Accountancy & Finance BA / MA (Hons)

Programme information

Accountancy has often been described as the language of business and it has long been recognised that an understanding of accounting and finance is an essential prerequisite for those who intend to pursue a career in commerce, industry or public administration.

The increasingly complex environment within which both financial and international business is conducted and the development and spread of computerised techniques continue to reinforce the need for such an understanding. The value of such studies is also recognised by professional accountancy and allied societies which offer, to approved graduates, substantial examination exemptions andreduced periods of pre-qualifying service.

The Heriot-Watt programme in Accountancy and Finance is a specialist degree, particularly well suited to those seeking entry into the accountancy profession and careers in financial services or financial management. The aim of the programme is to encourage development of cognitive skills so that as students progress, they develop knowledge and understanding, learn to apply that knowledge and understanding, and become versed in the deeper approach to learning, evidenced by powers of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Successful completion of our Accountancy and Finance programme provides the maximum number of exemptions from professional examination bodies including the ACCA.

First year

Students will follow introductory courses in four key subject themes of Accountancy and Finance, Economics and Management.

Second year

Students will begin to broaden their study of Accountancy and Finance. The accountancy subjects include Financial Accounting and Management Accounting. The finance subjects include Finance Theory and Markets.

Third year

Students undertake accounting studies in Auditing and Advanced Management Accounting. Finance subjects include Corporate Finance, Security Markets and Advanced Financial Accounting.

Fourth year

The final year provides an opportunity for specialisation with studies in Accountancy Theory, International Accounting, Corporate Reporting and Managerial Accounting - Decision Making. Students must also undertake a dissertation in an area of accounting or finance that is of particular interest to them.

Students have the option to transfer to the Edinburgh Campus to study for their Honours year.

Entry requirements

January intake

The January intake is only open to students who meet all of the following requirements:

  • Transferring from another university
  • Meet the entry requirements for first year entry
  • Carry additional learning or credits of a post-schooling programme that exempts them from the first semester of the programme

First year entry

  • CBSE or equivalent Minimum of 60% in Grade 12 examinations.
  • American High School Diploma Pass plus SATs with an overall score of 1500.
  • GCE A Level CCC or equivalent.
  • International Baccalaureate 24 points or above.
  • Tawjihiyya 80% (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 550/213/79).
  • Foundation Year Successful completion of Heriot-Watt University Degree Entry Programme (Management) with a BBBB.

Second year entry

  • GCE A Levels BBB in relevant subjects
  • International Baccalaureate 27 points
  • CBSE Overall 85%+ (in relevant subjects)
  • Equivalent programme studied at another university. Please contact us to discuss further.
  • The final decision lies with the Programme Director for students applying for an advanced year entry as all aspects of an application need to be reviewed.

Third year entry

  • Successful completion of an HND in a related field of study. Please contact us to discuss further.

Additional information

  • Where English was not the medium of instruction at secondary school, applicants must demonstrate English Language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 550 (paper-based exam); 213 (computer-based exam); 80 (internet-based exam).