MA Accountancy and Legal Studies
About this course
MA in Accountancy and Legal Studies, an undergraduate degree combining financial accounting and business principles with the study of legal systems and commercial law. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Financial Analysis, Accounting, Legal Analysis, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students can optionally undertake a year abroad as part of their studies. In the first year, students cover foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Accounting and Accountability, Accounting Principles, Finance 1: Finance, Risk and Investment, and Foundations of Private Law, while also choosing from various legal and business options. The second year extends these abilities with compulsory study in Management Accounting 2, Finance 2: Business Finance, Financial Accounting 2, and Understanding Statistics. Year 3 builds advanced expertise through compulsory modules including Financial Accounting 3, Management Accounting 3, Audit Practice, and Taxation. In the final year, students can complete a dissertation in accountancy or law alongside advanced optional topics covering accountability, audit theory, governance, and professional ethics.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBC IB: 32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL. SL in English and SL in Mathematics are also required. SQA Highers: BBBB. BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: DMM in related subjects. Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.) GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes. Irish Leaving Certificate: Five subjects at Higher at H3. O4 in Mathematics is also required.
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What students say
Based on about 29 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Legal professionals: 50%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 6%
- Sales occupations: 6%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 25 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 10%
- Scotland: 80%
Who gets in
Based on about 50 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
- Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
- Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.
Modules
- Academic Writing for Business
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen
- Accounting and Accountability
- The Economics of Business and Society
- Finance 1: Finance, Risk and Investment
- Foundations of Private Law
- Scottish Legal System and Method
- Accounting Principles
- Criminal Law
- Contract
- UK Constitutional Law
- Delict and Unjustified Enrichment
- A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration
- Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law
- Management Accounting 2
- Finance 2: Business Finance
- Financial Accounting 2
- Understanding Statistics
- Building Skills and Experience for Career Success
- Criminal Law
- Delict and Unjustified Enrichment
- Public International Law
- Contract
- UK Constitutional Law
- Commercial Organisations and Insolvency
- Family Law
- Introduction to Legal Theory
- Succession and Trusts
- Business Law
- Introduction to Comparative Law
- Private International Law
- Administrative Law and Civil Liberties
- Tort in A Comparative Context
- The Law of Property
- A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration
- Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law
- Eu Institutions and Law
- Financial Accounting 3
- Management Accounting 3
- Audit Practice
- Taxation
- Law of Sales Honours
- Criminal Justice
- Gender, Law and Society
- International Human Rights
- Comparative Data Protection Law
- Company Law (Honours)
- Civil Law Honours
- The Legal Architecture of Global Commerce
- Space Law
- Corporate Finance Law
- Delict
- Criminal Law
- Voluntary Scotland, Scottish Charities, Clubs, Community Organisations
- International Family Law (Honours)
- Corporate Governance
- International Cybersecurity Law
- Law and Medical Ethics
- Media Law (Honours)
- Dissertation
- Dissertations in Accountancy
- Accountability and Sustainability
- Audit Theory and Evolution
- Corporate Governance and Professional Ethics
- Accounting History
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Accountancy and Legal Studies at University of Aberdeen earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £38,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £31,000 and £49,500. The £38,500 median after five years is £7,000 more than the UK median for Law.
What do graduates of MA Accountancy and Legal Studies at University of Aberdeen do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Accountancy and Legal Studies at University of Aberdeen?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Accountancy and Legal Studies at University of Aberdeen?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 165 UCAS points.
Is MA Accountancy and Legal Studies at University of Aberdeen accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations. Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.
Does MA Accountancy and Legal Studies at University of Aberdeen include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Accountancy and Legal Studies at University of Aberdeen?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.