If you have already chosen accounting and finance as your career, the next question is, what should you study? In the UK, there’s no single route into accounting or finance. You could go for a university degree, a professional qualification, an accounting apprenticeship, or a degree apprenticeship. Some students combine routes, completing a degree before progressing to ACCA, ACA, or CIMA.
The best choice depends on your career goals, preferred learning style, budget, and how quickly you want to gain professional experience. This guide takes you through the main accounting and finance courses in the UK, the qualifications available, and what to consider before choosing one.
What Do You Study on an Accounting & Finance Degree?
The exact curriculum varies, but most courses combine accounting, finance, business and analytical subjects. You can study financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, and financial reporting, alongside finance topics such as corporate finance, investment, financial markets, and risk management. Many courses also cover economics, business strategy, law, and corporate governance.
Technology is increasingly part of the picture, too. Students may encounter data analysis, accounting software, financial technology, and quantitative methods. That means an accounting and finance degree isn’t simply about working with numbers. It also develops analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
How Long Does it Take?
Many full-time undergraduate degrees in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland take three years. However, you’ll also find four-year courses with placement years, foundation-year programs, integrated master’s degrees, and part-time options.
You don’t necessarily need to attend university first. ACCA also provides routes for school leavers, graduates, and apprentices.
Top Professionals Accounting & Finance Courses
The UK has several recognized accounting qualifications.
ACCA is a professional accountancy qualification. Students with relevant previous qualifications may receive exemptions from some exams. However, exemptions depend on the exact qualification and institution, so students should check ACCA’s official guidance rather than assume a degree guarantees exemptions.
AAT offers Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 accounting qualifications and provides a practical vocational route into the profession.
ACA, associated with ICAEW, is a recognized route towards chartered accountancy and is generally completed alongside structured practical training.
CIMA is particularly suited to people interested in management accounting, business performance, and strategic decision-making.
The right qualification depends on the work you eventually want to do. ACCA may be more appropriate if your primary goal is professional accountancy. There’s also the option of doing both. Some UK accounting and finance degrees have professional accreditation and may offer exemptions from certain exams.
Always check the specific course rather than assuming every degree provides the same exemptions.
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Career Options in Accounting & Finance
Graduates can move into roles such as:
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Tax adviser
- Management accountant
- Financial analyst
- Finance manager
- Investment analyst
- Risk analyst
- Business analyst
- Corporate finance professional
Your degree or qualification can be a starting point rather than an endpoint. Professional qualifications and work experience can shape where your career goes next.
Final Takeaway
Choosing an accounting and finance course in the UK is not just choosing the university with the most attractive course title. You can take several routes: a degree, professional qualification, vocational qualification, or apprenticeship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is accounting and finance a good degree in the UK?
Yes, it can be a strong choice for students interested in business, finance, analysis and decision-making.
Q: Is ACCA better than an accounting degree?
Ans: A degree provides broader academic study, while ACCA is a professional qualification. They can also complement each other.
Q: Can I study accounting without a degree?
Ans: Yes. AAT, ACCA, and accounting apprenticeships provide alternative routes.
