Accounting and Finance BSc with placement year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Loughborough University

Program Overview

This professionally accredited degree combines rigorous accounting and finance training with a year of industry experience, making it ideal for students who want both academic excellence and practical exposure. It suits motivated learners aiming for careers in auditing, corporate finance, investment banking, or consultancy, while offering exemptions from professional accountancy exams and strong employer connections.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year builds a strong foundation in accounting, finance, and economics. You’ll study modules such as Financial Accounting Fundamentals, Principles of Finance, and Economics for Financial Studies, alongside Responsible Management Practice and Quantitative Business Skills A/B. This year ensures you develop technical knowledge and analytical skills essential for advanced study.

Year 2

In the second year, you’ll deepen your expertise in financial reporting and corporate finance. Compulsory modules include Financial Reporting, Corporate Finance, and Accounting for Management Decisions. You’ll also select optional modules such as Digital Technologies for Accounting and Finance, Programming for Business Analytics, or Marketing, allowing you to tailor your studies to your career interests.

Year 3 – Placement Year

You’ll spend a year working in industry, applying your classroom knowledge to real-world financial challenges. Loughborough’s strong employer links mean students secure placements at firms such as PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley, gaining invaluable professional experience and building networks before graduation.

Final Year

Your final year consolidates advanced accounting and finance knowledge while preparing you for professional roles. Core modules include Audit and Assurance, Financial Risk Management, and Ethics in Finance and Accounting. Optional modules let you specialise further, with choices such as Corporate Governance, Behavioural Finance, and Issues in Financial Reporting, ensuring you graduate with both technical expertise and applied skills.

Focus Areas

Accounting, finance, auditing, corporate governance, risk management, financial reporting, ethics in finance.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will master financial reporting, corporate finance, investment analysis, auditing, and risk management, while developing strong quantitative, analytical, and ethical decision-making skills valued across global financial services.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Accredited by a triple-accredited UK business school (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).
Offers exemptions from professional accountancy exams with bodies such as ACCA, ICAEW, and CIMA, giving graduates a head start in professional qualifications.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Ranked Top 10 in the UK for Accounting and Finance (Guardian University Guide 2026).
Ranked Top 10 in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Accounting and Finance (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
2nd for job prospects among UK universities (StudentCrowd Best UK Universities 2025).
Graduates have secured roles at PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley, reflecting strong industry connections.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the most valuable aspects of studying Accounting and Finance at Loughborough is the way the program blends academic knowledge with real-world practice. You’ll not only learn the theory behind financial reporting, auditing, and corporate finance, but also apply it through placements, projects, and access to specialist facilities. The placement year is a defining feature, giving you the chance to gain professional experience with leading employers while still supported by the university’s Careers Network and Business School resources.

Here’s how experiential learning is embedded into your degree:

Placement Year: Students spend a year working in industry, with placements secured at firms such as PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley, gaining hands-on experience in auditing, corporate finance, and consultancy.
Group Projects and Case Studies: Modules integrate collaborative projects and real-world case studies, helping you develop teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills while tackling financial challenges.
Digital Tools and Analytics: Modules such as Accounting for Management Decisions and Programming for Business Analytics train you in quantitative and analytical methods, using industry-standard software and data-driven approaches.
Specialist Facilities: You’ll study within Loughborough Business School, a triple-accredited institution (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), with modern lecture theatres, collaborative learning spaces, and access to digital resources tailored for accounting and finance students.
Library and Research Resources: The University Library provides extensive databases, journals, and financial market resources to support coursework and independent research.
Industry Engagement: Employer-led workshops, guest lectures, and career fairs connect you directly with financial institutions, ensuring you build networks while you study.
Professional Accreditation Pathways: The program offers exemptions from professional accountancy exams with ACCA, ICAEW, and CIMA, meaning your modules directly contribute to professional qualifications.

This combination of placements, employer engagement, and access to industry-standard tools ensures you graduate not only with academic knowledge but also with practical, career-ready skills that employers in accounting and finance value highly.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Loughborough’s Accounting and Finance program are highly employable, combining technical expertise with professional accreditation and a year of industry experience. Typical career paths include audit associate, corporate finance analyst, investment banking associate, and management consultant, with alumni securing roles at leading firms across finance, consultancy, and global business. The program’s strong professional focus ensures you’ll graduate with both academic knowledge and workplace-ready skills:

University Services: Loughborough’s Careers Network provides tailored employability support, including CV workshops, interview coaching, and employer-led events. The Business School also offers dedicated placement support, connecting students with top financial institutions.
Employment Stats: Loughborough is ranked Top 10 in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Accounting and Finance (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026). The university is also ranked 2nd for job prospects among UK universities (StudentCrowd Best UK Universities 2025).
Industry Partnerships: Students have secured placements and graduate roles at PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley, reflecting the program’s strong employer connections.
Accreditation Value: The degree offers exemptions from professional accountancy exams with ACCA, ICAEW, and CIMA, giving graduates a head start in professional qualifications.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni progress into roles across auditing, corporate finance, consultancy, and investment banking, with competitive salaries and international career opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSc Accounting and Finance with Placement Year, students can continue their studies at Loughborough through a Master’s in Finance, MSc International Financial Management, or MBA, deepening expertise in global markets, leadership, and advanced financial management. Many graduates also pursue professional qualifications such as ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA, or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), leveraging the exemptions gained during the degree to fast-track their professional development.