Overview
The BA (Hons) Professional Accountancy is a three-year honours degree designed for students holding advanced qualifications who wish to pursue a career in accountancy. The degree provides significant exemptions from the professional examinations of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
By studying towards this degree, you'll learn all the skills that accountancy involves to prepare and interpret financial information enabling investors, lenders, management, employees, government and others to make financial decisions.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education. This puts the University of Stirling Management School among the top 6% of business schools globally.
AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp
Students on the course have the opportunity to participate in this innovative week-long global financial trading and training boot camp run by our partner AmplifyME. The Stirling AmplifyME Boot Camp won the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Innovative Delivery of Education (IDEA) global award . It gives you the chance to participate in highly realistic computer-based simulations that replicate the experience of trading in financial markets. By letting you trade in a simulated environment with virtual money, the boot camp bridges the gap between an academic understanding of financial markets and how they function in practice.
Student Managed Investment Fund
Our students have established a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), with support of our academics in the Accounting and Finance Division. The SMIF allows you to gain practical experience of managing investments. A student-led project, it'll help you to enhance your employability before you graduate – giving you exceptional practical understanding of theoretical aspects of investment valuation. Particular emphasis is placed on the principles of responsible investment, including the use of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria when selecting stocks. Find out more about the Student Managed Investment Fund, the regular guest speakers and how you can get involved at the SMIF website.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
The course consists of modules that are accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
The university is also accredited by AACSB International.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35
Preferred subjects
Preference is given to those with Mathematics.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Preferred subjects
Preference given to those with Mathematics.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
Preferred subjects
Preference given to those with Mathematics.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Preferred subjects
Preference given to those with Mathematics.
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 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
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, our partner INTO University of Stirling 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
In the first year of the degree, you'll study a series of core modules to give you a grounding for subsequent stages of more advanced studies. These core modules will be in Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Business Law.
In subsequent years, you develop a critical and analytical approach to your studies. You'll take modules in Advanced Financial Accounting, Accounting Information and Employment, as well as Applied Management Accounting, Personal Financial Planning, Quantitative Methods, International Finance, and Financial Analysis, Auditing, and Taxation. Higher-level skills of critical evaluation, analysis and synthesis are extended in the modules Issues in Accountancy and Critical Analysis of Accountancy and Finance.
There will be numerous opportunities to develop your work-related skills at every stage of your studies.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
The normal mode of delivery is for three 20-credit modules to be delivered over an 11-week period in two semesters per annum. Each module usually consists of two-hours of lectures and a single one-hour seminar per week.
Assessment
In order to achieve professional accreditation, many of the modules are assessed as both a two-hour unseen, closed book, written examination plus a one-hour unseen, closed-book, computer-based class test.
At final year stage, more emphasis is put on assessment via essays and presentations.
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr Christopher Coles, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| International students (including EU) | £17,200 | £18,400 |
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 £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – 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 £8,000-£30,000 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. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
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 automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 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
Preparing you for the world of work
Our students are in high demand for their skills and many have been able to gain training contracts with accountancy firms of all sizes. We maintain strong contacts with the profession and work closely with the University’s Careers Service.
Helping you develop your employability skills is one of our top priorities. We give you the opportunity to take our Professional Development and Practice module, to improve your transferable business skills, including presentation and communication.
