Accounting and Finance

Accounting and finance are the twin disciplines that allow organisations to understand their financial position, plan for the future, manage risk, and account to their stakeholders. Accounting produces the records, reports, and analyses that make business decisions possible, while finance applies economic theory to questions of investment, capital structure, and the pricing of risk. Together they provide the foundations of financial competence that is indispensable in virtually every organisation, from global banks to public sector bodies and small enterprises.

At Royal Holloway, this four-year full-time programme combines rigorous academic training in accounting and finance with a year in business, allowing you to spend a substantial period in a real professional environment. This year abroad element means you bring genuine workplace experience to your final year of study, connecting the theory you have learned with the realities of professional practice. You will study the core areas of the disciplines, including financial reporting, management accounting, corporate finance, investment analysis, and the regulatory frameworks within which financial professionals operate, developing both analytical skills and the professional judgement that employers value.

Graduates of accounting and finance programmes with a business year are among the most employable in the social sciences. Many go on to professional accountancy training with firms in public practice, industry, or the public sector, qualifying as chartered accountants or certified finance professionals. Others move into roles in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, risk, and financial analysis.

The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in accounting, finance, business, or economics.