n400/n401 - Accounting and Finance BA
Accounting and Finance BA Honours
UCAS Code: N400/N401 (full time: 3 or 4 Years)
Course Overview
This professionally accredited degree provides a firm foundation in accounting and finance.

At a Glance
UCAS Code
N400/N401
UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21
Degree Awarded
BA Honours
Course Duration
3 or 4 Years
Entry Requirements
A Level: AAB
IB: 35 points
Opportunities

You graduate with real-world problem-solving skills that are attractive to employers and a strong understanding of the academic theory that underpins professional practice.
The degree focuses on three core disciplines that are essential for a successful career in any area of business or finance:
- financial accounting
- management accounting
- finance
Many of our graduates go on to train as chartered accountants. However, this degree can also lead to a range of other career options, such as finance or general management.
Quality and ranking
- top 20 in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2019
- top 200 – Business and Economics category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2018
- 91% overall student satisfaction score – National Student Survey 2017 (Accounting Category)
Degree options
This degree is available as:
- a three-year degree (N400)
- a four-year degree with placement (N401)
Students on N400 can apply to study abroad for a year between Stages 2 and 3 (see below), extending their degree to four years.
We also offer Accounting and Finance BSc Honours at our London campus.
Work placement (optional)
Between Stages 2 and 3, you have the opportunity to spend a year on work placement in the UK or overseas.
This can boost your CV and equip you with valuable industry experience.
- You can apply directly to our four-year degree with Placement (N401)
- You can apply to our three-year degree (N400) and ask to transfer to N401 if you decide you'd like to take a work placement, up until the end of Stage 2
You'll receive support from the Business School's dedicated Placement Officer and the University's Careers Service to help you find a placement that matches your skills and interests.
- finance assistant
- assurance intern
- internal auditor
- providing audit services to external clients at PwC and Atom Bank
- invoicing and budgeting at L’Oréal
- re-engineering of key processes to support efficiencies at P&G
- budget management, forecasting and analysing sales performance at TJX Europe
Find out more about work placements on the Business School's website.
Study abroad (optional)
Between Stages 2 and 3, students on our Accounting and Finance (N400) degree have the opportunity to study abroad for a year.
We have a number of partner universities in Europe through the Erasmus exchange scheme.
Currently partners include institutions in:
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Holland
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
We also have partners outside of Europe. You can apply to study abroad up until the end of Stage 2.
Find out more about the benefits of studying abroad on the Business School website.
Industry links
Newcastle University Business School has excellent links with accounting organisations and professional bodies. Regular guest lecturers from leading accountancy firms provide insight into industry. You'll also enjoy close interaction with chartered accountants on the teaching team.
Professional exemptions*
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)
- Association of International Accountants (AIA)
- 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.
Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS)
This degree is also approved by DTUS for entry to all technical corps.
DTUS is a Ministry of Defence sponsorship programme for students who wish to join the Royal Navy, British Army, RAF, or Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG) as technical officers after graduation.
Find out more on the DTUS programme.
Facilities and support
Facilities
This degree is run by Newcastle University Business School, based in our state-of-the-art building, on the Science Central area of campus, within Newcastle's emerging business district. Our Business School's facilities include:
- 120 PCs across three hi-tech computer clusters
- Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the building
- social spaces for learning and relaxation
- bookable meeting rooms
Take a virtual tour of our building.
Careers support
You'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:
- specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's award-winning Careers Service
- career management sessions with a Careers Adviser
- an Annual Career Development Week, to help you improve your employability skills and meet potential employers
- work experience opportunities while studying with us
- Business School summer internship scheme
We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.
Support
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.
Compare this course
See how this course compares with others for topics such as student satisfaction, fees and costs and prospects after graduation using the Unistats Key Information Set.
Course Details
Modules for 2017 entry
Please note
The module and/or programme information below is for 2017 entry. Our teaching is informed by research and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers of students interested (in an optional module). To find out more read our terms and conditions.
Module/programme information for 2018 entry will be published here as soon as it is available (end of May 2018).
Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Further information, including the credit value of the module, is available in each of the module descriptions below.
