Accounting BSc Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

This exciting specialist accounting degree is designed specifically to meet the needs of a talent pool for the changing accounting services sector. Education in this subject area is in high demand in a wide variety of sectors and industries where accounting specialists manage budgets, prepare financial and annual reports and also are involved at Board level to inform the development of strategy and guide business decisions. Our degree is the first step to becoming a qualified accounting professional with potential to develop a rewarding career in large and small firms as a consultant or in a business start-up.

This professionally accredited degree offers a rounded business education designed to develop your understanding of accounting theories and practice, together with the business acumen, team-working, problem-solving, communication skills and the commercial awareness needed in a complex global financial world.

Raising your awareness of the global, social and ethical professional environment within which the accounting profession operates, you’ll learn to appreciate accounting issues within the wider business context, able to guide decisions on anything from cost-cutting and outsourcing to operational planning and environmental policy, for example.

Taught by academics with professional experience as accountants and managers, there is an emphasis on learning through practice, so you graduate with the breadth of knowledge and capabilities to respond proactively and creatively to contemporary business issues and challenges. You’ll develop practical skills, receiving hands-on training in specialist accounting software such as Sage, Bloomberg and SPSS. In our state-of-the-art Financial Markets Suite (FMS), you’ll also have access to live and historical financial reports, experiencing the same Bloomberg platform used by leading global investment banks.

Changes in technology and regulation mean that the accounting industry is constantly evolving. On our course, you’ll have the chance to focus your studies from the start, blending a conceptual theoretical framework with practical 'real-world' application as the curriculum progresses from basic to more specialised and advanced applications. Upon completion, you will be part-qualified, eligible to apply up to nine exemptions with ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and up eight exemptions with CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants).

Our programme will equip you with the required skills and attributes needed for an engaging and successful career in accounting or related fields in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. It will assist you in developing excellent conceptual knowledge and technical skills in financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, taxation, auditing, and financial analysis, as well as the required attributes to excel in the modern global business environment. Past graduates have gone on to a range of accounting and other professional posts in the private and public sectors, including ACCA and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) training contracts, and finance posts in the public sector.

In December 2021, the University of Westminster received the CIMA Prize-Winner Excellence Award 2021. The Prize-Winner Award recognises university partners with top-performing CIMA students in Case Study exams. The CIMA Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding academic partners, education providers and students who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession and the Institute over the past year.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) with up to nine examination exemptions respectively – with the potential for more depending on your module choice
  • Re-accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) with potential to gain exemptions from eight required to gain the professional qualification
  • Learn to use CIMA Sage Accounting software and gain an official CIMA Sage user's certificate
  • Access to one of the largest financial databases in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg virtual trading room
  • Opportunity to undertake a one-year international professional placement with past students going to work for HSBC’s student recruitment programme, for example
  • Guest lectures from industry practitioners: recent talks featured a senior business manager from Barclays and seasoned entrepreneur
  • Field trips to financial institutions: students had a guided tour of the new Bloomberg HQ in London

Course structure

On this degree, you’ll study topics such as: preparation and analysis of financial statements; financial reporting; regulation in governing accounting practice; principles of cost accumulation; financial and management accounting theory, Computer Methods in Accounting, Auditing and Taxation. In doing so, you’ll deepen your understanding of the financial drivers of business strategy, planning, governance and ethics. In each year of study, you will take a combination of core and option modules which cover specialisms such as taxation or corporate governance, for example.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

You are introduced to the role of accounting in planning, decision-making and control. We’ll consider the processes used to record, summarise and present accounting data, and the mathematical and statistical techniques that can be used to analyse and interpret financial statements. Key topics covered include: cost classifications for decision-making, product costing techniques applicable to different industries, budgeting, short-term decision-making using cost volume profit analysis, and long-term investment appraisal. You will also practise fundamental accounting techniques using an extensive range of exercises and case-studies, as well as online learning resources. You will learn to use specialist IT packages such as Sage Accounting, which is used extensively by business and professional firms. Drawing on real-life data from FAME, you’ll be tasked with analysing the financial performance of an organisation of your choice.

Subjects of study include:

  • Introductory Financial Accounting 
  • Fundamentals of Management Accounting 
  • Quantitative Methods for Accountants 
  • Computerised Methods in Accounting 
  • Global Business for Accounting and Finance

You will also have the opportunity to take an option module that broadens your skills or helps you to gain more in-depth knowledge of your specialist area. You may also choose a foreign language as your option module.

Credit Level 4

You’ll study financial and management accounting, auditing practice and ethics in greater depth, covering accounting concepts, the theory underpinning accounting practice and how to present and communicate complex financial information effectively to others. We’ll explore the legal and regulatory requirements governing financial accounting and reporting practices and, in the wake of economic scandals such as Dick Smith or China Medical Technologies, consider the importance of ethical accounting. You’ll examine international auditing standards, the evidence gathered and rationale behind it.

Subjects of study include:

  • Financial Accounting and Reporting 
  • Intermediate Management Accounting 
  • Auditing Theory and Practice
  • Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility in Accounting

Plus two options from: Corporate Governance, Law and the Business and other areas of business including languages.

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3 you may choose to study English-taught courses for a year at one of our overseas partner institutions. Currently, you can take a Year Abroad studying in Berlin, Bologna, Copenhagen, Madrid,  Paris, and other locations including Brisbane, Sydney (Australia), Japan, Canada and the USA. There are also many opportunities for those with appropriate language skills to study in the local language in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, among others. You can also choose to split your year abroad into a first semester exchange and a second semester work placement, both conducted overseas, or undertake a placement year overseas.

Alternatively, between Year 2 and Year 3 you can undertake a one-year, full-time business placement as a Professional Experience Year within the UK. Past students have completed placements in a variety of prestigious organisations, including AMEC, Barclays Bank, Commerzbank, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, GE Capital, HSBC, IBM and the NHS, as well as in smaller businesses.

We’ll look at advanced financial information analysis, building your competence to use relevant and emerging technologies in the field of accounting and management. Topics covered include: Advanced Financial Accounting Reporting, Advanced Management Accounting, Financial Management and Taxation. You’ll analyse detailed accounting information, including consolidated financial statements, making informed decisions and reviewing current research in the area of accounting. As part of your dissertation, you’ll study in depth a topic in which you have a strong interest. Research conducted by previous students has varied greatly, including auditing, accounting information systems, digitalisation in accounting, corporate reporting and disclosure, taxation and management accounting.

Subjects of study may include:

  • Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting
  • Advanced Aspects of Management Accounting
  • Financial Management
  • Strategic Perspectives for Finance and Accounting 

Plus two options from: Dissertation, Taxation, Company Law, Contemporary Issues in Accounting and other areas of business including languages.

Credit Level 6

Professional accreditation

For those pursuing ACCA accreditation, the global body for professional accountants, the number of examination exemptions could be up to a maximum of nine upon successful completion of corresponding modules. This degree has also been re-accredited CIMA, the world's largest professional body of management accountants, with up to a maximum of eight examination exemptions when completing your CIMA professional qualification.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

As well as general financial management, where they lead in financial recording, reporting planning and analysis, accountants work across various specialisations, including consulting, corporate finance and forensic accounting. They work for central or local government, corporate and commercial businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations; professional associations; or educational institutions. Many of our students go on to postgraduate study here.

The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills

Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills in The Big Idea competition, sponsored by Santander.

Kickstart your career

Learn how to use social media in your job hunt or LinkedIn to kickstart your career.

Develop your CQ

Develop your cultural intelligence – or ‘CQ’ – studying alongside students and staff representing more than 100 nationalities.

Industry links

This course is recognised by the main professional accounting bodies, ACCA and CIMA, and the Course Team works continuously to maintain and strengthen our close links. As part of this, we are currently in planning to deliver, jointly with ACCA and CIMA, a number of career-focused activities. This is likely to include talks on accounting professional qualifications, the job market for accounting professionals and the distinct graduate skills employers require and expect from accounting graduates, as well as case studies on professionalism and the ethics of accounting profession. Such activities have, in the past, contributed to the professional development of our accounting students and we believe it is an essential part of your studies.

We have excellent industry links with some of the top firms in the financial services, along with leading financial technology and data vendor services providers such as Bloomberg. Staff who currently teach on this course also have extensive professional experience that includes the following professions: financial analyst; credit risk analyst; lending specialist in the banking sector; global entrepreneur; risk management; software development and management; research consultant; and financial consultant.

