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10 Top Universities for Finance & Accounting: Which Colleges Are the Best?
Written by John Lawson
Last Updated 02 Sep 2022
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Contributors: Nicola Date, Katherine Read. Reviewed by Francis Hui
Are You Looking for the Best Finance & Accounting Universities? Discover the Most Prestigious Schools in Finance & Accounting That Will Allow You to Achieve Your Career Goals.
What You’ll Learn in This Article:
A career in finance would give you an opening in almost every employment sector, especially if you graduated from one of the top finance universities.
To study finance and accountancy, you need to have a keen eye for detail, a good grasp of numbers and exceptional organizational skills.
It’s worth noting that a commitment to the profession is essential from the top 10 best universities outlined here.
Understand that learning and relearning to keep up with the market and legal developments is part of the work where choosing the best university is part of the package.
Are you considering a career in this field? This list of the top 10 universities famous for Finance and Accountancy will motivate your dreams.
Here’s our list of the top 10 universities for Finance and Accountancy in the UK:
#01. University of Glasgow
It’s an excellent pick for future accountants because it is ranked first in Accounting.
They provide a large selection of four-year Accounting degrees that include study in other subjects, such as Finance and Economics, Languages and Statistics.
The University of Glasgow has not only stood the test of time but also counts time as money.
It’s open 24 hours a day for the serious students of Finance and Accounting and also shines as one of the top teaching and research universities.

It prides itself in being one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and the fourth oldest in the English-speaking world.
#02. University of Strathclyde
Accounting with Hospitality, Business Law, and Marketing are just a few of the unique options available at Strathclyde.
These multidisciplinary degrees will give you a lot of flexibility in the workplace.
Because you’ll be able to rely on a wide range of specializations to help businesses function and operate more efficiently.
University of Strathclyde’s main focus is on useful learning, maintaining close ties with industry and government to ensure optimum employability for students.
It takes the lead as a technological university, commanding an 89 million pound Technology and Innovation Centre.

Strathclyde’s doors have been welcoming students as a teaching and research avenue since 17961 and stand firmly on its long reputation.
#03. University of Sussex
They are well-known for having excellent graduating prospects.
A professional placement year is included in some of their programs, exposing students to working contexts and ensuring that they have practical experience before graduating.
This research-intensive university is ranked 18th in the country in this field while being ranked as one of the Top 50 UK universities2.
University of Sussex educates 17000 students across 500 various courses but is also proudly 160 in the world ranking, according to Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2021).

This popular Sussex campus has been open since 1961 and stretches the city boundaries of Brighton and Hove then merges with the Lewis District on the eastern border.
It has established itself solidly in the local community and brags an excellent international reputation.
#04. University of Stirling
University of Stirling offers fourteen different types of degrees for you to get the opportunity to achieve success in Accounting as well as other subjects that interests you.
Many Accounting degrees at Stirling involve collaborative studies in Finance and Business, as well as disciplines unrelated to finance, such as Spanish and Sports Studies.
Stirling has won the accolade of being crowned UK’s Sports University of the Year in 2020 by The Times3, a first for a Scottish University.

Stirling looks like an ancient paradigm of study within the walls of the Aithrey Castle Estate. It was founded by the Royal Charter in 19674.
#05. University of Leeds
Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK.
It offers one of the most diverse curricula of any UK university, ranging from English Language and an International Foundation Year to hundreds of Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree options, as well as Ph.D. opportunities.
It became the Yorkshire College of Science in 1874 and merged with the Leeds School of Medicine in 1884 to become Yorkshire college5.

Leeds is one of the country’s largest and oldest colleges that was established in 1904.
It is a beaming single campus spread out over 98 acres, approximately one mile from the bustling city center boasting a long and prestigious history.
#06. University of Bath
Bath, a dynamic campus on the outskirts of town that offers excellent sporting, social, and cultural possibilities,
Was named The Times and Sunday Times Best Campus University in 20146. Bath provides a diverse mix of engineering, design, scientific, business, humanities, and social sciences programs.

