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Subject: Accounting

Why choose Accounting at the University of Edinburgh?

Most of our MA programmes are accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Association of Chartered Certificated Accountants (ACCA).
Accounting is taught within the University of Edinburgh Business School, which is one of the world's most respected business schools.
In the most recent RAE 40% of our research in Business and Management Studies was rated 3* internationally excellent, with a further 10% rated 4* world-leading.

Find out more

Contact: College of Humanities & Social Science Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: hssug@ed.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565

Web: www.business-school.ed.ac.uk

Introduction

Accountants play a crucial role in business. Their ability to measure financial information and make projections affects economic decision-making at all levels. Financial accountants report on the performance of an organisation. Management accountants provide financial information to help with planning and strategy. Accountancy is one of the fastest growing areas of business activity.

Accounting at the University of Edinburgh offers a flexible degree programme. You can combine accounting with business studies, finance, economics or law and can study a broad range of courses. Our staff have an excellent reputation for research and our teaching draws on the most recent research findings. This degree programme provides an excellent foundation for a professional accounting qualification or prepares you for a range of careers in finance and other sectors.

What you'll study

Year 1

You will study Accountancy 1A, an introduction to financial accounting, and Accountancy 1B, an introduction to management accounting. You will also study courses from Business Studies, Finance, Law or Economics according to your joint honours degree.

Year 2

You will study Accountancy 2A, which deals with some of the more complex aspects of financial accounting, such as the preparation of financial statements. It also includes an introduction to taxation.

Accountancy 2B looks at the more complex areas of management accounting. You will learn about costing systems and more about current practice. You will also study intermediate-level taxation.

Year 3

You will study the core courses: Advanced Financial Accounting, Auditing and Management Accounting Applications. You will also take courses from the other half of your joint honours degree programme.

Year 4

In your fourth year you will choose two courses from a range including Advanced Management Accounting, Audit Practice, Public Sector Accounting and Theoretical & Practical Issues in Financial Accounting. You will also complete an accounting-based research dissertation.

Learning and assessment

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and computer workshops.

Assessment is by presentations, reports, essays, exams and individual and group projects.

Careers

Accountancy graduates can train to become a qualified accountant through a traineeship with an accountancy or commercial firm. Alternatively you could choose a career in finance or banking. Some of our graduates decide to follow a different direction and pursue employment in management positions in the public and private sectors.

Our facilities

Teaching takes place within the University’s Central Area. Honours students have access to the school’s Undergraduate Resource Centre at 16 Buccleuch Place. You will also have access to all the University’s libraries and computer facilities.

Study abroad

The Business School exchange programme offers opportunities to study in Hong Kong, China, North America, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Korea and within Europe. Students may also have access to study abroad placements through the ERASMUS or the International Exchange Programmes.