Durham University - Undergraduate Pre-application Open Day
26 Jun 2026, 08:00
Durham
Combining the study of accounting and the study of finance in a business context, the Accounting and Finance degree is an ideal foundation for many careers, including careers in the accountancy profession or across the wider business sector. You will study modules in accounting and finance, developing a strong understanding of core business principles and practice that will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to move into a number of exciting careers or go on to further study.
Using examples from real businesses you’ll learn how a business’ finances impact on every aspect of an organisation. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to make finance, accounting and business decisions, relating to the legal, regulatory and social contexts within which accounting operates.
By carefully blending academic theory with real-world practice, the degree has been devised to give you the skills to succeed in the modern financial world. You will be introduced to the vast array of sophisticated financial products traded in today’s global financial markets. You will cover a diverse range of subjects from essential skills in financial and management accounting to the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data on the world of accounting.
The curriculum links academic theory with practical experience through a combination of core and optional modules that offer plenty of opportunities to tailor your studies as your interests evolve. You have the option to complete the course in three years or add a placement year or spend a year abroad.
What’s more, several modules will give you exemption from some of the ACA, ACCA, ICAS and CIMA professional examinations (exemptions are subject to module choice and, in some cases, the mark obtained on the module). These industry-recognised qualifications can help boost your employability and fast-track your career.
The first year forms the foundation of the degree and as such introduces the key areas of accounting and business. As you progress through the course you can focus further on your specific areas of interest with a selection of optional modules. This culminates in the final year dissertation in an area of accounting of your choice.
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 2024
Career Opportunities
Several modules will give you exemption from some of the ACA, ACCA and CIMA professional examinations (exemptions are subject to module choice and, in some cases, the mark obtained on the module). These industry-recognised qualifications can help boost your employability and fast-track your career.
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.
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.
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations, written assignments and reports, projects and presentations.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues.
The 10,000-word dissertation is worth one-third of your final year-marks.
The following entry points are available for this course:
Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe.https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/international/
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year. For further details please visit: https://www.durhamisc.com/programmes/international-foundation-year
Discover what it's like to study Accounting and Finance at Durham University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
If Mathematics is not taken as an A level subject, GCSE grade 6/B in Mathematics/Core Maths B is required.
If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). At least 30 level 3 credits at Distinction and in addition at least 15 level 3 credits at a minimum of merit.
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) in Higher Level subjects including Mathematics or Standard Level 5 in Mathematics or Maths Studies. We accept both Maths Analysis and Approaches, and Maths Applications and Interpretation.
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses.
Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.
Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/
A strong proficiency in Mathematics is required. If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 6, (or B) in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential.
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB/ABC (or equivalent). Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics, or B in Core Maths if Mathematics if not taken as an A level. Will go down to Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics if taking Economics or a Science or Mathematics related A Level. To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component under 6.0 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | with no component under 23 |
English Language requirements https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Whilst many of our applicants exceed our entry requirements, we don’t make offers based only on who has the highest grades. We’ll look at your background, context and personal statement as well as your academic grades when we consider your application. We also make reduced grade contextual offers to many applicants and are sometimes able to accept applicants who narrowly miss their offer conditions.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
The tuition fees for 2026/27 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed on the www.durham.ac.uk/study website once approved.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Durham University will charge home rate tuition fees up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. Should the UK Government choose to increase the maximum tuition fee allowed in the second and subsequent years of your course, Durham University will raise tuition fees in line with UK Government policy and approvals, subject to an inflationary cap, but at no time more than 10-15% of your total tuition fees.
There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
We're committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
Phone:0191 334 1000
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
At Durham University