BSc Accounting and Finance with Placement Experience

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BSc Accounting and Finance with Placement Experience

UCAS code
NN34
A level offer
ABB
Year of entry
2026/27 See 2025/26 entry
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years

Year of entry
2026/27 See 2025/26 entry
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years

Our BSc Accounting and Finance with Placement Experience degree is designed to prepare you for a career in accountancy firms, financial institutions or large multinational enterprises.

On this degree you'll obtain a critical grasp of core accounting and finance theory as well as sound technical knowledge. You'll also gain a thorough understanding of the role of accounting and finance in business and society.

You’ll develop your understanding of the operation of the financial system and capital markets, and you’ll have the opportunity to apply the theory learned in the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Centre’s dealing rooms - the most extensive non-investment bank facilities of their kind in Europe - using computer trading simulations and spreadsheet modelling.

Through this course, you can build credit towards qualification as a chartered accountant – with either ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA.

Choose accounting and finance at Henley Business School

is recognised as one of the top institutions in the UK for accounting and finance.

We are:

top 15 in the UK for graduate prospects (ranked 13th in the Complete University Guide 2026 in ‘Accounting and Finance’)
top 30 in the UK for overall subject (ranked 28th in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 26th in the Guardian University Guide 2025 in ‘Accounting and Finance’).

All of our finance degrees are affiliated with the .

Placement

A key feature of this degree is the opportunity to complete a one-year industry placement, between your second and final years of study, to further develop your knowledge, skills and experience. A successful industry placement could lead to a job offer with your placement company upon graduation, as well as providing plenty of opportunities to develop a professional network.

Our careers team will provide you with expert advice and guidance – from helping choosing the right industry placement through to supporting you while working during your third year. To support you while applying we provide workshops covering all the main selection methods used by employers: competency interview training; CVs, cover letters and application forms; and drop-in clinics.

Previous placement employers have included Deloitte, EY, KPMG, General Electric, BDO, IBM, Nationwide Building Society and NatWest.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Study options

We also offer two other variations of this course: BSc Accounting and Finance, a three-year course, and BSc Accounting and Finance with Year Abroad, a four-year course with a year spent studying abroad instead of on work placement.

Accounting and Finance students also have the option to transfer to our campus in Malaysia for one year. Based in Johor Bahru, a financial and logistics hub in Malaysia, and near to the border with Singapore, our campus provides an exciting opportunity to study and explore South East Asia. The courses in the UK and Malaysia are the same, meaning you won’t have to undertake an extra year of study. This offers you a fascinating cultural experience, international perspective and the added bonus of reduced fees for that year.

A range of core modules will develop your understanding of the operation of the financial system and capital markets. Having acquired a sound understanding of core financial, accounting and business concepts in your first year, you can go on to take more advanced modules specialising in your key areas of interest in your second and final years. You’ll graduate with professional and technical skills that will be immediately transferable to the business environment.

Our teaching and assessment approach

Henley Business School’s undergraduate degrees are taught through a mix of lectures, group projects and interactive classroom lessons, giving you the opportunity to discuss, explore and then apply the subject content in depth with both lecturers and fellow students. Through exploring and tackling real-world challenges, you’ll also develop key critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Thanks to a varied range of assessment methods – including written assignments, in-class tests, group presentations and formal examinations – you’ll graduate as a well-rounded individual with transferable skills that are highly sought after by leading graduate employers.

Overview

Our BSc Accounting and Finance with Placement Experience degree is designed to prepare you for a career in accountancy firms, financial institutions or large multinational enterprises.

Through this course, you can build credit towards qualification as a chartered accountant – with either ACCA, ICAEW or CIMA.

Choose accounting and finance at Henley Business School

is recognised as one of the top institutions in the UK for accounting and finance.

We are:

top 15 in the UK for graduate prospects (ranked 13th in the Complete University Guide 2026 in ‘Accounting and Finance’)
top 30 in the UK for overall subject (ranked 28th in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and 26th in the Guardian University Guide 2025 in ‘Accounting and Finance’).

All of our finance degrees are affiliated with the .

Placement

Previous placement employers have included Deloitte, EY, KPMG, General Electric, BDO, IBM, Nationwide Building Society and NatWest.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Study options

Learning

Our teaching and assessment approach

Entry requirements A Level ABB

Firm drop grade

Select 糖心探花 as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

ABB with B in A/AS-level Mathematics OR B in A-level Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Statistics.

Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ)

If you are taking an EPQ, you will receive two offers: our standard offer and an alternative offer of BBB in your A-level subjects on the condition that you achieve a B in your EPQ.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including minimum 4 in English at standard level and either 5 in standard level maths or 5 in higher level Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Economics or Statistics.

GCSE

GCSE English Language or English Literature at grade B (or 5) and GCSE Mathematics at grade 6 (or B) if Mathematics not taken at AS or A-Level.

