BSc Economics and Accounting with Professional Placement
2025 entry
Course summary
This course offers a fully integrated degree combining Economics and Accounting subjects. The course is designed for students who seek to broaden their knowledge of Economics and understand the linkage with Accounting.
The Economics units provide you with insight into economic structures, institutions (for example, banks), and policies that underpin and influence the financial market. You will be prepared for a career as an economist. You would be taught Economics using a research-led approach by experts from the School of Economics.
The Accounting units explore accounting institutions, accountancy firms, accounting regulations and accounting techniques that are used by and support organisations both in and outside the market.
Our courses are rigorous and draw on theory, cutting-edge research, and practice which prepares you for a career in the economics field as well as working in the accountancy profession and financial markets. The course provides you with access to subjects accredited by several professional accountancy bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
This course is unique as it offers you an interdisciplinary perspective. You will learn from academic experts who work with industry experts in the financial sector. The knowledge acquired from the field is used to design and shape the curriculum, enabling you to keep abreast with commercial and contemporary issues.
This course with Professional Placement allows you to spend your third year gaining experience in the industry. During your placement year, you will undertake a paid placement in an accounting role within a large organisation or an accountancy firm. Previously, students have secured roles at PwC, Grant Thornton, Hazlewoods, and Milsted Langdon.
Places on the course are allocated on merit depending on first-year examination results and an offer of employment for your placement from a qualifying employer. You can work towards your professional accreditation with ICAEW during your placement year.
This course provides you with rewarding opportunities to participate in 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.
Previously, graduates have gone on to work for the Bank of England, JP Morgan, UBS, PwC, KPMG, EY, Deloitte, Microsoft, IBM and many other blue-chip organisations.
Course structure
The focus of your first year is on strengthening your problem-solving skills. You will study the fundamental principles of the discipline through mandatory units that cover Accounting, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics. You can choose an optional unit in the second semester of the first year.
The second year builds on principles learnt in the first year while advancing your knowledge in Economics, Accounting and Finance subjects. It emphasises problem-solving and application skills. You will study Macroeconomic Analysis, Microeconomic Analysis, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Applied Quantitative Research methods and Principles of Finance in more depth. A range of core units allow you to focus on building an in-depth knowledge in Economics, Accounting, and Finance.
In your third year, you will undertake a paid placement in an accounting firm or within the accounting function of a large organisation.
The final year consolidates your learning from years one and two. You learn more advanced quantitative and qualitative skills. You will have an opportunity to develop your critical skills and deepen your knowledge of complex issues in Accounting and Finance.
The final year offers greater flexibility and choice in the selection of options. You may choose to tailor the degree to your own interests by specialising in a particular area. You may also choose to keep your options open by selecting units across different disciplines. Examples of recent units include Behavioural Economics, Advanced Financial Reporting, Auditing, and Advanced Corporate Finance.
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.
Search international qualifications
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 Economics and Accounting with Professional Placement can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement - The admissions statement above relates to 2024 entry. The statement for 2025 entry will be available in summer 2024.