Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Two students using Bloomberg terminals on the Trading Floor

This course offers you the chance to gain a solid foundation in a broad range of potential career options within finance, accountancy or general management.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

NN34

Start date

September 2025
January 2026 - condensed


Course overview

Sound financial knowledge and accountancy skills are needed so businesses can make the right decisions, develop the right strategies and achieve growth, while also considering issues of ethics and sustainability. Many management roles require an understanding of budgeting and financial administration, to ensure the business remains on track and meets its targets.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

 

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Tailor your study to your chosen career path
    This course allows you to broaden your knowledge and skills or focus on specialisation as you see fit. You will first study a wide range of subjects laying a solid foundation for a career in accounting, finance or financial management. In the final year, you will have the opportunity to select from a range of optional modules to focus on a particular area of interest.
  • Prepare for professional qualifications2
    Our degree is closely aligned to the syllabi of professional accountancy bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
  • Put your skills to the test
    Prepare and analyse financial statements, as well as studying the impact of finance on real businesses through case studies of a diverse range of organisations.
  • Develop practical skills in our Bloomberg Trading Floor4
    Develop your skills in our Trading Floor4, which is currently one of the largest academic trading floors in Europe, featuring contemporary Bloomberg terminals.
  • Benefit from real-world exposure
    Prepare for a future career in accounting and finance with a work placement2. Past students have undertaken placements with L'Oreal, Vauxhall Motors, and Digitus Accountancy Limited.

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

This degree is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the 2025/26 intake. Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to secure certain exemptions from ACCA papers, depending on your choice of modules. Please note that additional papers will be required to be taken to become /qualified through the ACCA, which will incur additional costs, and you will also need to fulfil the practical experience requirement. Qualifying will be subject to competitive application, availability, and meeting any applicable visa requirements.


CIPFA logo

Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)

This degree is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy CIPFA for the 2025/26/27/28 intakes. CIPFA recognition allows students who successful graduate from this degree to gain up to six professional examination exemptions as part CIPFA PAQ syllabus for professional qualification. This is subject to application, availability, meeting applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply. If there is any change to the recognition of this course by the CIPFA, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.


Chartered Insurance Institute logo

Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

This degree is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for the 2025/26 intakes. CII recognition allows students to gain certain exemptions from some professional examinations, upon successful completion of this course (subject to application, availability, meeting applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply). If there is any change to the recognition of this course by the CII, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.


International Audit Week

International Audit Week is usually held annually, and is dedicated to helping students develop their auditing skills, with a view to successful careers in the audit and accounting sectors.


What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Accountancy BSc (Hons)

Modules

In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:  

  • technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge 
  • study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner 
  • professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career 
  • global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen 

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

The final year aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from years one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a supervisor.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

My experience at Coventry University was characterised by exceptional education and unwavering support from faculty members. They demonstrated a profound sense of responsibility, nurturing both my academic achievements and my personal growth. During seminars, teachers diligently addressed my queries, and their prompt responses to emails further demonstrated their dedication to my learning. Additionally, Coventry University offers an outstanding academic environment, featuring a 24-hour accessible library and abundant scholarly resources, which greatly facilitated my learning endeavours.

Leyi Chen, Accounting and Finance BSc (2024)
Two students working on a bloomberg terminal in the trading floor

How you'll learn

Our teaching has a strong focus on merging theory and practice. You will be engaged in simulation and practical exercises, such as preparing and analysing financial statements or assessing financial investment options, giving you the opportunity to apply theory to real-life scenarios that professional accountants encounter on a day-to-day basis.

You will have the opportunity to use one of the largest educational trading floors in Europe4, running Bloomberg trading terminals and giving access to a wealth of live and historical trading market data.

You will benefit from formative feedback on your work delivered in class and online.

You will aim to develop team working, communication and leadership skills through participating in group projects.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and Independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International Experience Opportunities

In the past, our students have had the opportunity to visit universities abroad to study alongside students, see how finance is taught internationally, appreciate the issues in different countries and broaden their perspectives.

Closer to home, you might have the opportunity to participate in European field trips2 as part of events such as the annual Tax Week initiative or the annual Audit Week, both of which were conducted in collaboration with European universities, and saw students work collaboratively on related projects.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2.

My passion is to help build students' confidence in their own abilities to disentangle the complex issues of accounting and finance. It’s great when students question assumptions, consider alternative perspectives, reflect on ethical dilemmas, and discuss wider social or environmental implications. I qualified with two professional accounting bodies (CIMA & CPA Australia) and worked as an auditor and commercial analyst. Subsequently, I taught for many years at various institutions in several countries. Whilst I share my experience with learners, I also listen to them as well as hope to inspire them, so they embrace the life-changing possibilities this course offers them.

Dr Simon Huston, Associate Course Director 2024
Two people looking at screens displaying stock market stats

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 4 / C or above including Maths and English
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 24 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

 

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Accounting and Finance will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £16,800 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

We have a range of facilities4 available to support our students in putting the theories you are taught into practice.

A student using a computer at a desk wearing glasses next to a tutor pointing at the screen

The Trading Floor

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility that allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the facility can add a dynamic practical element to your course.

 

People at the Talent team fair on the balcony and on the ground floor

Talent Team

Employability is at the forefront of all our finance courses. You will have access to our dedicated employability service, the Talent Team, from the first day of your course, to graduation and beyond.

 

 

A female student sat at a desk holding a pen and looking at a laptop.

sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library, and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments, the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an accounting and finance degree.


Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • explore and evaluate the complex and dynamic global business environment in which accounting and finance operate including awareness of interdependencies between the regulatory, legal, ethical and economic frameworks.
  • identify, extract and interpret data from a variety of financial and other numerical sources using appropriate financial analysis techniques and an appreciation of statistical concepts.
  • record and summarise transactions and other global economic events, prepare financial statements in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and demonstrate awareness of the contexts in which accounting data and information is processed and used, by different stakeholder groups.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the financial needs of business entities, an appreciation of how theory and evidence may be used to guide practice, the workings of capital markets, and the relationships between risk and return.
  • critically evaluate a range of contemporary theories, models and concepts in accounting and finance, and synthesise these to devise optimal investment and financial risk management strategies for entities including managing investment portfolios and currency risk.
  • apply critical, analytical and problem-solving skills, including critical analysis and evaluation of data, drawing reasoned conclusions to formulate effective strategies for individuals or organisations.
  • use digital information and communications technology4 for the acquisition, analysis and communication of information.
  • effectively communicate and present quantitative and qualitative information, analysis and findings in a form appropriate to the intended audience.
  • evidence effective critical self-reflection, ethical awareness, intercultural awareness and well-developed interpersonal skills including numeracy, collaborative problem-solving and effective time management.

You should have the confidence to give sound financial advice and make effective financial decisions. You should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future careers options in areas such as:

  • finance
  • management
  • accounting
  • banking
  • personal and corporate finance
  • business
  • education in private, public and third sector organisations.

Alternatively, this course could set you on the path towards further study for a professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant.

Where our graduates work

In the past graduates have gone on to work for companies spanning a range of sectors such as BDO, Britvic, Meggit, ICON plc, and The Wigley Group.

Typical roles that graduates of this course may progress to include Finance Analyst, Account Technician, Audit Graduate Scheme, and Finance Graduate Scheme.

Further study

Upon successful completion of our Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons) course, you may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level with our Finance MSc here at Coventry Business School.

You can explore all of your options using our postgraduate course search tool.
You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

Please note that further study opportunities2 are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs may apply.

Accountancy at Coventry

Student Caleb Mellen talks about the skills and experience he’s learning on his 3rd year work placement.

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

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