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Accounting and Finance with Placement Year

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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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 finance underpin how organisations operate, grow and make decisions. At Southampton, you will explore how financial insight, strategy and data come together to shape the world around us.

This four-year degree gives you a strong foundation in financial and managerial accounting, investment and finance, alongside the chance to test your knowledge in practice. In your third year, you will complete a paid industry placement, gaining hands-on experience with leading organisations such as JP Morgan, Deloitte or EY.

You will explore pathways towards professional accountancy recognition while developing expertise in areas such as international banking, marketing, HR or project management. From audit and taxation to financial reporting, you will learn to apply theory to real-world challenges, including opportunities to present your work to audit partners from PwC.

As part of a Russell Group university ranked in the top 100 globally for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), your learning is shaped by research and industry insight.

Key features of the course
• Take your learning beyond the classroom with a full-year paid industry placement, supported by an award-winning placements team. Build experience, confidence and professional connections before you graduate.
• Shape your degree around your interests. A flexible curriculum allows you to explore areas such as international banking, marketing, HR or project management.
• Learn from experts who are active in their fields. Our research-led academics teach across corporate governance, taxation, auditing and financial reporting, bringing current thinking into your studies.
• Build connections with industry through guest lectures and strong professional links, giving you insight into where your degree can take you.
• Work towards professional recognition. The course is accredited by ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA and CIMA, with eligibility for exemptions from selected professional exams.
• Keep your options open with the opportunity to transfer to a study abroad pathway.

Student support
Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) will support you throughout your time at Southampton, offering guidance on your studies, career planning and wider wellbeing. You will also have access to a range of academic and pastoral support services whenever you need them.

Further information
This course prepares you for careers in accounting, finance and business consultancy. Your placement year, combined with professional accreditations and strong industry links, gives you a head start in a competitive sector. Guest speakers and networking opportunities will help you build connections and develop the confidence to take your next step.

Modules

OOn our Accounting and Finance course you'll learn how to prepare and interpret financial and managerial information for a variety of users with a sound understanding of investment and finance.

Additional Core/Compulsory modules you will study include Financial Management; Portfolio Theory and Capital Markets; and Law. Optional modules are varied and may include Business Analytics; Sustainability Reporting, Corporate Governance; Islamic Banking; International Banking; Futures and Options; Advanced Taxation; Strategic Management; Management Ethics; Human Resource Management and Marketing in a Digital Age.

Assessment method

We'll assess you using dissertations; essays; individual and group projects; written exams.

Professional bodies

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

  • International Accountants, Association of
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Public Finance and Accountancy, Chartered Institute of

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

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:
N401
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

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:
N401
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

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 qualification 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

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 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 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.

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.

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 plus grade A in the EPQ

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. As per our A level restricted subjects, we can only accept one restricted subject

GCSE/National 4/National 5

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

  • 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 with grade A's.

OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
Not accepted

AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh)
Not accepted

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.

For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Social Sciences Admissions Team at AdmissionsUG.SS@southampton.ac.uk

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

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.

A proportion of students who enrolled on this course in previous years exceeded their offer conditions securing their place on their chosen course with grades higher than our published entry criteria.

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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