Accounting and Finance with Placement Year

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.

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.

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

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