Bath is a beautiful campus that is a landmark of architectural design in Somerset.
It is known as a research university with strong ties to business and industry.
#07. Loughborough University
Loughborough University’s campus is the UK’s largest single-site green campus,
Widely considered the best in the country for sports, having been voted the Sports University of the Year for three years in the global QS higher education league table.
It was voted the University of the Year in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 20207 as well as taking top place in the Student Experience Survey, two more recent recognitions.

Loughborough is a public research university, in the heart of the market town of its namesake, Leicestershire.
It brags its single-site campus which is 440 acres and can fit 250 football pitches where everything can be found in one place in this campus community.
#08. University of Birmingham
Birmingham is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom, with world-class cultural, social, and sporting amenities.
It is a flourishing city that welcomes the region’s diverse ethnic blend.
The university is similarly populated and is a public research university that received its royal charter in 1900, making it the first of the English civic or “red brick” universities to attain this status.
It proudly holds its position as the top 1008 universities globally and 14th amongst UK universities. (QS World University Rankings 2022)

Birmingham is situated in Edgbaston on a beautiful 250-acre parkland campus and provides a safe, friendly environment with outstanding facilities such as a sports center, cafes and restaurants, stores, and major banks.
#09. University of Chester
Along with notable schools such as King’s College London and Durham University,
University of Chester, a public research institution, was given Silver status in the UK Government’s first-ever Teaching Excellence Framework ranking announced in 20179.
The University of Chester was ranked in the top ten in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey for both Academic Experience and Student Welfare.

Chester has its origins as the first purpose-built teacher training college.
As a public university, It now hosts five campus sites including one in Warrington and a center in Shrewsbury.
#10. University of Warwick
University of Warwick’s MSc in Finance and Accounting course is ranked top in the world with cutting-edge techniques to study accounting in its wider social context.
It was recently named in the top ten of the world’s youngest universities and as the UK’s leading university of its kind, ranked 6th in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 202110.

Warwick originated as a government initiative in 196511 with an aim to expand and improve higher education.
This public research university is on the outskirts of Coventry, between West Midlands and Warwickshire, now brandishing a very futuristic campus.
Consider These Top 10 Universities for Finance & Accounting as Your Alma Mater
Explore these top financial universities to find the course that suits not only your accounting and economic study needs, but you can also integrate it with other courses for a well-rounded tertiary education.
Common Questions
Which University in UK Is Best for Finance?
Which UK University Is Best for Accounting?
Is Accounting and Finance a Good Degree UK?
What Are the Best Finance Degrees?
In Conclusion
Accounting and finance are the backbones of any successful company.
If you’re considering studying finance or accounting at university, it’s worth applying to an institute that offers a highly regarded course in the subject of your choice.
This will prove to your potential employers that well-respected finance experts have educated you in the field.
Make sure you learn from the best at one of these top finance universities.
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FAQs
What is the best University in the UK 2022? ›
The highest ranked universities in England, and the UK, this year are, of course, the Oxbridge duo. Both universities boosted their position in this year's rankings: The University of Oxford climbs three places in 2022 to rank second globally and the University of Cambridge rises five positions to joint third.
Why UK is the best place to study finance? ›The UK is recognised as a global financial centre. By coming to the UK, you will be studying accountancy and finance in a rich, culturally diverse community. British universities are recognised as having international excellence in both teaching and research.
Which University is the best for studying banking and finance? ›Rank | University/college | UBS |
---|---|---|
1 | New York University NYU | 2.8% |
2 | Harvard University | 2.8% |
3 | University of Pennsylvania | 1.4% |
4 | Columbia University | 0.7% |
- Tax Director. Salary range: £78,000 – £150,000. ...
- Director of Analytics. Salary range: £57,000 – £190,000. ...
- Investment Banking Managing Director. ...
- Investment Banker. ...
- