Business Accounting and Finance with work placements BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised. Please contact our friendly advisers to find out if you’re eligible for a place. You can get in touch through our hotlines: 

• For domestic students please call us on 0800 073 5050
• If you’re an International student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2025.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2025. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

Search our courses in Clearing

Course overview

Our Business Accounting and Finance with work placement BSc honours degree will give you a flying start and accelerate your progress towards being an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Put classroom theory into commercial practice with three integrated paid work placements.

The ‘Flying Start’ degree is a collaboration between Newcastle University, PwC and ICAEW.

Set up in 2002, it is the most established course of its kind. It continues to evolve with the accounting profession.

In 2025, the ICAEW's ACA qualification is changing to the Next Generation ACA. The Newcastle Flying Start degree will reflect those changes, ensuring that our graduates are prepared for the future. It combines:

• academic study
• integrated paid professional work placements in PwC’s Audit practice

You'll progress towards the ICAEW Chartered Accountancy qualification, the ACA.

A team of dedicated staff from both Newcastle University and PwC will support you throughout your journey. They'll help you:

• develop the business skills you need to gain a degree
• progress towards a professional qualification
• succeed on paid work placements

This will help you towards hopefully receiving a full-time graduate offer with PwC. You could be a fully-qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant just over a year after graduation - a truly flying start.

Download information about this course as a PDF

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 2025-26.

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

AFM2104: Assurance, Risk and Reporting

This core Flying Start module is essential to being an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. You will learn how to prepare and present financial statements from accounting data. You'll also learn to identify and interpret information using data analytics software. You'll practice this in your PwC placements at real audit clients.

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

You will spend the first full academic year at university. This will help you to settle into student life in Newcastle.

In Stage 1, you'll have a comprehensive introduction to key areas of business, accounting and finance. Modules cover:

• financial accounting
• management accounting and finance
• sustainability and ethics
• quantitative methods and assurance
• industry economics
• professional skills
• business law

Please note: All module information is subject to change.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Introduction to Financial Accounting	20
Introduction to Management Accounting and Finance	20
Sustainability and Ethics	20
Introductory Quantitative Methods and Assurance	20
NCL Edge: Business Accounting and Finance Stage 1	0
Introductory Economics	20
Introduction to Business Law	20

In Stage 2, you'll deepen your knowledge. You'll cover areas including:

• assurance, risk and reporting
• business and digital strategy
• tax fundamentals
• fundamental case study

From December to Easter, you'll complete your first paid work placement at PwC. You will work in a professional accountancy practice environment and apply your learning to real-life scenarios.

Please note: All module information is subject to change.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Assurance and Tax	20
Business and Digital Strategy	20
Fundamentals Case Study	10
Assurance, Risk and Reporting	30
Stage 2 Placement	40
NCL Edge: Business Accounting and Finance Stage 2	0

Stage 3 includes another paid placement at PwC. This will allow you to further develop your professional skills relating to audit, assurance, financial reporting and taxation.

You'll also study modules in:

• corporate financial strategy
• tax compliance and planning
• corporate reporting, data and assurance

From December to Easter, you'll complete your second paid work placement at PwC. You will work in a professional accountancy practice environment and apply your learning to real-life scenarios.

Please note: All module information is subject to change.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Stage 3 Placement	40
Business Planning: Taxation	30
Financial Accounting and Reporting	25
Business Finance	25
NCL Edge: Business Accounting and Finance Stage 3	0

In Stage 4, you'll study advanced areas such as:

• contemporary industry issues
• strategic business advice
• strategic business issues

From mid-November to Easter, you'll gain even more auditing experience during your final paid placement at PwC.

Please note: All module information is subject to change.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Contemporary Issues in Business, Accounting and Finance	20
Case Studies in Business, Accounting and Finance	20
Financial Analysis	20
Stage 4 Placement	40
Corporate Governance and Ethics	20
NCL Edge: Business Accounting and Finance Stage 4	0

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 2024-25.

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 through a combination of:

• lectures 
• seminars
• tutorials
• workshops
• professional placements

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Reflective report/journal

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Real business skills

You'll complete over 200 days of paid qualifying technical work experience.

You will work with real clients as part of PwC’s Audit Team during the second, third and fourth year of your degree. This placement will allow you to put your knowledge into practice. These days also count as approximately half of the work experience required to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Within the professional skills element of this degree, you'll also develop skills in:

• time management
• self-motivation
• teamwork
• research

Research skills

Our teaching is informed by the latest research to ensure that your studies are always in line with the most up-to-date industry thinking. 

Opportunities

Work placement

You'll work on real projects for real clients as part of PwC's audit team, you will develop new skills and gain a broad knowledge of business issues. You'll receive an attractive salary with paid holiday during your placement. Paid accommodation on work placement can also be provided, if needed.

There are various opportunities across the UK. PwC will provide practical help and financial relocation assistance, should you need it.

Your placements in Stages 2 and 3 run from January to Easter. Before each placement, you'll receive a PwC training programme in December. After each placement, you return to University for the summer term. You have a placement debrief, final tuition and assessment.

In Stage 4, your placement runs from mid-November to Easter. You gain further auditing experience and are likely to be supervising others.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 4,000 students from over 85 countries. This valuable community extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 37,000 alumni in our network, spanning 152 countries
• leading professional and academics who are experts in their field
• businesses and partners in academe

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix -  a landmark 24 acre hybrid city quarter. It brings together researchers, business and communities with the purpose of helping families, communities and cities around the world live healthier, longer, smarter, and easier lives.

We have two buildings – the Business School and the Frederick Douglass Centre (FDC). Both offer a range of purpose-build facilities, including.

• computer clusters housing over 120 PCs, plus open IT spaces for laptops
• seven large lecture theatres, plus a 750-seat auditorium – the largest in the University
• 25 seminar and teaching spaces, many with flexible furniture to accommodate learning
• a dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a mix of space for group work, individual study, or quiet study
• study pods, some with wall mounted screens, and bookable rooms for working in groups or individually
• a contemporary café, refurbished in 2025
• two dedicated hubs for employability support and events
• a Bloomberg lab with over 20 terminals, so you can experience a real trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
• a flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city and St. James’ Park, which doubles up as a large flexible teaching space

Accessibility

The Business School values individual differences and the diversity this brings. Our buildings are accessible and user friendly. We have a range of adjustments that can support you when moving around our buildings, such as lifts and accessible toilets. The FDC also offers gender-neutral toilets.

Support

Your teaching and learning is supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peer mentors – fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.
• academics
• personal tutor – an academic member of staff to support with academic and personal issues
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• wellbeing colleagues
• employability, graduate outcomes and placement and study abroad teams

Your future

This course will equip you with the skills, experience, and qualifications needed to become a part-qualified, professional chartered accountant.

Graduates have gone into roles such as:

• chartered accountant
• financial accountant
• senior associate in assurance
• auditor

Since 2002, 100% of our graduates secured positions with PwC.*

If offered a position with PwC, you'll join the company on a graduate programme. You'll complete:

• the ICAEW ACA Advanced Level
• the remaining technical work experience required

This means that you could become a fully-qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant just over a year after graduation.

 

*Graduates are not under any obligation to join PwC when they leave university.

Industry links

We deliver this degree in partnership with PwC and ICAEW. This means you'll have regular interaction with the profession.

You'll learn from qualified chartered accountants. You will gain insights into the sector, with regular guest lectures from PwC and ICAEW professionals.

Make a difference

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Careers support

Career development and employability are woven throughout our teaching, learning and student experience.

The School has dedicated employability support and career spaces in the School to support our students on their career journey. Find out more about our employability offer.

You'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• the annual Careers Success Week event, tailored to different industry areas
• interwoven employability provision
• access to a dedicated placement officer within the Business School who can help you find a work placement in your area of interest
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's Careers Service and the Business School's careers consultants
• career management sessions with a careers consultant
• 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.

Our 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 academic year 2026-2027

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) Not set
International students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) 25,750

Home Fee Students

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course. £9,535 is the maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students for the academic year 2025-26. This is set by the UK government. This fee has not yet been confirmed for 2026-27.

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.

Bursary

We also offer a Flying Start financial bursary, aimed at supporting students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds with the day-to-day costs of university life, to support our students to be the best they can be.

Find out more about our Flying Start financial bursary.

Fee reduction

You will spend part of your degree in stages 2, 3 and 4 on placement with PwC. Your tuition fee for each year will be reduced to reflect this.

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.

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