Stage 1
Compulsory modules
- ACC1010 Introduction to Financial Accounting
- ACC1011 Introduction to Management Accounting and Finance
- ACC1012 Professional Skills for Accounting and Finance
- BUS1001 Introduction to Management and Organisation
- ECO1017 Introductory Economics
- LAW1054 Introduction to Business Law
PLEASE NOTE: If you are required to take the University English Language assessment, or equivalent, and achieve below 70 you must take INU9094 Writing for Business School Undergraduates and/or INU9053 Listening and Speaking for Business School Undergraduates on a NOT FOR CREDIT basis (in addition to the 120 credits listed above).
Stage 2
Compulsory modules
- ACC2002 Managerial and Business Economics
- ACC2003 Financial Control
- ACC2005 Intermediate Financial Accounting
- ACC2007 Corporate Finance
- ACC2021 Understanding Company Accounts
Optional modules
You take one of the following optional modules:
- ACC2009 Strategic Business Analysis
- ACC2020 Auditing
- NCL2007 Career Development for Second Year Students
Work placement (N401 only)
Between Stages two and three, you have the option to spend a full academic year on a work placement with an approved organisation.
While on placement you will complete the following modules:
- ACC3010 Intercalating Year Personal Learning Record
- ACC3011 Intercalating Year Reflective Learning Account
Stage 3
Compulsory modules
- ACC3001 Financial Accounting
- ACC3002 Management Accounting
- ACC3006 International Financial Management
Optional modules
You take 60 credits from the following modules, if not already taken at Stage 2:
- ACC2009 Strategic Business Analysis
- ACC2020 Auditing
- ACC3004 Derivative Markets
- ACC3008 Auditing as Social Accountability
- ACC3009 Taxation in Accounting
- ACC3016 Accounting, Organisations and Society
- ACC3018 Accounting, Change and Development
- NCL3007 Career Development for Final Year Students *
- NCL3008 Advanced Career Development
* This can only be taken if NCL2007 has not been studied at Stage 2.
Entry Requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis.
If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered.
The entrance requirements below apply to 2019 entry.
Careers
Accounting and Finance careers
We enjoy a good reputation for producing highly employable graduates.
The combination of expert knowledge and personal and professional skills you learn on this degree provides you with a good foundation for the future.
You will learn technical skills and gain knowledge related to:
- accounting
- finance
- economics
- law
Our degree also helps you develop the key skills employers are looking for, such as:
- communication skills
- the ability to work in a team
- personal enterprise
- commercial awareness
A variety of careers in business and industry are open to you, and you will be well placed if applying to graduate training schemes.
Graduates in accounting and finance do not have to become accountants, although in practice many do.
Recent graduates have found employment in globally recognised companies including:
- Ernst & Young
- Deloitte
- PwC
- KPMG
- Baker Tilly
- Cummins Europe
- National Audit Office
- Grant Thornton UK LLP
A professional accounting qualification can open the door to a wide range of senior positions - a high proportion of the chief executive officers of FTSE-100 companies are accountants by training.
Some graduates choose to go on to further study and there are plenty of postgraduate degrees available at Newcastle University.
Find out more about the career options for Accounting and Finance from Prospects: The UK's Official Careers Website.
The Business School runs a Career Development Week for all Business School students to give you an insight into possible career options. We also have a dedicated Placement Officer who can help you find a work placement in your area of interest.
For more information about the careers support available for Business School students, visit the Business School website.
What our graduates go on to do: employment and further study choices
See what our recent graduates went on to do and view graduate destinations statistics. These statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation. Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates.
The destination data is available in varying levels, beginning with the University and moving through Faculty and School down to individual course reports. This final level may give you some useful ideas about possible options after your course or a course you are considering.
Careers and employability at Newcastle
Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK.
95% of our 2016 UK-domiciled graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating.
Of our graduates who entered employment more than three quarters (78%) achieved a professional or managerial position.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through an initiative called ncl+. This enables you to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and to give you the edge in the employment market after you graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
Fees & Funding
Apply
Applying to Newcastle University through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS codes for Newcastle University
- institution name - NEWC
- institution code - N21
UCAS buzzword
Ask your teacher or adviser from your school or college for the UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when you register on the Apply system. This makes it clear which school or college you are applying from.
All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU and international establishments are registered with UCAS.
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.
Making your application
On the UCAS website you can also find out more about:
- application deadlines and other important dates
- offers and tracking your application
Application decisions and enquiries
Find out more about our admissions process and who to contact if you need help with your application.