Course overview

This three-year course will equip you with real-world, problem-solving skills and an understanding of the academic theory that underpins professional accounting and finance practice. 

This course will give you a head start on your career with industry-recognised accreditations, research-informed teaching, and practitioner insight.

Balancing practical application and the development of technical skills, the programme covers the core areas of financial accounting, management accounting, and finance.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

Quality and ranking

• 4th in the UK for graduate prospects in Accounting and Finance – The Complete University Guide 2021
• top 20 in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2021
• top 175 – Business and Economics category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2020

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Professional accreditation

If you want to become a chartered accountant, it is important to study a degree that is professionally accredited. This shows that your degree meets the standards set by the industry, and often means that you do not need to take certain additional exams after you graduate (this is called an ‘exemption’).

This degree offers a number of exemptions from the examinations of professional bodies, putting you on the fast track to further qualifications in your chosen career. Exemptions available to current students include:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

We are also an IMC Advantage Partner with the Chartered Financial Analysts’ Society UK, which means our Accounting and Finance degree is highly relevant for those who wish to become a registered investment adviser. We’re also an approved Pathways to Associate Member of Certified Practising Accountants Australia.

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Featured module

ACC2021: Understanding Company Accounts

Analyse the accounts of a listed company in the context of the environment it operates in and with comparative companies. Develop skills for your future career.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Stage 1 will provide an introduction to the core principles of accounting and finance, covering topics including finance accounting, management accounting and finance, economics, and business law. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Introduction to Financial Accounting	20
Introduction to Management Accounting and Finance	20
Professional Skills for Accounting and Finance	20
Introduction to Management and Organisation	20
Introductory Economics	20
Introduction to Business Law	20

In Stage 2, you'll study compulsory modules in areas such as managerial and business economics, financial control, corporate finance, and company accounts. 

You'll also have the opportunity to choose modules in strategic business analysis, auditing, or career development – where you'll undertake work-related learning in a variety of environments. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Managerial and Business Economics	20
Financial Control	20
Intermediate Financial Accounting	20
Corporate Finance	20
Understanding Company Accounts	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Strategic Business Analysis	20
Auditing	20
Career Development for second year students	20

In your final year, you will delve further into financial accounting, management accounting, and international financial management. 

Through optional module choices, you'll be able to explore more specialist areas including auditing, derivative modules, issues in behavioural finance, and taxation. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Financial Accounting	20
Management Accounting	20
International Financial Management	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Strategic Business Analysis	20
Auditing	20
Issues in Behavioural Finance	20
Derivative Markets	20
Auditing as Social Accountability	20
Taxation in Accounting	20
Accounting, Organisations and Society	20
Accounting, Change and Development	20
Career Development for final year students	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll learn from qualified chartered accountants and gain sector insight with regular guest lectures from leading accountancy firms and experts from business.

We're a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner, so you'll also have the option to self-study the Bloomberg Market Concepts certificate.

You'll learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars 
• workshops
• tutorials 

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills 

This practical course will equip you with technical skills and the knowledge to confidently apply them in real-world scenarios. 

Alongside your studies, you'll have the opportunity to self-study the Sage CIMA qualification to develop your use of accountancy software. 

Business skills

Over the course of your degree, you'll develop real business knowledge and skills that will allow you to help businesses grow, survive, and succeed. 

You'll also have the opportunity to gain commercial awareness and develop a business mindset with an optional work placement after your second year. 

Research skills

Throughout the programme, your teaching will be informed by the latest research, ensuring that your studies reflect current accounting practice. 

You'll also develop your research skills as you develop an in-depth knowledge of key industry issues. 

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement 

Our accounting and finance degree is also available as a four-year programme, Accounting and Finance with Placement N401. 

You'll spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place in Stage 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

This degree is run by our triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) Newcastle University Business School, based in our state-of-the-art building within the Newcastle Helix development – Newcastle's emerging business district.

You’ll benefit from a world-class business education and leave as a socially responsible graduate, ready to challenge conventional business thinking.

Find out more about Newcastle University Business School and our facilities

Support

Each degree offers you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.

You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.

Your future

This course will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities in accounting and finance roles across all business sectors. 

95% of our graduates were in work or further study within six months of graduating.*

Recent graduates have secured roles in companies including Ernst and Young, KPMG, Mazars LLB, AXA, PwC, Capita Asset Services, and Deloitte, taking on roles such as:

• business analyst
• finance associate
• tax analyst
• trainee auditor
• assurance associate

You'll also develop a broader set of transferable skills including communication, analytical skills, logical thinking, teamwork, and attention to detail, making you highly employable in a wide variety of other industries and roles. 

*Destinations of (undergraduate, UK and EU) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17

Benefit from our industry links

We have excellent links with accounting and finance professionals in many industries and professional bodies. 

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK.

Read our detailed explanation

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£18600

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme). 

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.

If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.

Read more about fees and funding

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages