Key information
UCAS code:
NN34
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
Relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
This two-year top-up degree course allows you to build on your previous higher education studies to gain a full BA (Hons) degree in Accountancy and Financial Management. You must have 120 first-year higher education credits in accountancy to apply for this course.
This degree focuses on modern accountancy skills. You'll learn to understand, visualise and present financial data to inform and persuade businesses to make the right financial decisions. You'll work in small groups that replicate the workplace, with a focus on teamwork, real world case studies and developing strategy from financial data.
You'll be able to tailor your learning to your area of specialist interest, choosing your modules to focus on:
- professional modules: take the fastest route to becoming an ACCA chartered accountant
- finance modules: your best preparation route for working in banking or investment management
- analytics modules: combine accounting with data analysis, including data cleaning, visualisation and modelling
The course is accredited by two key accounting bodies (ACCA and CIMA), so whichever route you take, you'll have exemptions from professional exams.
Read ACCA's future skills reportAll professional accountants will be expected to look beyond the numbers. They will need to collaborate with people… interpret and explain the numbers, provide insight… think and behave more strategically and become more involved in decision-making than before.
Course highlights
- Be taught by professionally qualified accountants who have industry experience with companies such as KPMG, Deloitte and HSBC
- Get on the fast track to becoming a chartered accountant through our accredited exemptions from professional exams with 2 global accounting bodies
- Be employment-ready by using industry-standard software and databases such as Oracle, SAP, Sage, and S&P Capital IQ
- Choose options in business analytics to develop the skills that modern accounting needs
- Benefit from the opportunity to gain additional certifications, for example, the ACCA Data Analytics Certificate
- Gain a Bloomberg Certificate (a trading platform that's used by 250,000 financial service professionals) in our dedicated Bloomberg Suite
- Apply your learning by helping student entrepreneurs and local charities such as Age Concern and The Rowans Hospice with their finances
- Feel supported throughout your studies through our peer mentoring, maths support and our team of friendly staff who'll get to know you well
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Accredited by:
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). This means that in addition to achieving a degree, you receive exemptions from ACCA, and CIMA professional examinations. This course offers the maximum number of exemptions for ACCA and CIMA (dependent on the modules you choose to take).
Why is this important?
To progress your career as an accountant you'll need to do further study after graduation whilst you're working. Combining study and work can be difficult, so it's good to complete some units whilst you're still at university. This also benefits your future employers, as they'll have less professional examination fees to pay.
I have really enjoyed my time at Portsmouth and if I could turn back time, I would come back and do it all again! What really stood out to me was the breadth of commercial and academic experience of the lecturers and their ability to bring the course to life using real-world examples.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Accountancy and Financial Management (Top-up) degree entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- Relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification, for example an appropriate HNC, or 120 credits from year 1 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Ideal skills and qualities for this course
As well as meeting the entry requirements for this degree and being comfortable working with numbers, we're looking for people who are team players and who embrace a challenge.
Having a curious mind is important, because employers value graduates who can adapt to new situations and find solutions to complex problems.
Facilities and clinics
Bloomberg Suite
Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.
Next Generation Lab
Gain practical skills with cloud-based software, such as SAP and S&P Capital IQ, in our dedicated lab.
Maths Café
No problem is too small or too tough for our Maths Café tutors, who are on hand every day during term-time to help you if you get stuck or need something explained.
Accounting Clinic
Volunteer to help solve financial issues for fellow students who are setting up their own businesses.
Professional Accounting Practice
Help local charities with their financial and accounting issues through this practical module.
Business analytics software
Use industry standard business analytics software such as Microsoft BI, Python, and Tableau.
Careers and opportunities
Accountants are needed in good times and bad and they're needed in every type of business. This means that you can apply your skills in any sector you're passionate about, from sports and entertainment, to manufacturing, charities, or the arts. You'll also be able to work in other parts of the world as your accredited qualification is recognised internationally.
Our graduates go on to work in accounting practice, the finance departments of large corporations, and the finance sector.
Previous graduates of our accounting and finance courses have secured jobs at companies such as:
- Deloitte
- PWC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
- Menzies LLP
- HWB Accountants
- EY Global (Ernst & Young)
- JPP Financial
- Barclays
- Lockheed Martin UK
- Lloyds Register
- J P Morgan
- Grant Thornton
- Royal Bank of Scotland
Graduates of our accounting and finance courses have secured jobs as:
- accountant
- auditor
- finance analyst
- financial consultant
- investment broker
- control analyst
- financial reporting analyst
- tax analyst
(Data taken from HESA Graduate Outcome surveys)
Mentoring programme - Pathways into accounting
Take part in virtual meetings with alumni mentors who are working in industry.
Hear about their journeys, successes and challenges as you prepare for the transition from student to working professional.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
If you decide at the end of your studies that you don't want to qualify as an accountant, there are many other options open to you. The data analysis skills and problem-solving skills you'll develop on this course will open many other doors.
You could also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level, or set up your own business with help and support from the University.
Ways to enrich your study
Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)
We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.
"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."
Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules in this year include:
- Critical Issues in Accounting and Finance – 20 credits
- Financial Management – 20 credits
- Financial Reporting – 20 credits
- Management Accounting – 20 credits
Optional modules this year currently include:
- Accounting Packages and Systems – 20 credits
- Business Analytics – 20 credits
- Business Law – 20 credits
- Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets – 20 credits
- Investment Analysis – 20 credits
- Managerial and Decision Economics – 20 credits
- Taxation – 20 credits
Core modules in this year include:
- Advanced Financial Reporting – 20 credits
- Advanced Global Financial Management – 20 credits
- Strategic Management Accounting – 20 credits
Optional modules currently include:
- Advanced Business Analytics – 20 credits
- Auditing – 20 credits
- Behavioural Finance and the Psychology of Investment – 20 credits
- Dissertation – 40 credits
- Economics and Finance of Sport – 20 credits
- Financial Investment Project – 20 credits
- Independent Study Project – 20 credits
- Professional Accounting Practice – 20 credits
- Strategic Management – 20 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Alternative accounting courses
Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other finance and accounting courses to compare your options.
You can join this top-up BA (Hons) Finance and Business Communication degree in either the second or third year, depending on your level of previous study and your ability to speak and write English. This degree is designed for non-native English speakers and combines the study of global finance with classes to improve your business English and communication skills.
This full, 3-year BA (Hons) Accounting with Finance degree is accredited by 3 accounting bodies and offers the quickest route to qualified accountant status for those who haven't yet done any higher education study.
In this full, 3-year BA (Hons) Financial Management degree you combine your studies of finance with a broader understanding of business, looking at how finance works with other business sectors such as operations and people management.
Teaching
Portsmouth Business School is ranked 3rd in the UK for teaching power.
We've developed our teaching to maximise skills that employers are looking for. In our classes, you'll engage in activities that both enhance your learning and develop your communication, presentation and team working skills. Where appropriate, you'll use computer packages that are valued within the accounting and finance professions.
Around 20% of your timetabled teaching will be online.
The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:
- seminars
- practical workshops
- computer workshops
- group work
- 1-to-1 tutorials
- guest speakers from the profession and industry
We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course.
Media ready expert
Dr Christina Philippou
Assessment
We use a diverse range of assessments and we focus on the types of work you'll be expected to complete in the workplace.
As with all accounting courses, accreditation requirements mean that you will be assessed by a number of exams, but your assessment will depend on which modules you take.
Assessment methods are likely to include:
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports
- presentations
- self-led project or dissertation
- group work
- portfolio creation
- essays
- exams
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.
Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:
- timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 15 hours a week
- independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 20 hours a week
You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Arrival support
Whether you're travelling halfway around the world or just a few miles, starting university can be nerve-wracking. Our airport pickup service, international orientation week events, and amazing support teams will help you settle in.
Feel at home in our international community
Over 5,000 international students from over 150 countries study with us. You'll find clubs and societies for everything you can imagine.
In our welcoming and diverse city, you can enjoy a wide range of global cuisine and international food shops.
Explore student life in Portsmouth
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
All fees may be subject to annual increase.
- UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year
- EU students – £9,535 per year (including Transition Scholarship)
- International students (non-EU) – £16,200 a year
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – NN34
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.