Accounting and Finance (with a year in industry) BSc
AAB at A level; graduates earn a median £30,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
91% of entrants came with A levels · 92% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AABtypical A level offer
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
Who actually got in: 91% with A levels, 1% with the IB, 2% with other higher education. 1% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 540 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma | — |
| IB | 35 points | — |
| T Level | Distinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in AccountingDistinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Bus | A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting |
| Scottish Highers | AABBB | — |
Years 1–4
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: business & administration 65% · mathematics & statistics 15% · transversal skills 15% · language & communication 3%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 6 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Business Economics
What you learn (10)
- explain how competitive markets operate
- analyse factors influencing consumer demand
- analyse firm output decisions under perfect competition
- analyse firm output decisions under imperfect competition
- analyse pricing strategies used by firms with market power
- describe how governments intervene in markets
- discuss how macroeconomic conditions affect businesses
- apply basic economic reasoning to business situations
- identify trade-offs involved in typical business decisions
- apply critical thinking to evaluate economic decision-making issues
- Intro to Business Ethics and Sustainability
What you learn (11)
- identify key claims in current business ethics debates
- describe arguments and counterarguments found in ethical business discussions
- identify problems and proposed solutions in contemporary business ethics issues
- identify one's own personal ethical values
- reflect on how personal ethics influence future professional conduct
- interpret ethical positions presented in academic literature
- synthesise multiple ethical perspectives from scholarly sources
- critique ethical arguments drawn from academic debates
- present a clear and logically structured ethical argument
- evaluate the strength and rigour of an ethical argument
- select and reference appropriate academic sources correctly
- Finance Fundamentals
What you learn (11)
- apply time value of money calculations to financial problems
- describe the structure of markets where financial instruments are traded
- identify different sources of business finance
- calculate the value of bonds using standard valuation methods
- apply introductory models to estimate share value
- explain the relationship between risk and expected return
- apply finance principles to personal or household financial decisions
- manage own learning and time to meet study deadlines
- resolve financial problems using appropriate analytical approaches
- collaborate effectively with peers on shared tasks
- produce written work following academic conventions
- Introduction to Accounting
What you learn (9)
- identify core concepts of financial accounting
- explain how financial statements are prepared
- construct a set of financial statements
- apply financial analysis techniques to business data
- interpret financial analysis results to support business decisions
- describe the role and structure of financial markets
- identify core concepts of management accounting
- explain the purpose of various management accounting tools
- apply management accounting tools to assess business operations
- People, Management and Professional Development
What you learn (2)
- describe challenges in managing operations and human resources
- explain the relevance of management theories to practice
- Quantitative Analysis in Business Studies
What you learn (15)
- describe different types of data used in business analysis
- explain the concept of probability
- describe common probability distributions
- describe different sampling techniques used in data collection
- calculate basic descriptive statistics from a sample
- formulate a statistical hypothesis for a business problem
- test a statistical hypothesis using appropriate methods
- perform an analysis of variance on a dataset
- apply linear regression techniques using statistical software
- apply time-series forecasting techniques using statistical software
- collect data accurately for business analysis
- handle and analyse data accurately
- apply quantitative methods systematically to business problems
- apply logical reasoning to derive conclusions from assumptions
- evaluate assumptions underlying statistical conclusions
Year 2 · 5 core, 4 optional · 100 credits ≈ 1,000 hours
- Corporate Finance
What you learn (17)
- evaluate issues of agency conflict and corporate governance
- explain divergences between financial theory and real-world practice
- apply corporate finance tools to shape firm purpose and sustainability
- evaluate investment decisions using discounted cash flow techniques
- calculate the cost of capital for equity and debt financing
- apply cost of capital estimates to corporate financial decisions
- analyse how dividend policy affects firm value and investment choices
