Accounting and Finance with Placement BSc Honours

Course overview

Our Accounting and Finance with Placement BSc Honours degree will develop your knowledge of the academic theory that underpins accounting and finance practice. At the end of this four-year course, you'll graduate well prepared for your future career.

You'll get real-world work experience during your placement year in Stage 3. You'll gain first-hand exposure to life in the industry. You'll also build contacts and explore possible career paths.

The programme balances practical application and the development of technical skills. We'll cover the core disciplines that are fundamental to succeeding in any area of business or finance. These include financial accounting, management accounting, and finance.

You'll benefit from industry-recognised accreditations, research-informed teaching, and practitioner insight. As a result, you'll gain a head start in your career.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
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, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

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.

In Stage 1, we'll introduce you to financial accounting, management accounting and finance, and professional skills. We'll balance this with a range of other topics including:

• economics
• mathematics
• statistics
• management
• an introduction to English 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

Optional Modules	Credits

You will develop your skills in finance, financial accounting and management accounting. You'll complete a group project where you analyse a publicly listed company. You'll produce a written report and presentation.

You can choose an optional module such as auditing, strategic business analysis or career development.

Modules

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

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

On your placement, you'll put your first two years of learning into practice. You'll be able to take on roles such as finance assistant, assurance intern, and internal auditor. You'll gain experience working directly in the industry.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Business School Mobility	120

In your final year, you will undertake compulsory modules in financial accounting, management accounting and international financial management.

Optional modules will make up half of your time. You'll have a wide range of modules to choose from:

• taxation
• behavioural finance
• derivative securities
• accounting development and change

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 are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

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 a mix of highly qualified academics and accounting practitioners with real-world expertise. You'll also gain sector insight from leading accountancy firms and business experts.

You'll learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials 

We're a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner. This means that you'll have the option to self-study the Bloomberg Market Concepts certificate.

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

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

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. This will allow you to develop your use of accountancy software.

Business skills

During your degree, you'll develop real business knowledge and skills. As a result, you will be able to help businesses grow, survive, and succeed.

You'll also have the opportunity to gain commercial awareness and develop a business mindset with a work placement in Stage 3.

Research skills

Our teaching is informed by the latest research. We'll ensure that your studies reflect current accounting practice.

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

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You'll spend 9 to 12 months working in an organization either in the UK or internationally. You'll receive University support from our dedicated team to help you apply for work placements. Work placements take place between stage 2 and 3.

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

Recent placement students have completed roles including:

• Audit and Assurance Placement Student
• Corporate Services Assistant
• Tax Support Accountant
• Supply Chain Finance Student
• Examples of projects include:
• Developing new data visualisation toolkits within Power BI for P and G
• Working in secondments across personal Tax and Audit for a Big 4 firm
• Working with Netherlands and Belgium offices on financial reporting reports for automotive company

Placements are subject to availability and must be secured by the student.

If you are unable to secure a placement, there is the option to transfer to our three-year Accounting and Finance BSc Honours programme.

Find out more about work placements

As an alternative to a work placement, students can opt to study abroad.

Find out more about study abroad

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
• leading professionals and practitioners from industry

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix - an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.

Our facilities include:

• flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
• Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
• four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
• dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
• contemporary café
• employability hub to support your career aspirations
• Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology

This is in addition to our Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix, which offers further study and learning spaces including a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.

Find out more about Newcastle University Business School

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.

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

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

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

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (per year) 21600

Home Fee Students

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

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

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

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

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