Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

Roles you may go on to explore include:

• Chartered accountant (ACA/ACCA) – working in audit, tax advisory or professional practice.
• Management accountant (CIMA) – supporting budgeting, financial planning and decision-making within an organisation.
• Financial accountant – preparing financial reports and statements.
• Financial analyst – evaluating corporate performance, investments and market trends.
• Investment banker – supporting mergers, acquisitions, corporate finance and capital raising.
• Auditor – reviewing financial information, compliance and risk.
• Corporate treasurer – managing an organisation’s cash flow, investments and financial risk.
• Risk manager – identifying and helping to manage financial and business risks.
• Financial controller – overseeing financial reporting, budgeting and financial performance.
• FinTech analyst – applying financial knowledge in technology-driven financial services, digital banking and financial innovation.
• Banking adviser – supporting customers and organisations with financial products and services.

Accounting and finance careers can offer clear routes for progression. Many graduates begin in trainee or graduate roles, then move into more senior specialist, management or leadership positions as they gain experience and, where relevant, work towards professional qualifications.

• £62,000 - Median annual salary for accounting and finance graduate-level jobs in the region surrounding Kingston, compared with £52,000 nationally.
• 3.9% - Projected growth in regional accounting and finance jobs between 2025 and 2030, compared with 3.3% nationally.
• More than 9,000 - Average annual job openings projected across selected accounting, finance, investment and business management occupations in the region between 2025 and 2030.

Source: Lightcast Analyst, Kingston University Accounting and Finance Graduate Jobs Report, July 2026.

Some of our graduates work for organisations including Bloomberg, the NHS, Tesco, BDO UK LLP, Société Générale Equipment Finance, Sony Group Corporation, IRIS Software Group, Tarmac, and DWS Group. 

Graduates have also secured roles with professional services firms such as HaysMac, Sopher + Co and Wellden Turnbull,  while some students have gained training contracts with Big Four firms, including Deloitte and KPMG.

Alongside your studies, you’ll have access to careers advice, employer networking, guest speakers and placement opportunities. These can help you understand the roles available, build your confidence and prepare for the next steps after university.

You’ll also take part in an Assessment Centre Experience. This gives you the chance to experience elements of the recruitment process and receive tailored feedback to help you prepare for the real thing.

You’ll be able to:

• Build your understanding of the jobs market, current opportunities and different recruitment processes.
• Identify roles that could be right for you.
• Receive personalised feedback to help you improve and progress.
• Access webinars on employer expectations, application advice and interview best practice.

Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload is based on the number of credits for your course.

A typical undergraduate degree is worth 360 credits. One credit represents around 10 hours of learning and study, so you'll complete approximately 3,600 hours of academic activity across the duration of your course. This calculation is based on a standard three-year undergraduate degree and does not include any foundation year or placement year that may form part of your course.

For this course, the study time is typically split across:

• 25% scheduled learning and teaching activities
• 75% guided independent study

The exact balance may vary depending on the modules you take.

Scheduled learning and teaching activities are mostly delivered in person on campus. Up to 20% of these hours may be delivered online. The exact proportion varies by course and year of study and will be shown in your timetable.

To complete your degree, you must pass a given number of credits. The number of credits you need for this course is detailed in the course specification.

You will be assessed through a range of methods across your modules, as detailed in the relevant module descriptors.

For this course, the assessment is typically made up of:

• 60% coursework
• 40% examinations

Coursework may include essays, presentations, reports, portfolios, practical projects, in-class tests, oral vivas, laboratory logs and other assignments.

Examinations are completed at a specified time under supervised conditions.

The exact balance between coursework and examinations may vary depending on the modules you take, and will be detailed in module documentations.

We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.

Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.

Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.

If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000. 

An accounting and finance degree develops the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand how organisations manage money, measure financial performance and make strategic business decisions. At Kingston, you’ll study areas including financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, taxation, auditing and investment.

Accounting is concerned with recording, reporting and analysing financial information. Finance focuses on managing investments, funding, financial markets, risk and business performance. Kingston’s course combines both, giving you a broad understanding of how organisations create, manage and grow financial value.

Kingston’s course is accredited to provide exemptions from selected professional examinations with ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW. Subject to successful completion of relevant modules and each body’s current requirements, this can help you progress more efficiently towards professional qualification.

Yes. The course is accredited to provide ACCA exemptions. Kingston’s brief states that eligible students can receive nine exemptions, subject to the relevant modules and ACCA’s current accreditation requirements.

ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a professional body for accountants. Kingston’s brief states that eligible students can receive nine ACCA exemptions, subject to successful completion of the relevant modules and ACCA’s current accreditation requirements.

CIMA is the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, a professional body for management accountants. Kingston’s course provides exemptions from selected CIMA examinations, subject to the course’s current accreditation arrangements and the relevant modules.

Possible career paths include chartered accountant, management accountant, financial analyst, auditor, investment banker, corporate treasurer, risk manager, financial controller and FinTech analyst. Your degree can also prepare you for wider finance, consultancy and business roles.

Yes. You can choose an optional professional placement year between Year 2 and your final year. This gives you the opportunity to gain relevant experience, build contacts and strengthen your CV before you graduate.

Entry requirements can change, so you should always check the latest course page for current tariff requirements and any required or preferred subjects.

Accounting and finance is an academically challenging degree that develops analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills. The course builds your knowledge progressively, with practical learning and support from experienced academic staff.

A BSc usually places greater emphasis on the analytical, numerical and technical elements of accounting and finance, while a BA often has a broader business and management focus. Kingston’s BSc develops technical expertise, commercial awareness and professional skills.

Check the latest entry requirements for the current course information. Confidence with numbers is important, but accounting and finance is not the same as studying pure mathematics: the course develops the quantitative and analytical skills you need progressively.