How to Choose the Right Accountancy Course in the UK for you

Studying accountancy can lead to a whole range of career opportunities. If you are good at managing money and have an analytical mind, then this subject might be for you. With so many options to choose from, finding the right accountancy course in the UK can be difficult. While some people opt for a degree in accounting, others prefer to undertake a diploma. Either way, you will have the opportunity to have a successful career in accounting. Before you choose from the accounting courses in UK, it’s important to understand the different options available to you.

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What is an Accountancy Degree?

An accountancy degree is one of the most useful and versatile fields in the UK, with most businesses and companies requiring at least one accountant on their team.

But whether you’d prefer to work within a company’s internal accountancy team or work in the finance industry, an accountancy degree in the UK can lead to a wide variety of career paths. Studying accountancy courses in the UK can lead to a whole range of career opportunities. If you are good at managing money and have an analytical mind, then this subject might be for you. With so many options to choose from, finding the right accountancy course in the UK can be difficult.

While some people opt for a degree in accounting, others prefer to undertake a diploma. Either way, you will have the opportunity to achieve a successful career in accounting. Before you choose from the accountancy courses in the UK, it’s important to understand the different options available to you. UK universities are also full of opportunities, so after graduation, if you are enough eligible, your university will help you to get jobs in UK and accountancy courses in the UK for international students, can be the right choice because lots of options are there.

The Best Accounting Course in the UK

UK universities are also full of opportunities, so after graduation, if you are enough eligible, your university will help you to get jobs in the UK and accounting courses in the United Kingdom for international students, can be the right choice because lots of options are there.

When it comes to finding an accounting course in the UK, there are two types of options. You can choose to study an undergraduate degree at a university or a professionally accredited course within the workplace-

1. An Undergraduate Degree
2. A Professional Accredited Course

An Undergraduate Degree

When it comes to finding an accounting course in the UK, there are two types of options. You can choose to study an undergraduate degree at a university or a professionally accredited course within the workplace. A BSC in accounting usually takes three years to complete, with the option of an additional one-year work placement. This type of degree will introduce you to accounting and finance, developing your analytical skills, and allowing you to specialize in a range of topics including international finance, share prices and corporate contracts.

A Professional Accredited Course

If you already have a degree in another subject, or simply feel that university isn’t for you, then there are a number of other highly recognized courses available. While degrees are often viewed as more desirable by accountancy firms, they are rarely a requirement. Many organizations, including the Association of Accounting Technicians, offer professional certificates and diplomas. They can be studied at college or via online distance courses, making it a popular choice for students who have other commitments. They usually offer easier access to the professional workplace, with many apprenticeship options. These type of courses are also well suited to those who may not fit university entry requirements, making the route into accountancy more accessible.

Decide what kind of accountant you would like to be

Before choosing your desired course, you have to know how to become an accountant in the UK. It is worth considering what type of role you would like to secure. Generally speaking, accounting is divided into management accounting and financial accounting, with a range of specialisms in each field. The role of a management accountant is to provide professional advice to an individual company, whereas a financial accountant focuses on the actual finances of an organization. If you are studying for a university degree, you may not necessarily need to know which field you would like to work in but it is good to have a basic understanding of your options.

Career Opportunity:

• Financial Analyst
• Auditor
• Investment consultant
• Chartered Accountant
• Accountant
• Management trainee
• Store Broker
• Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

For international students, a career as a finance analyst is one of the most coveted careers in finance services industry. As a finance analyst, the main aim is to pore over data to identify or evaluate outcomes for business decisions. A finance analyst can work in junior and senior capacities within a firm. They Spend their time on developing investment theses.

Auditor

As an auditor, with leading expertise in audit and assurance, they help to build and enhance trust and transparency between businesses and the public. Auditors report on emerging issues and protect the public interest. They can help companies, investors, and the general public make more informed. In the UK, auditors are employed by businesses to analyse financial records and provide a clear picture of how the company is performing. While strong accountancy skills are crucial for auditors, this career path also requires good people skills due to the client-facing nature of the work.

