Accounting with Placement Year

Course details Accounting is the ideal choice if you have an analytical mind and like solving problems – contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to be a maths expert to study accounting - communication in both written and verbal form is just as important as crunching numbers. Accountants are trusted business advisors and work in many areas of business. This single honours degree will immerse you in the study of accounting and business from day one. Offering maximum professional accreditation from some ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA examinations, on successful completion you can graduate as a partly exam-qualified accountant, with only work experience and a few final exams to complete to be fully-qualified (subject to optional module choices and to achieving specific grades in certain papers).

Why Durham University? The Departments of Accounting and Finance are two specialist departments within Durham University’s Business School; one of the UK's longest established business schools. Our reputation is down to the expertise of our staff. Their global experience, outstanding research insight, professional experience and real business connections keep us at the leading edge. We offer a wide selection of courses in both accounting and in finance, including specialist routes that are designed to provide maximum accreditation from professional accountancy qualifications. You won’t just learn the technical side of accounting, but you’ll also have the opportunity to think critically about how accounting impacts on the global world of business.

Facilities You’ll have access to the Business Schools modern, spacious meeting rooms and study areas. Resources include up-to-date financial information and online databases. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.

Rankings 12th for Accounting and Finance in the Complete University Guide 2025 5th in the Guardian University Guide 2025 9th in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 Top 100 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2025

Career Opportunities Our students graduate with specialist knowledge in areas of accounting and of finance, as well as the analytical, IT and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers in the UK and internationally. This combination of academic knowledge and transferable skills will open up a range of career opportunities in the financial world and beyond. Previous graduates have gone on to work within the accountancy profession and for businesses as accountants, specialising as auditors, financial accountants, tax specialists, management consultants etc. Graduates have also specialise in areas of finance such as financial analysis, risk management and investment banking. For employers such as PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, National Audit Office, Capita, Deutsche Bank and Sage Plc.