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BSc (Hons)
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Accounting and Finance
Developed in collaboration with employers, our BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree responds directly to the growing demand for qualified accountants and finance professionals across Cumbria, the North West, and beyond. You’ll gain practical, career-ready experience alongside a strong academic foundation, helping you stand out in a competitive global market.
Our course offers a flexible learning pathway with two study routes. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)-aligned route enables you to complete formal ACCA-style examinations, supporting your progression towards professional qualification. The non-ACCA route provides alternative assessments if you’re seeking broader business-focused career opportunities.
You’ll study a balanced portfolio covering financial and management accounting, law, auditing, taxation, and strategic finance, giving you a comprehensive understanding of how organisations operate and make financial decisions. Alongside these technical areas, you’ll build digital accounting capability using leading software such as Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks, and access live company data through databases such as Orbis to support financial analysis and decision-making.
The course integrates employer-led projects, mentoring, and compulsory industry placements developed with regional firms—ensuring you graduate workplace-ready, digitally competent, and prepared for professional progression.
The BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance is a career-focused degree designed with local employers to address the shortage of qualified accountants in Cumbria, the wider North-west and nationally. It builds on the University’s previous BA (Hons) Business, Accounting and Finance, which successfully achieved full F1–F9 exemptions from ACCA. The new programme updates and strengthens that provision with a more technical, professionally oriented curriculum and the potential for up to seven ACCA module exemptions, helping graduates fast-track to professional status.
You’ll study a balanced portfolio covering financial and management accounting, law, auditing, taxation, and strategic finance, giving you a comprehensive understanding of how organisations operate and make financial decisions. Alongside these technical areas, you’ll build digital accounting capability using leading software such as Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks, and access live company data through databases such as Orbis to support financial analysis and decision making.
The course integrates employer-led projects, mentoring, and compulsory industry placements developed with regional firms, ensuring you graduate workplace ready, digitally competent, and prepared for professional progression.
On this course you will...
Develop a rigorous understanding of accounting and finance concepts, principles, and professional practice in a range of organisational contexts.
Apply quantitative and qualitative analysis to interpret financial information, evaluate performance, and support evidence-based decision making.
Understand the legal, regulatory, governance and assurance environment that shapes responsible financial practice.
Use digital, data and AI-enabled tools effectively and ethically, recognising opportunities, limitations, risks, and professional responsibilities.
Embed sustainability, ethics and social responsibility in financial judgement, reporting and organisational decision making.
Potential to be awarded one of two Scholarships: Up to £3000 to support your studies with the Cumbria Business and Tourism Excellence Scholarship
Up to £9000 to support you with the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership Academic Excellence Scholarship.
The programme is delivered through 20 credit modules. This structure supports depth of engagement within each subject area, increases opportunities for formative activity, and supports clear sequencing of learning and assessment across the academic year.
Year one
Modules
Business and Corporate Law
Management, People and Operations
AI in Business
Business Accounting with Finance
Professional and Personal Development
Principles of Marketing
Year two
Modules
Applied Work Placement
Business Analytics with AI
Economics, Governance and Economic Sustainability
Financial Regulation, Corporate Governance and Assurance
People and Culture
Financial and Management Accounting
Year three
Modules
Business Project
Contemporary AI Development in Business
Financial and Performance Management
Financial Reporting and Taxation
Strategy in Intercultural Environments
Teaching & Assessment
How you will learn
Delivery is primarily face to face, with teaching taking place in the classroom, supported by the University virtual learning environment and digital tools, including Blackboard Ultra and e-portfolio approaches where appropriate. Digital learning is used purposefully to enhance learning, feedback and engagement, and to support effective independent study alongside contact time.
You will have structured opportunities to build digital confidence and engage safely and thoughtfully with generative AI and other emerging technologies.
The programme uses a wide range of learning activities to support different aspects of your development,
How you will be assessed
Assessment methods may include set exercises, time-constrained assessments and exams, reports, case study analysis, portfolios, presentations, and practical tasks using digital tools. Formative activities are built into modules to enable you to practise key skills (for example, financial analysis, academic writing, data handling, and presentation) and receive feedback before final submission.
Overview
The University’s standard criteria for admissions apply. Please refer to the Applicant Information pages of the University website for more information.
Contextual Admissions
Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.
We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)
Fees & Funding
Tuition Fees
UK Tuition fees
Entry in 2027/28 tbc
International Tuition fees
Entry in 2027/28 tbc
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
International Finance
At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.
We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..
You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.
Books and journals
Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies
Optional · Throughout the course · Books and journals
Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.
Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.
Technology requirements
Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose
Required · Throughout the course · Digital learning and IT
You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.
The Fusehill Street campus has been the setting of life-saving treatments since World War I. Now, it's home to world changers, life-savers, crime fighters, and entrepreneurs with access to high-quality facilities and innovative thinking.
An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.