On this degree you will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, informal but scheduled one-on-one support, and self-directed learning, such as research, reading, and writing.

All of these are supported by a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment, Learn Ultra. Seminars and workshops are much smaller groups than lectures, small enough to allow greater one-on-one interaction with teaching staff. Workshops also allow hands-on experience of solving accounting and finance problems.

This emphasis on small-group teaching reflects a conscious choice to enhance the quality of the learning experience rather than the quantity of formal sessions. In fact, the degree is designed to feature fewer formal sessions and more independent research as you move from your first to your final year.

Small-group teaching and one-on-one attention from the personal academic advisor (provided for you when you start) are part of the learning experience throughout, but by the final year classroom time gives way, to some extent, to independent research, including a dissertation – supported by one-on-one supervision – that makes up a third of final year credits. In this way the degree systematically transforms you from a consumer of knowledge in the classroom to a generator of knowledge, ready for professional or postgraduate life.

These formal teaching arrangements are supported by “drop-in” surgeries with teaching staff and induction sessions that begin in the week before you start and continue at key times throughout each year.

You can also attend an extensive programme of research-focused seminars where staff and visiting scholars present their cutting-edge research.

A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If not taken as an A level, a grade 7 (or grade A) in Mathematics at GCSE is required.

We welcome the Core Mathematics Qualification and accept a grade 5 minimum (or grade B) in lieu of our GCSE Mathematics requirement.

A level offer – AAB.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD.

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.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Full Time Fees

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).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

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)

Our degrees in Accounting and Finance will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to build secure foundations for a successful future career or further study.

For more information see our Business School website.

Rankings

• Top 10 for Accounting and Finance in The Complete University Guide 2022
• 6th for Economics in The Complete University Guide 2022

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Business School website.

Facilities

A Top Global Business School - Durham is an international triple accredited business school. Founded in 1965, we are one of the UK's longest established business schools and are proud to be integral to Durham University.

Find out more:

Lectures and small group seminars are complemented by specialist workshops which provide hands-on experience of accounting and finance related problems using up-to-date resources such as Tableau, FT.com, Dow Jones, Refinitiv and Bloomberg . You’ll also benefit from one-to-one support and self-directed learning to develop your critical thinking skills.

In addition, the Department also hosts specialist accounting and management events where you can further develop your knowledge and start to build industry networks.

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 in an area of accounting and finance of your choice is worth one-third of your final-year marks.

A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If not taken as an A level, a grade 7 (or grade A) in Mathematics at GCSE is required.

We welcome the Core Mathematics Qualification and accept a grade 5 minimum (or grade B) in lieu of our GCSE Mathematics requirement.

A level offer – AAB.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD.

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.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

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).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

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)

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.

For more information see our Business School website.

Rankings

• 6th for Accounting and Finance in The Complete University Guide 2023
• 8th in The Guardian University Guide 2023

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Business School website.

Facilities

We are based within a state-of-the-art Business School, close to University services and resources and only a mile from the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status.

Our modern and spacious teaching and learning areas include lecture theatres, seminar rooms and study areas.

The Business School library is available as an additional study resource, just for Business School students and offers access to over 10,000 journals online. Our resources also include up-to-date financial information and online databases. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.

Find out more: