BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance Bachelor's degree at the University of Plymouth
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance at University of Plymouth. You'll engage with core theoretical foundations, research methods, and applied problem-solving, alongside specialist options that let you pursue particular interests.
About this course
Explore the latest developments in the field and master the complex set of skills needed to embark on a career in accounting and finance. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Plymouth, based in University of Plymouth Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Business and management graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 35% 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)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 105. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (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 6 modules
- Introduction to AccountingCore20 credits
Module details
This module gives you an introduction to accounting. It focuses on the double entry bookkeeping system and how transactions are recorded in businesses. You will learn how to record transactions and events, formulate a trial balance, create basic financial statements and interpret financial information using ratio analysis.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Examinations
- Business LawCore20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the legal framework and key areas of law which affect business, including basic principles of contract and tort; company law; the impact of criminal law on business and professional services; and the impact of law in the professional content, such as for example, key elements of employment law and the protection of information.
Assessment: 100% Examinations
- Preparing for the Professional WorldCore
Module details
You will be introduced to the professions of accountancy, economics and finance, focusing on developing essential academic, digital and employability skills whilst exploring graduate roles in business and other organisations. Through teamwork, reflection and real-world case studies, you will build your professional identity and understand how the discipline contributes to organisational and economic decision-making.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Practicals
- Principles of FinanceCore
Module details
This module introduces finance and provides insight into the world of finance, from financial markets and instruments to risk and return. This module introduces the tools and concepts used by investors and businesses to make informed financial decisions and manage financial risk.
Assessment: 60% Coursework 40% Practicals
- Principles of EconomicsCore
Module details
This module introduces key principles of economic thinking, including how economies function and how decisions respond to scarcity and incentives. You will study core micro- and macroeconomic concepts, apply models to real-world situations, and build analytical skills through problem-solving, data analysis, and use of mathematical techniques.
Assessment: 100% Examinations
- Data Analytics: From Data to DecisionsCore
Module details
This module introduces data analytics and its practical application in business decision-making. Students will learn to use accounting, economic, and financial data with analytical frameworks to inform managerial choices. Emphasis is placed on applying decision-making processes, models, and introductory statistical techniques to real-world business and investment decisions.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
Year 2 8 modules
- Management AccountingCore
Module details
Students will study management accounting, including areas such as budgeting, costing and variance analysis.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Tests
- Financial Accounting and ReportingCore
Module details
A module focused on financial accounting and reporting, which aims to give students an understanding of the UK financial reporting regulatory framework, preparing limited and public companies, applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Tests
- Financial ManagementCore
Module details
This module introduces the management of finance within an organisation. Topics covered include capital markets, sources of finance, the management of working capital, managing currency risk and the appraisal of simple capital investment decisions.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Tests
- Financial Institutions and MarketsCore
Module details
This module deals with financial markets, instruments, and institutions. You will examine the bond market, stock market, and foreign exchange market, and explore topics such as investment banking and mutual funds.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Sustainable Futures in Economics and FinanceCore
Module details
This module explores the challenges of responsible management and ethics in economics, accounting and finance. You will examine sustainable business and finance through applied case studies, developing critical skills to make responsible, evidence-based decisions that balance growth, equity and environmental protection, while considering regulation, governance and ethical professional practice.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- TaxationOptional20 credits
Module details
The module introduces you to the UK tax system, providing you with the necessary technical skills and underpinning knowledge to be able to prepare tax computations for UK companies and individuals. Alongside the technical focus, you will explore the principles and rationale behind the functions of the tax system and discuss current issues in taxation.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Tests
- FinTech and the Future of MoneyOptional
Module details
This module introduces students to key FinTech innovations, including AI, digital payments, lending, robo-advisors, blockchain and cryptocurrencies. It helps students understand how these technologies are transforming financial services and regulation. Through practical exercises using financial platforms and tools, students develop foundational skills in applying technical analysis and case studies to explore emerging opportunities and risks in FinTech.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Placement YearOptional
Module details
The placement year consists of an extended period of appropriate professional experience in a business or organisation. It allows the student to gain relevant experience to consolidate their studies and prepare for final stage study and employment after graduation. Students on BA International Business may also or alternatively undertake a study placement at an approved partner institution.
Year 3 7 modules
- Investment ManagementCore20 credits
Module details
In this module, you will develop a broad understanding of the portfolio management with the focus on portfolio building and evaluation, portfolio risk and diversification. You will explore portfolio concepts such as: investors risk aversion, efficient frontier, capital asset pricing model. In addition, you will learn and discuss market efficiency, behavioural finance and fintech.
