Key information
Our MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance equips students with the accounting, financial, and analytical skills needed for successful careers in auditing, tax, financial analysis, and corporate finance within an increasingly global business environment.
- UCAS code
- NN34
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MA
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Our Accountancy and Finance programme is designed and taught by practising professionals and respected academics, and it is accredited by all major professional accountancy bodies in the UK. As Edinburgh is the UK’s second biggest financial centre outside of London, our university enjoys a well-established reputation in the world of accountancy and financial services.
While studying this hands-on degree, you’ll develop a broad understanding of the contexts in which modern accounting operates. The programme examines the legal and ethical contexts, introduces insight into accountancy as a profession, and analyses business entities and the capital markets in which they operate.
Throughout this four-year degree, you’ll develop key accountancy expertise in several areas, including:
- Recording and summarising transactions
- Preparing and analysing financial statements
- Analysing business operations
- Conducting financial analysis
- Introducing and reporting projections
On the financial side, you’ll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of:
- Asset pricing
- Portfolio construction
- Corporate finance
- Financial risk management
- Capital markets
Each course included in the programme will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in accounting and finance, from fundamentals of finance, and the economy, to discovering business, and principles of accounting. You’ll benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation. Upon completion, you’ll have the relevant knowledge and skills to start a career in accountancy, finance, business and beyond.
Your student experience
Our MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance programme is taught with a clear industry focus by experienced professionals and respected academics. They are accredited by professional bodies and will introduce you to professional-standard software in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room.
Go Global
Go Global is our student mobility programme, allowing you to seamlessly transfer your studies to one of our global campuses, or to a partner university. Live and learn in a new country, experience different cultures and build a global perspective, while continuing your degree without interruption.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai
Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory September
- The Economy
- Critical Academic Skills
- Management in a Global Context
- Introduction to Accounting
Mandatory January
- Sustainable Business
- Introductory Finance
- Introduction to Economic and Financial Analysis
- Becoming a Professional
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Student testimonials
Admira's story
Graduate, Accountancy and Finance MA (Hons)
Admira is the first generation of her family to attend University Following graduation, Admira is getting ready to start her graduate role at PwC, after completing an insight week and internship with them over the past two years.See more
See moreThroughout my journey, Heriot-Watt University has played a vital role in my personal and professional development. The programme gave me a solid academic foundation in accounting, while the support from lecturers, careers advisers, and personal tutors helped shape my confidence and abilities. One of my favourite and most memorable experiences as a Heriot-Watt student was spending a semester at the Dubai campus through the Go Global programme. The opportunity to study abroad introduced me to new cultures, new ways of thinking, and an inspiring international community of students and staff.
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,790 |
| International | £20,080 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (over two sittings)
- A-Levels BBC
- International Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM
- HNC B in graded unit
- HNC NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
- HND BB in graded units (BBB where HND includes 3 graded units)
- HND NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings)
- A-Levels BCC
- International Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC Extended Diploma MMM
- HNC B in graded unit
- HNC NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
- HND BC (C) / CB (B) in graded units (where HND includes 3 graded units)
- HND NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
*Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Finance Professionals
- Business and public service associate professionals
Student life
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