Accounting and Finance

• Study on a European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) accredited course
• We put you on the fast track to achieving membership of a professional body. By taking relevant modules, you’ll be eligible to apply for all nine maximum exemptions offered by ACCA as well as exemptions from CIMA, ICAEW, CPA Australia and AIA qualifications
• Through our partnership with international accountancy firm Mazars we offer a Mazars Accelerate Pathway (MAP) with guaranteed, paid student placements to a select number of students, providing valuable experience of working in a professional environment
• Exciting opportunities for live consultancy projects and fieldtrips will introduce you to the realities of the modern business world
• Undertake an 8-week Sage software programme to gain an ACCA accredited Sage certificate
• You'll have the opportunity to complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) Certificate
• We allow you to recognise and reflect on your own teaching and learning style - students can choose to take either an exam based or non-exam-based assessment method
• Our team have committed to joining the International Tax Week symposium; this comprises of 8 other universities across Europe to address a contemporary area of international taxation
• You may also be interested in our BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Placement Year.

Our BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance prepares you for the professional world in a way that is relevant, inspiring and practical. It gives you a sound understanding of all the key accounting and financial principles so that you’re ready to take up a management position in industry and commerce or to become a professional accountant.

Engage with industry

The BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance course, in partnership with international accountancy firm Mazars, offers our students the opportunity to secure a paid placement at one of the Mazars offices. This will be subject to a successful application process. Students can apply for the Mazars industrial placement in their first year. This is exclusive to students studying on the BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme. If successful, your placement will commence at the start of your third year. 

Depending on your performance in your placement year and your final degree award, Mazars may offer you a place on their audit graduate trainee programme. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and insight visits to their offices in your first and second year. 

We also undergo projects with recruitment company Hays as part of the Professional Development Module in stage two.

Hands-on learning

Fieldtrips will help you to translate theory into practice. We have visited companies such as PKF Cooper Parry as well as a council finance department. A recent fieldtrip to Chatsworth House featured an informative talk by the Chief Executive of the Devonshire Trust and the Head of Visitor Experience for the Chatsworth Group. Such opportunities deepen your understanding of the wider business world and underpin your live coursework projects. 

Accounting – your questions answered

In the below video, Senior Lecturer, Darren Byrne, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Accounting at the University of Derby.

Global thinking

We’re committed to helping you develop an international outlook and you could take part in optional overseas fieldtrips. On a trip to Copenhagen, our students visited the Louisiana Modern Art Museum to learn more about the problem of art fraud, bringing to life themes such as business ethics, forensic accounting, audit and assurance.

Expert teaching

Our accounting and finance teaching team are all professionally qualified, with industry as well as academic experience. Because they have also taught on courses for ACCA and CIMA, they can keep you up to date with the latest professional standards. Our research is at the forefront of bringing solutions to organisational problems for growth and sustainability. We research these themes across private, public and charity-sector organisations as part of our Accounting, Accountability and Ethics Group.

Our extensive professional networks bring an extra dimension to the teaching on this course. We have introduced employer mentors who provide students with one-to-one support and guidance. A team from HMRC also visits the University to run a mock assessment centre, especially useful for students taking taxation modules.

Further networking opportunities are arranged through our dynamic Accounting Society, established and run by students. They organise activities such as mentoring sessions, social and fundraising events. 

Facilities and resources

You can make the most of our exciting Financial Markets Lab, a high-specification facility used in various modules and assessments on the course. You could even work towards the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate to enhance your CV.

In addition, you’ll learn how to use Microsoft Excel for accounting applications and there is the opportunity to become familiar with SAGE, the accounting bookkeeping package.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

During the first and second stages, you will learn mainly through: 

• formal lectures
• tutorials
• workshops
• industry projects

From the second stage, you are expected to work more independently and take greater charge of your own learning, while receiving guidance and direction from the academic staff.

Examples of projects

The Independent Study module is an important element of the final year, enabling you to pursue in-depth research into a theme of your choice. Recent examples include investigating issues such as the impact of sugar tax on businesses in Derby, financial fair play rules in football and the movement towards narrative or integrated reporting.

Some of these projects involve live briefs for employers: one student completed a study on internal control systems on behalf of Derby Museums.

How you are assessed

Assessments are designed to help you gauge your own level of learning through constructive feedback. The range of assessments includes methods such as: 

• Computer-based assessments
• Examinations
• Essays
• Business reports
• Employer negotiated assessment briefs (with companies such as Chatsworth, Birds, Derby Cricket Club, Bolsover District council, and HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs)
• Videos,
• Group reports and presentations
• Portfolio-based assessments.

Setting sights on your accounting and finance future

Accounting and finance graduates are in demand the world over, so you will have the opportunity to work in many diverse fields. Our former students have gone on to excel in local practices, multinational accounting firms, merchant banks and other major businesses. 

On graduation – and depending on the module pathway you have selected – you can apply for exemptions from ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, CPA Australia and AIA professional qualifications. This will shorten the time you need to become a fully qualified member of your chosen professional body. Representatives from the various professional bodies visit the University to explain more about their institutions, the exemptions available and the potential career paths you can consider.

Throughout your studies, you’ll also benefit from our Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions. In addition, your programme will support you in your preparation for the work place. Your second year module, Professional Development Skills for Accounting Graduates, is tailored to the needs of the accounting profession. The module is designed to ensure that you are ready to apply for internships, placements and or graduate roles.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Derby with the MSc Accounting and Finance. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Business Accounting and Finance BA (Hons)
• Accounting and Finance BA (Hons) with Placement Year
• Business Accounting and Finance BA (Hons) with Placement Year

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.