BA (Hons) Accounting and Management with Foundation Year
Discover how organisations use accounting information to drive performance and make strategic decisions. Develop skills to analyse financial data, manage resources and support business success on a degree aligned with leading professional accounting.
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Typical offer: 48
Entry requirements -
Fees: £5,760 per year (UK)
Full details -
UCAS code: N402
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Course length: Various
Find out more -
Location:
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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Institute code: H36
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Work placement option
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Study abroad option
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Professionally aligned programmes with possibility of gaining some exemptions form professional body exams.
Over 91% of undergraduates in work/study (Graduate Outcomes, 2026)1
Gain practical experience through live business challenges, with optional study‑abroad and internship opportunities that broaden your commercial awareness.
Course overview
Accounting and management expertise is highly valued whatever career you choose and is crucial to any organisation. Our accounting and management course will take you beyond the numbers, showing you how to interpret the story they tell. You will learn to make informed management decisions using core areas of accounting such as financial reporting, corporate finance and management accounting.
Kickstart your accounting and management journey with practical insights and key skills to prepare you for a successful career in finance or management, with analytical, digital, problem-solving and reporting skills alongside know-how in leadership and critical evaluation.
Immerse yourself in management accounting, financial reporting and business operations, building on your knowledge year-by-year. Hone your practical mathematical techniques alongside core analytical skills, to make numerical based decisions.
Bring your learning to life through interactive sessions, simulations and group exercises, combining tried and tested theories, emerging new techniques, and the latest practitioner inputs and experiences. To advance in the workplace, you must complement your technical knowledge with vital interpersonal, communication and specialist soft skills required in accounting and finance.
The Accounting and Management degree at Herts shares a common first year with BSc Accounting and Finance, giving all accounting students a strong foundation in core technical skills. In later years, the programme places greater emphasis on management decision‑making, supported by a solid understanding of an organisation’s accounting and financial functions. This is a great degree option if you are not sure if a career in finance is right for you, but you want a sound fundamental knowledge base in finance to support a path in management.
Why choose this course?
Flexible assessment methods: Be prepared for the workplace with varied and balanced assessments. Our closed‑book exams are complemented by practical assessments, including online tests, professional report writing, group presentations and discussions, live debates, recorded presentations and simulated workplace tasks.
Sandwich year opportunity: Take an industry placement, study abroad or internship year opportunity (including the latest online bite-sized digital experiences) to help you find your direction and boost your CV to secure your first graduate role.
Industry expert lecturers: Hertfordshire Business School (HBS) is proud of our strong relationships with professional bodies, our alumni network and business connections. Benefit from our collaborations as you learn and gain from their industry experience and stories, meet entrepreneurs-in-residence, business ambassadors and industry leaders at networking events or in guest lectures through our Business Academy. Embrace opportunities to work with industry mentors via Beds, Bucks & Herts Society of Chartered Accountant from firms such as Rayner Essex, Moore Kingston Smith, TC Group, Mercer and Hole and Gilberts, plus cross paths through your sessions with many others.
Build the skills employers want with ICAEW and ACCA‑aligned learning: You’ll develop the technical, professional and leadership skills expected by top accounting firms. Through practical projects and business‑focused tasks, you’ll learn to understand performance, solve problems and make confident decisions that prepare you for a future in accounting, finance or business.
Unlock your entrepreneurial potential with our exclusive opportunities in social sustainability: Be a part of the enactus society, organising projects that are making a difference every day. You can also take part in the national University Business Challenge, or join our Enterprise Bootcamp based in our Herts Business Incubator.
Support system: We are a caring and friendly university, and you’ll receive excellent support from a staff community team to help you with any academic and personal challenges.
Strong employment prospects: Over 91% of undergraduates in work/study (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2026)1.
Professional accreditations
While the course isn’t designed to maximise exemptions, you can still gain some depending on the path of study you choose at level 6. If progressing towards professional qualification is part of your ambition, Herts can guide you towards the study pathway that best supports your goals.
Your future career
With a dual focus on accounting and management, get the right skillset and knowledge to go forward in any direction you want within the financial and managerial world.
Our undergraduates have been very successful thanks to opportunities offered, with over 91% in work/study (Graduate Outcomes, 2026)1.
