BSc Accounting And Finance

The undergraduate BSc Accounting & Finance programme is topically focused on accounting and finance but is fundamentally grounded in other core social science disciplines as well as practically connected to the social sciences through optional courses and LSE100.

Specifically, in addition to developing core knowledge and skills in accounting and finance, you will learn to analyse how accounting and finance is concerned with a range of institutional and organisational processes of calculation, reporting, and evaluation. 

You will also learn to appreciate the interdependencies between accounting and accountability, financial management and risk, performance management and sustainability, governance and regulation, policy making and change, among other key fundamental concepts related to, implicated in, or affected by accounting and finance. 

You will learn to critically evaluate the use and suitability of accounting and finance techniques in different contexts. You will gain a deep understanding of the nature of organisations in the economy and society, and the crucial role that accounting and finance play in societies, economies, institutions, markets, organisations, and even individual behaviours.

This diverse social science approach to accounting and finance makes our graduating students highly sought after by a wide range of organisations globally in any area related to accounting or finance, and even beyond into other areas. 

Recent graduates of this programme have gone on to work in the areas of professional accountancy, investment banking, investment analysis, management consultancy and financial management, but also in the public sector as well as into further academic study. 

If you successfully complete the degree, then depending on the optional courses you have taken, you may be eligible for exemptions for some examinations of the professional accountancy bodies.

Entry Requirements:

• GCSEs
• A strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades should be no lower than B (or 6)
• We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile
• A-levels*
• AAA with A in Mathematics
• Contextual admissions A-level grades**
• AAB with A in Mathematics
• IB Diploma
• 38 points overall. 766 in higher level subjects, including 6 in higher level Mathematics
• Contextual admissions IB grades**
• 37 points overall. 666 in higher level subjects, including 6 in higher level Mathematics
• *Read our A-level subject combinations information below.
• **Read our UG Admissions Information to learn more about contextual admissions.
• A-level subject combinations
• We consider the combination of subjects you have taken, as well as the individual scores.
• We believe a broad mix of traditional academic subjects to be the best preparation for studying at LSE and expect applicants to have at least two full A-levels or equivalent in these subjects.
• Whilst there is no one ideal subject combination, traditional academic subjects are preferred to less traditional ones. For the purpose of applying to BSc Accounting and Finance only, Accounting A-level is viewed as a “traditional academic subject”.
• Previous study of Accounting, at GCSE, A-level, or equivalent, is not required and is neither advantageous nor disadvantageous.
• Given the analytical nature of this programme, A-level (or equivalent) Mathematics is an essential qualification, together with the aptitude and willingness to develop further mathematical knowledge.
• In addition to Mathematics, we are looking for subject combinations that indicate that you possess both analytical and writing abilities.
• Further Mathematics is not required for this course. However, we are happy to consider students offering Mathematics, Further Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

Programme Structure And Courses:

• The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units, over three years, plus LSE100. Half of these are in accounting and finance, and half in related disciplines. You will have the opportunity to specialise to a certain degree in various fields within accounting and finance. 
• (indicates half-unit course)
• First year
• In your first year, you will take introductory courses in accounting and finance, economics, mathematics and statistics. In addition, you will ?also take LSE100. You'll also be able to take an outside option.
• Introduction to Financial Accounting*
• Introduces students to fundamental principles of financial accounting.
• Introduction to Management Accounting*
• Introduces students to fundamental principles of management accounting.
• Microeconomics I* 
• There are two versions of this course: EC1A3 and EC1A5. Students will be advised about the most appropriate version to take depending on academic background or future course choices.
• Macroeconomics I*
• There are two versions of this course: EC1B3 and EC1B5. Students will be advised about the most appropriate version to take depending on academic background or future course choices.
• Quantitative Methods (Statistics)*
• Develops elementary statistical tools necessary for further study in management and economics.
• Quantitative Methods (Mathematics)*
• Develops the basic mathematical tools necessary for further study in economics and related disciplines.
• Or
• Methods in calculus and linear algebra*
• This is an introductory level course for those who wish to use mathematics seriously in finance or economics.
• Finance*
• Includes an introduction to the financial decisions of firms, in particular capital budgeting; the financial decisions of households; the role of the financial system in the economy and the flow of funds; causes and consequences of the recent financial crises.
• Outside course options to the value of half a unit
• LSE100*
• A half unit, running across Autumn and Winter Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students. This innovative and interactive course is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems as a social scientist through interdisciplinary, research-rich education.
• Second year
• In your second year, you will take two accounting courses and a Principles of Finance course. You'll also take three economics courses and one or more outside options.
• Intermediate Financial Accounting*
• Intermediate Management Accounting*
• Principles of Finance I
• Examines companies' longer term investment decisions, and the ways in which these may be financed in the financial markets.
• Or
• Principles of Finance II
• A more quantitative course examining companies' longer term investment decisions, and the ways in which these may be financed in the financial markets.
• Courses to the value of one unit from the following:
• Microeconomics II*
• There are two versions of this course: EC2A3 and EC2A5. Students will be advised about the most appropriate version to take depending on academic background or future course choices.
• Macroeconomics II*
• There are two versions of this course: EC2B3 and EC2B5. Students will be advised about the most appropriate version to take depending on academic background or future course choices.
• Econometrics I*
• Introduction to econometrics to teach students the theory and practice of empirical research in economics
• Students will be advised whether they are able to take this course depending on academic background or future course choices.
• Outside course options to the value of one unit
• Third year
• In your third year, you will take two compulsory accounting courses, one compulsory finance course and will choose two accounting courses from a choice of four. You will also take outside options to the value of one unit from an approved list.
• Contemporary Issues in Financial Accounting*
• Considers the key areas of topical interests in financial accounting and the impact of accounting regulation on financial statements, in an international context.
• Results Accountability and Management Control for Strategy Implementation*
• Considers both the decision-facilitating and decision-influencing roles of management accounting.
• Corporate Finance, Investments and Financial Markets
• Covers a broad range of topics, with both a theoretical and an empirical emphasis. These include topics in corporate finance, investments and performance evaluation and international finance.
• Two courses from a range of accounting options, to a total value of one unit
• Outside course options to the value of one unit