Accountancy & Finance BAcc
Accountancy is the process by which financial information about a business is recorded, classified, summarised, interpreted and communicated.
A major benefit is our use of guest speakers. These professionals will offer you the opportunity to discuss issues and learn from their experience. This is possible due to the high reputation our degree enjoys among the accountancy profession.
Adam Smith Business School is triple accredited
Triple-crown accreditation signals the Adam Smith Business School meets the highest global standards in education and research. This recognition validates the quality of education provided and enhances graduates’ employability, placing us in the top league of international business schools.
- September start
- Session dates
- Accountancy BAcc: N400 4 year degree
- Accountancy with Finance BAcc: N4N3 4 year degree
- Accountancy with International Accounting BAcc: N401 4 year degree
- Accountancy with Languages BAcc: N4T9 4 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- Degree options
- Professionally accredited
- Study abroad available
Programme structure
Year 1
The BAcc will provide a flavour of the profession you hope to work in after graduation. You will be introduced to the theory and practice of financial accounting, management accounting and finance. You will learn about the processes of accounting and the structure and development of accounting statements, budgeting and management control within organisations, as well as the nature of the financial markets. You will also study economics and management.
Year 2
You will concentrate on the regulatory framework of accounting practice, standard setting, the use of cost information and the provision of information for decision making and the operation of the financial markets. You will also study business law, taxation and statistics.
Years 3 and 4
You will study advanced financial accounting and audit. You will also complete a dissertation, an extended piece of personal research on a topic of your own choice guided by a member of academic staff.
Course details
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Our international links
There are opportunities for you to go abroad for up to a year as part of your undergraduate studies.
Studying abroad offers a unique and enriching educational experience. It involves pursuing higher education in a foreign country, immersing oneself in a new culture, language, and academic environment. This opportunity allows students to broaden their horizons, gain a global perspective, and develop a deeper understanding of the world. It fosters personal growth, independence, and cultural sensitivity while providing a platform for lifelong international connections. Overall, studying abroad at the university level is a transformative journey that combines academic rigor with personal and cultural enrichment.
We currently have links with partners across Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Courses taken overseas through our exchange programmes form part of your degree. There are no additional tuition fees and you receive support and recognition for your time abroad through the programme.
Accountancy with Languages
If you study Accountancy with Languages you will be required to study abroad in your chosen language as part of the programme. We can provide specialist language courses if you need support.
- Find out more: Go Abroad
Entry requirements
for entry in 2025
You should refer to the entry requirements for both subjects and the degree award when applying for a joint honours degree programme. The higher entry requirement (where applicable) and additional requirements must be met for both subjects.
Summary entry requirements for Accountancy & Finance
SQA Higher entry requirements
- ABBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
- Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
- Typically offers will be made at AAAAAB by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
- Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and English at AA. (BB may be considered).
SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)
- MD20: ABBBB (also other target groups*)
- MD40: AAABB (ABB S5 minimum for consideration)*
- Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and English. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.
* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.
A-level standard entry requirements
- AAA – ABB
- Additional Requirements: A-level Mathematics and either GCSE English Language at Grade B/5 or GCSE English Literature at Grade B/5. Note: Chemistry, Physics, Further Maths, Economics, Statistics or Applied Statistics will be considered in lieu of A-level Mathematics.
IB standard entry requirements
- 36 (6,6,5)
- Additional requirements: HL Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation) and SL English 5.
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
Career prospects
The BAcc provides many career opportunities besides the accounting profession itself. The study of accountancy and finance is a firm foundation on which to base careers in business management and the financial services sector. The analytical and communication skills that are essential to accounting and finance are also recognised as important attributes for careers in many other areas.
Our recent graduates have been employed by:
- PwC
- KPMG
- Grant Thornton
- Alexander Sloan
- Cigna
- Deloitte
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Credit Suisse
- EY
- Morgan Stanley.
Accreditation
The Adam Smith Business School has specialised international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Our teaching provision is accredited by the Association of Business Schools and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). We have also been awarded accreditation under the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), operated by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The triple-crown accreditation puts us in the top league of international business schools.
The programme is recognised by all the main professional accounting bodies through accreditation status. Success in this degree can afford significant exemptions for an accredited degree from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA).
Degrees and UCAS codes
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
BAcc
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
ICAS Foundation Scholarships
Fintest Rising Star Scholarship 2024
World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship
World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU)
World Changers RUK Excellence Scholarship
World Changers RUK Access Bursary
James McCune Smith Undergraduate Scholarship
Care Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary
Beaconhouse Schools
Undergraduate Talent Scholarships
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
The Clan Gregor Society Prize
The Dima Alhaj Scholarship
Sanctuary Scholarships
Travel Bursary for Forced Migrants
Glasgow Highland Society Scholarship
The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 29 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
More information about this programme
Subject ranking
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Accounting & Finance]
Guardian University Guide [Accounting & Finance]
