- UCAS course code
- N300
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
This versatile degree enabled me to develop analytical skills, business acumen and a strong grasp of financial concepts.
It was considerably helpful when approaching CFA Level 1. A lot of the material I felt was covered by the course units. I completed internships at a venture capital firm, IP valuations, outsourcing, and at a real estate company.
Danniella Nasir / Accounting and Finance graduate
The BA(Econ) course is an interdisciplinary course allowing you to specialise in Economics, plus other social science 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 Finance pathway of the BA(Econ) course is a long-established and popular degree.
Taught by experts across the University, including Alliance Manchester Business School, 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 on this jointly delivered degree by the Alliance Manchester Business School and the School of Social Sciences.
We are well connected 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, and other pathways in BA(Econ) share a common first year, allowing you to switch to a different pathway after Year 1 if you want to.
Special features
The Economics Department is proud to be a leading centre for economic research, scholarship and research-led teaching in all areas of the discipline, including financial economics, economic theory and econometrics.
The Manchester Accounting and Finance Group is one of the leading and largest accounting and finance units in Europe and rated among top three in the UK. We have strong links with the three main UK accounting bodies: ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW, as well as the 'Big 4' accounting companies.
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
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 Year 2.
You will complete your Professional Experience Year in Year 3 extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year.
Your degree title will include 'with Professional Experience', giving you an advantage of work experience when entering the graduate jobs market.
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
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 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.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Reporting | BMAN10501 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Introductory Management Accounting | BMAN10512 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Financial Decision Making | BMAN10522 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Microeconomics 2 | ECON10232 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Macroeconomics 1 | ECON10241 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Macroeconomics 2 | ECON10262 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Microeconomics 1 | ECON10331 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Power and Value: Perspectives from Social Sciences | SOCS15001 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Introductory Mathematics | ECON10061 | 10 | Optional |
| Advanced Mathematics | ECON10071A | 10 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
In Year 2, you study your chosen pathway in depth and take 120 credits over the year.
Single pathway
You can take a maximum of 80 credits in your single pathway and up to 40 credits from other pathways from the BA (Econ).
Joint pathway
You take a maximum of 80 credits in any one pathway but you have the freedom to split these between the two disciplines depending on what you'd like to study.
Free choice units
You can also take 20 units from across the University, such as:
- Go beyond the boundaries of your degree with University College for Interdisciplinary Learning
- Study a language and improve your career prospects.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Analysis | BMAN20072 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Financial Statement Analysis | BMAN20081 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Foundations of Finance A | BMAN23000A | 20 | Mandatory |
| Financial Markets and Institutions | BMAN21011 | 10 | Optional |
| Financial Reporting and Accountability | BMAN21020A | 20 | Optional |
| Intermediate Management Accounting | BMAN21040A | 20 | Optional |
| Business Law 1: Law, Business Liabilities and the Consumer | BMAN24042 | 10 | Optional |
| Mergers & Acquisitions: Financial Perspectives | BMAN24102 | 10 | Optional |
| FinTech, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies | BMAN24582 | 20 | Optional |
| An Introduction to Development Studies | ECON10002 | 10 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
In Year 3 you take 120 credits overall.
Single pathway
You can take a minimum of 80 credits in your single pathway and up to 40 credits from other pathways from the BA (Econ).
Joint pathway
You can take a minimum of 50 credits from each of the two disciplines.
Free choice units
You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University, such as:
- Study a language and improve your career prospects.
- Go beyond the boundaries of your degree with University College for Interdisciplinary Learning
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empirical Finance | BMAN30190 | 40 | Mandatory |
| Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting and Regulation | BMAN30030 | 20 | Optional |
| International Finance | BMAN30060 | 20 | Optional |
| Share Prices and Accounting Information | BMAN30071 | 10 | Optional |
| Financial Derivatives | BMAN30091 | 10 | Optional |
| Advanced Corporate Finance | BMAN30111A | 20 | Optional |
| Accountability and Auditing | BMAN30131 | 10 | Optional |
| Corporate Governance in Context | BMAN30211 | 10 | Optional |
| Financial Engineering | BMAN30242 | 10 | Optional |
| Corporate Contracting and Managerial Behaviour | BMAN30702 | 10 | Optional |
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Course content for year 4
If completing a year abroad, you will take the Year 3 course content in Year 4.