BA Accounting and Business

Fast-track your career and become a Chartered Accountant in the UK with our BA Accounting and Business – The Flying Start Degree Programme.

This four-year programme has been developed in partnership with the 黑瓜吃料网’s , PwC – the UK’s leading professional services organisation – and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

An innovative, challenging degree, it’s been designed to provide you with:

the benefit of university study and life
paid work experience
a guaranteed job offer from PwC at the end of the programme, if you achieve a 2:1 or above on your degree and perform well on placement
one of the fastest degree routes to becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant in the UK.

Once you’ve graduated, you’ll be approximately one year away from achieving full chartered status.

The application process for this course involves completion of online assessments run by PwC. This will include an online interview as well as a Virtual Assessment Event.

Study at an institution with a reputation for excellence

Henley is recognised as one of the top institutions in the UK for accounting and finance.

We are:

top 25 in the UK for overall subject (ranked 23rd in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
top 20 in the UK for graduate prospects outcomes (ranked 16th in the Complete University Guide 2025)
top 20 in the UK for student experience (ranked 20th in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
ranked 1st for overall subject (for Business and Management in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025).

Our business graduates are successful in the job market and in their career aspirations. In the Daily Mail University Guide 2025, we are ranked 1st in the UK for Career on track, and 2nd for High-skilled job in ‘Business Studies’.

During your first year you will study alongside other students at Henley Business School, enjoying the traditional university experience and developing a thorough grounding in fundamental aspects of accounting, business, ethics and law.

In Years 2, 3 and 4 you will then combine your studies with paid professional work placements at PwC, lasting 12-16 weeks each (16-20 weeks during your final year). You will receive dedicated training and can expect to earn a competitive salary, offsetting a significant proportion of your tuition fees or living costs.

During the four years, you will gain a strong academic and professional foundation in business and accountancy, along with a significant proportion of the work experience and technical study requirements needed to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. This means that by the time you graduate, you will have completed modules that give you credit for prior learning for 12 out of 15 professional examinations.

Our teaching and assessment approach

Henley Business School’s undergraduate degrees are taught through a mix of lectures, group projects and interactive classroom lessons, giving you the opportunity to discuss, explore and then apply the subject content in depth with both lecturers and fellow students. Through exploring and tackling real-world challenges, you will also develop key critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Thanks to a varied range of assessment methods – including written assignments, in-class tests, group presentations and formal examinations – you’ll graduate as a well-rounded individual with transferable skills that are highly sought after by leading graduate employers.

Overview

Fast-track your career and become a Chartered Accountant in the UK with our BA Accounting and Business – The Flying Start Degree Programme.

An innovative, challenging degree, it’s been designed to provide you with:

the benefit of university study and life
paid work experience
a guaranteed job offer from PwC at the end of the programme, if you achieve a 2:1 or above on your degree and perform well on placement
one of the fastest degree routes to becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant in the UK.

Once you’ve graduated, you’ll be approximately one year away from achieving full chartered status.

The application process for this course involves completion of online assessments run by PwC. This will include an online interview as well as a Virtual Assessment Event.

Study at an institution with a reputation for excellence

Henley is recognised as one of the top institutions in the UK for accounting and finance.

We are:

top 25 in the UK for overall subject (ranked 23rd in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
top 20 in the UK for graduate prospects outcomes (ranked 16th in the Complete University Guide 2025)
top 20 in the UK for student experience (ranked 20th in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
ranked 1st for overall subject (for Business and Management in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025).

Learning

Our teaching and assessment approach

Entry requirements A Level AAB

Firm drop grade

Select 黑瓜吃料网 as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

AAB

International Baccalaureate

34 points overall including 4 in standard level Maths and English

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD

GCSE

GCSE Maths at B (or 6) and English Language or English Literature at B (or 6).

GCSE Physics, IT, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry and Statistics at B (6), GCSE Combined Science at 6-6 or AS/A Level Maths at grade B are acceptable in lieu of GCSE Maths.

GCSE History, Geography, Religious Studies, Drama, Sociology or Politics at B (6) or AS/A Level English Literature, English Language or English Literature and Language at grade B are acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language or English Literature.

Additional Requirements:

The application process for this course involves completion of online assessments run by PwC. This will include an online interview as well as a Virtual Assessment Event.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the 黑瓜吃料网’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Assurance, Governance and Ethics

For those planning a career in accounting, this module offers a practical and commercial focus. You'll gain an understanding of the assurance process – specifically, the assessment of internal controls and gathering of evidence on an assurance engagement. The basic principles of professional ethics will also be explored.

Management Information

Explore the techniques, principles and underlying concepts relating to the analysis of management information – including the examination of costs, revenues and profits. You'll gain experience of the approaches used in today’s businesses and understand how they fit together to provide an overview of a business’s performance.

