Overview
Accountants are the backbone of every business. They monitor the financial health of companies from start-ups to global corporations. Yet employers worldwide report an acute shortage of qualified accounting professionals (Forbes, 2025).
Accountancy is not just about number crunching. You’ll become an analyst, an advisor and a problem-solver rolled into one. Organisations will need your skills to adapt and thrive in a fast-changing landscape.
Learn how to maintain and analyse financial records
Our accountancy course teaches the core skills of financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. It’s an ideal traditional accountancy route with broad professional recognition.
The course content is aligned with the latest industry standards, so you’ll be ready for the real world. You'll learn from our expert lecturers with significant industrial experience. You'll study:
- the essentials to manage a business including corporate law, finance, reporting and strategy;
- book-keeping and maintenance of financial records in accounting packages and Excel;
- accounting analytics;
- how to interpret financial, economic and business data.
Multi-accreditations and exemptions by five major regulatory bodies
Our accounting degree is accredited by five major regulatory bodies. It means you'll receive the maximum possible exemptions from their exams. This will save you time and money on your journey to chartered status. We’re accredited by:
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS)
Practical learning for your future career
Our BAcc (Honours) Accountancy course from Stirling prepares you for a successful career. It is designed to let you experience real-world examples.
- Opportunities to network with professional bodies such as ACCA, CIPFA and ICAS.
- Networking opportunities with companies such as KPMG, Johnston Carmichael and Wbg.
- Gain practical insight by applying theory to real-life scenarios and exploring case studies.
- The award-winning global financial trading boot camp run with our partner, AmplifyMe, lets you trade in real-time.
- Learn software skills with Sage, Excel and R.
- Develop practical skills in investment portfolio management through the Student Managed Investment Fund.
- Learn soft career skills sought-after by employers. These include analytical thinking, presentation and communication skills.
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend guest lectures from experts in their field. This has included the President of CIPFA.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the world's largest global standard-setting body for business education. Only 6% of the world’s leading business schools achieve this accreditation. This recognises our excellence in business education and societal impact.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
Successful completion of this accounting university degree will ensure many professional bodies give you significant exemptions from their exams.
We’re accredited by:
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS)
- Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales (ICAEW)
The accreditations also give you access to professional resources and enhanced networking opportunities.
The university is also accredited by AACSB International.
Prizes or awards
ICAS Charles Scott Prize
A prize of £100 is awarded annually to the Bachelor of Accountancy student with the highest overall performance in modules ACCU9A1 and ACCU9A2 in the same academic session.
Ede and Ravenscroft Prize
The Ede and Ravenscroft prize of £1000 is awarded on academic merit to the top graded 2nd Year student within each School.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
AABB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
To include Accountancy and Economics at Higher, A-level or equivalent.
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B.
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Preferred subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
Develop your careers skills with our HeadStart Programme
We go beyond textbooks and lecture rooms to focus on your personal and professional development. HeadStart will help you develop practical career skills such as effective public speaking or conflict management.
Study and careers support
You'll have a mentor who will guide you through your studies. The Careers Service provides support for CV design, interview skills and other career skills.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
When you study Accountancy at the University of Stirling, you can be confident that everything you learn is in tune with the latest industry trends.
On this honours degree in accounting, you’ll learn through a combination of formal lectures, seminars and practical workshops. Small group tutorials will also provide feedback and reinforcement of lecture topics throughout each semester.
All our teaching is rooted in world-class research, with 80% of our research impact classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. For honours students, all advanced modules undertaken during the final two years count equally towards your overall degree classification. In Semester 8 you’ll complete a dissertation on an approved subject.
Classroom hours
Classroom hours vary, but in general, you can expect at least nine weekly contact hours per semester, which should be supplemented by approximately 30 hours of self-study weekly.
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
An undergraduate accounting degree opens doors to various roles across accountancy, auditing and finance. You can also focus on specialised careers such as a forensic accountant, tax advisor, financial analysis or investment broking.
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