Key information
A professionally focused, industry-integrated degree that offers one of the fastest and most comprehensive routes to Chartered Accountant status through its unique partnership with ICAS and emphasis on global, hands-on learning.
Find out more about our 3 year honours degree option.
- UCAS code
- NN45
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MA
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 3-4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Our MA (Hons) Professional Accountancy programme at Heriot-Watt University will prepare you for a career in professional accountancy, business and beyond. This programme is a first, having been uniquely designed in partnership with ICAS to offer the maximum 11 ICAS exemptions, providing one of the fastest routes to Chartered Accountant status upon graduation.
Whilst studying our MA (Hons) Professional Accountancy programme, you’ll develop a broad understanding of the context in which modern accounting operates, as well as developing accounting expertise in several areas including preparing and analysing financial statements, advanced auditing and assurance, data analytics, tax law and more.
In addition to these key accounting skills, you’ll expand your overall skillset through a combination of individual projects, group work, written reports, presentations, and examinations. Equip yourself not only with advanced technical knowledge but also the ethical grounding, strategic thinking, soft skills and leadership skills demanded by top employers worldwide.
This programme is specifically tailored to meet the evolving demands of the global financial industry. Each course included in the programme will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in Accountancy, from introduction to accounting and finance, the economy, discovering business and principles of accounting. You’ll benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation.
ICAS Foundation Programme
The ICAS Foundation aim to support academically talented young people from family backgrounds with limited resources planning to (or currently) study accounting or finance at university.
Apply nowYour student experience
Our MA Professional Accountancy programme is taught with a clear industry focus by experienced professionals and respected academics. They are accredited by the professional bodies and will introduce you to professional-standard software in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room.
Go Global
Go Global is our student mobility programme, allowing you to seamlessly transfer your studies to one of our global campuses, or to a partner university. Live and learn in a new country, experience different cultures and build a global perspective, while continuing your degree without interruption.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Introduction to Accounting
- Management in a Global Context
- The Economy
- Critical Academic Skills
Mandatory January
- Sustainable Business
- Introductory Finance
- Introduction to Economic and Financial Analysis
- Becoming a Professional
Year 2
Mandatory September
- Social and Environmental Accounting
- Principles of Accounting
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Introduction to Business Analytics
Mandatory January
- Financial Markets Theory
- Management Accounting in Organisations
- Financial Accounting
- Quantitative Methods 1
Year 3
Mandatory September
- Intermediate Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting Techniques and Decisions
- Corporate Financial Theory
- Accounting Information Systems and Technology
Mandatory January
- Auditing and Assurance
- Business Law and the Law of Corporate Governance
- Business Research Methods
- Taxation (Tax Law)
Year 4
Mandatory September
- Accounting and Finance Dissertation 1
- Data, Risk and Technology
- Corporate Finance and Modelling
- Advanced Auditing and Assurance
Mandatory January
- Data Analytics and Insights
- Accounting and Finance Dissertation 2
- Accounting for Sustainability
- Advanced Financial Accounting
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
About the programme
Overview of the MA Professional Accountancy programme, with contributions from academics and ICAS
Teaching staff
Sunday Samuel
Assistant Professor
Sajal Kumar Dey
Assistant Professor
Qi Li
Assistant Professor
Programme Director
The MA Professional Accountancy programme is designed to equip students with advanced technical competencies, critical analytical skills, and sound professional judgement essential for navigating the contemporary financial environment. Students build confidence in applying theory to practice, working ethically, and responding effectively to real-world business and accounting challenges.
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,790 |
| International | £20,080 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (over two sittings)
- A-Levels BBC
- International Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM
- HNC B in graded unit
- HNC NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
- HND BB in graded units (BBB where HND includes 3 graded units)
- HND NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings)
- A-Levels BCC
- International Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC Extended Diploma MMM
- HNC B in graded unit
- HNC NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
- HND BC (C) / CB (B) in graded units (where HND includes 3 graded units)
- HND NextGen Accounting Achieved with Merit
*Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BB. Must include one of Accounting, Business, Economics or Maths, plus AABB at Higher.
- A-Levels BBB to include one of Accounting / Business / Economics / Maths.
- International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Higher Level 5 in Business Management, Maths or Economics.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM in Business or Accountancy relevant subject.
- HNC Business or Accounting A (standard entry) or B (minimum offer eligible only) in graded unit.
- HNC NextGen Accounting with Distinction.
- HND Business BB or HND Accounting with BBB in graded units.
- HND NextGen Accounting with Merit & Distinction (HNC and HND must have been completed)
- Global College Successful completion of our Accounting and Finance with Foundation.
Additional information
- To be eligible for the maximum (11) ICAS exemptions, entrants must evidence prior learning in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Applicants without this may receive fewer exemptions.
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- When applying with an HND NextGen for advanced entry, applicants must also have successfully completed either an HNC or an HNC NextGen.
- HNC, HND or BTECs in other finance relevant subjects may be considered for advanced entry to Year 2 on a case-by-case basis and may require specific units to have been studied.
- For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
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