Accounting

Accounting is the systematic recording, reporting, and analysis of financial information, and it forms the foundation of every functioning organisation. Without accurate accounts, businesses cannot understand their performance, investors cannot assess their value, regulators cannot ensure compliance, and governments cannot collect taxes or plan public spending. Studying accounting at degree level means engaging with both the technical mechanics of financial reporting and the broader questions of how financial information is produced, interpreted, and used in decision-making.

At Northumbria University, this three-year full-time programme is exceptionally well structured for professional development. It includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placements embedded in the curriculum, giving you comprehensive professional and international experience before you graduate. The placement year in particular is valued highly by accounting employers, and many students are offered graduate roles by their placement organisations.

You will study financial accounting, management accounting, audit, taxation, financial reporting standards, and the regulatory frameworks governing the profession, developing the technical competence needed to pursue professional qualification after graduation. The typical entry tariff of 120 points reflects the programme's expectations, and Northumbria's strong industry connections in the North East and beyond ensure the teaching is grounded in current professional practice.

Accounting graduates are among the most consistently employable in the UK graduate labour market. Many go on to pursue professional qualifications with bodies such as the ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, or ICAS, for which a strong accounting degree provides excellent preparation. Careers in public practice, corporate finance, management accounting, audit, taxation, and financial management are all open to graduates.

The year abroad and placement year give Northumbria graduates a competitive edge in a crowded market, and many find the combination of academic training and professional experience allows them to progress quickly once they enter the profession. Postgraduate study in accounting, finance, or management is also an option for those who want to specialise.