Principles of Taxation

Examine the UK's tax system and the ethical issues related to tax advisory work. Gain an understanding of the objectives of taxation and how to calculate income tax, National Insurance contributions, capital gains tax, corporation tax, and VAT in given scenarios. You'll also consider the regulatory frameworks surrounding tax work, and gain relevant practical knowledge for running a business.

Introduction to Business

Explore a variety of international businesses, their stakeholders, and the environments in which they operate. You'll study key business concepts, theories and models, enabling you to understand and analyse contemporary businesses. The use of case studies, and a focus on current events in the business world, will ensure that you develop commercial awareness.

Introduction to Accounting

Develop a sound understanding of the techniques of double-entry bookkeeping, and learn how to apply its principles in recording accounting transactions, adjusting financial records, and preparing non-complex financial statements.

Law and Business

Gain an understanding of the principles of English law that are relevant in a commercial context, and particularly those relevant to accountancy qualifications. The content of this module aligns with the requirements for professional accreditation.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the 黑瓜吃料网.

Compulsory modules

Audit and Assurance

Gain an understanding of the critical aspects of managing assurance and audit engagements. You'll examine current issues facing the audit profession, the legal frameworks and ethical principles that auditors must be aware of, the identification of key assurance risks and procedures, and reporting on assurance engagements.

Financial Accounting

Study the various International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), along with the related accounting concepts you'll need to understand in order to prepare single entity and consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Work Placement 1

Develop personal and professional skills with an accounting work placement. Put the theory that you've learnt in the classroom into practice and gain technical work experience approved by the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).

Business Strategy for Accountants

Gain an understanding of business strategy, with particular emphasis on how an organisation's activities relate to the strategic, competitive and environmental contexts in which they operate. Develop the ability to analyse an organisation and its environment, examine its performance from a financial and a non-financial perspective, and evaluate the likely consequences of its strategic choices.

Tax Compliance

Gain the ability to prepare tax computations and provide tax advice to individuals and companies in a wide range of scenarios, along with the knowledge to explain the ethical issues surrounding tax advice. Learn aspects of the UK tax system that are relevant to professional accountants, and gain practical knowledge in providing tax advice.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the 黑瓜吃料网.

Compulsory modules

Accounting Work Placement 2

Financial Management

Focus on the key factors considered in corporate financial management decision making, in terms of working capital management, sources of long-term finance, dividend policies and risk management. Develop the knowledge to understand and evaluate the financial decisions made by a variety of stakeholders.

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Explore some of the more advanced International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), including leases, foreign exchange, and financial instruments. You'll learn how to prepare single entity and consolidated financial statements, including accounting for associates and joint ventures, and the disposal of subsidiaries.

Business Planning: Tax

Study more advanced aspects of the UK tax system and gain practical knowledge for running a business. By the end of the module, you'll be able to apply technical knowledge and professional judgement to identify, explain and evaluate alternative tax treatments, to resolve issues that arise in the preparation of tax computations, and to advise on tax-efficient strategies for businesses and individuals.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the 黑瓜吃料网.

Compulsory modules

Accounting Work Placement 3

Business and Professional Ethics

Examine the moral norms of international accounting, investment and financial management. Within the business world, the overwhelming preoccupation with money and profit introduce a variety of conflicting moral pressures. Using real-world scenarios, you'll explore the ethical questions raised and develop the analytical, reflexive and decision-making skills to tackle a range of moral issues.

Business Analysis

Develop knowledge and skills in financial reporting, management accounting and business finance – and learn how to apply them to real-world business problems and case studies.

Contemporary Issues in Accounting

Gain knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of the issues facing the accountancy profession. You'll explore the theoretical and empirical evidence relating to a range of topical issues.

Business Essentials: Turning Strategy into Results

Develop vital knowledge and skills in a range of business areas, including leadership and human resource management, marketing, operations management, sustainability reporting, digital systems and structure, and configuring organisations. You'll explore these topics using real-world business problems and case studies.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the 黑瓜吃料网.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,535 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

New international students: 拢25,250 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the 黑瓜吃料网 sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Bursaries of £10,000 from PwC are available for this programme to help with living costs. Read the for more information.

Fee reduction

This programme only costs the full amount in the first year. There is a 20% fee reduction in years 2, 3 and 4.

Careers

Our business graduates are successful in the job market and in their career aspirations. In the Daily Mail University Guide 2025, we are ranked 1st in the UK for Career on track, and 2nd for High-skilled job in ‘Business Studies’.

PwC has been voted students’ employer of choice in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey, 2018/19, for 14 consecutive years.

Flying Start graduates who join PwC are roughly a year ahead of traditional graduates, becoming fully qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountants with a salary to match, just over a year after graduation.

At Henley Business School, we are committed to empowering and enabling you to excel in your future career. Your degree will be respected internationally, and can provide a route into many areas:

Accounting and professional services
Banking
Consultancy
Finance
Human resources
IT
Investment banking
Marketing
Operations
General management.

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