Overview
Finance and accounting professionals are the stewards of business growth. Their key role and a sector skills shortage makes them one of the most critically in-demand occupations (Accountancy Age, 2025).
Our BAcc (Hons) Accountancy and Finance degree is ideal for students who want flexibility to work across accountancy and finance. Your skills will enable investors, lenders, management and others to make key decisions based on financial facts.
The course content is aligned with the latest industry standards, so you’ll be ready for the real world. You'll learn from expert lecturers with significant industrial experience. The course covers:
- management of financial records and statements
- the process of auditing and taxation
- quantitative analytical skills
- how financial markets work including portfolio management and investment strategies
Multi-accreditations and exemptions by seven major regulatory bodies
Our accounting and finance degree is recognised by multiple professional accreditations. It means you’ll enjoy exemptions from their professional exams. We’re accredited by:
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS)
- Association of International Accountants (AIA)
- Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI)
Professional affiliation and recognition
Our course is recognised under the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Program. We embed part of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) into the curriculum. This prepares students for the CFA Program exams.
We are also affiliated with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI). You’ll have the opportunity to obtain a recognised professional qualification with the CISI. This will give you a competitive advantage when entering the job market.
Practical learning for your future career
We focus on future proofing your expertise for your career.
- You’ll apply theory to real-life scenarios and explore case studies for practical insight.
- Guest speakers from professional bodies and leading companies such as CFA, CISI, include KPMG, Johnston Carmichael and Wbg.
- Networking opportunities with professional organisations and companies.
- The award-winning global financial trading boot camp run with our partner, AmplifyMe, lets you trade in real-time.
- Develop practical skills in investment portfolio management through the Student Managed Investment Fund.
- Opportunities to take part in the Barclays Finance Experience, which offers great insight into financial services career paths.
- Learn soft career skills sought-after by employers. These include analytical thinking, presentation and communication skills.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the world's largest global standard-setting body for business education. Only 6% of the world’s leading business schools achieve this accreditation. This recognises our excellence in business education and societal impact.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
Successful completion of this course will ensure many professional bodies give you significant exemptions from their exams.
The accreditations also give you access to professional resources and enhanced networking opportunities.
The university is also accredited by AACSB International.
Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI)
During your studies, you can gain the CISI professional qualification, Introduction to Securities and Investment. This gives you a competitive advantage when entering the job market.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Program
As a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, we can offer a small number of CFA Program Student Scholarships.
CFA Program Student Scholarships waives the programme enrolment fee. It also reduces the exam registration fee.
The university is also accredited by AACSB International.
Prizes or awards
ICAS Charles Scott Prize
A prize of £100 is awarded annually to the Bachelor of Accountancy student with the highest overall performance in modules ACCU9A1 and ACCU9A2 in the same academic session.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
AABB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
To include Accountancy and Economics at Higher, A-level or equivalent.
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation page.
Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 3 of the BAcc (Hons) is not possible, but applications can be accepted to Year 3 of the BA (Hons) Accounting and
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
Develop your careers skills with our HeadStart Programme
We go beyond textbooks and lecture rooms to focus on your personal and professional development. HeadStart will help you develop practical career skills such as effective public speaking or conflict management.
Study and careers support
You'll have a mentor who will guide you through your studies. The Careers Service provides support for CV design, interview skills and other career skills.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
On this Bachelor of accountancy and finance, you’ll learn through a combination of:
- formal lectures
- seminars
- practical workshops
- tutorials.
Small group tutorials will also provide feedback and reinforcement of lecture topics throughout each semester.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. For honours students, all advanced modules undertaken during the final two years count equally towards your overall degree classification. In contrast to the single Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) course, Accountancy and Finance does not require the completion of a dissertation in Semester 8.
Classroom hours
Classroom hours vary, but in general, you can expect at least nine weekly contact hours per semester, which should be supplemented by approximately 30 hours of self-study weekly.
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
An accountancy and finance undergraduate degree offers diverse career roles. Career paths include:
- corporate accounting
- auditing
- tax advisory
- financial management
- financial analysts
- academia
Other opportunities include roles in banking, investment analysis, and financial advising.
Both accountancy and finance are globally in demand and lead to high-paying jobs. (Source: Top Universities, 2024)
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