GCSE History, Geography, Religious Studies, Drama, Sociology or Politics at B (6) or AS/A Level English Literature, English Language or English Literature and Language at grade B are acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language or English Literature.

BTEC

DDD, plus grade A in A level or AS level Maths or A Level Physics, Chemistry, Economics or Statistics. The BTEC Extended Diploma cannot be accepted on its own to cover the subject requirements.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the 糖心探花’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Business Insight and Performance

Explore the techniques, principles and underlying concepts relating to the analysis of management accounting information - including the examination of costs, revenues and profits. You'll gain experience of the approaches used in today’s businesses and understand how they fit together to provide an overview of a business’ performance.

Fundamentals of Business and Sustainability

Explore the fundamentals of sustainability, ethics, and international business strategy, with a focus on their relevance to the professional accountant's role. You'll study key business concepts, theories, and models within the context of sustainability and ethical frameworks.

Accounting Fundamentals

Develop a sound understanding of the techniques of double-entry bookkeeping, and learn how to apply its principles in recording accounting transactions, adjusting financial records, and preparing non-complex financial statements.

Introductory Securities and Markets

Explore financial institutions, credit risk, maturity transformation and liquidity, plus the economics of banking and types of money including cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies. Focus on sustainable finance and its important contribution to achieving Net Zero by 2050.

Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I

Get an overview of the role the financial system plays in the economy. Discuss the main players in the system, the instruments they trade, and the trading prices. Focus on capital markets and the private and public financial institutions participating in these markets

Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business & Finance

Discover a range of quantitative techniques that are commonly applied in business, finance and management. You'll learn about introductory statistics and mathematical techniques that are necessary for a good understanding of financial theories and which are vital to develop and understand the models used in business and finance.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2025/2026 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the 糖心探花.

Compulsory modules

Financial Accounting

Study the various International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), along with the related accounting concepts you'll need to understand in order to prepare single entity and consolidated financial statements.

Further Management Accounting

Gain insight into financial information techniques, principles, and concepts for organisational decision-making, planning, and control. Understand theories, technical language, and practices within the business context, including contemporary management accounting developments.

Corporate Finance

Focus on corporate value: its measurement, and its maximisation through corporate financial decisions, growth strategies, and governance practices. Get a good grounding in corporate finance theory and an appreciation of the related empirical evidence.

Portfolio Management

Examine the issues involved in understanding the investment market, constructing an optimal investment portfolio, evaluating the performance of that portfolio, and adjusting its composition through time. Develop a detailed knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings and the practical techniques required to form and manage portfolios of assets.

Optional modules

Personal Tax

Enhance your knowledge of the UK tax system and calculate income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax and inheritance tax for individuals in given scenarios.

An Introduction to the Management of Information Systems

Explore the fundamental concepts and theories that underpin the design, implementation, control, evaluation and strategic use of information systems in business.

Assurance in Context

Discover the nature and purpose of audit and assurance and gain a practical understanding of the work undertaken by assurance providers. You’ll examines the stages of the audit process, considering the work done by the assurance provider at each stage. The importance of assurance in achieving good corporate governance, and its wider political, economic and social context will also be considered.

Sustainable Finance

Learn about the basics of Sustainable Finance, covering applications in financing and investment activities. You'll explore the Environmental, Social and Governance factors, and will discuss the relevant policies and international regulations.

Trends in Finance

Contextualise current issues and debates in finance by placing them in the historical evolution of finance. Understand how finance has evolved over time and where it may develop in the future.

Programming for Finance

Learn about Object Oriented Programming using Python as the main programming language, and use the learning outcomes for data processing and applications in Finance. Discover the basics of programming, including class, objects, datatypes, conditional statements and loops, processing data from files, receiving inputs and displaying relevant outputs.

Climate Change and Finance

Explore the consensus on climate change and its societal impacts, focusing on how finance can address and adapt to these challenges amidst increasing demand for sustainable investments and regulatory changes integrating climate targets.

FX and International Debt Markets

Study the international debt markets, equip yourself with the tools to analyse and compare products, and determine trading and hedging strategies. Develop an understanding of the products and practices of international money and bond market cash instruments and bond futures.

Personal Finance

Gain an understanding on common financial decisions you might face. It covers budgeting, borrowing, credit scores, mortgages, pensions, savings, investments, insurance, government support, regulations, taxation, and ethical considerations. It encourages you to reflect on managing your personal finances effectively.

Production Accounting for Film and TV

Study the wider context of finance within the high-end film and TV industry. You鈥檒l also learn about the detail and nature of a production accounting role.

Optional Language or University Wide Modules鈥�

Study a module from outside your Department to enhance your understanding of another subject area. Alternatively, you can learn one of ten languages offered by the University at a level appropriate for you.

