Looking to study an accounting and finance course in Birmingham? Our BSc (Hons) Accountancy degree is accredited by CIMA, CIPFA and the IFA, and allows you to take a year-long placement.
The course is designed to equip you with technical knowledge and skills as well as a range of employability skills, attributes and attitudes. It will encourage your intellectual and ethical development and your personal commitment to the social purpose of becoming a professional accountant.
As you progress you will become more effective and creative as a problem solver and be given the opportunities to develop the skills necessary to be able to critically advise individuals and companies in the UK and internationally on a range of business related matters.
The accounting specialism and professional alignment of the course enables fast track progression into a career in accountancy.
Your engagement with this course will allow you to develop your teamwork, IT, analytical and presentation skills whilst boosting your commercial acumen and awareness as you progress through this course which has employability at its heart. You have the option of completing a year-long work placement between your second and final years of study should you wish to do so.
Additionally, there will be opportunities to experience different graduate roles with a wide variety of short insight or internship schemes open to you to compliment your studies during University vacations.
Meet or beat our entry requirements and you could be eligible for an achievement scholarship worth £1,000.
*Terms and Conditions apply - some undergraduate courses are not eligible for this scheme. The £1,000 scholarship is made up of an £850 scholarship and £150 free credit to spend in an online shop.
Mary Okyere
Having originally turned down her offer from BCU, Mary joined the university through Clearing and began her journey into a career in Accounting.
*DLHE 2016/17
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
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BBC or 112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels |
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OR AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting |
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| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
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GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above, at the point of enrolment. Equivalent qualifications will be considered. Plus, you must have achieved or be completing one of the following: |
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| UK Qualification | Requirements 2020/21 | |
| A Level / AS Level | BBC at A Level (112 points). A maximum of three subjects are considered. Other 6-unit qualifications can be considered in lieu of one or two A-level subjects. | |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Pass overall with 60 credits, 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2. GCSE Mathematics and English Language at grade 4 or above or equivalent qualifications must be offered. GCSE Science is not required for Access students. | |
| BTEC National Diploma (12-units not including early years) / Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma | D*D*. Can be offered along with either one A-level, 2 AS-levels or one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma qualification to achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points. | |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (18-units not including early years) / Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | DMM (112 points). | |
| BTEC Subsidiary Diploma / Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate | D. Must be offered along with either two A-levels (grades B and C), two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas / OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas (grades D and M) or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma (grades DM). | |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma |
Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall. Students who do not complete the IB Diploma will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates and alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications to meet 112 UCAS Tariff Points. If taking the IB Certificate you will need to |
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| Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) |
Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 112 tariff points, achieved in four Higher level subjects. This must include Maths and English Language taken at either Ordinary level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level (minimum grade H5/D1). |
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| Scottish Advanced Higher |
Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved from either five Highers or a combination of two Highers offered with two Advanced Highers. Where only Highers have been taken a minimum of (BBCCC) are required. Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of CD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of CC in two Highers). Maximum of three Advanced Highers can be considered together. |
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| Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate |
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate with grade B plus grades BB at A-Level (or equivalent qualifications). Must be offered along with either two A-levels (grades B and B), two 6-unit BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas / OCR OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas (grades D and M) or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma / OCR OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma (grades DM). |
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| Other qualifications | ||
| If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
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| Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications to 112 points are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
From A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
Sandwich Fees
Our Sandwich courses incur a fee during the placement year, the costs for years when you attend the university for study, and the cost for the placement year are shown here.
Fees for Part-time students
This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year as shown here.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
Sandwich Fees
Our Sandwich courses incur a fee during the placement year, the costs for years when you attend the university for study, and the cost for the placement year are shown here.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
There are three ways to apply:
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
If you study this course part-time or via distance learning, you will be charged on a pro-rata basis. This means your fee will be calculated per module.
There are no compulsory additional costs or charges associated with studying on this course. While you may choose to purchase personal copies of text books, all our key text books are available from our library or online (subject to normal library loan and online access arrangements).
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). |
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits). |
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules. |
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All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
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In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 40 credits). |
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 80 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules. |
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All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
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The accounting specialism and professional alignment of the programme enables fast track progression into a career in accountancy.
The first year of the programme will provide a solid grounding in accounting and its importance in business as well as ensuring you are fully prepared to make informed decisions as to your study route in future years of the programme.
During the second and third years of the programme, there will be more flexible learning opportunities that will enable you to specialise in particular subject areas, and to tailor your programme to a particular career aim or specific professional body. You may wish to focus your studies on traditional areas of accounting such as financial reporting, management accounting and taxation or specialise in the diverse areas of accounting for charities or Islamic banking.
You will visit a range of businesses, gaining key industry insight and getting a focus on how businesses operate. In recent years, we have visited JCB, Morgan Motor Company and Cadbury World.
We have been approved under ACCA's Approved Learning Partner - student tuition (ALP-st) programme and given the award of Platinum Level Tuition Provider.
This means you can be sure:
Accredited by the Association of International Accountants (AIA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route. This accreditation is dependent on particular modules you choose.
Accredited by The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
Your course will consider the study of accountancy, finance and business from an international perspective. You will be given the opportunity to travel abroad to work or study and will be encouraged to engage in UK, European and global business games and challenges.
Following the successful completion of your degree, you could progress onto the MSc Accounting and Finance or the ACCA professional programme.
"Without the support of the university and staff I feel I would not have achieved what I have to date; not only did I obtain a degree in Accountancy but I went on to complete my Masters with Birmingham City University."
Your course will prepare and equip you for a career in accountancy, finance, management or business, by relating your studies to the latest practice-based business developments.
Throughout the course, we have regular visits from professional bodies such as the ICAEW, CIMA and ACCA. These visits help ensure that you are learning the exact skills organisations and regulator bodies are looking for.
You will also have the opportunity to attain the Microsoft Office Specialist – Excel qualification, enhancing your employability prospects.
In order to apply and enhance the skills you learn from the course, you will have the option to undertake a year-long work placement in the UK or overseas. Shorter-term work placements, voluntary work and internships will also be available.
In the past, students have benefited from our partnerships with the NHS, Volkswagen and Bentley.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
Many of our graduates move on to exciting roles within accounting and finance. Because of the range of areas our course covers, students also go on to more diverse careers. We’ve seen graduates go into roles as fraud officers, hedge fund analysts and office managers.
"Part of my decision to come to BCU was the fact that the Accounting and Finance course offered the sandwich year. As soon as I saw that, I didn’t have to think twice!"
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law, Business and English students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
"Through our links with big businesses, range of field trips and exciting projects, you’ll be set up with all the skills you’ll need to begin your career."
Margaret Saunders, Course Leader
Margaret Saunders is a CIMA qualified accountant who gained a vast amount of experience working within industry before moving into education. After a number of years teaching within further education and working with apprentices, she joined the Business School in 2013 where she now teaches across a number of undergraduate courses.
After a 15 year career in the banking and finance sector Samantha Roberts moved into higher education. She is a Senior Fellow with the Higher Education Academy and has over 10 years of teaching, course management and leadership experience at both undergraduate and post graduate level.
After completion of her Chartered Accountancy Professional Qualification from India, Shaista Mukadam worked and audited in many of the multi-national companies in India. She retrained as a lecturer, and now teaches on accounting modules at Birmingham City University.
Kulvinder is a senior teaching fellow in financial accounting. He is part of the course management team and is the course leader for the BSc Accounting and Finance course. He has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as on the professional ACCA programme.
