Finance and Accounting Courses in the UK

financeaccountingACCACFAcoursesUpdated 9 July 2026 The finance or accounting course that aligns with your goals depends on which professional qualification you are working toward — ACCA, CIMA, or CFA — or whether you are building broader financial expertise without a specific qualification path in mind. UK accounting and finance degrees at both undergraduate and master’s level are designed around professional body exemptions: a course with ACCA accreditation can remove several examination papers from the path to professional certification, while a programme aligned with the CFA Institute may cover a substantial portion of the CFA curriculum. For international students, understanding which course feeds which qualification is the key to choosing the right programme. This guide explains the main course types, how accreditation works, and which entry profiles match which route.

Undergraduate Accounting and Finance Degrees

A BSc in Accounting and Finance is the most common undergraduate route into the profession. The three-year programme (four with a placement year) covers financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, taxation, audit, and business law. The curriculum is structured to build technical competence: first-year modules establish the fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping, financial reporting, and basic finance theory; second and third years develop advanced topics in financial analysis, management accounting for decision-making, and corporate financial management.

Many UK accounting and finance degrees hold accreditation from professional bodies, most commonly the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Accreditation means that passing specific modules in the degree — typically at a specified grade — exempts students from corresponding professional examination papers. The number of exemptions varies: a well-aligned degree might offer up to nine ACCA exemptions out of the thirteen required for full qualification, representing a substantial shortcut.

Undergraduate entry requirements for accounting and finance typically sit at ABB-BBB at A-Level or international equivalent. Mathematics is often required or strongly preferred at secondary school level, though the mathematical content of an accounting degree is applied rather than theoretical. IELTS 6.0-6.5 is the standard English requirement.

MSc Finance: Specialist Postgraduate Route

The MSc Finance is a taught master’s designed for graduates who want careers in financial analysis, investment management, corporate finance, risk management, or financial consulting. It is a quantitative programme: core modules cover financial theory, quantitative methods, corporate finance, asset pricing, derivatives, and financial econometrics. Students are expected to be comfortable with mathematics, statistics, and often programming.

Entry to MSc Finance programmes is competitive. A UK 2:1 bachelor’s (or international equivalent with 60-65% or GPA 3.0-3.3) in finance, economics, mathematics, engineering, or a quantitatively strong business degree is the standard requirement. Some programmes accept graduates from any discipline if the applicant demonstrates strong quantitative aptitude through prior modules, GMAT or GRE scores, or relevant professional qualifications. Many MSc Finance programmes at top business schools require or strongly recommend a GMAT score.

Some MSc Finance programmes hold CFA Institute University Affiliation, indicating that the curriculum covers a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge. This alignment does not provide direct exemptions — the CFA programme does not grant exemptions from its examinations — but it means the degree content prepares students effectively for the CFA exams.

Tuition fees for MSc Finance programmes in 2026/2027 are among the highest postgraduate fees in the UK, typically ranging from £20,000 to £38,000, reflecting strong demand and the earnings premium associated with finance careers.

MSc Accounting: Professional Focus

MSc Accounting programmes differ from MSc Finance in scope: they focus on advanced financial and management accounting, audit, taxation, and corporate governance rather than investment and markets. These programmes are designed either for graduates with an accounting or business background who want advanced study, or for graduates from other disciplines who want to enter the accounting profession.

For students aiming at professional accounting qualifications, an MSc Accounting with ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW accreditation can accelerate the qualification path. As with undergraduate degrees, exemptions are awarded for specific modules passed at specified grades. Some MSc Accounting programmes are structured explicitly as professional preparation, covering the content of the professional body’s strategic-level papers.

Entry requirements for MSc Accounting are typically a UK 2:1 bachelor’s in accounting, business, or a related discipline. Some programmes accept graduates without an accounting background and include foundational modules in the first term.