Typical career paths for accounting and management graduates include:
Typical career paths for accounting and management graduates include:
- Finance analyst
- management accountant
- investment banking
- finance officer
- finance manager
- procurement
- tax and audit control
- asset management.
Graduates have progressed into roles across a wide range of organisations, including PwC, EY, Citibank, Amazon, BMW, Avnet, Secret Escapes, Enterprise, John Lewis, TUI, The Walt Disney Company, NHS, Hewlett Packard, Costco, Hertfordshire County Council, Price Bailey LLP, Cathedral Capital and Balfour Beatty Rail.
You’ll develop solutions‑focused business expertise with strong intellectual, creative and analytical skills, gaining a clear understanding of how accounting and finance principles operate in real‑world contexts. We also support you in exploring CV‑enhancing opportunities such as employer competitions, insight days, digital programmes, volunteering, student leadership roles and accomplishment awards.
See what recent graduates are up to
Ansa Talib
Financial Planning and Analysis Business Partner at Arriva
Meet Ansa. Ansa decided to follow her passion for accounting and finance after visiting Herts for an open day.
Bucking the trend
Ansa had always been interested in accounting and finance and had been good at maths since she was a child. Despite growing up with siblings working in the health sciences, she took the brave step of pursuing her passion at Herts after attending an open day on campus. Ansa says, ‘I’m from Luton and wanted to commute to university. I attended an open day at Herts and was blown away by the campus’ facilities and atmosphere – everyone was so friendly there.’
Ansa applied to Herts through Clearing, where she was able to talk on the phone to an adviser who took her through the University’s accounting and finance programmes and the different options available to her.
Building professional relationships
Reflecting on her course, Ansa says she enjoyed how the BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme was taught, mainly as she settled in during her first year. Ansa says, ‘Our tutors were great. They ensured everyone was on the same page and that no one was left behind. I keep in touch with many of my tutors now, who gave me great advice when I was completing my Association of Chartered Certified Accountants exams.’
Ansa also did a placement year with Avnet as a finance assistant. She found the opportunity on the University’s careers website and believes her placement was vital in helping her build on the skills she had learnt on the course. Ansa adds, ‘I had a placement supervisor from Herts who was great. She visited me at Avnet to see how I was getting on and she would always answer any questions I had.’
Her advice
Ansa’s advice to current and future Herts students is to understand early what you would like to do in your career. She says, ‘This is particularly true for accounting and finance students, as there is the opportunity to choose some modules in your final year. It is beneficial to pick those that you have an interest in and that you could potentially use for your career, including ones that carry exemptions towards your professional qualification. It’s better to use the facilities at Herts when you have access to support, rather than doing it after you have graduated.’
But most importantly, Ansa says, ‘Enjoy yourself. Work is different to being at university, so be flexible and make sure you get the most out of your time at Herts.’
Wesley Pearson
Finance and Operations Associate at Hedge fund
Meet Wesley. After learning about a potential career in accounting and finance from an unlikely source, he now has ambitions to become a Chief Finance Officer.
From Bugatti’s to balance sheets
Wesley found out about a potential career in accounting and finance from an unlikely source – his fellow petrolheads. He says, ‘I met a lot of people at track car driving days and many of them were accountants. That’s how they paid for such an expensive hobby! Many of my family also work in finance, and they encouraged me to follow this career path.’
Herts was close to where Wesley lived too, so commuting to campus allowed him to study whilst keeping a part-time job. He had also heard about Hertfordshire Business School’s strong reputation. Wesley says, ‘I attended a few open days at Herts, and the accounting and finance team were very welcoming.’
His favourite memories
Wesley says what he learnt on the course was broad and it gave him a great understanding of accounting. He adds, ‘With the support of my lecturers and friends, I was able to achieve a first-class degree, which carries a lot of weight in the accounting and finance sector.’
Some of his favourite memories from Herts were the interactions he had with his lecturers, the life-long friendships he built, nights out, and moving to campus in his final year. He says, ‘Because I moved to campus in my final year, I had the best of both worlds during my studies. It was great to be able to have the full campus experience.’
His future ambitions and advice
After leaving Herts, Wesley joined accountancy firm Price Bailey and qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. There, he was able to gain experience in general auditing, accounts, and tax preparation. He then joined Blick Rothenberg in London, where he focused on auditing hedge funds, private equity firms and funds.