Investment consultant–

In every business investment, wealth needs to work, so it’s very important to invest properly and in the right way. Sometimes it can be very confusing for investments, so you should contact an investment consultant. You will be tension-free when you choose a consultant for your business.

Chartered Accountant

Becoming a chartered accountant is perhaps the most obvious career path after studying for an accountancy degree in the UK. Accountants in the UK give financial advice, audit accounts, and may provide help with financial reporting, tax, and other financial matters. Accountants are employed in a wide range of organizations in both the public and private sectors and salaries are generous.

Accountant–

In the UK, accountants are key figures in any organization, helping to balance the books and make sure businesses are in profit. Here are some largest accountancy firms in the world, known as the “big four” They are-

1. Deloitte
2. Ernst & Young
3. KPMG
4. Price water house Coopers

Management trainee–

As management trainees, they manage the customer (physically or online), assets, sites, orders, invoicing, contracts, deals and also schedules. It’s not very easy to handle all of these, but a management trainees, are confident to manage.

Store Broker

Stockbrokers buy and sell stocks with a view to making profits for commercial clients, and give investment advice to clients too. If you’re interested in investing and like the idea of a fast-paced work environment, stockbroking could be a great choice for you, provided you can handle a high-pressure career.

Data analyst

Data analysts collate, analyse, record, and interpret data for a range of businesses and institutions with a view to tracking performance and market trends. Data analysts are employed by a wide range of employers, and while data analysis isn’t directly related to an accountancy degree, the mathematical skills and attention to detail developed during an accountancy course are a great way to get onto this career path.

Average salary:

Career Opportunities	Salary in UK
Management trainee	£24,306 per year
Accountant	£42,209 per year
Investment consultant	£90,000 per year
Auditor	£40,351 per year
Financial Analyst	£50,377 per year

This will be the range of your salary when you start your job but after gaining experiences or when you will become professional in your job you can earn more per year in UK.

Entry requirements:

In order to apply for an accountancy degree in the UK, students often need to have a strong background in maths and a strong English grade. It will be advantageous for students if they already have knowledge of business or accounting topics. Note a few key points:

Each university will have its own set of entry requirements. Higher entrance standards will apply to top universities than to others.

• To get a Tier 4 (General) student visa, an overseas student must complete the English language requirements.
• Undergraduate Studies: Nearly all universities will accept applicants who have A-Level, IB, or UK university foundation credentials. They also recognize many forms of international credentials.
• Universities accept many undergraduate degree types for postgraduate studies. Some colleges will take into account a student’s relevant experiences for a particular major.

Undergraduate:

If a student passes the entry requirements listed below, they will often receive an offer from a reputable UK university:

Academic Entry Requirement

• A-levels: AAB
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 34-36 points
• UCAS tariff point: 160 to 180 UCAS points

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (no sub-band lower than 6.0)
• TOEFL (IBT): 93

Postgraduate:

A decent accountancy postgraduate study in a UK university often has the following academic entry requirements:

Academic Entry Requirement

2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a subject with high mathematical/quantitative content.

English Language Entry Requirement

IELTS: 7.0 (no sub-band lower than 6.5)

Tuition fees for an accountancy degree in the UK

For an undergraduate accountancy degree in the UK, the average annual tuition is between

£18,525 and £23,079; for a postgraduate program, it is between £16,001 and £28,900. (Depending on the nature and duration of the course, and the institution chosen).

The experience, exposure, and certifications you’ll gain while studying makes the price of an accountancy degree in the UK worthwhile.

University Name	Tuition Fees
Imperial College London	£38,890
University of Manchester	£31,910
University of Warwick	£36,650
Lancaster University	£22,930
Cardiff University	£25,870
London School of Economics	£32,210

• Under graduation course -£18,525 -£40,079
• Post-graduation course- £16,000-£28,900

These tuition fees are depending on the nature and duration of your course and also the institution you have chosen. If you choose the main course without any placement year these fees will apply but in the foundation course and if you need any placement year it will be different and facilities will be also different.

