BAEcon Accounting and Finance / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

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Yining Zhang / Accounting and Finance BAEcon

The BA(Econ) course is an interdisciplinary course that allows you to not only specialise in Economics, but also learn other social science course units such as philosophy, politics and sociology.

You have the flexibility to either delve into technical units in Economics such as Econometrics and Mathematical Economics or combine economics units covering inequality and climate change with social science units to develop a well-rounded understanding on social issues.

The Accounting and Finance pathway of the BA(Econ) course is a long-established and popular degree. Taught by experts across the University, the degree features a broad range of internationally recognised and research-led teaching in accounting, finance, economics and law.

You will benefit from experts in business and social sciences with this jointly delivered degree by Alliance Manchester Business School and the School of Social Sciences.

We are well connected and have ties with the three main accounting bodies (ICAEW, CIMA and ACCA), along with international businesses, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Kellogg's and Rolls Royce.

The course offers a flexible and relevant learning experience for anyone considering a career in finance, accounting or banking. Accounting and Finance shares a common first year with other BA(Econ) pathways, allowing you to switch to a different pathway after Year 1 if you want to.

Special features

The Manchester Accounting and Finance Group (MAFG) is one of the leading and largest accounting and finance units in Europe, with over 60 research staff and four BAFA (British Accounting and Finance Association) distinguished fellows: Professor Martin Walker, Professor Andy Stark, Professor Robert Scapens and Professor Chris Humphrey.

External surveys of recruiters in the field have consistently voted us in the UK's top three. We have strong links with the three main UK accounting bodies: ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW, as well the 'Big 4' accounting companies and other large employer organisations.

Study abroad

If you would like to broaden your horizons and your degree, you can apply to study overseas for a year at one of our partner universities. You apply in Year 2 to spend a year abroad in Year 3. If successful, you will put together a programme of study at the host university in consultation with your Academic Exchange Advisor, to complement your studies at Manchester. You will then come back to Manchester to study for a fourth year and graduate with a degree title including 'with International Study'.   See The University of Manchester Study Abroad pages for more information.

Professional Experience Year Opportunity

You apply in year 1 to boost your employability through a paid Professional Experience Year.

If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a suitable placement in your 2nd year.

You will then complete your Professional Experience Year in 3rd year extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year.

Your degree title will be extended to include 'with Professional Experience'.

Teaching and learning

Course units feature formal lectures supported by smaller tutorials or seminars, where you explore the contents of lectures and recommended reading in greater depth. 

Tutorials and seminars are key in improving your written and oral communication skills through group discussions, essay-writing, and presentations. 

You are assigned an Academic Advisor who takes a friendly interest in your progress, and can advise you on selecting course units and career opportunities.

Coursework and assessment

The way that you study and are assessed will depend on which course units you choose. Our methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including: 

  • essays, coursework, and other mid-term evaluations; 
  • dissertations; 
  • presentations; 
  • group projects; 
  • exams.

Course content for year 1

Year 1 is designed to give you a solid foundation in the study of Economics and Finance as well as the broader social sciences. This will help you decide what to study in your second and final year.

In Year 1, you take 120 credits overall made up of:

  • 30 credits of Accounting and Finance;
  • 40 credits of Economics;
  • 20 credits of either Introductory or Advanced Mathematics/Statistics (depending on your A-level qualifications or equivalent);
  • 10 credits of an introductory core unit in social sciences;
  • 20 credits from a list of social sciences optional units (eg, Politics, Philosophy, Sociology, Social Anthropology and Data Analytics).

At the end of Year 1, you can change to another pathway such as Finance, or Economics and Finance depending on your own academic interests, as these share a common first year.

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Power and Value: Perspectives from Social Sciences SOCS15001 10 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

In Year 2, you study your chosen pathway in depth and take 120 credits over the year.

Single pathway

If you specialise in one pathway, such as Finance, you can take a maximum of 80 credits (or two thirds of your course) in that single pathway and up to 40 credits from other pathways.

Joint pathway

If you specialise on a joint pathway such as Accounting and Finance you also take a maximum of 80 credits in any one pathway, but you have the freedom to split these between two disciplines depending on what you'd like to study.

Free choice units

You can also take 20 units from across the University.

Course content for year 3

In your final year you take 120 credits overall.

Single pathway

If you specialise in a single pathway, such as Finance, you can take a minimum of 80 credits in that single area and up to 40 credits from other pathways from the BA (Econ).

Joint pathway

If you specialise in a joint pathway such as Accounting and Finance, you will take a minimum of 50 credits from each of the two disciplines and choose the split between the two pathways that you prefer.

Free choice units

You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University. For example:

Course content for year 4

If you are selected to take up the Professional Experience opportunity in Year 3, then you will take Year 3 Course Content in Year 4.

If completing a year abroad, you will take the Year 3 course content in Year 4.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk