Degree Subject

Study Finance & Accounting Abroad

Combined Finance & Accounting degrees provide comprehensive training in both financial markets and financial reporting, offering maximum career flexibility.Programmes integrate investment analysis, corporate finance, and financial management with accounting principles, audit, and taxation.You'll be prepared for careers in investment banking, corporate finance, chartered accountancy, financial analysis, or business consulting, with professional accounting exemptions alongside finance expertise.

Entry Requirements

  • A-Levels: AAA-AAB including Mathematics
  • International Baccalaureate: 34-36 points with HL Mathematics
  • Strong numerical and analytical abilities
  • Attention to detail combined with strategic thinking
  • Minimum IELTS 6.5-7.0 for international students
  • Interest in both financial markets and business reporting
  • Commercial awareness and understanding of business

Required High School Subjects

  • Mathematics (essential - Grade A minimum)
  • Economics or Business Studies (useful but not required)
  • Any combination demonstrating strong analytical and numerical skills

Personal Statement Tips

Your Finance & Accounting personal statement should demonstrate interest in both financial markets AND accounting, understanding of how both disciplines complement each other in business, awareness of different career paths (investment banking, corporate finance, chartered accountancy, financial analysis), relevant work experience showing interest in both fields, numerical ability and commercial awareness, understanding of professional accounting qualifications and how they combine with finance knowledge, specific examples showing both strategic thinking (finance) and attention to detail (accounting), and clear motivation for studying the combination rather than specialising. Explain how finance and accounting together provide comprehensive business understanding.

Interview Preparation

Interviews may cover both finance and accounting topics. Be prepared to discuss why you want to study both finance and accounting together, explain the relationship between accounting information and financial decision-making, demonstrate understanding of both financial markets and financial reporting, discuss career aspirations and whether you're leaning toward finance or accounting careers, show awareness of how businesses use both disciplines, explain current business news showing understanding of both financial and accounting implications, and demonstrate both numerical problem-solving and attention to detail. Show you understand the value of combining both skill sets.

Top Universities for Finance & Accounting

London School of Economics (LSE)

UK

A*AA including Mathematics

University of Warwick

UK

AAA including Mathematics

Lancaster University

UK

AAB including Mathematics

University of Bath

UK

AAA-AAB including Mathematics

University of Exeter

UK

AAA-AAB including Mathematics

Loughborough University

UK

AAB-ABB including Mathematics

Career Opportunities

Investment Banker

Chartered Accountant

Financial Analyst

Corporate Finance Adviser

Audit Manager

Finance Director

Management Accountant

Financial Controller

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I study Finance & Accounting combined or specialise in one?
Combined degrees offer maximum flexibility, keeping both accounting and finance careers open. Specialist Finance degrees suit those certain about investment banking, asset management, or financial markets careers. Specialist Accounting degrees provide maximum professional exam exemptions (typically 9 vs 7 for combined). Choose combined if undecided, want broad business understanding, or like both subjects equally. Choose specialist if you're certain about your career path and want deeper focus. Combined degrees are excellent for corporate finance roles bridging both disciplines.
Do combined Finance & Accounting degrees offer professional exemptions?
Yes, many Finance & Accounting degrees are ACCA, CIMA, or partially ACA accredited, providing exemptions from professional accounting papers. However, specialist Accounting degrees typically offer more exemptions (9 ACCA papers vs 7 for combined programmes). The combined degree balances professional exemptions with finance knowledge valuable for corporate finance, financial analysis, or investment careers. Check specific programme accreditations. If becoming a chartered accountant is your primary goal, specialist Accounting provides more exemptions. If you want finance career options, the combination is better.
Which career path is better: finance or accounting?
Both offer excellent prospects - they're different not better/worse. Finance careers (investment banking, asset management) typically offer higher starting salaries (£40,000-£60,000) but involve longer hours, higher pressure, and more competitive entry. Accounting provides stable, well-paid careers (£28,000-£35,000 starting, rising to £45,000-£65,000+ qualified) with clear professional progression and better work-life balance. Many professionals work across both - corporate finance, financial controllers, Finance Directors use both skill sets. Combined degrees let you explore both at university before deciding based on actual experience and interests.
What are the entry requirements compared to single Finance or Accounting degrees?
Entry requirements for combined Finance & Accounting are typically similar to Finance degrees (AAA-AAB including Mathematics), slightly higher than some Accounting degrees (which may accept ABB without Mathematics). Top universities (LSE, Warwick, Bath) are highly competitive for combined programmes. Mathematics A-level is generally essential for finance content. The combined degree attracts strong applicants wanting maximum flexibility. Strong numerical grades, commercial awareness shown through work experience, and clear understanding of both disciplines strengthen applications significantly.

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