The course
- UCAS code
- NN3Y
- Duration
- 3 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
An accelerated 3-year version of our MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance degree which starts at an advanced stage. Accredited by the major professional bodies in the UK and perfect for A-Level students.
Contact
-
Contact
Course Enquiries
-
Telephone
+44 131 451 8250
Overview
Edinburgh Business School’s MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance degree is accredited by all major professional bodies in the UK.
This 3-year accelerated degree is suited to those who have completed A-Levels. It prepares students to enter accounting or finance professions and features the use of professional-standard Bloomberg Trading Terminals throughout. As your studies progress through Years 1, 2 and 3 of this accelerated MA (Hons) programme you will study an increasing number of specialist accountancy and finance courses.
An industry-focused degree
MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance is an industry-focused degree with extensive professional accreditations that offers the strongest possible foundation from which to launch your career. By studying accredited courses on this degree, students can gain the maximum number of exemptions from professional accountancy exams upon graduation. The course content is designed and delivered by professionals with industry experience and respected academics with expert knowledge across the full range of disciplines related to accounting and finance. Students at the Edinburgh Business School can enhance employability in the area of finance through use of our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room - a professional-standard facility that provides access to live financial data from global markets and organisations. Use of Bloomberg Terminals is integrated into our courses to develop professionally relevant skills in data analysis, financial reporting, financial risk management and financial modelling.
Rankings and employability
Edinburgh is the UK’s second biggest financial centre, making it a useful place to study accountancy and finance. Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Business School was ranked as the second best place in Scotland to study undergraduate accounting and finance degrees in the Guardian University League Tables 2019. 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. A survey by Unistats 2019 found that 91% of recent graduates were in work or further study 6 months after graduating.
An employable skillset
This degree develops broad understanding of the contexts in which modern accounting operates. It examines legal and ethical contexts and provides insight into accountancy as a profession, and builds understanding around business entities and the capital markets in which they operate. Throughout this four-year degree, you will develop key accountancy expertise in a number of 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 will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of:
- asset pricing
- portfolio construction
- corporate finance
- financial risk management
- capital markets.
Accreditation

Heriot-Watt University is accredited as a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner, recognising us as a leader in experiential learning in the area of finance. We are working with the following accreditation bodies to gain the maximum exemptions possible for this degree:
- The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- The Association of International Accountants (AIA)
- The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS)
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information.
Course content
Year 1
Semester 1
- Introduction to Accounting
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Introduction to Economics or Elective
- Managing a Global Context or Elective
Semester 2
- Management Accounting in Organisations
- Financial Accounting
- Quantitative Methods
- Financial Markets Theory
Year 2
Semester 1
- Intermediate Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting
- Corporate Financial Theory
- Commercial Law
Semester 2
- Business Research Methods
- Business Entities
Choose two from:
- Managing Corporate Value
- Research in Finance
- Financial Derivatives
Year 3
Semester 1
- Dissertation Project
- Accounting, Infromation Systems and Technology
Choose two from:
- Agency Theory and Corporate Governance
- Risk Management
- International Bonds and Currency Markets
Semester 2
- Dissertation Project
- Contemporary Issues in Finance or Equity Markets and Fund Management
Choose two from:
- Strategic Management Accounting
- Corporate Reporting and Theory
- Contemporary Issues in Accounting
- Accounting History
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Entry requirements
Year 1
Advanced Highers BB (including at least one: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths plus AAAB at Higher)
A-Levels ABB (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)
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.
Year 2
Advanced Highers BB (including at least one: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths plus AAAB at Higher)
A-Levels ABB (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)
Year 3
- HND AAA in graded units (Accounting)
Additional information
- You must enter in year 1 to gain maximum exemptions from accountancy bodies such as ACCA and ICAS.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will have to show us that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please refer to our English language requirements.
Fees
Status* | Scotland | England / Northern Ireland / Wales** | International*** |
---|---|---|---|
Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £15,384 |
* 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
** 'Rest of the UK' (RUK) students entering at Level 1 receive a fee waiver of one year's tuition fee. Normally this will be the final year, or a year during which students study abroad (either at a partnership institution, or at one of Heriot-Watt's overseas campuses).
*** 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
Scholarships and bursaries
Featured scholarships
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales starting undergraduate degree courses in 2021
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 students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.