maths or English in the IB Diploma do not apply. If you are presenting Literature and Performance as one of your International Baccalaureate subjects, you will need to present a separate English qualification.

  • Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

    Applicants must obtain 6 H2 grades in the Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level). Maths and English Language will be accepted at Ordinary level in lieu of GCSEs. A grade of O2 is required for GCSE A/7, and a grade of O3 is required for GCSE B/5 (Maths) or GCSE B/6 (English).

  • Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

    Scottish Highers and Scottish Advanced Highers are acceptable for entry onto our degree programmes in the following combinations: six Highers at AAAAAA or one Advanced Higher at A with five Highers at AAABB, or two Advanced Highers at AA with five Highers AABBB. We will also accept three Advanced Highers at AAA. Intermediate 2 / National 5 Maths and English are acceptable in lieu of GCSE requirements on a grade for grade basis.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

Foundation year

If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:

University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)

Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)

Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)

If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.


Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The deadline for international students to apply to Leeds University Business School courses is 30 June.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £22,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

We offer two achievement-based scholarships schemes specifically for students in the Accounting and Finance Division: The Head Start Achievement Scholarship and the Top Ten Achievement Scholarship.

Read more about Business School scholarships

Career opportunities

A large number of graduates have of course become qualified accountants but there are a variety of options available to you as a graduate. For example, recent graduates have gone on to work as Retail and Investment Bankers, Management Trainees, Civil Servants, Brokers, Auditors, Finance Analysts, Insolvency Administrators, and Tax and Business Advisors.

Find out more about Employability and Opportunity in Leeds University Business School

Careers support

You will be supported throughout your studies by the Business School’s dedicated Employability and Opportunity team who will help you develop and demonstrate the professional skills and experience that top employers are looking for through one-to-one support, workshops and lectures from graduate employers, including PwC, L’Oréal, Mars, Unilever and SMEs.

The Employability and Opportunity team also work with a large network of experienced professionals from companies such as Barclays, M&S and KPMG, who volunteer as mentors on our Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme. Applying for the scheme is a competitive process and it offers Business School students a wide range of benefits as they are mentored on a one-to-one basis for one academic year.

In addition, Leeds University Business School students also have full access to the University Careers Centre and Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Studies. Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placement

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to spend a year in industry with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors, in the UK or overseas.

UK and EU students with a viable business plan also have the opportunity to apply for a year in enterprise as part of this course. During this year you will start your own business with support from the University including advice, office space and living costs allowance.

Read more about Work Placements.

Course terms and conditions

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