In the new year (2023), he’ll be joining a hedge fund as their Finance and Operations Associate, which he is incredibly excited about. He says, ‘My ultimate career ambition is to become the Chief Operating Officer or Chief Finance Officer for a hedge fund.’
Wesley’s best advice to current and future Herts students is to make the most of the placement year. He says, ‘I did mine at Mazars Accountants. Completing a placement has enormous value for employers when you are looking for a job, and a placement gives you a glimpse into what work could look like. You get the chance to explore areas that do and don’t appeal to you.’
Hardik Patel
Management Accountant at Specialist bank
Meet Hardik. Hardik came to Herts through clearing and loved his time here. He is now a Management Accountant for a specialist bank, with ambitions to become a chartered accountant.
A spontaneous decision
Hardik made the choice to come to Herts on A-level results day and called our clearing hotline. In his words, ‘It was a spontaneous decision. I had been accepted on a course at another university, but I’m glad I decided to study at Herts. I loved every bit of my time here.’
‘The University’s location was perfect for me too. It is not too far from London and some of my closest friends from school were also coming to study here.’
Fond memories
Hardik has fond memories from his time at Herts, from partying at The Forum to late-night study sessions in our Learning Resources Centres. Hardik was a Student Representative for his course during his first year, which helped him get to know his peers and represent their views to the teaching staff.
He was also a committee member for Hertfordshire Students’ Union’s Hindu Society, where he helped organise events for the University’s thriving Hindu community.
Going on placement
Hardik is working as a Management Accountant for a specialist bank. He believes his placement year during his course prepared him well for his current role, adding, ‘Being able to gain real-life experience gave me vital insight into what a career in accounting and finance would be like. It made me more disciplined and added a structure to my studies, which helped me graduate with first-class honours.’
While progressing in his current company, he aims to pass his Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) exam and qualify as a chartered accountant.
Hardik’s advice
Hardik’s advice to current and future Herts students is to, ‘Enjoy your time at university – you will probably never have the same experience again. Find yourself a hobby, like joining a society or club. To help boost your studies, I’d always recommend doing a placement year, as this will give you hands-on experience in the career you want to get into.’
What you'll study
The BA (Hons) Accounting and Management with Foundation Year at the University of Hertfordshire combines essential accounting knowledge with practical business and management skills, preparing you for a wide range of professional pathways.
In your first year (foundation year / level 0), you’ll build core academic, digital and professional skills while gaining confidence in a supportive learning environment. This year acts as your launchpad into degree‑level study, helping you develop the study habits, communication skills and business awareness needed for success throughout the programme.
From your second year (level 4), you’ll join students on the main Accounting and Management degree. Teaching is typically scheduled across two days per week, giving you around 10–12 contact hours through a blend of lectures, workshops, seminars and guided self‑study. Assessments in this year include compulsory exams, while the main Accounting and Management degree uses a wider range of real‑world tasks such as reports, analyses, presentations and applied business projects.
You’ll study four modules each year (two per semester), each offering a balanced mix of theoretical understanding and practical, transferable skills.
In your third year (level 5), you’ll deepen your financial and management accounting knowledge, analyse business performance, and explore how finance and reporting support decision‑making. You’ll also develop leadership capabilities, enhance your employability, and strengthen the professional skills needed for future accounting and management roles.
Your final year (level 6) introduces more specialised content. You’ll study eight smaller modules (four per semester), allowing you to explore a broader range of topics as you build strategic, digital, analytical and reporting expertise. You’ll complete a business project, evaluate professional practice, and begin shaping your professional identity through applied coursework and portfolio development.
There are extra-curricular opportunities to further enrich your personal development through our placements, internships, study-abroad and Future Success team events.
What if I need support?
You'll benefit from dedicated support teams within the Business School, including Academic Support, Wellbeing, and a personal tutor who will assist you in adjusting to the demands of university learning and living.
Additional support is available from our Student Success team, which focuses on inclusive learning, as well as our dedicated Future Success network, which helps with work experience, placements, and graduate jobs.
You can join and engage with the Business School Student Voice community, consisting of a team of student representatives who regularly meet with staff to provide feedback and ensure the effectiveness of teaching.
Our in-house Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) is available to all Business School students, offering additional support in areas such as academic writing, numeracy, and referencing.
Optional placement year
At the end of your second year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge CV booster!
