BSc Accounting and Finance (NN43)

2027 entry | view 2026 entry

Course summary

If you're fascinated by the inner workings of organisations and markets, our three-year, professionally accredited BSc Accounting and Finance degree could suit you.

Our fully integrated course will help you build a powerful combination of skills and equip you with the expertise you need for a wide range of careers in accountancy and finance. You'll develop your ability to interpret, assess and communicate information. You'll combine this with the essential, transferable competencies needed to thrive in today's fast-moving professional world.

Our graduates work in many of the world's most prestigious blue-chip companies and organisations.

The course combines two key subjects:

  • Accounting – you'll gain insights into accounting institutions, accountancy firms and accounting regulations. You'll study the techniques that are used by and support organisations within and beyond the market.
  • Finance – you'll explore financial institutions, financial trading and investment, and financial regulations.

You'll stay up to date with contemporary theories, practices and events, shared by experts in both fields.

Building on your core units, you'll tailor your degree by choosing from a wide range of specialist options in accounting, finance, global business, economics, taxation and management. This journey is about sharpening your critical thinking: learning to challenge assumptions, analyse information rigorously, and develop the strong quantitative skills that define successful and highly sought-after professionals.

It's a rewarding course that provides opportunities for a summer internship and the Bristol PLUS Award. You'll also benefit from the Professional Liaison Network within the faculty, which runs a professional mentoring scheme with alumni, insight talks and internships.

Teaching in your first two years will be on our vibrant Clifton Campus, where you'll gain a thorough understanding of accountancy and finance.

From your third year, you'll benefit from teaching delivered at our cutting-edge Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. Here, enhanced links with businesses will provide you with real-world knowledge, networks and skills to succeed once you graduate.

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled five-year re-accreditation process with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). It has previously been ACCA accredited for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations. The outcome of the current review is expected by July 2026.

Accreditations

Our Accounting and Finance BSc is accredited by ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW and ICAS.

Course structure

Our BSc Accounting and Finance degree has been carefully designed to help you secure a career in accountancy and finance:

Year one

You'll strengthen your problem-solving skills and establish a solid foundation in accounting and finance. You'll explore fundamental principles through mandatory units in accounting, finance, economics, mathematics and statistics. You'll be able to choose optional units in the second semester of the first year.

Year two

You'll build on the principles from your first year and advance your knowledge in core accounting and finance subjects. The curriculum emphasises the development of key analytical, problem-solving and application skills as you expand your understanding of finance, financial accounting and management accounting. You'll further customise your learning by choosing from a wide range of optional units in accounting, finance, management and economics.

Year three

You'll consolidate your learning from years one and two, gaining more advanced quantitative and qualitative skills. You'll have an opportunity to refine your critical skills and deepen your knowledge of complex issues in accounting and finance. You can keep your options open, or tailor your degree to your specific interests by specialising in a particular area through a broad selection of advanced units, such as:
  • Management Accounting for Strategy
  • Advanced Corporate Reporting
  • Auditing
  • Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
  • Financial Crises.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA including Mathematics, or A*AB including A in Mathematics
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, AND A in Maths at A-level (or equivalent)

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including Mathematics with either 6 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches)
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including Mathematics with either 5 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches)

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
Advanced Higher: AA including Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 15 credits from Mathematics units, of which at least 12 (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry) must be at Distinction. Or Access to HE Diploma in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law or History (or similar titles), with the 45 graded Level 3 credits including at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above, plus A in A-level Mathematics.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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More about UK qualifications.