- analyse how leverage policy affects cost of capital and firm value
- evaluate financing decisions including the specific needs of smaller firms
- explain key issues in mergers and corporate restructuring
- critically reflect on the narratives underlying corporate finance decisions
- critique competing and sometimes contradictory finance theories
- apply numerical and analytical methods to solve finance problems
- demonstrate leadership and teamwork in collaborative tasks
- analyse business strategy in relation to corporate finance decisions
- conduct independent research on corporate financial issues
- report findings from financial data analysis clearly
- Intermediate Management Accounting
What you learn (3)
- apply process-costing systems to relevant industry scenarios
- evaluate how alternative stock-costing methods affect reported income
- calculate relevant costs and revenues to support decision making
- Financial Reporting
What you learn (9)
- describe the regulatory framework governing company financial reporting
- explain the importance of the accounting conceptual framework for setting standards
- identify omissions and errors within accounting records
- correct identified errors and omissions in financial statements
- record accounting transactions arising from changes in capital structure
- apply relevant accounting standards when preparing financial statements
- produce financial statements from a trial balance
- prepare a cash flow statement following IAS 7 requirements
- explain the basic principles underlying group accounting
- Data Analytics for Accounting and Finance
What you learn (3)
- sort and filter data within spreadsheets
- apply lookup formulas to retrieve spreadsheet data
- build pivot tables to summarise data
- Sustainable Investing and Green Finance
What you learn (1)
- identify financial products available to green and sustainable investors
4 optional modules
- Company Law
What you learn (20)
- identify the different sources of law
- distinguish case law from statutory legislation
- distinguish between different forms of business organisation
- advise a client on the suitable form of business organisation
- explain the concept of legal personality
- analyse the principal duties owed by company directors
- apply directors' duties to given company scenarios
- evaluate the legal protections available to shareholders
- evaluate the legal protections available to creditors
- analyse different types of employment relationship
- advise on the appropriate choice of employment relationship
- advise an employer on approaches to terminating employment
- describe different forms of civil obligation
- apply civil obligation principles to factual scenarios
- identify the essential principles of a binding contract
- assess the effectiveness of common law and statutory controls on contracting parties
- identify the core principles of negligence in tort law
- analyse cases of negligent misstatement
- assess potential liability arising from negligent misstatements
- evaluate how criminal law affects commercial organisations
- Audit and Assurance
What you learn (15)
- explain how stakeholder needs influence governance and ethical practice
- analyse the impact of corporate responsibility on business decisions
- describe the roles of stakeholders in corporate governance
- differentiate stakeholder responsibilities within governance structures
- identify legal consequences of fraud, bribery and corruption
- explain professional obligations relating to whistleblowing and money laundering
- describe data protection compliance requirements for businesses
- classify different types of assurance engagement
- compare levels of assurance provided in different engagements
- apply assurance planning procedures to a straightforward engagement
- produce documentation and reports for an assurance assignment
- explain the importance of internal controls within organisations
- identify weaknesses in an internal control system
- explain methods used to gather evidence in assurance engagements
- apply evidence-gathering techniques to support audit conclusions
- Strategy, Technology and Society
What you learn (3)
- analyse internal and external business environments for strategic insight
- formulate strategic options based on environmental analysis
- evaluate strategic management processes across different organisational contexts
- Sustainability Accounting in Capital Markets
What you learn (16)
- explain the rationale for sustainability accounting standards
- identify shortcomings of sustainability accounting frameworks across jurisdictions
- describe how SASB standards are structured and applied
- explain how companies and investors use sustainability disclosures
- identify sustainability issues affecting financial performance
- analyse the impact of sustainability issues on financial outcomes
- evaluate the quality of a firm's sustainability or ESG report
- identify material sustainability issues affecting a business
- propose recommendations to address material sustainability issues
- describe methodologies used by agencies to produce ESG ratings
- critically evaluate the reliability of ESG rating methodologies
- evaluate the comparability of sustainability and ESG data across firms
- explain how sustainability disclosures relate to firm valuation