Professional work experience is a significant contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action, while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.
We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our ground-breaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.
Students on the programme have recently had the opportunity to benefit from placements at NHS, Worldpay, SMBC, Grant Thornton and Ernst Young.
Recently, two students got mini-internships at on the Women in Business and Black in Business programmes.
You can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your third year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.
More and more companies are now working internationally, the experience of living in another country will make a great impression on future employers. Putting knowledge into action, learn how a business operates and make professional connections.
With over 100 partners in 38 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.
If you study abroad between your third and fourth year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.
At the end of your second year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge CV booster!
Professional work experience is a significant contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action, while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.
We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our ground-breaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.
Students on the programme have recently had the opportunity to benefit from placements at NHS, Worldpay, SMBC, Grant Thornton and Ernst Young.
Recently, two students got mini-internships at on the Women in Business and Black in Business programmes.
Find out more about work placementsYou can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your third year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.
More and more companies are now working internationally, the experience of living in another country will make a great impression on future employers. Putting knowledge into action, learn how a business operates and make professional connections.
With over 100 partners in 38 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.
If you study abroad between your third and fourth year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.
Find out more about study abroad optionsWhere you'll study
For the remaining years of your degree, you’ll be taught on our de Havilland Campus, with our 24/7 Learning Resources Centre offering both open and private study spaces. You’ll also have access to online self-study materials to further support your learning.
There are dining options, a bar, and a recreational space on campus where you can shoot some pool or play video games. It also houses Hertfordshire Sports Village, featuring a gym, swimming pool, coffee shop and climbing wall.
Discover the Enterprise Hub, a vibrant destination where local firms and students work and learn in an inspiring space.
Student housing is available at both campuses.
A train to central London takes just over 20 minutes, and you are also conveniently located on the A1(M) with access to the road network, making travel quick and convenient.
Who you'll learn from
A dedicated academic support team, wellbeing team, and personal tutor help you acclimatise to university life. You’ll be taught by academics and researchers alongside innovative industry specialists with years of hands-on experience. You’ll also learn from our industry mentors, who share experience, expertise and networks as you enter the working world.
With teaching backgrounds that include Big Four accountancy firms, FTSE 100 companies, higher education, and professional accountancy exam colleges, your lecturers bring a wealth of real-world insight to the classroom. You’ll build on your knowledge as they show you how accounting and management theory applies in practice.
Embrace ideas and insights from strategic thinkers and engaging practitioners who know how to bring the subject alive.
Check out our student blogs
How we support our students
At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.
We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.
Student Blogs
Kayleigh - Week at a glance
My week at a glance
At the beginning of each week, I write up my lecture PowerPoints ready to take with me to my lectures so I can add notes to it during the lecture. I find that writing up my lectures helps me to take in the information given to us. I tend to do my reading in bits throughout the week to help break it up, but I make sure it’s done before I go to the relevant lecture. I find doing this betters my understanding of the topic that is going to be covered in that lecture!
For each Accounting module, I had an hour lecture and an hour seminar each week! For French, I had a two-hour lectorial, which is a lecture and seminar in one session! I went into university three days of the week for lectures and seminars; I had two days at home!
Towards the end of October, assignments start to get set so you have a lot more work to be doing. I like to start the research for my assignments when they get set. Don’t leave them until the last minute, you’ll do much better when you have time to think about what you’re going to write! Managing your time between assignments and work for your lectures can be difficult but if you make yourself a plan, you’ll be fine!
I lived at university, so I also had to find time to get my weekly food shop. I tended to go on one of my days off in the morning and then in the afternoon, I could get back to my uni work! I would also work for the university on open days and other events as a student ambassador, so I also had to factor that into my schedule. You need to make sure you have some time for yourself so you can wind down, you don’t want to overload yourself! I like to spend a day of the weekend watching Netflix or meeting up with friends!
Student Blogs
Kayleigh - Things you should know
Things you need to know before studying Accounting at Herts
There can be some preconceptions of what accounting is; it is NOT all maths! There is a lot of maths involved in the course, but it is not complicated maths so don’t worry, there is also a lot of written aspects too. There are several types of accounting ranging from financial to management accounting, all of which you cover over the three-year course! All the lecturers are qualified accountants, and most have worked in the industry for a significant amount of time and they have so much information for you. They’re always willing to help you as much as they can!
