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Accounting and Taxation

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site - Highfield Campus

Course summary

We are still ranked in the top 100 globally for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026)

Summary
Accounting and taxation shape how organisations operate, how governments make decisions, and how economies function. At Southampton, you will explore the relationship between business and policy, and how financial expertise can influence both.
This flexible degree allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and career ambitions. You can follow pathways towards professional accountancy recognition while developing expertise in areas such as green finance, audit, pensions and tax technologies.
What sets this course apart is its focus on the public sector and the interaction between businesses and policymakers. You will learn how financial decisions are made in different contexts, and how they impact society more widely.
As part of a department ranked in the top 100 globally for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), you will learn in an environment shaped by research and real-world insight.

Key features of this course
• Shape your degree around your goals - Choose from pathways that support professional accountancy recognition and reflect your interests, from sustainability to tax and audit.
• Develop practical knowledge you can apply with confidence - You will explore audit, taxation and public sector accounting, building a strong foundation across key areas of the discipline.
• Build skills that employers value - Learn to analyse and communicate data across accounting, audit, tax and sustainability, and understand how to apply these insights ethically and responsibly.
• See theory in action. - Work on real-world projects and case studies developed with our industry partners, giving you experience of tackling current challenges.
• Prepare for strategic roles.- Gain the skills needed to contribute to decision-making in businesses, public sector organisations and beyond.

Student support
Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) will guide you throughout your time at Southampton, supporting your academic progress, career planning and wellbeing. You will also have access to a range of academic skills and pastoral support services.

Further information
We also offer a variant of this course with a placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain industry experience as part of your degree. This course prepares you for careers across accounting, finance, the public sector and consultancy, with the knowledge and perspective to make a meaningful impact.

Modules

"Some of the modules you may study include Management Accounting; Advanced Taxation; Information, Strategic Management; and Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business.

For a full list of modules, please visit our course page."

Assessment method

Assessment methods might include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects for example.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

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:
N410
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB

Typical offer: AAB

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

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

DDD in the Business BTEC National Extended Diploma.

BTEC qualifications should be in Business, please check with us if your BTEC is in a different subject before applying.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 39 credits M: 6 credits P: 0 credits

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit

Offers typically exclude Social Care/Healthcare pathways.

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).

Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

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

DD in the Business BTEC National Diploma plus A from one A-level.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

D in the Business BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDD

DDD in the Business BTEC Extended Diploma.

BTEC qualifications should be in Business, please check with us if your BTEC qualification is in a different subject before applying.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
DD

DD in the Business BTEC Diploma plus A grade from one A-level.

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
D

D in the Business BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34 points

Typical offer: Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level and grade 4 at SL in Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation.

International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP):

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
B

AAB from 3 A levels or AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
B

Typical offer: AAB from 3 A levels or AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Extended Project
A

The University of Southampton values the Extended Project Qualification. If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer: ABB

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2

All applicants would be required to have achieved a grade of O4 in Mathematics and English, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, D3, M2

D3, D3, M2 in three Principal subjects

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer but care must be taken with subjects when combining qualifications.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 6*/B).

  • A grade 5 in mathematics (in the new reformed GCSE's) can be accepted if an applicant has grade B in A levels Maths, Physics, Economics, Geography, Psychology or Business.

Please note we cannot accept a grade 5 in mathematics if you are studying other qualifications, the requirement is a grade 6.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
DDD

If you are studying an OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Business then this is accepted and we strongly suggest you contact us before applying if you are studying a different subject.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Business is accepted if combined with one suitable A level with grade A. If your OCR is not in Business, we strongly suggest you contact us before applying.

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
D

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Business is accepted if combined with two suitable A levels at grade A.

We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate, International Foundation Programmes in the UK. You will be expected to attain an equivalent standard to the A level applicant.

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 encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

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 enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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