Accounting and Finance (with a professional placement year)

1st in the UK for annual research income (Chartered Association of Business Schools 2025)

10th in the UK for Economics and Finance (Research.com Best Universities Ranking 2025)

Top 20 in the UK for Business and Economics (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

About the course

The global economy is in constant flux. Businesses need professionals who can navigate financial challenges and maintain financial health.

On this BSc, you’ll develop the skills for a successful career. Accredited by five industry accounting bodies, this course can accelerate your journey to membership of the accounting profession, with exemptions from some exams.

Join the University of Sussex Business School, where leading academics are shaping policy and practice. You’ll benefit from our culture of research excellence in areas such as climate finance, crypto assets, and social and environmental accounting and reporting.

By studying at Sussex, you will:

• develop the regulatory knowledge to remain compliant and adapt to change

• gain skills in problem-solving and data analytics

• explore common types of investment and analyse investment portfolios

• study issues surrounding multinational companies

• examine ethical challenges across accounting and finance.

Throughout your studies, you’ll explore the risks and interdependencies of the modern global economy. You’ll engage with real-world exercises, with supervision from academics and industry experts. You’ll also have access to facilities including our Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab.

With options in leadership and entrepreneurship, you can broaden your knowledge while boosting your employability. Additionally, our Academic Success Advisers can help you to develop your study skills. You can also gain practical experience through professional and study abroad opportunities.

Accounting and finance professionals are in high demand. You’ll graduate with the skills to succeed in areas ranging from corporate finance to public accounting. With a solid foundation in financial principles, you’ll be able to make strategic decisions and help businesses grow.

Accreditation

• Association of Certified and Chartered Accountants (ACCA)

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

• The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI)

• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS).

These accreditations means you’re not only part-way to qualifying as an accountant but the topics you study relate directly to industry needs and will be relevant in your career. Plus, a placement may also reduce the time you need to wait to qualify after graduating.

About the University of Sussex Business School

Our work draws on management, economics, science, technology and innovation studies, to make an impact on the future of people and institutions the world over. We study the issues that matter, in order to transform our world and your future. Our expertise puts you at the forefront of our research, helping you make an impact on policy, practice and people.

Social responsibility and sustainability are important to us. We incorporate the seven Principles for Responsible Management into our teaching and research.

Location

Study on our beautiful green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.

See the modules you will study by year by going to the ‘visit our course page’ link at the bottom of the page.