Placement year

Compulsory modules

Advanced International Financial Reporting

Explore advanced topics in financial reporting, as well as the theories that underpin financial accounting, and examine how these contribute to current financial reporting and practice. You'll gain knowledge and understanding of a number of International Financial Reporting Standards.

Business and Professional Ethics

Examine the moral norms of international accounting, investment and financial management. Within the business world, the overwhelming preoccupation with money and profit introduce a variety of conflicting moral pressures. Using real-world scenarios, you'll explore the ethical questions raised and develop the analytical, reflexive and decision-making skills to tackle a range of moral issues.

Management of Risk

Develop techniques to measure and manage market and credit risks in banks. Explore recent developments in bank regulation. Develop critical risk management skills that are indispensable for anyone willing to undertake a career in the financial sector.

Derivative Securities

Explore derivatives markets and their products through theories and practical trading strategies. Become equipped with the essential knowledge to continue studying the advanced derivatives pricing model and practicing trading with derivatives.

Optional modules

Advance Management Accounting

Gain further understanding of the role of management accounting in organisational decision making, planning, control and performance management.

Accounting Project

Deepen your understanding of key issues in accounting or business. Under supervision, you’ll conduct research, which may stem from readings or work experiences, to enhance your research skills and comprehension of the process.

Business Tax

Learn about the main areas of UK taxes applicable to businesses, including income tax, capital gains tax, corporation tax, national insurance and VAT.

Project Management

In this hands-on module, you'll work on project-based group activities to develop a practical understanding of the tools and techniques used in project management. You'll also explore the core theories that underpin the project management process.

Forensic Accounting

Gain a critical understanding of financial fraud, including its context, necessary conditions, detection, and investigation methods. Learn to design and implement effective preventive and detective control mechanisms.

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Develop your appreciation of the practical aspects of investing by private equity and venture capital firms, understand the dynamics between the venture capital investor and the entrepreneur, and the practicalities of raising private equity and venture capital funds from institutional investors.

Research Project

Choose a finance question that is of interest to you, and produce a Research Project that addresses your question.

FinTech and Cryptocurrencies

Learn about fintech, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain. Gain an understanding of how and why firms are implementing blockchain technology in their day-to-day business as well as the challenges they face.

Islamic Accounting, Governance and Ethics

Learn the unique characteristics of Islamic finance and discover its key attributes of governance, sustainability and accountability. Develop your understanding of the challenges and opportunities, including increased opportunities for financial inclusion, presented by the global reach of this alternative to conventional banking.

Business Strategy for Accountants

Gain an understanding of business strategy with particular emphasis on how the activities of an organisation are interrelated, both with each other and with the strategic, competitive and environmental contexts that they operate in.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Finance

Explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and their applications in business and finance. You鈥檒l discover how ML algorithms and AI techniques are used to extract intelligence from datasets. You鈥檒l also gain hands-on experience with Python as a programming language, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, and Structured Query Language (SQL) for managing large datasets.

Optional Language or University Wide Modules

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: the 糖心探花 will charge undergraduate home tuition fees at the upper limit as set by the UK government for the relevant academic year. The fee cap for 2026/27 hasn't been confirmed yet. Please check the fees and funding webpage for the latest information. The annual fee for 2025/26 is £9,535.

New international students: £25,850 for 2026/27. The International tuition fee is subject to annual increases changes in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the 糖心探花 sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Placement year fees

If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Flexible courses (price per 10 credit module)

UK/Republic of Ireland students: £390

International students: £945

Careers

Our courses have a strong focus on employability, and your degree can open up a wide range of employment opportunities. 98% of our Accounting graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (based on HESA data, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22; includes first degree Accounting responders).

An Accounting degree from Henley Business School can provide a route into many areas. Our graduates have gone on to work at a variety of high profile organisations including PwC, KPMG, Johnson & Johnson, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide and Heathrow Airport Limited.

Examples of recent graduate roles include:

Accountant
Investment Analyst
Audit Associate
Trading Manager
Risk Analyst
Assurance Associate

A degree from Henley Business School is respected internationally and can provide a route into many areas, including accounting and professional services, banking, consultancy, finance, human resources, IT, investment banking, marketing, operations and, of course, general management. We recognise that undergraduate study is an important investment in your future career and we are therefore very proud of our outstanding graduate employment record, reflected in our consistently strong performance in the university league tables.

Dedicated support from Henley Careers

While studying at Henley Business School, you can access to one-to-one careers support from our dedicated service.鈥疕enley Careers鈥痗an help you plan your future, develop interview and application skills, build confidence and advise you on different career journeys.

Our team will provide you with expert advice and guidance on placements 鈥� from help choosing the right role to support while you are on placement. We will help you make your applications stand out and run workshops covering all the main selection methods used by employers: competency interview training, CVs, cover letters, application forms and drop-in clinics.

糖心探花