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Accounting

BSc (Hons)

Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Key information for 2027-28

Course Overview

If you are determined to succeed in the field of accounting, have a can-do attitude, forward momentum and want to benefit from being based in the centre of London with the capital’s global financial centre nearby, then our BSc Accounting is the right choice for you. You will master essential subject knowledge and acquire key skills to enable you to stand out as a professional in the accounting field.

  • Why choose this course?

    • This BSc Accounting is recognised by ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA, the leading professional accounting bodies, and exemptions from their professional examinations are possible.
    • The course has been specifically designed so that you can focus predominantly on accounting modules, while learning supervisory and management skills that will give you the confidence to take on challenges in the workplace. 
    • Birkbeck’s diverse student community creates a stimulating and supportive learning environment. It also gives you the chance to interact with peers possessing a broad range of experience, many of whom will have come directly from careers as administrators, clerical workers or managers, to develop more detailed and nuanced insights into accounting and management.
    • This course also offers you the chance to follow a placement route designed to enhance your career prospects, build your professional networks and apply the knowledge and skills you have gained in a work context.
  • What will I learn?

    You will gain knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of accounting and will develop a range of analytical skills to help you critically appraise and challenge existing accounting practices. You will also develop skills required for preparing financial statements, as well as quantitative skills important in the analysis of management and accounting problems. 

    You will be able to tailor your degree to your interests with option modules in topics such as marketing, organisational behaviour or international finance.

  • How will I learn?

    You will learn on this BSc Accounting via a range of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and small-group seminars involving case studies and formal presentations. You will also have access to well-designed study resources and will be paired with an academic tutor to support your study progress at all stages of this degree.

    You will be able to choose between full- and part-time study, with classes taking place in the evening

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to four evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to three evenings a week, October to July.

  • Placement route

    If you opt for the full-time Placement route on this course, it will give you the opportunity to develop your accounting skills in the workplace and apply learning from your degree in a professional setting to further increase your employability when you graduate. Please note that this option is not available for students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

  • Foundation Year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

  • Pathways

    This course has additional Pathways to offer you the chance to specialise depending on your interests and career goals:

    BSc Accounting and Finance

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

  • Recognised by ICAEWACCA and CIMA, the leading professional accounting bodies.
  • Birkbeck is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the broad field of management. Our academic staff are active researchers as well as enthusiastic teachers, and regularly publish cutting-edge articles in the world's leading journals.
  • Birkbeck’s research excellence was confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, with 83% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
  • We have particular research strengths in international business and strategy, the management of innovation and entrepreneurship, human resource management, corporate governance, sport management and marketing, as well as financial management and accounting.

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

  • Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?

    UCAS tariff points

    • Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
    • Four years full-time with Placement: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
    • Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.

  • Part-time study

    For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

  • What GCSEs do I need?

    Three years full-time or Four years part-time: applicants will normally be expected to have grade C or grade 4 in GCSE-level English and mathematics. Applicants who do not hold this level of qualification may be required to carry out a skills audit at a selection evening, which comprises English and mathematics. This audit assesses an applicant's potential to cope with, and benefit from, a particular programme of study.

  • Alternative entry routes

    Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DMM

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years full-time with Placement, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £9,790 per year
Full-time home students, placement year: £1,955 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £10,050 per year
Full-time home students, placement year: £2,010 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 per year

Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,250 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BSc Accounting, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including: 

  • data-handling and analysis skills
  • decision-making skills 
  • the ability to effectively prepare financial statements
  • the ability to interpret complex accounting materials.

Graduates can pursue career paths in accountancy, finance and management. Possible professions include:

  • chartered accountant
  • chartered management accountant
  • actuary
  • tax adviser
  • retail banker.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • How do I apply to study part-time?

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Please note that online application opens in September.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Study routes for Accounting (BSc (Hons))

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.

2026-27

Full-time

Part-time

2027-28

Full-time