Accountancy is a multidisciplinary field that teaches you to record, classify and report on financial transactions of a business. Accountancy provides feedback to management on the financial performance and status of an organisation.
The process of recording and summarising financial data is called ‘bookkeeping’, the purpose of which is to forecast the future financial developments of a company, as well as analyse the areas of business as well as evaluate its business potential.
The UK, being one of the biggest study hubs in the world, is home to some of the best accounting universities on the planet.
Studying accountancy in the UK will provide students with:
- Flexible study options, along with placement centric courses, also known as sandwich courses
- The opportunity to study at the biggest financial hubs of the world
- The chance to benefit from partnerships with some of the biggest companies in the world, which means better placement opportunities
Learn more about studying accountancy in the UK below and if you would like to begin your application, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.
Best Accounting Courses and Universities in the UK
According to the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2021, 10 of the top 100 universities in the world for studying accountancy are in the UK. The best universities for accounting in the UK are:
1. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
The London School of Economics and Political Science is one of the UK's most international universities, with half the student population at LSE from outside the UK.
LSE is a part of the prestigious Russell Group and regularly ranks amongst the top universities in the world. It is currently 4th in the world and 1st in the UK for studying accountancy according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
The University also has one of the lowest dropout rates in the UK and has more “world-leading” research than the other UK universities according to the Research Excellence Framework (2014).
- LSE course to consider: BSc Accounting & Finance
2. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is considered as one of the leading academic institutions in the world with 6 permanent private halls and 38 independent colleges. Oxford is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, Coimbra Group, League of European Research Universities as well as a core member of the Europaeum.
The University has the highest proportion of students achieving 2:1s and above as well as the highest proportion of students to achieve firsts in the UK, whilst ⅓ of the student body at the University of Oxford is international.
3. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is considered as one of the best among the top five universities in the world.
Cambridge is also the second university in the world to be a member of the prestigious Russell Group, Coimbra Group, League of European Research Universities, International Alliance of Research Universities as well as a part of the “Golden Triangle”.
The University of Cambridge has performed excellence in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework with 87% of its submitted research considered as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
- Cambridge course to consider: Master of Accounting (MAcc)
4. London Business School
London Business School is the leader in the field of business education with a faculty known for their academic excellence and industry expertise.
London Business School (LBS) was top-ranked for its accountancy programmes by the Financial Times and Bloomberg Businessweek and more than 2,000 students from over 100 countries study here.
LBS offers masters taught, masters research and PhD courses for studying accountancy in the UK and the School ranks second in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2021.
5. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester has a reputation for innovation and pioneering research and is consistently targeted by the UK’s top employers. The University of Manchester currently has 25 Nobel Prize winners among current and former staff and students and 91% of Manchester’s recent graduates go straight into employment or continued studies.
In the prestigious Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities, the University of Manchester is ranked 33rd in the world and sixth in the UK.
- Manchester course to consider: BSc Business Accounting with Industria Experience
6. Imperial College London
Founded in 1907, Imperial College of London was initially established as a college of the University of London which later on became an independent institution in 2007.
The main campus of the Imperial College London is located at South Kensington and the University caters to four primary academic divisions which consists of medicine, engineering, business, and science.
Imperial College London also holds a Silver Athena Swan award which recognizes good practices in higher education and research institutes in terms of advancement in gender equality.
- Imperial course to consider: MSc Finance and Accounting
7. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the world and is currently ranked within the top 20 in the QS World University Rankings. The University consists of more than 22 schools and 6,000+ international students enrolled.
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), 83% of Edinburgh’s submitted research were deemed as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
- Edinburgh course to consider: MA Accounting
8. University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a leading UK university which consistently ranks in the top 10 across all major university league tables. Warwick offers world-class programmes across a wide range of disciplines along with state-of-the-art facilities and services for students.
One of the pioneer universities of the UK, the University of Warwick is ranked in the top 10 by major league tables including the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and Guardian University Guide 2022.
- Warwick course to consider: Accounting and Finance
9. Lancaster University
Lancaster University consistently ranks within the top 20 universities in the UK across all three major UK university league tables and have built a reputation both nationally and internationally for excellence.
Lancaster University is located in the northwest of England and is well connected to the major cities of the UK. The University is also close to some of the most spectacular locations of Lancaster, such as Williamson Park and the Ashton memorial.
- Lancaster course to consider: Accounting and Finance BSc Hons
10. City, University of London
City, University London has one of the highest proportions of postgraduate students in the UK, with more than 20,000 students from over 160 countries completing their education at the University.
City University of London is currently ranked 55th in the Times University Guide 2022 and 104th in the Guardian University Guide 2022.
- City course to consider: Accounting and Finance BSc Hons
Study Accountancy in the UK
To learn more about the best accounting university in the UK, book your free consultation with SI-UK London today.
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