Required Documents for Accountancy degree in the UK

• A copy of the officially completed degree certificate

– Official academic transcripts, detailing the subjects studied and grades obtained

– Official English translations of the certificates and transcripts, if required.

• Reference letters: Mostly 1 to 2 reference links are required while applying.
• University specified statement of purpose/personal essay
• Updated Curriculum Vitae highlighting professional work experience and relevant skills.
• GRE/GMAT scores (if required)
• Official ID including passport
• Financial affidavits as proof of funding

Top Accounting Courses in United Kingdom:

• Bachelor/ Masters of Accounting
• Bachelor/ Master’s degree of Finance
• Cost accounting and management
• Macroeconomics
• management

Why study Accountancy in the UK?

The universities in the UK are among the best in the world. Every accountancy graduate from a UK institution possesses extensive exposure, knowledge, and accounting literacy abilities that are sought after by businesses all over the world. Not only that, but the nation also provides the following advantages:

• Study time is flexible, so students can involve in part-time, full-time jobs along with a placement year.
• UK is known for being one of the largest financial hubs of the world. So luckily in UK for international students, so many jobs to in and they can work globally renowned companies.
• UK universities maintain their professional relationship with many corporate, multinational and government companies. If you are eligible, you can get a chance to work for experience.
• Many UK degrees offer some classes to prepare students for Chartered Accounting examinations.
• UK universities mainly focus on practical and theoretical knowledge so after graduation students become expert with communicational and computational skills.
• Study in accounting and financial management can be your best for your career in UK.

Further research

Graduates with an accountancy degree frequently take positions that demand further financial certifications to advance.

Typical options include:

• Qualification from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
• Qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• The professional designations of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Diploma for Professional Bankers.

Depending on the courses and credits you earned for your accountancy degree in the UK, you can be exempt from taking certain of these exams as a graduate.Some postgraduate programs, like an MSc in actuarial science, prepare you to work in a more specialized area of the financial business. Additionally, you can pursue a PhD in particular branches of finance, including banking or trade statistics.

Duration of accountancy course

• Undergraduate level: It is typically a three-year program with identical modules in each university covering subjects including bookkeeping, statistics, and credit and financial analytics. In a nutshell, the first year is intended to lay the groundwork for your introduction to basic financial and economic principles. While choosing your own modules in subsequent years can help you gain knowledge about accountancy degrees in the UK. You will eventually need to deliver a dissertation that you worked on for a full year.
• Masters level:  It is a graduate program that lasts ten to twelve months and is available both full- and part-time. Only the University of Cambridge offers a two-year part-time program among all the leading universities that offer the program.

What do graduates in accountancy do?

27 per cent of graduates are employed as chartered and certified accountants. Bookkeepers, payroll supervisors, and wages clerks make up the second-most popular professions (10%).

Eight of the top ten positions held by recent graduates are associated with their field of study.

Graduate destinations for accountancy degree holders–

Destination	Percentage
Employed	63.3%
Further study	5.1%
Working and studying	18.3%
Unemployed	9%
Other	4.3%

Types of work entered in the UK –

Type of work	Percentage
Business, HR and finance	51.7%
Clerical, secretarial and administrative	28%
Managers	3.3%
Retail, catering and customer service	6.8%
Other	10.2%

Source: Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Top Universities for Accountancy in UK:

University Name	Global Ranking
Durham University	51
The University of Manchester	21
The University of Warwick	36
The University of Edinburgh	49
London Business School	11

Conclusion

This is just a selection of what can be done in the UK with an Accountancy BSc. An accountancy course in the UK may help you to become an actuary, a mortgage advisor, a conveyancer, a retail banker, a tax adviser, or to follow any number of related careers. For more advice and assistance applying for an accountancy course in the UK, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

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