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Accountancy and Finance
- MA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 14/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Edinburgh Campus
Course summary
Edinburgh Business School’s MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance degree is accredited by all major professional bodies in the UK. It prepares students to enter accounting or finance professions and features the use of professional-standard Bloomberg Trading Terminals throughout.
An industry-focused degree
MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance is an industry-focused degree with extensive professional accreditations that offers the strongest possible foundation from which to launch your career. By studying accredited courses on this degree, students can gain the maximum number of exemptions from professional accountancy exams upon graduation.
The course content is designed and delivered by professionals with industry experience and respected academics with expert knowledge across the full range of disciplines related to accounting and finance.
Students at the Edinburgh Business School can enhance employability in the area of finance through use of our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room - a professional-standard facility that provides access to live financial data from global markets and organisations. Use of Bloomberg Terminals is integrated into our courses to develop professionally relevant skills in data analysis, financial reporting, financial risk management and financial modelling.
Rankings and employability
Edinburgh is the UK’s second biggest financial centre, making it a useful place to study accountancy and finance.
Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Business School was ranked as the second best place in Scotland to study undergraduate accounting and finance degrees in the Guardian University League Tables 2019. This degree enjoys a well-established reputation with leading organisations in the world of accountancy and financial services, and our graduates are often sought-after by recruiters.
Most graduates go on to become chartered accountants in either professional practice, industry, or the public sector, but many go on to successful careers in banking and finance. A survey by Unistats 2019 found that 91% of recent graduates were in work or further study 6 months after graduating.
An employable skillset
This degree develops broad understanding of the contexts in which modern accounting operates. It examines legal and ethical contexts and provides insight into accountancy as a profession, and builds understanding around business entities and the capital markets in which they operate.
Throughout this four-year degree, you will develop key accountancy expertise in a number of areas, including:
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recording and summarising transactions
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preparing and analysing financial statements
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analysing business operations
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conducting financial analysis
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producing & reporting projections.
On the financial side, you will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of:
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asset pricing
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portfolio construction
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corporate finance
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financial risk management
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capital markets.
Accreditation
Heriot-Watt University is accredited as a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner, recognising us as a leader in experiential learning in the area of finance.
This degree is accredited by a number of institutions for exemptions from professional examinations:
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Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
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Accredited by the Association of International Accountants (AIA)
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Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
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Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)
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Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS)
Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- NN34
- Institution code:
- H24
- Campus name:
- Edinburgh Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBC
For entry to Year 2: BBB including at least one of the following: Accountancy, Business, Economics or Maths.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
in a relevant subject (Business/Accountancy/Finance preferred) for entry to Year 1. For entry to Year 2: DDM in relevant subject (Business/Accountancy/Finance preferred).
Scottish Higher - AABB
Scottish Advanced Higher - BB
including at least one of the following: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths plus AABB at Higher for entry to Year 2.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 points
For entry to Year 2: A total of 34 points including at least one of the following: Accountancy, Business, Economics, Maths at Higher Level 5.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
Scottish HNC - Pass
HNC in a relevant subject with B in graded unit for entry to Year 1.
For Year 2 entry: HNC Accounting with A in graded unit.
Scottish HND - Pass
For Year 2 entry: HND in Accounting or Business with BBB in graded units.
For Year 3 entry: HND Accounting with AAA in graded units.
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible.
We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
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A level - BCC
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
in relevant subject.
Scottish Higher - BBBC
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GCSE/National 4/National 5 - It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
-
Scottish HNC - Pass
HNC with B in the graded unit for entry to Year 1
Scottish HND - Pass
HND with BC/CB in the graded unit for entry to Year 1
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
The University guarantees to make a minimum entry offer to anyone who would be considered a Home or Rest of UK (RUK) applicant and who has achieved, or can achieve, the required grades from the following categories:
Priority postcode areas – Home Scottish applicants from SIMD20 postcodes or RUK applicants from POLAR 4 quintile 1 areas – identified through Scottish and UK government targets.
Care experience – Home Scottish or RUK applicants who have had experience of care, including adoption, kinship care, foster care and home supervision orders.
English language requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.
HWU English Language Requirements https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| EU | £20080 | Year 1 |
| International | £20080 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:studywithus@hw.ac.uk
Phone:0131 451 3376
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