Business Accounting and Finance with work placements BSc Honours
- UCAS code: NN14
- Full time
- 4 years
This four-year Flying Start degree offers the best of both worlds. It mixes traditional academic study with integrated paid work placements at PwC, giving you a fast track route into chartered accountancy.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2025
Next start date:
- September 2025
Fees (per year)
- Home: £9250
- International: £24400
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
Get a flying start and accelerate your progress towards being an ICAEW Chartered Accountant with our Business Accounting and Finance with work placement BSc honours degree. 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. It is the most established course of its kind. It combines academic study and integrated paid professional work placements in PwC’s Audit practice. You'll progress towards the ICAEW Chartered Accountancy qualification, the ACA
In 2022 we celebrated 20 years of our Flying Start programme. Current students, alumni and staff have shared their views and experiences of the programme since its inception in 2002.
Throughout your journey, a team of dedicated staff from both Newcastle University and PwC will support you. 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.
This degree was designed with, and is professionally accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Successful graduates of this degree will have completed 12 of the 15 papers of the ICAEW Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification.
Please note: All module information is subject to change.
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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 2024-25.
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
Auditing and Assurance - ACC2064This core Flying Start module is essential to being an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. It develops the theory of audit, where you will also learn how to use Data Analytics software. You'll practice this in your PwC placements at real audit clients. You'll embrace emerging audit techniques, and work with an experienced ICAEW Chartered Accountant, alongside the ICAEW.
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
- the financial environment - corporate governance, ethics and sustainability
- quantitative methods and principles of taxation
- industry economics
- professional skills
- business law
Please note: All module information is subject to change.
Modules
In Stage 2, you'll deepen your knowledge. You'll cover areas including:
- audit and assurance
- management and control
- tax compliance
- financial accounting for business
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 |
---|---|
Stage 2 Placement | 40 |
Management and Control | 20 |
Auditing and Assurance | 25 |
Tax Compliance | 20 |
Financial Accounting for Business | 15 |
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:
- business finance
- business planning
- international financial accounting and reporting
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 |
In Stage 4, you'll study advanced areas such as:
- contemporary industry issues
- financial analysis
- corporate governance and ethics
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 |
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 2023-24.
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 towards approximately half of the work experience required to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
You'll also develop valuable skills of time management, self-motivation, teamwork and research, within the professional skills element of this degree.
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.
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 equip you with the skills, experience, and qualifications needed to become a part-qualified, professional chartered accountant.
Our graduates went into roles such as chartered accountant, financial accountant, senior associate in assurance, and auditor.
Since 2002, 100% of our graduates secured positions with PwC, but were under no obligation to join PwC when they left university.
If you are offered a position with PwC, you'll join the company on a graduate programme and complete the ICAEW ACA Advanced Level and the remaining technical work experience required.
Just over a year after you graduate, you could become a fully qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
Industry links
We deliver this degree in partnership with PwC and ICAEW, meaning you'll have regular interaction with the profession.
You'll learn from qualified chartered accountants and be able to gain sector insight with regular guest lectures from PwC and ICAEW professionals.
Make a difference
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Careers support
You'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:
- the annual Future Focus: Careers Conference, 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 award-winning 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 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
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
A-Level | |
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International Baccalaureate | |
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Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications
Contextual Offers
Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.
Additional application information
If you require immigration permission to study in the UK, but will not be applying for a student visa as you already hold another type of immigration permission, please contact laurie.watson@pwc.com for more information. Due to certain visa restrictions, we need to check your eligibility for the programme and any subsequent Graduate offer that could be made to you, before we can progress your application.
After you apply
Your UCAS form will be reviewed by a member of staff. Following this review, we may also invite you to complete some online assessments. These will include an online interview and Assessment Centre.
Online interview
The online interview is run by PwC. This can be taken at a time and place to suit you, as long as there is sufficient time before the Assessment Centre (we’ll advise you of the deadlines). You will have the opportunity to practice questions and find out more about PwC by completing this exercise. Your interview will be reviewed by both PwC and Newcastle University staff.
Assessment Centre
The Assessment Centres are held online in February and March.
The Assessment Centre involves a group assessment exercise and is conducted by PwC. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions. This will allow you to get a good feel for what the programme is about.
At the end of the Assessment Centre, we will consider the results of your online assessments and group assessment exercise.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed.
Qualification: BSc Honours | |
---|---|
Home students full time 4 years |
Tuition fees (per year)
9250 |
International students full time 4 years |
Tuition fees (per year)
24400 |
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.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year at our on-campus and virtual open days.
You'll be able to:
- explore our beautiful campus
- find out about our vibrant city
- discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually.
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.
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 UCASApply 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.
Get in touch
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