With any degree, there is a lot of reading. You use a different textbook for each module, and they set reading weekly for you. Most of the textbooks are on the online library and so are free to access so don’t go buying the textbooks straight away. For certain modules, doing the reading helps deepen your understanding of the topic significantly. For me, doing the reading for my Taxation module helped me to better understand the topics we studied but don’t try to do it all at once because you won’t take any information in. Remember to break it up so you don’t overload yourself!
You will be assessed in both exams and assignments for the course. Your assignments can range from an essay or a report but could also be a presentation in a group. Most modules have a mixture of exams and assignments so don’t stress too much about doing exams because you have your assignments to fall back on if necessary.
I would highly recommend that future students research what a chartered professional qualification is and the different bodies that offer them. Once you complete your degree in accounting it does not mean that you are a fully qualified accountant; you will need to complete a chartered qualification. The University offers a different amount of exemptions upon completion of the course from ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). In your first year, ACCA comes in for a highly informative talk. In this talk, they encourage you to sign up to their ACCA accelerate scheme. I would highly recommend this, the cost savings for yourself in the future is beneficial. They also send you emails keeping you up to date with everything that’s going on.
Accounting can be a difficult degree but don’t stress. Planning your time wisely and being organised with assignments will make an enormous difference. Don’t forget to enjoy your time at university and make as many new friends as you can! Good Luck!
Student Blogs
Kayleigh - Why I chose Herts
Why I chose Herts
The first reason being that Herts had the perfect course for me, Accounting with French. Herts allows you to do a language alongside a business degree which not that many other universities offer! Not only do I receive several exemptions from my professional accounting qualification, but I also got to continue studying French, which is something I really enjoyed at college and wanted to continue at university!
Herts is remarkably close to London but it’s not in London. This is perfect for me because I moved from living in a village in the countryside to quite a busy town! I come from north Lincolnshire so Herts is also far enough from home that I would have to be completely independent but not too far that it would take me all day to travel home. Well a three-hour drive to me isn’t that bad anyway. I have lived in halls and off-campus for all three years of university! This has allowed me to meet so many people and some of my best friends! Also, this meant that I was never more than a five-minute walk from the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) on campus that is open 24/7, great for when you have deadlines looming.
When I visited Herts for the first time on my applicant day, I had the best day! I met three of the lecturers that have taught me over the past three years of university, which was reassurance the lecturers were lovely! My French teacher was so encouraging and excited! When I started in September there were only five people in my French class, so it was very one to one which was so beneficial to me overall!
I know that moving away from home for the first time can be very daunting, but don’t worry! Everyone in your halls is in the same boat! Go out and enjoy freshers! Order takeaways together and get to know each other! It will be one of the best things you do! My self-confidence has improved so much because I went to university!
Entry requirements
Clearing entry requirements
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis. This also applies to Clearing applications, so if you don’t have the advertised grades, you can submit a Clearing application and we’ll review and consider your application on an individual basis.
Ready to apply?
Apply through Clearing now
UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
| Start date | Study type | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | Full time | Apply via UCAS |
| Full time with placement year | Apply via UCAS | |
| Full time with study abroad year | Apply via UCAS |
Apply through Clearing
Our Clearing hotline is open for support, Monday - Thursday 9.00-16.45 and Friday 9.00-15.45. You can apply online at any time.
Fees and funding
At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.
| Study type | Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| UK students | Full time Year 1 | £5,760 for the 2026/2027 academic year |
| Full time Year 2 onwards | £10,050 for the 2027/2028 academic year |
Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
| Scholarships, grants and bursaries | Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies. |
|---|---|
| Disabled Students' Allowance | The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability. |
| Student loans | Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments. |
| Accommodation costs | We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget. |
| Additional course fees | Read more about additional fees in the Programme Specification. |
More about the course
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Accounting and Management with Placement Year with Foundation Year - Full Time, Sem A | Download PDF |
| BA (Hons) Accounting and Management with Foundation Year - Full Time, Sem A | Download PDF |
| BA (Hons) Accounting and Management with a Year Abroad with Foundation Year - Full Time, Sem A | Download PDF |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
|
Applications open to international and EU students |
No |
Course length |
Full Time, 4 YearsFull Time, 5 YearsSandwich, 5 Years |
