Accounting and Finance (with Professional Exemptions) BA (Hons)

Get a head start in the process of becoming a qualified accountant. Undertake a paid 48-week placement and enhance your practical experience. Gain exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

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Overview

The BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance course has long been a popular choice because of its excellent career prospects. The course is so closely tied to real-world professional requirements that, when you've successfully completed it, you'll be exempt from exam papers from professional accounting bodies: the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Part-time option

If you choose to study part-time, we'll endeavour to ensure you're not on campus for more than two days a week, plus independent study.

Why us?

We've been shortlisted for Business School of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024
The course provides professional exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Our Accounting and Finance courses are in the Top 20 in the UK (Guardian University Guide, 2024)

Every module has a link to industry so that you can apply your learning in authentic business scenarios
Course content has been carefully designed with students and employers to enhance your employability
Key accounting and finance themes are supported by specialist areas such as taxation, law, and auditing

Course structure

A typical week for you will include lectures, seminars, self-directed study, workshops, and case studies. As part of your active learning, you'll work on problems and issues with the tutor and other students. Through analysing data and drawing your own conclusions, you’ll explore approaches to different business situations.

Due to the accreditation associated with this course, you'll predominantly be assessed via closed-book written examinations. Other methods include coursework and narrative reports.

The part-time option for the course is delivered over ten semesters, with no more than two days a week on-campus, plus independent study.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Course modules:

Introductory Management and Financial Accounting (30 credits)

Have you ever wondered how businesses keep track of their money? How do they know if they're making a profit or spending too much? This module will help you discover the basics of accounting and how businesses make smart financial choices.

By the end of this module, you'll have a clear understanding of how businesses plan and manage their finances. You'll gain hands-on experience in creating basic financial reports, such as income statements, and learn to evaluate a company's performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

You'll explore practical tools that assist in controlling costs and making informed financial decisions. These skills are essential for anyone aiming to understand the financial workings of a business and contribute effectively to its success.

Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics (30 credits)

Curious about how businesses decide what to sell, how much to charge, or when to expand? This module will show you how numbers help businesses make these big decisions.

You'll learn how to analyse data to uncover patterns and trends and how to use graphs and charts to tell a story about what’s happening in the market. You'll also discover how businesses use probability to plan for the future, even when things are uncertain.

We'll dive into why people buy certain products, how prices are set, and what affects supply and demand. Plus, we'll look at how trade and global markets shape our economy. Feel confident using numbers to understand business performance and make informed decisions.

International Business Management (30 credits)

In a world that's always changing, businesses must adapt to succeed. Uncover how companies plan, adjust, and make smart choices globally.

Explore how businesses are organised and managed, and how things like politics, economics, and culture influence their decisions.

Discover problem-solving tools and strategies used by top managers to tackle challenges. Through debates, teamwork, and interactive sessions, you'll gain hands-on experience in real-world business scenarios.

Stand out to employers by having the confidence to think strategically, solve problems, and contribute to business success in a competitive global market.

Corporate and Business Law (30 credits)

Want to understand how businesses follow rules and make fair decisions? This module helps you understand the laws that guide companies in the UK and around the world.

You'll uncover how businesses are created, what makes contracts valid, and the responsibilities companies have towards their employees and customers. Explore what happens when companies face financial troubles or legal disputes. Through real-life examples, you'll see how laws impact everyday business decisions.

With this knowledge, you'll be ready to understand legal challenges and make smart choices in the global business world.

Please note, modules are subject to review. Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Advanced Management and Financial Accounting (30 credits)

Want to take your accounting knowledge to the next level and make smart financial decisions?

Learn how to read and understand financial statements, follow global accounting rules, and prepare group accounts. Explore the double-entry system and why it's important. Use budgeting, costing, and performance tools to guide real-world decisions.

Grow your skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking, which are key for roles in auditing, financial analysis, or management accounting. Do this and get ready to think like an accountant and act like a business leader.

Business Finance and Risk Management (30 credits)

How do companies find the money to grow and make big decisions without risking everything? This module introduces you to the world of business finance, showing you how businesses manage their money, make smart investments, and protect themselves from financial risks.

You'll explore different ways businesses get funding – like loans, investors, or savings – and learn how they track and invest their money wisely. Discover what happens when a business takes a financial risk and how they can reduce it. Find out why stock markets matter and how they affect businesses.

Through real-world examples, online tools, and expert insights, you'll gain a strong understanding of how money moves in the business world.

Business Taxation: Principles and Practice (30 credits)

Curious about how taxes impact your income or how businesses plan for them? This module introduces you to the UK tax system, covering income tax, VAT, corporation tax, and inheritance tax.

You'll learn how taxes affect individuals and businesses, and why smart tax planning can save money and help grow wealth. Through real-world examples and digital tools, you'll see how tax works in everyday life.

As a result, you'll be able to calculate basic taxes, make informed financial decisions, and understand how tax influences financial success.

Audit, Assurance and Financial Risk (30 credits)

Ever thought about becoming a financial detective? Uncover how to check if companies are using their money the right way. Discover what audits are and how internal auditors (who work inside a company) differ from external auditors (who come from outside).

Understand the importance of being honest, fair, and careful when examining financial information. Explore how companies face financial risks and think about smart ways to solve them. Learn about Auditing Standards and how to apply them with a questioning mindset, known as professional scepticism.

Gain skills like checking numbers through tests and samples, and how to write audit reports.

Optional 48-week placement:

Applied Professional Practice (120 credits)

Ready to discover how businesses run and make a real difference? Get hands-on experience by working with a real company. You’ll identify and examine a problem or project they’re working on and look at ways to improve it.

You'll develop practical knowledge and skills under the guidance and supervision of an academic mentor and a host business along the way.

Year 3 (national level 6):

Financial Management (Professional) (30 credits)

How do businesses get the money they need, decide on big investments, or handle risks? In this module, you'll learn how companies make important financial decisions.

Discover how businesses raise money through borrowing or selling shares, decide where to invest, and manage risks. You'll also understand what happens during mergers and takeovers.

By the end, you'll know how to analyse financial data and understand the choices companies make to grow and succeed.

Strategic Management Accounting (Professional) (30 credits)

How do businesses decide what to charge for their products or how to set their budgets? Want to understand how they track performance and make smart choices? This module introduces you to the tools and techniques companies use to manage money and make informed decisions.

Explore how to identify key costs that influence decisions and understand activity-based costing. You'll also learn methods to track performance, improve efficiency, and discover how management control systems help businesses stay on track. Additionally, you'll understand transfer pricing and its role in cost management, and find out how public sector and non-profit organisations handle their finances.

International Financial Reporting (Professional) (30 credits)

Have you ever asked yourself how companies around the world report their finances? Want to know how financial statements help businesses make big decisions? This module will guide you through the basics of international financial reporting.

You'll learn why International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are important and how they work. Explore how shareholders influence financial reporting and how to read and understand financial statements. You'll also discover how businesses and stakeholders use these reports to make smart choices.

Corporate Governance and Ethics (Professional) (30 credits)

Who makes the big decisions in a company? What happens when things go wrong? This module helps you understand how companies are run and who holds them accountable.

You'll learn about corporate governance, how businesses make decisions, stay transparent, and act responsibly. Explore the roles of company boards, directors, and shareholders and see how poor governance can lead to failures and why reforms are important. Understand how governance works in different countries and its link to ethical business practices.

Facilities

You’ll be based at the impressive Reg Vardy Centre at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s in stunning surroundings overlooking the banks of the River Wear.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

2025/26 fees:

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,535 if you're from the UK*/Europe
£16,500 if you're an international student
£7,145 per 90 credits for part-time study**

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

**Please note that part-time study is not available to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK.

If you're unsure whether you qualify as a UK, EU, or international student, or want to find out more about EU fees and funding, see our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

Many students on this course will be considering a career as a professional accountant, whether as a financial accountant or a management accountant. A financial accountant will typically work for many different clients, while a management accountant is employed by just one organisation and has a say in the running of that organisation.

Business graduates have secured roles with organisations including Facebook, Microsoft, Sage, HSBC, IBM, Enterprise, Nissan, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, Nissan, Marriott Hotels, Viacom 18, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Adidas.

Work placements

To further enhance employability, we encourage you to undertake a 48-week paid placement between your second and final year. It effectively becomes a third year of a four-year course.

Placements are an excellent opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. The contacts made during placements can also be valuable for future job offers.

Guest speakers

Our invitations to guest speakers allow you to listen to people who are already in the type of management position that you may one day hold. Recent speakers include Maurice Duffy, CEO of Global Blackswan; Mike Johnson, CEO of Castrol and Executive Vice President of BP; Uday K. Dholakia, Senior Partner of Global Consulting; Neil Stephenson, CEO of ONYX; James Ramsbotham, CEO of the North East Chamber of Commerce; as well as other representatives from a number of our region’s largest employers.

Student Business Society

The University supports student-led initiatives that help you gain practical experience of management. The Business Society organises events and guest speakers, as well as attending tours of various companies. With its professional approach, it’s a great way to put the lessons about how to make organisations function effectively into practice. There's something for every student who's studying a subject related to business.

Meet the students

Studying at the University opened doors to a range of different job opportunities and contacts.

Nathan Todd

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism.

Page last updated: 04 July 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.