BA with Honours in Accounting and Finance – 2026 entry

Duration of programme: 4 years (where students join the programme in year 1) 

Award on successful completion: Bachelor of Arts with Honours 

Accreditation: ICAS, CIMA, ACCA and AIA 

Location of delivery: Abertay University, Bell Street, Dundee 

Composition of the programme: 120 SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) credits in each academic year, delivered mostly in modules of 20 credits each, with 60 credits taken in term 1, and 60 credits in term 2 each year.   

Contact hours and workload: Each academic year typically requires 1200 hours of student effort; on average across the 4 years of this programme, 20% of that time is in lectures, seminars and similar activities; the remainder is independent study. 

Assessment methods: Being a professionally accredited programme, there is a strong reliance on exams as assessment.  However, students are well prepared for these with lots of examples being practiced in class in advance.  Additionally, a wide range of other assessment techniques are used, such as presentations, online discussions, and development of recommendations/possible solutions to live business projects from a wide range of organisations. 

Academic staff: This programme is delivered principally by staff in the Dundee Business School in the Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business.  Staff profiles can be viewed at https://www.abertay.ac.uk/academic-faculties-and-graduate-school/faculty-of-design-informatics-and-business/ 

Core modules in the programme: 

  • Financial Accounting

  • Business Analytics

  • Management Accounting

  • Business Law (Accountants)

  • Introduction to Tax and Information Systems

  • Corporate Finance

  • Taxation

  • International Financial Accounting

  • Advanced Management Accounting

  • Advanced International Financial Accounting

  • International Financial Management

  • Auditing

  • Advanced Corporate Finance

Other modules that may be offered, but are subject to change over time: 

  • Managing Across Cultures

  • Employability Analysis and Career Building

  • Financial Markets

  • Work Placement

  • Business and Environmental Sustainability: Reaching net-zero

  • Entrepreneurship and Business Start-up

  • Operations Management and Business Redesign

  • Strategic Management

  • Business Ethics in Society 

  • International Business Management

  • Investment and Portfolio Management

Developments in the discipline: This programme is heavily shaped by the requirements of the main accounting professional bodies, from which it gets professional examination exemptions and accreditations. These bodies regularly review their curriculum and changes are reflected in the delivery of this programme. 

This programme is currently undergoing internal review and approval due to significant changes in its structure, content, and delivery. These changes will apply exclusively to Year 1 students beginning in 2026. Year 1 students will study a BSc degree instead of a BA degree. The revised BSc programme will offer enhanced industry learning opportunities and incorporate the latest best practices. Year 2 and Year 3 students will study a BA degree as outlined above. 

For year 1 students, below is the proposed—yet unconfirmed—structure of the programme: 

Core modules in the programme: Stage 1 entry from 2026 – every module, every year

  • Year 1: Business & Academic Skills; Business Economics; Introduction to Accounting; People & Processes

  • Year 2: Professional Skills; Management Accounting; Financial Accounting; Introduction to Finance; Introduction to Taxation.

  • Year 3: Business In Practice; Taxation; Corporate Finance; Advanced Management Accounting; Advanced Financial Reporting.

  • Year 4: Final Year Project; Contemporary Issues; Auditing; Advanced Corporate Finance.

Pause carousel

Play carousel