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Accountancy and Finance

  • Master of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 to 4 years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Edinburgh Campus
More about Heriot-Watt University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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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:

  • recording and summarising transactions

  • preparing and analysing financial statements

  • analysing business operations

  • conducting financial analysis

  • producing & reporting projections.

On the financial side, you will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of:

  • asset pricing

  • portfolio construction

  • corporate finance

  • financial risk management

  • 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:

  • Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

  • Accredited by the Association of International Accountants (AIA)

  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

  • Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)

  • Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS)

Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Edinburgh Campus

Study options

  • Master of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 to 4 Years

Start dates

  • 13 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
NN34
Institution code:
H24
Campus name:
Edinburgh Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBC

For entry to Year 2: BBB including at least one of the following: Accountancy, Business, Economics or Maths.

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.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

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.

Scottish Higher
AABB

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 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
Offer: 29

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.

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).

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
Pass

We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.

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

Typical qualification requirements

A level BCC

For entry to Year 2: BBB including at least one of the following: Accountancy, Business, Economics or Maths.

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.

Scottish Higher BBBC

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)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MMM

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).

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) Pass

We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.

English language requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not previously been educated in English 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, school-level qualifications and Heriot-Watt English language programmes currently accepted as proof of English proficiency can be found on our website.https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements

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.

Learn more on the Heriot-Watt University website

International entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from the UK, Europe, and countries worldwide. If your qualification is not listed on https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/international-students/study-in-the-uk/information-for-your-country, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information about entry requirements.

Some qualifications may be suitable for direct entry to Year 2, allowing you to complete your degree in three years. If your qualifications are not suitable for direct entry to one of our undergraduate programmes, we may be able to offer you a place on one of our Foundation programmes.

As an international student, you are likely to require a Student Visa to study in the UK. Please see the FAQ section on our website at https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/international-students for further information about the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) process required for a Student Visa application. https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/international-students/study-in-the-uk/information-for-your-country

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790
Scotland£1820
EU & International£20080

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

Subject to confirmation

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