Assessment: 60% Examinations 40% Tests
- Business Research and ConsultancyCore
Module details
In this module you will complete an independent empirical research or consultancy-style project on a current accounting or finance topic. Using relevant data and analytical techniques, you'll develop insights into key issues and debates, producing a professional research paper or report that offers evidence-based business solutions or policy recommendations.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Advanced Financial ManagementCore
Module details
This module is a study of advanced financial management that builds on the material covered at Level 5. Topics include: advanced investment appraisal, capital structure, dividend policy, corporate restructuring and international investment decisions.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Tests
- Advanced Management AccountingCore
Module details
This module deals with strategic management accounting, financial planning and control in modern organisations.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Tests
- Advanced Financial Accounting and ReportingCore
Module details
This module will consider advanced financial reporting topics such as accounting for foreign currency transactions and accounting for business combinations (i.e. simple and complex groups, associates and foreign subsidiaries). Additionally students will explore current developments in financial and non-financial reporting and will practice financial analysis techniques allowing them to analyse company financial statements.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Tests
- AuditingOptional20 credits
Module details
In this module, you will consider and discuss the need for audit in society as well as the views of those critical of today's audit function. Studying auditing scandals will help you to understand and appreciate not only the challenges faced by the auditing profession but also how current auditing standards and regulation has been developed. You will learn how to audit through studying the theory behind the audit process and then how to apply the theory using practical examples.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Coursework
- Financial ModellingOptional20 credits
Module details
The module covers financial modelling for bonds and rates, equities, currencies and options. While analysing and modelling each category of securities with specific and pertinent approaches, it stresses the underlying principles governing all valuation processes. The module also equips the students with the skills to use software, such as Excel, for implementing models and perform analysis.
Assessment: 60% Examinations 40% Coursework
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 invites you to master the complex skills needed for a career in accounting and finance, moving from foundational knowledge to advanced specialisms. In Year 1, you'll usually study Financial Accounting, Introduction to Finance, and Quantitative Methods for Business, building competence in double-entry bookkeeping, financial statements, markets and risk, and spreadsheet modelling. Year 2 typically introduces Management Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Financial Reporting & Analysis, covering costing, budgeting, capital structure, investment appraisal and IFRS-based account interpretation. In Year 3, you'll pursue specialist options such as Audit & Assurance, Taxation, Corporate Finance, Financial Risk, and Fintech, whilst completing Advanced Corporate Reporting and a dissertation or applied project. The structure is designed to align with professional-body exemptions throughout.
Who it's for
This course suits you if you're analytical, comfortable with numbers, and interested in how organisations manage money, report financial performance, and make strategic decisions. You should enjoy problem-solving and be willing to develop technical knowledge alongside practical skills. It's for people who value precision and want to understand the rules, standards, and ethical frameworks that govern finance and reporting. Expect rigorous study of both theory and real-world application; you'll need to think critically and engage with current developments in the field. If you're aiming toward a career in accounting, audit, corporate finance, or related roles, this will give you a clear pathway and recognized qualification to build on.
Careers & job market
Across accounting and finance courses nationally, 87% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after leaving. Of those working, 65% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings, based on national data, start at £25,000–£32,500 at 15 months, and grow to £30,175–£42,600 after five years. The degree's ACCA and ICAEW accreditation helps you progress toward professional qualifications, which many employers in the sector value. Routes include public practice (audit, tax), corporate finance, advisory work, and sector-specific roles in banking, insurance, and public services.
University & format
This is a three-year full-time Bachelor's degree awarded by the University of Plymouth, a University in Plymouth. Teaching quality has been rated Gold by the Office for Students' TEF 2023. The degree is accredited by both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for exemptions from some professional examinations. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, your qualification is nationally recognised. Teaching is delivered in English.
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.
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 | 65% |
| another higher-education qualification | 35% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
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 University of Plymouth →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 | £23,500 – £32,000 | 105 |
| 3 years after | £24,000 | £19,000 – £30,000 | 675 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £23,500 – £39,000 | 680 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 105. Cohort 2021-23.
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: 2021-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 105. Cohort 2021-23. 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.
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 45% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 30% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
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: 30; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
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
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. 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 9.1 out of 10: NSS 91.7% · in work or study 90% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Plymouth
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 University of Plymouth Campus
3,218 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 University of Plymouth from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £9,790 / 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 University of Plymouth’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 University of Plymouth and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Plymouth
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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