BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year)
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance (with placement year) is a four-year undergraduate degree in accounting and finance, combining both subject areas in a business context. Core topics include accounting, financial analysis, data analysis, statistics and research methods. Year 3 is a compulsory industrial placement, and a final-year dissertation is completed on a topic of the student's choosing. Some optional modules can lead to exemptions from ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS and CIMA professional examinations, subject to module choice and marks. The first year builds foundations through Financial Accounting, Quantitative Methods, Fundamentals of Management Accounting, Ethics and Sustainability in Accounting and Foundations of Finance. The second year moves into more advanced material, with compulsory modules in Management Accounting, Intermediate Financial Reporting, Corporate Finance and Financial Econometrics 1, and a choice between dissertation preparation routes depending on whether students plan an accounting or finance dissertation at Level 3. Optional modules in Year 2 span Accounting Information Systems and Analytics, Assurance, Business Law, Personal Taxation, Banking and Financial Valuation. Year 3 is a compulsory placement year, during which students work with an assigned academic tutor who supports them and liaises with the employer. The final year centres on a Dissertation researching a topic in accounting or finance, with optional modules including Big Data Analytics, Corporate Governance, Audit and Assurance, Advanced Financial Reporting, Behavioural Finance and Real Estate Finance.
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: AAB and a grade B/6 or above in GCSE Mathematics (if Mathematics is not studied at A-Level). IB: 35 with 665 in higher level subjects. If Mathematics is not taken at higher level, then it is required at standard level 5.
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What students say
Based on about 153 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 94%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 270 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 88%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 47%
- Working and studying: 37%
- Further study: 4%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 60%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 165 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 9%
- North West: 16%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 11%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 27%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 290 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 98%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System.
- Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Financial Accounting
- Quantitative Methods
- Fundamentals of Management Accounting
- Ethics and Sustainability in Accounting
- Introduction to Financial Economics
- Foundations of Finance
- Management Accounting
- Intermediate Financial Economics
- Corporate Finance
- Intermediate Financial Reporting
- Choose one of the following two modules:
- EITHER Financial Econometrics 1
- OR Accounting Dissertation Preparation
- Example optional modules
- Placement
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year) at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £44,000 after 3 years, £55,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £39,000 and £71,500. The £55,000 median after five years is £21,500 more than the UK median for Accounting.
What do graduates of BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year) at Durham University do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year) at Durham University?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year) at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 134 UCAS points.
Is BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year) at Durham University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Does BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year) at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Accounting and Finance (with placement year) at Durham University?
88% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.