Key information
The three-year MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance programme at Heriot-Watt University will prepare you for a career in accountancy and finance, and is suited to those who have completed A-levels.
- UCAS code
- NN3Y
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MA
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 3 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Accredited by major professional bodies in the UK, this three-year programme will prepare you to enter accounting or finance professions and features the use of professional standard Bloomberg Trading Terminals throughout. As your studies progress through years one, two and three, you’ll study an increasing number of specialist accountancy and finance courses.
Our hands-on degree develops your broad understanding of the contexts in which modern accounting operates. It examines legal and ethical contexts and provides insight into accountancy as a profession. It also builds an understanding of business entities and the capital markets in which they operate. Throughout this three-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
- producing 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
Edinburgh is the UK's second biggest financial centre, making it a useful place to study accountancy and finance. This degree enjoys a well-established reputation with leading organisations in the world of accountancy and financial services, and our graduates are often sought-after by recruiters. Most graduates go on to become chartered accountants in either professional practice, industry, or the public sector, but many go on to successful careers in banking and finance.
Each course included in the programme will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in accountancy and finance, from financial markets theory, auditing and assurance, research methods and international trade. 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 and finance.
Your student experience
Our MA 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
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai
Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Students on the accelerated three-year degree will enter directly into Year 2 and not undertake Year 1 courses.
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
Programme Video
Studying Accountancy and Finance with us
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,250 |
| International | £19,456 |
- 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.
As this is an accelerated programme, entry is only available for Year 2
- Advanced Highers BB (including at least one: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths plus AABB at Higher)
- A-Levels ABB - AAA (including at least one of: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths)
- Int. Baccalaureate 34 points (including at least one of: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths at Higher Level 5)
- HNC A in graded unit (Accounting)
- HND BBB in graded units (Accounting or Business)
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Admissions Officer for the programme for further information on the entry requirements for these.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
We’re delighted that Edinburgh Business School has the highest percentage of graduates in the UK who are appointed to a CEO or MD role (Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2023). We’re also first in Scotland for graduate employability (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023). Typical careers for Accountancy and Finance graduates include finance professionals, and business and public service associate professionals.
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Finance Professionals
- Business and public service associate professionals
Student life
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
Discover Uni course data
Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.