International Study Centre
Accounting and finance integrates the concepts of money with business and management. The field of accounting is primarily concerned with recording financial transactions - storing, summarising and analysing. It is different to the field of finance, which concentrates on the management of money and the funds of a business.
The fields of accounting and finance span lots of different areas, such as:
There are many reasons to study accounting and finance at university:
Choosing an accounting and finance career path means you will have a profession that is constantly in high demand. You will have a strong degree of job stability as businesses will always need staff to manage their finances. Jobs in these areas also offer good prospects for promotion, career advancement and working abroad.
Since accounting and finance roles are constantly in-demand, you will typically enjoy high-salaried jobs. Graduates of accounting can expect to earn a strong wage in their first accounting roles, while they undertake professional training. You will typically work towards further qualifications while employed in a graduate role. After you have completed your training and additional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA, and built up some years of professional experience, ambitious accountants can command high salaries.
Studying accounting and finance will help you to develop strong numerical and quantitative skills. You will be able to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data that is a desirable skill across a range of industries. You will have the ability to keep track of finances, stick to budgets and manage large data sets – skills that are typically in high demand. Some other skills you will develop include:
The University of Sussex International Study Centre offers a range of university preparation courses leading to accounting and finance degrees at the University of Sussex. These courses offer specific subject pathways, leading to different degree areas.
You will gain academic knowledge, English language skills, and develop your confidence before you begin a degree in accounting and finance.
The Complete University Guide 2022
There are a variety of degrees you can study at the University of Sussex once you have completed the relevant pathway at the International Study Centre.
If you choose to study an accounting and finance related degree at Sussex, then you will be based in the Department of Accounting and Finance, part of the University of Sussex Business School. You will enjoy access to state-of-the-art-facilities and expert academic staff who consult for leaders in business and government.
As a student at the Department of Accounting and Finance you will be able to use leading technology in the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab. Here, supervised by industry experts, you can participate in real-time financial and trading simulations. Other benefits include:
The Department has a strong research culture, and as a student, you will also benefit from three research centres that promote both applied and theoretical research. The three centres are Accounting, Business Finance and Quantitative Finance. These specialised centres undertake impactful research that is often used to inform teaching and assessment at all levels.
Sussex is accredited by professional accounting and finance bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), helping you get the qualifications you need. The University also has a professional partnership with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI).
With an accounting and finance related degree you will have a route into various financial professions. You will also be able to pursue roles in different sectors and industries, due to the transferable skills you will develop. After university you could go into a graduate role and follow a structured path with training.
Some of the jobs you could pursue include:
