Accounting, Finance and Mathematics (Industry) BSc (Hons)

Lancaster University

This course is a 4-year career-focused degree programme that includes a 12-month paid industry placement in Year 3. You will graduate from this programme with the combination of technical skills and practical experience necessary to take on challenging roles in Big Four accounting firms, investment banks and beyond.

Programme overview

You will learn from leading academic researchers and expert practitioners in finance, investing, accounting and mathematics. The degree provides the perfect blend of theory and practice, taking you to the heart of key questions around the nature of business performance, price/earnings ratios, accountancy and mathematics skills, investment strategies and case studies.

You will study investor decision-making, reporting and market analysis, acquire the skills to build a strong investment portfolio and calculate financial risk.

We will teach you the foundations of economics, accounting and finance. You will use real-world data to develop your financial reporting skills and learn key mathematical elements, such as calculus, probability and statistics.

The second year builds on your mathematical knowledge and introduces you to statistical computer programming. You will study auditing, financial accounting, management accounting and finance.

In your final year, you will develop your understanding of advanced accounting methods, financial reporting standards and statistics, and may choose to study options including investments, taxation and corporate finance.

Key facts

The degree is accredited by globally-recognised accountancy bodies:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

These accreditations provide graduates with exemptions from many core professional examinations, depending on your module choices, and mean, on graduation, you will be further along the route to qualifying as an accountant than many of your contemporaries.

Your third-year industrial placement provides you with a positive, practical experience of working in a graduate role, allowing you to gain priceless business skills. You will have the chance to see how well academic theories work in real-life situations and gain a real insight into where your talents and interests lie for your future career.

The University will make all reasonable efforts to support you in finding a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation directly related to your studies or career aspirations, all roles offer valuable experience of working at graduate level, gaining a range of professional skills.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and would continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University advertises a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply.

Our careers team will provide you with expert support and guidance in securing a third-year industry placement. Past students have worked with companies such as Deloitte, Lloyds Bank, PwC and Samsung in roles ranging from finance, auditing and accounting to operations, consulting and risk.

Programme outcomes

At the end of your time with us, you will be equipped to work in the fields of finance and accounting, and be ready to progress your studies with further, required professional examinations. Our graduates have gone on to work for Big Four accounting firms, international consulting firms, blue-chip corporations, and global banks and hedge funds.

Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions 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.

Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.

Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.