BSc Accounting and Finance with Professional Placement
2027 entry
Course summary
This four-year, professionally accredited course offers not only a fully integrated degree in accounting and finance, but also the opportunity to step into industry with a professional placement in your third year.
You'll develop a powerful combination of in-depth technical knowledge and highly sought-after, real-world experience that will prepare you for a wide range of rewarding careers.
Our graduates have secured placements at, and gone on to work in, many of the world's most prestigious blue-chip companies and organisations.
In your first year, you'll establish a solid foundation in fundamental principles through mandatory units in accounting, finance, economics and mathematics.
Year two takes you further, sharpening your analytical and problem-solving skills. You'll also choose from a wider range of optional units so you can shape your degree around what genuinely interests you.
You'll spend your third year in a professional placement. This is where everything you've learned so far will click into place as you apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting. This invaluable experience will enable you to:
- build professional skills and confidence
- gain hands-on experience and enhance your employability
- develop a network of professional industry contacts.
Back in Bristol for your final year, you'll consolidate your learning and specialise further. You'll explore complex, contemporary issues in accounting and finance and choose from a wide selection of advanced units that fit your career ambitions. Alongside technical knowledge, you'll sharpen your critical thinking and interpersonal skills, abilities that employers value everywhere, from finance to consultancy and beyond.
The course provides rewarding opportunities to participate in a summer internship and the Bristol PLUS Award. You'll also benefit from the Professional Liaison Network within the faculty, which runs a professional mentoring scheme with alumni, insight talks and internships.
This course is available by transfer. You can apply to BSc Accounting and Finance and register your interest to add a professional placement once you have joined us. Placement opportunities are based on first-year examination results and a successful application to a participating employer.
The first two years of this course are taught at our vibrant Clifton Campus, where you'll gain a thorough understanding of your subject. For your final year, you'll benefit from teaching delivered at our cutting-edge Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. Here, enhanced links with businesses will provide you with the real-world knowledge, networks and skills to succeed once you graduate.
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled five-year re-accreditation process with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). It has previously been ACCA accredited for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations. The outcome of the current review is expected by July 2026.
Course structure
The structure of our BSc Accounting and Finance with Professional Placement course is designed to give you a solid grounding, build on key principles, give you professional, real-world experience and specialise in your final year:
Year one – you'll establish a solid foundation for your studies in accounting and finance, and strengthen your problem-solving skills. You'll explore fundamental principles through mandatory units and be able to choose optional units in the second semester of the first year.
Year two – you'll build on the principles from the first year and advance your knowledge in core subjects, such as Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Finance. The curriculum emphasises the development of key analytical, problem-solving and application skills. You'll also be able to further customise your learning, by choosing from a wide range of optional units in accounting, finance, management and economics.
Year three – you'll undertake a professional placement year. Here, you'll apply your academic knowledge to real-world challenges, gain practical experience, and develop the professional responsibility and collaborative skills valued by top employers. You may also have the opportunity to complete the first stage of the professional accounting examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Year four – your final year consolidates your learning from years one and two. You'll have an opportunity to refine your critical skills and deepen your knowledge of complex issues in accounting and finance. This year offers the greatest flexibility, enabling you to tailor your degree to your specific interests by specialising in a particular area through a broad selection of advanced options, such as Auditing, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, and Financial Crises.
Entry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
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Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Accounting and Finance with Professional Placement can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement - The admissions statement above relates to 2026 entry. The statement for 2027 entry will be available in summer 2026.