Alternative Routes: MSc Accounting and Finance

A widely available middle-ground option is the MSc Accounting and Finance, which combines elements of both disciplines. These programmes suit students who want breadth — covering financial reporting, management accounting, corporate finance, and investment analysis — without specialising exclusively in one area. Accreditation varies: some Accounting and Finance programmes offer exemptions from both accounting bodies and alignment with the CFA curriculum; others are primarily academic qualifications without professional body links.

What This Means for Your Shortlist

Identify your qualification goal first. If you want to become a practising accountant, prioritise ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW-accredited programmes. Check the number of exemptions the programme offers and the grade required to secure each exemption — a programme that offers nine exemptions but requires 60% in each relevant module presents a different challenge from one offering six exemptions at 50%.

If you want to work in financial analysis, investment, or corporate finance, choose an MSc Finance programme, ideally with CFA Institute affiliation. If you are still deciding between accounting and finance, an MSc Accounting and Finance provides a broader foundation.

Check whether the programme accepts your undergraduate background. MSc Finance programmes are accessible to quantitatively strong graduates from any discipline; MSc Accounting programmes usually expect some accounting or business content in the prior degree.

Before You Submit the Course-Options Form

• Identify whether your career goal is professional accounting practice (ACCA/CIMA/ICAEW path) or financial services (CFA/finance path). This choice drives the programme type you should prioritise.

• Note your bachelor’s subject and classification. If your bachelor’s is not in accounting, finance, or business, check whether the master’s programme accepts non-cognate backgrounds and whether you may need a pre-master’s.

• If you are targeting MSc Finance at a competitive business school, check whether a GMAT or GRE score is required or recommended and whether you have time to prepare and sit the test before application deadlines.

• List which professional qualifications you are working toward and check the specific exemption agreements between UK universities and professional accounting bodies on the body’s accredited programmes database.

FAQ

Q1: Does a UK accounting degree give me ACCA exemptions?

Many do, but not all. An ACCA-accredited programme provides exemptions from specific ACCA examination papers, typically up to nine of the thirteen papers. The number and conditions vary by university and programme. Check the ACCA’s accredited programmes list for the specific university and course to confirm current exemption arrangements.

Q2: Can I study MSc Finance without a finance bachelor’s?

Yes, at many universities. MSc Finance programmes commonly accept graduates from mathematics, economics, engineering, and physics, and some accept graduates from any discipline with strong quantitative evidence. A GMAT or GRE score can strengthen an application from a non-finance background.

Q3: What is the difference between ACCA and CIMA?

ACCA focuses on financial accounting, audit, and tax — suited for careers in accounting practice, financial reporting, and external audit. CIMA focuses on management accounting, strategy, and business decision-making — suited for careers in industry, management, and business partnering. Both are globally recognised. Some UK degrees offer exemptions from both.

Q4: Do I need a master’s to become an accountant in the UK?

No. A professionally accredited undergraduate degree provides the same ACCA, CIMA, or ICAEW exemptions as a master’s, and many students qualify as accountants after a bachelor’s degree alone. A master’s can accelerate qualification and add academic depth, but it is not required for professional registration.

Q5: How much do UK finance and accounting courses cost?

For the 2026/2027 academic year, undergraduate accounting and finance programmes typically range from £14,000 to £22,000 per year for international students. MSc Finance programmes range from £20,000 to £38,000. MSc Accounting programmes range from £15,000 to £28,000. These are guidance figures; verify on the specific course page for current fees.

Sources and notes: ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, and CFA accreditation and exemption details are based on each professional body’s published accredited programmes database as of mid-2026. Fee ranges are based on published 2026/2027 international tuition fees from a sample of UK universities. Exemption agreements and fee figures can change between academic cycles; always verify on the professional body’s website and the university’s course page. This article reflects information available as of July 2026.

Check Course Options

Tell us about your qualification background, career goals in finance or accounting, and any professional exams (ACCA, CIMA, CFA) you are targeting. We’ll help identify UK courses that align with your qualification path.

Check course options

Check course options

Share your background, target intake, subject direction, and constraints. We’ll help frame possible UK university and course options based on the information you provide. Check course options Open the course-options form to start building your shortlist.