- perform financial calculations and estimations related to sustainability analysis
- communicate financial analysis through written and collaborative formats
- conduct independent research on financial topics using data analysis
Year 4 · 4 core, 8 optional · 80 credits ≈ 800 hours
- Advanced Financial Reporting
What you learn (12)
- describe the regulatory framework governing corporate financial reporting
- evaluate the effectiveness of regulations imposed on companies
- explain advanced techniques used in financial reporting
- apply advanced financial reporting techniques to company data
- evaluate the appropriateness of advanced financial reporting techniques
- explain the requirements of selected international financial reporting standards
- apply selected international financial reporting standards to case scenarios
- evaluate the impact of applying selected international financial reporting standards
- explain alternative accounting conventions used to prepare financial statements
- apply alternative accounting conventions to prepare financial statements
- evaluate financial statements prepared under different accounting conventions
- evaluate current debates and issues in financial reporting practice
- Financial Markets and Investments
What you learn (15)
- explain the function of financial markets in the global economy
- evaluate theories underpinning portfolio construction
- assess criteria for selecting investments
- describe the term structure of interest rates and its significance
- critique competing theories explaining the yield curve
- calculate the value of derivative securities such as futures and options
- assess the limitations of valuation models for derivatives
- describe principles of bond portfolio management
- apply immunisation techniques to manage interest rate risk
- explain how derivative securities mitigate financial risk
- evaluate issues arising in risk management practice
- manage own learning and time to meet study demands
- apply structured reasoning to solve financial problems
- conduct independent research into financial market topics
- produce clear and well-structured academic writing
- Contemporary Issues in Accounting and Finance
What you learn (1)
- explain theoretical perspectives on financial responsibility and accountability
- Management Accounting and Control Systems
What you learn (8)
- analyse organisations in relation to their historical and international context
- examine the cultural, economic, legal and industrial factors shaping organisations
- describe theoretical perspectives on management accounting control
- analyse key concepts underpinning management accounting control systems
- compare management accounting control systems across different organisation types
- discuss the impact of control systems on organisational performance
- explain how management accounting techniques influence managerial decision making
- explain how management accounting techniques influence employee behaviour
8 optional modules
- Company Law
What you learn (20)
- identify the different sources of law
- distinguish case law from statutory legislation
- distinguish between different forms of business organisation
- advise a client on the suitable form of business organisation
- explain the concept of legal personality
- analyse the principal duties owed by company directors
- apply directors' duties to given company scenarios
- evaluate the legal protections available to shareholders
- evaluate the legal protections available to creditors
- analyse different types of employment relationship
- advise on the appropriate choice of employment relationship
- advise an employer on approaches to terminating employment
- describe different forms of civil obligation
- apply civil obligation principles to factual scenarios
- identify the essential principles of a binding contract
- assess the effectiveness of common law and statutory controls on contracting parties
- identify the core principles of negligence in tort law
- analyse cases of negligent misstatement
- assess potential liability arising from negligent misstatements
- evaluate how criminal law affects commercial organisations
- Business Consultancy Project
What you learn (5)
- manage a business investigation from problem definition through to final reporting
- apply a systematic method to explore a business issue and derive recommendations
- reflect on personal growth in knowledge and skills during the project
- evaluate academic literature and research methods relevant to a business topic
- synthesise theoretical and empirical findings into a well-supported argument
- Taxation Systems
What you learn (12)
- explain the main features and functions of the UK tax system
- describe ethical considerations relevant to taxation practice
- explain how tax revenue contributes to the UK economy
- discuss the underlying principles of income tax
- discuss the underlying principles of corporate taxation
- calculate income tax and corporation tax liabilities for given scenarios
- identify payment and submission deadlines for various UK taxes
- manage own learning and workload independently
- gather and analyse relevant information from multiple sources
- apply problem-solving techniques to taxation scenarios
- apply numerical skills to complete tax calculations accurately
- explore varied learning resources to support independent study
- Behavioural Finance
What you learn (5)
- identify causes of asset pricing anomalies linked to investor psychology
- list common behavioural biases affecting investors
- explain how behavioural biases influence financial asset price movements
- propose alternative investment strategies based on behavioural finance insights
- analyse the impact of behavioural biases on corporate financial decisions
- Business Analysis and Valuation
What you learn (15)
- evaluate the quality and reliability of reported accounting information
- calculate financial ratios from company accounts and databases
- interpret calculated financial ratios to assess company performance
- apply forecasting techniques to predict future financial performance
- interpret the results produced by forecasting techniques
- apply different valuation techniques to estimate company value
- interpret outcomes generated by different valuation approaches
- produce a written report analysing company financial statements for valuation purposes
- critically reflect on how accounting figures and narratives shape valuation conclusions
- compare and critique conflicting theoretical perspectives on business valuation
- apply analytical and numerical skills to solve business problems
- demonstrate leadership behaviour when working on business problems
- design a business strategy based on strategic analysis
- conduct independent research on financial issues using data collection and analysis
- synthesise and report findings from financial research
- Sustainability Accounting in Capital Markets
What you learn (16)
- explain the rationale for sustainability accounting standards
- identify shortcomings of sustainability accounting frameworks across jurisdictions
- describe how SASB standards are structured and applied
- explain how companies and investors use sustainability disclosures
- identify sustainability issues affecting financial performance
- analyse the impact of sustainability issues on financial outcomes
- evaluate the quality of a firm's sustainability or ESG report
- identify material sustainability issues affecting a business
- propose recommendations to address material sustainability issues
- describe methodologies used by agencies to produce ESG ratings
- critically evaluate the reliability of ESG rating methodologies
- evaluate the comparability of sustainability and ESG data across firms
- explain how sustainability disclosures relate to firm valuation
- perform financial calculations and estimations related to sustainability analysis
- communicate financial analysis through written and collaborative formats
- conduct independent research on financial topics using data analysis
- Financial Intermediaries, Instruments and Markets
What you learn (1)
- explain the ethical implications and consequences of misconduct in financial markets
- Business and Innovation in Digital Enterprise
What you learn (8)
- explain macro-environmental factors affecting digital media products nationally
- explain macro-environmental factors affecting digital media products internationally
- analyse the economic conditions influencing media industry practitioners
- apply creative thinking to practical business decisions within innovation processes
- collaborate in a team to design a solution exploiting a technological innovation
- evaluate research findings by synthesising and applying analytical skills
- produce clear written communication suited to professional contexts
- deliver clear oral communication suited to professional contexts
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£30,500median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£23k
Median£31k
Upper quarter£39k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 175 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 12, 22
Half of graduates earned between £23,000 and £39,000. Five years on, the median is £40,000. 91% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 71% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 16% left | 92% | 430 |
| In work or study, 15 months on4% studying | 91% | 125 |
| Professional or managerial job | 71% | 100 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £28,500 | 60 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £30,500 | 175 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £40,000 | 200 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £40,200 in fees over 4 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £28,600 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
89%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 76% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 345 students answered
Highest: 94% agreed on question 15; lowest: 60% on question 14.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 90% |
| Question 2 | 78% |
| Question 3 | 78% |
| Question 4 | 82% |
| Question 5 | 86% |
| Question 6 | 85% |
| Question 7 | 85% |
| Question 8 | 78% |
| Question 9 | 77% |
| Question 10 | 76% |
| Question 11 | 78% |
| Question 12 | 82% |
| Question 13 | 75% |
| Question 14 | 60% |
| Question 15 | 94% |
| Question 16 | 85% |
| Question 17 | 84% |
| Question 18 | 86% |
| Question 19 | 87% |
| Question 20 | 91% |
| Question 21 | 91% |
| Question 22 | 87% |
| Question 23 | 78% |
| Question 24 | 70% |
| Question 25 | 72% |
| Question 26 | 89% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.