From preparing and presenting financial information to interpreting data and business planning, this degree opens the door to opportunities both within the accountancy profession and in business management with leading organisations in both business and the financial sector and beyond.
Please note: The information on these pages is indicative of the current course structure and title and is subject to change. For 2024 entry we are reviewing all of our accounting programmes and, amongst other things, as a result of the review the title of this degree may change from BA to BSc (this will not affect the purpose or the aims of the degree, it will more accurately reflect a modern interpretation of an accounting-based degree).
Course structure
Year 1
Core modules:
Financial Accounting covers the basic concepts and techniques involved in financial accounting reports, including the preparation of basic financial statements.
Fundamentals of Management Accounting. In this module you will learn about the role of the management accountant. The module introduces the basic concepts of management accounting and will give you an understanding of the objectives of management accounting within an organisation.
Managing behaviour and organisations provides a fundamental foundation to understand how to manage people and organisations within contemporary society. To introduce students to the concepts that underlie explanations of individual and group behaviour. Students will be encouraged to apply these concepts to a range of issues including their own experience through learning from lectures, workshops and investigative projects.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Principles of Taxation
Business Law
Ethics in Accounting
Introduction to Financial Economics
Changing World of Business.
Year 2
Financial Reporting builds on the skills introduced in Year 1. You will learn about preparation of financial statements for a single company and a company group, including the application of relevant International Financial Reporting Standards.
Management Accounting further develops your knowledge of management accounting practice and helps you apply your knowledge to business scenarios and decision making. You will learn to present calculations, critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of management accounting techniques and provide reasoned recommendations.
Assurance explores the audit process from planning and risk assessment, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions, through to reporting. Learning is set within the context of professional ethics.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Information Systems
Operations Management
Entrepreneurship
Taxation
Innovation Management
Consumer Behaviour
Financial Management Techniques for Accountants
Business Strategy for Accountants.
Year 3
Research Methods develops your knowledge of the techniques and skills needed to undertake an independent research project like the dissertation. You will learn to distinguish between research philosophies, identify appropriate research methods, and complete a review of relevant literature.
The Dissertation, on an accounting topic of your choice, develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning. It provides you with an opportunity to research the topic and present your findings and conclusions. The 10,000-word dissertation is worth one third of your final year credits. This piece of work is highly-prized by graduates and is often used in job or Masters degree applications to exemplify the critical, research-led training that our graduates have undertaken.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Corporate Governance
Corporate Entrepreneurship
Service Operation Management
Leadership
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
Big Data Analytics
New Venture Creation
Audit and Assurance
Corporate Reporting
Tax Planning for Business.
Placement
You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.
Most subjects are taught in small workshops, blending teaching activities with an opportunity to try out new skills and knowledge individually or in groups. Up-to-date resources such as Dow Jones, Refinitiv and Bloomberg are used in relevant modules. You’ll also benefit from one-to-one support from your lecturers and from contact with an individual member of academic staff throughout your course – as your academic adviser.
We place great emphasis on high-quality small-group teaching sessions to help you get more out of your learning. As you progress through the course, you’ll find an increased focus on self-directed learning and independent research in preparation for professional or postgraduate life.
In the final year the dissertation module allows you to produce a piece of individual work on an area that interests you. You will have support from an individual dissertation supervisor – a member of academic staff who supports your journey into individual academic research.
Assessment
Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations, written assignments and reports, projects and presentations.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues.
The 10,000-word dissertation makes up one-third of your final-year marks.
Entry requirements
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken as an A level subject, GCSE grade 6/B in Mathematics/Core Maths B is required.
IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects. If Mathematics is not taken at higher level, then it is required at standard level 5.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
We consider each application holistically, on an individual basis and against the other applications we receive. Whilst academic achievement is important, it is not the only factor that we consider when assessing applications and applicants who have achieved, or are predicted to achieve, close to our typical offer, but who have not met it exactly, will be welcome to apply if they have a strong application in other key elements, for example if they can demonstrate merit and potential through their personal statement or their reference.
We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications, please email us for more information.
We are willing to consider applications for deferred entry from those who have well- structured plans for work or travel, for example. We may, however, need to restrict the number of deferred entry offers we make because we have to be careful not to fill too many of next year’s places in advance. However, if you do apply for a deferred place and are unsuccessful, you are welcome to reapply the following year.
You are welcome to apply if you are taking resits; we do not make higher offers to students who declare resits.
If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.
Science A levels
Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Business School (School of Economics, Finance and Business)
Our students graduate with specialist knowledge in areas of accounting and of finance, as well as the analytical, IT and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers in the UK and internationally. This combination of academic knowledge and transferable skills will open up a range of career opportunities in the financial world and beyond.
Our focus on employability extends beyond the classroom. You will benefit from employability-focused events that will give you a competitive edge in the job market. From interview advice and employer talks to subject-specific careers fairs, we work with you to achieve your goals.
Previous graduates have gone on to work within the accountancy profession and for businesses as accountants, specialising as auditors, financial accountants, tax specialists, management consultants etc. Graduates have also specialise in areas of finance such as financial analysis, risk management and investment banking. For employers such as PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, National Audit Office, Capita, Deutsche Bank and Sage Plc. Many have been offered places on graduate talent schemes across a range of sectors, while others have taken on roles in charitable organisations and in general management.
Of those students who graduated in 2019:
96% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes
Of those in employment:
81% are in high skilled employment
With an average salary of £29,000.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduatoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
Business School (School of Economics, Finance and Business)
The Departments of Accounting and Finance are two specialist departments within Durham University’s Business School; one of the UK's longest established business schools. We offer an inspiring and stimulating learning environment, and consistently rank highly for the quality of our teaching, research and for graduate career prospects.
Our reputation is down to the expertise of our staff. Their global experience, outstanding research insight, professional experience and real business connections keep us at the leading edge. We offer a wide selection of courses in both accounting and in finance, including specialist routes that are designed to provide maximum accreditation from professional accountancy qualifications.
Areas of study in accounting may include financial and management accounting, the legal, regulatory and social context within which accounting operates, the mechanisms by which individuals plan their tax affairs, the role of the accountant in achieving sustainable business practices and the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data on the world of accounting. You won’t just learn the technical side of accounting, but you’ll also have the opportunity to think critically about how accounting impacts on the global world of business.
If you are interested in finance your studies may include areas such as corporate finance, investments, financial institutions and the vast array of sophisticated financial products traded in today’s global financial markets.
Both our finance and our accounting courses offer a final year dissertation – an independent piece of research – which helps you build your research skills and allows those looking for further Masters study able to demonstrate their research skills.
You’ll be taught across the university campus by world leading academics from the Business School. You’ll have access to the Business Schools modern, spacious meeting rooms and study areas. The university campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status. Resources include up-to-date financial information and online databases. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.
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Use the UCAS code below when applying:
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The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.
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