Job roles

This course will prepare you for roles such as:

  • Audit manager
  • Chartered management accountant
  • Financial controller
  • Tax consultant

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

  • ACCA
  • British Airways 
  • IBM
  • ICAEW
  • JP Morgan
  • NHS England

What our alumni say

Matthew Bell

Accounting BSc (Hons) - Regulatory analyst, SMBC Europe Ltd

After the financial crisis, I wanted to understand how banks have changed and how the stricter regulations affected them. I worked in the regulatory team at SMBC, a Japanese bank. My role was to produce liquidity reports that were sent out internally and externally to regulators. It has definitely helped my career goals as I would like to go into regulatory banking after graduating which was an area I previously I knew very little about. 

Aaron Dilhe photo

Aaron Dilhe

Accounting BSc (Hons) - Finance Assistant, NHS Property Services

I chose to do a placement year as I felt it would further enhance my accounting knowledge and help me gain a better understanding of business. The NHS Property Services has provided me with a sense of responsibility, allowing me to take on different tasks and succeed in many ways. It has helped me improve my transferable skills and allowed me to experience different working environments. The School have been exceptional in providing support for me.

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.

Westminster Employability Award

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

Why study this course?

Combine theory and practice

Link theory to global practice through real-life case studies, guest lectures, field trips and insight from one of the world’s largest financial databases. 

Professional software

Enhance your digital literacy and computer skills industry-standard software including Excel, Tableau and FAME.

Build connections

Build connections with peers and future business leaders.

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points)

  • T levels – 120 UCAS Tariff points

  • International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis

  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM

  • BTEC Diploma – Not accepted on its own

  • Access – 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

More information

International Foundation course

We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation Certificate courses for international students who don’t meet our Bachelor’s degree entry requirements.

Find out how to apply for the Foundation Certificate course.

Pre-sessional English programmes

Need to improve your English before starting your course? We offer summer pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

What our students say

Tammy Kabir

Accounting BSc - 2022

I chose the University of Westminster mainly because it is a good university for Accounting: it offers many opportunities as it provides lots of internships. It is also partnered with ACCA, meaning that it will be much easier for me to become a Chartered Accountant.

Naga Putcha

Accounting BSc Honours

The Accounting BSc was perfect at putting together the required theoretical knowledge and application for students, helping students become more employable. The best part of the program was the year-long placement, which enabled me to put the theory I learnt into practice.

Aribah Sheikh

Accounting BSc - 2022

I have absolutely loved my Accounting course, as it has provided me with a lot of practical experience in using different accounting software. Along with this, the course gives you a maximum of nine ACCA exemptions, which is incredible for students who look to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant.

Learn new skills

Develop your creativity

Develop your creativity to think outside the box. 

Learn to critically evaluate

Learn to critically evaluate the strategies that managers use to help organisations adapt in an uncertain or complex environment.

Improve your problem-solving skills

Improve your problem-solving skills to better understand and tackle people management issues. 

Westminster Business School blog

Read our blog and get an insight into life and studies at Westminster Business School.

Visit the WBS blog

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Student work

CIMA Prize-Winner Excellence Award 2021

Students on this course have the opportunity to work towards a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional qualification. In 2021, one of our students was named CIMA’s Top Student of the Year, having achieved excellent results during the Management Case Study in August 2020. This accomplishment also earned the University of Westminster the CIMA Prize-Winner Excellence Award 2021, recognising the university as a partner institution that trains top-performing CIMA students.

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Financial reporting and analysis

When learning about financial reporting and analysis, students choose a real-life company and download annual financial reports to analyse. This exercise helps to illustrate key accounting concepts, such as accrual accounting, cash flow, valuation models, performance analysis ratios. They learn to interpret financial reports and analyse the business information presented to them, for example, forecasting earnings and cash flows for company valuation.

Postgraduate students

Westminster Business Consultants

Founded in 1995, Westminster Business Consultants is a student-run consultancy service affiliated to the University of Westminster, which offers management and strategic consultancy, specialising in market research, market analysis, brand strategy, feasibility studies, business development, performance improvement and product development. It works with a diverse clientele of emerging start-ups, SMEs and large corporations at home and overseas, giving students opportunities to gain extensive knowledge and experience in various industries.

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Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
24%76%
2
24%76%
P
10%19%71%
3
24%76%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
1
50%3%47%
2
39%6%55%
P
50%50%
3
48%5%47%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Facilities

Course Location

Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.

Westminster Business School

Based in the heart of London's political, media and financial services, Westminster Business School has excellent industry links and a strong commitment to social enterprise.

Our courses are accredited by professional bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Our practical teaching relates learning to the real world, and we develop graduates who are ready to respond to contemporary business challenges.

Find out moreGo to Westminster Business School page

Westminster Business School Marylebone Campus

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–3pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

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