MA Professional Accountancy
About this course
MA in Professional Accountancy, an accounting degree centred on professional practice and the financial sector. Core topics include Financial Analysis and Accounting. The course is designed in partnership with ICAS to provide up to eleven ICAS exemptions and offers an optional year abroad. The first year covers the foundations through Introduction to Accounting, Management in a Global Context, The Economy, and Critical Academic Skills. Students also study Sustainable Business, Introductory Finance, Introduction to Economic and Financial Analysis, and Becoming a Professional.
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: 29 points Highers: AABB (over two sittings) BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM HNC: NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit HND: NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
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What students say
Based on about 30 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 74%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 95 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 84%
- Left higher education: 7%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 8%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- London: 6%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 1%
- Scotland: 84%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 125 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 79%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Modules
- Introduction to Accounting
- Management in a Global Context
- The Economy
- Critical Academic Skills
- Sustainable Business
- Introductory Finance
- Introduction to Economic and Financial Analysis
- Becoming a Professional
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Professional Accountancy at Heriot-Watt University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 3 years, £38,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,500. The £38,000 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Accounting.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Professional Accountancy at Heriot-Watt University?
74% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Professional Accountancy at Heriot-Watt University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 29 points in the IB. The average entrant had 150 UCAS points.
Does MA Professional Accountancy at Heriot-Watt University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Professional Accountancy at Heriot-Watt University?
84% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.