What to expect from studying BSc Accounting at The University of Manchester

by | Jan 17, 2025 | AMBS, Undergraduate | 0 comments

Studying BSc Accounting at The University of Manchester offers students an exceptional opportunity to gain both theoretical and practical expertise in accounting and finance. This course provides a solid foundation for students aspiring to pursue careers in accounting, auditing, taxation, financial management, or related fields.  

Programme description 

The BSc Accounting programme encompasses a wide range of core and elective modules that cover key areas. In the first semester of year 1, you will have several modules including financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, law for accountants, taxation, micro/macroeconomics, and quantitative methods for accounting. It is a pity that there is no opportunity to take optional courses in the first year, but it can lay a solid foundation for your future as a professional accountant. In the second year, UCIL (University College for Interdisciplinary Learning) is available which means we may select courses from other faculties such as AI, entrepreneurship, biology etc. This flexibility allows students to tailor their learning to suit their career aspirations. 

This course also emphasizes hands-on learning, integrating case studies, projects, and simulations to develop problem solving and analytical skills. Students are often involved in real-world scenarios that prepare them to deal with the complexities of accounting and financial decisions in a professional setting. I clearly remember that in the Auditing module in first year, there was a team project in making audit flow charts and identifying audit risks, which was presented in the form of team reports. In the second year on a Business Strategy course, there is also a group cooperation to select a company, analyse its strengths and weaknesses, and provide improvement plans. During the course of the Financial Analysis module, the school gives us the right to use capital IQ for free, and use this analysis software to analyse the profitability, current liquidity, debt ratio and so on of some companies.  

Industry Connections 

The University of Manchester has strong ties with global accounting firms, including the Big Four — PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY. These connections provide students with networking opportunities, insights into industry practices, and access to internships or placement programmes. You can also meet a lot of alumni on LinkedIn. When you want to apply for an internship, you can also check the number of alumni in that company on LinkedIn, and then you can have a lot of communication with them. I think this is very useful for future employment development.  

Academic and Social Support 

In addition to academic rigor, students benefit from a supportive learning environment. Manchester’s vibrant campus life also offers a range of extracurricular activities, from student societies to sports teams, ensuring a well-rounded university experience. For myself, I have registered a club named Manchester Digital Transformation Club with the support of Student Union which allows me to interact with more people. In AMBS, we also have an entrepreneurship institution named The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, which hold activities on a regular basis, inviting students to form teams freely to generate some new ideas, with successful teams getting the School’s entrepreneurial capital subsidies. 

Conclusion 

The BSc Accounting programme at The University of Manchester combines academic excellence with practical exposure and professional development. Its strong industry links, global accreditation, and emphasis on skill-building ensure that graduates are not only prepared for their first roles but also equipped to excel in the long term. This programme offers the resources and chances to succeed whether your objective is to work in corporate finance, become a chartered accountant, or start your own business.

 

Written by Qianyi, current BSc Accounting student at AMBS

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