BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance Bachelor's degree at Sheffield Hallam University
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance at SHU is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for exemption from some professional examinations.
About this course
<p>Combine accounting and finance knowledge with crucial analytical skills and state-of-the-art technology, preparing for your career in accounting, finance or business.<p> From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at SHU, based in City Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Finance graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Accounting & Finance, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 81% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Business EconomicsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The module aims to provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts and theories of economics. The module introduces students to the principles of micro and macroeconomics. It seeks to equip students with the analytical tools necessary to understand and evaluate economic issues and policies in a wide range of contexts. Additionally, the module aims to cultivate problem-solving skills by encouraging students to apply economic theories to real-world situations.
Assessment: Exam (100%)
- Financial AccountingCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module provides students with an introduction to financial accounting, starting with the basics of double entry bookkeeping and progressing to the preparation of financial statements for limited companies. You'll explore underlying principles, concepts and the international regulatory framework for financial accounting, while developing important IT, Excel and Sage skills from lectures, seminars and software usage.
Assessment: Exam (60%), Practical (40%)
- Law, Corporate Governance And EthicsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces business and company law – and its application in organisations with different legal structures – through a mix of lectures, seminars and software usage. You'll gain an understanding of corporate governance, the ability to apply those principles in an organisational context, and the chance to reflect on ethical situations in a professional context.
Assessment: Exam (100%)
- Management Accounting And Financial ManagementCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module introduces management accounting terminology, concepts and theories in lectures and seminars, while developing your management accounting skills in an applied project working with a client. You'll build your competencies and professional skills in management accounting methods and techniques, enabling you to identify and solve problems in organisational contexts.
Assessment: Exam (60%), Practical (40%)
Year 2 4 modules
- Audit And AssuranceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module develops critical understanding of the nature and purpose of international auditing – and the related commercial and regulatory systems. Through lectures and seminars you'll gain an understanding of information and control systems in modern business, while developing knowledge of international practices, techniques and outcomes of the audit process.
Assessment: Exam (100%)
- Financial Accounting And ReportingCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module builds your knowledge of single company financial statements, looking at more complex transactions and situations and applying the relevant international financial reporting standards. Through lectures and seminars you'll learn to prepare simple consolidated financial statements, explaining the underlying accounting principles behind such statements, and understanding of the impact of taxation on business accounting and reporting.
Assessment: Exam (60%), Practical (40%)
- Management Accounting ApplicationsCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module applies management accounting concepts and techniques to generate information for effective decision-making in organisations, from working capital management to controlling present and projected performance of organisations. Through an immersive work experience in partnership with external organisations, you'll choose between alternative sources of finance and critically evaluate the effect of financing decisions on a business.
Assessment: Exam (60%), Practical (40%)
- Cyber CrimeElective20 credits
Module details
This module explores the history of electronic crime in an international context, developing your ability to identify common threats and vulnerabilities in organisational information systems – from hacking and virus injections to manual fraud and its detection through AI and Blockchain. Through group sessions and discussions, you'll assess the impact on organisations and individuals of the major types of electronic crime, evaluating the protection and assurances available to minimise the risks o
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course combines accounting and finance knowledge with analytical skills and current technology, preparing you for roles in accounting, finance or business. You'll usually start with financial accounting fundamentals, double-entry bookkeeping and financial statements, alongside introduction to finance covering time value of money, markets and risk. Year 1 also includes quantitative methods for business decision-making. In Year 2, you'll move to management accounting, corporate finance and financial reporting under IFRS standards. Year 3 emphasises specialist options such as audit and assurance, taxation, corporate finance, financial risk, and fintech, alongside advanced corporate reporting and an independent dissertation or applied project, often aligned with professional-body exemptions.
Who it's for
This course suits those aiming for careers in accounting, finance, or related professional fields. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; recent accepted students typically had a UCAS tariff of 112–127 points.
Careers & job market
Across Accounting and Finance courses nationally, 87% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating, and 65% of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £25,000 to £32,500, rising to £23,375–£33,000 after three years and £30,175–£42,600 after five years. These figures come from Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) surveys and reflect national patterns, not individual guarantees. First-year retention across the university stands at 85%.
University & format
This is a BA (Hons) degree awarded by Sheffield Hallam University, a UK degree-awarding body. The course is studied full-time over 3 years at the City Campus in Sheffield, taught in English. The programme is accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for exemption from some professional examinations. Sheffield Hallam achieved Gold in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 89% |
| an Access course | 6% |
| another higher-education qualification | 2% |
| a previous degree | 1% |
| a Baccalaureate | 1% |
| Other | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at SHU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Accounting & Finance graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £27,000 | £24,000 – £32,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £26,500 | £21,500 – £32,500 | 170 |
| 5 years after | £33,500 | £27,500 – £43,500 | 180 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in accounting & finance · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Accounting & Finance nationally
National figures for Accounting & Finance graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Accounting & Finance courses at the same study level.
Compared with 957 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 40% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 65; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance worth it?
Generally yes. On its graduates’ median earnings, BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance is worth about +£65,630 more over the first ten years of work than going straight to a job, a solid return once you net out the fees.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 15.5. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Accounting & Finance graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Accounting & Finance graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
- Banks & insurers
- Corporate finance teams
- HMRC & public sector
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Accounting & Finance graduates.
Accounting & FinanceLecturerGEDU Global EducationAccounting Engineer - Pre-Sales & Post SalesStacksAccounting Advisory Manager | Lead Client Projects HybridCFGIAccounting, Insight and Advisory ManagerRSM UKAccounting & FinanceLecturerGEDU ServicesAccounting Associate Apprentice Business Services (September 2026)Best ApprenticeshipsIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.2 out of 10: NSS 76.3% · in work or study 90% · continued 81%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Sheffield Hallam University
Business and management across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around City Campus
3,427 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Accounting & Finance right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to SHU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check SHU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with SHU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SHU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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