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University of St Andrews
speciality: Accounting & Finance

4.3

What is an Accounting & Finance degree?

An Accounting & Finance degree focuses on the management of monetary resources available to an organization. Such a degree is aimed at students who want to pursue careers in investment analysis, management, banking, auditing, consulting and financial management. It teaches students how to assess the assets and liabilities of an organization financially and manage the financial risk of their activity.

Accounting & Finance covers the core areas of financial accounting, management accounting and finance but also includes other aspects of the business activity, such as financial management and control, corporate finance, company accounts, investment and business law. Optional module options provided by different universities around the world often allow students to specialize in a particular area such as auditing, taxation, etc.

Benefits of an Accounting & Finance degree

The completion of an Accounting & Finance degree comes along with numerous benefits. Students develop strong analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are highly demanded by employers in both the private and the public sector and result in graduates often finding employment in large multinational organizations that offer professional services such as PwC, KPMG and Deloitte. On top of that, established companies around the world offer excellent and well-structured graduate schemes, which help Accounting & Finance graduates to kick-start their careers.

Accounting & Finance degrees are mostly practically oriented. They allow students to put the knowledge and skills they acquire on a daily basis to practice through simulated and real-life business accounts management and work placement opportunities.

Most Accounting & Finance degrees are professionally accredited by professional bodies, such as ACCA, AIA, CIMA, ICAEW and CIPFA, which provides students with the opportunity to become chartered accountants. Students gain professional qualifications in accountancy, which eliminates the need for additional certifications after graduation.

Due to the nature of the Accounting & Finance Degree, which complements business-related subjects, students often have the opportunity to complete a joint honours degree.

Accounting & Finance Degree Structure

An Accounting & Finance degree’s duration varies depending on the country and degree level. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting & Finance can be completed in three years. However, universities also offer students the option to take a sandwich course, which allows them to undertake a year-long placement between their second and third year, which extends the course to four years. Four years is the regular time of completion of this degree in other countries, such as the United States.

The first year of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance introduces the core principles of accounting and finance, including financial accounting, management accounting and finance as well as economics and business law. The second year’s focus is usually on managerial and business economics, financial control, corporate finance and company accounts, but optional modules might enable students to pursue their interests in other aspects of Accounting & Finance such as auditing or strategic business analysis. At this point, students studying at Higher Education Institutions in the UK could choose to take an industry placement in order to apply the theoretical concepts and the acquired knowledge to practice in the professional environment. The next stage of this degree is dedicated to further-developing students’ knowledge of financial and management accounting. Optional modules might enable students to specialize in a particular area of their choice such as auditing or taxation in some countries like the UK.

Masters’ degrees in Accounting & Finance usually take between 12 and 18 months to complete depending on the country that students choose for their studies. 

Research-based degrees, such as MPhil and PhD, can take anywhere between 1 and 7 years depending on the country and type of degree. MPhil degrees in Accounting & Finance in the UK usually take 12 months if it is studied full-time and 24 months for part-time studies. PhD degrees in the UK, on the other hand, take about 36 months to complete if studying full-time and 72 months for a part-time program. In the US, students may be required to dedicate between 4 and 7 years on their degree.

6 Student Reviews

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  • Accounting and ...
    Management
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    My home - St. Andrews

    St. Andrews is more than just a university. It is my home, my happy place and my comfort. People say that your first year of university is very difficult but it was just the opposite. The students, locals, faculty are all so friendly and positive that it always keeps my spirits high. I wish everyone has the same university experience as me because according to me it’s the best one. I study management and the school is so inclusive and everything is so applicable to the real world which always makes learning more fun. The professors are very engaging and most of them even write the books of our syllabus. The traditions are definitely the icing on the cake.

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    Programme: Accounting and Management
    Degree: Bachelor's
    Graduation: 2023
    Campus: Saint Andrews
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  • Accounting and ...
    Management
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    The small little place called home

    One of the most renowned universities for a reason. St. Andrews is definitely worth all the praises and more. It has the best student life – parties, balls, events and numerous traditions.
    When it comes to academics, professors are always available to help and there are small tutorials so you can get individual attention and help every week!!
    Moreover the views are breathtaking.

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    Programme: Accounting and Management
    Degree: Bachelor's
    Graduation: 2023
    Campus: Saint Andrews
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  • Accounting and ...
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    Resourceful and exhilarating

    The University of St. Andrews, being apart of the top 3 universities in the UK, with its beautiful town, has always been my dream University. The University offers a wide range of opportunities, from academia to sports and from charitable organisations to hundreds of societies and communities. It is extremely easy to make friends and fit in due to the small size of the town and the diversity. The university provides students with unmatchable resources before as well as after graduation. The professors offer to help wherever the additional resources cannot. I have undeniably had the best experience of my life in St. Andrews, learning things that will help me personally as well as professionally in the future. I would not have it any other way.

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    Programme: Accounting and Management
    Degree: Bachelor's
    Graduation: 2022
    Campus: Saint Andrews
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  • Accounting and ...
    Management
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    Would recommend to everyone!

    The University of St. Andrews is unmatchable when it comes to the educational experience that it provides. Being a 4th year student, I can confidently say that I wouldn’t even dream of thinking of another university since I don’t believe any other university would have provided me with such a magical experience. The town of St Andrews is located on the North Sea. With its cobble streets and bustling town centre, it is like a little family of its own. Although it is quite far away from London, and a one hour drive from Edinburgh, no one ever wants to leave this town. The accommodation provided by the University is huge, and makes you feel like you’re apart of a small, welcoming community. The help provided by the tutors and career centre helps you get jobs during the semester, as well as during vacations. Although we only have two night clubs in town, they are always filled with people you know. The town is extremely safe, allowing one to walk home alone at odd hours without any worry. Overall, I think St. Andrews as a town, as a university, is amazing!

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    Programme: Accounting and Management
    Degree: Bachelor's
    Graduation: 2021
    Campus: Saint Andrews
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  • Accounting and ...
    Management
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    Exceeded my expectations

    My experience with the University of St. Andrews has exceeded my expectations. The University inculcates an intellectual and friendly environment. The lessons learnt through the theoretical and practical lectures, not only develop skills used in your future career, but also help with personal growth. Being the 2nd best University in the UK, the students are provided with a world-class education, and a brand name to help them get jobs almost everywhere. Moreover, the various non-profit societies in St. Andrews, provide students with a chance to holistically develop their skills in all industries. Many of the committees are student-run, while many also involve professors and other university employees.

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    Programme: Accounting and Management
    Degree: Bachelor's
    Graduation: 2024
    Campus: Saint Andrews
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  • Accounting and ...
    Management
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    Great overall experience

    My overall experience with the University of St. Andrews has been amazing! From the students to the professors, everyone is extremely helpful and kind. The resources provided by the University, especially during the lockdown, are very helpful. The university incorporates an extremely inclusive environment, with students from all over the world. You get the value of what you pay for as an international student. Additionally, the university provides students with a number of societies and communities that one can be apart of, which can help in future career paths. The traditions make the student life in St. Andrews unmatchable.

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    Programme: Accounting and Management
    Degree: Bachelor's
    Graduation: 2023
    Campus: Saint Andrews
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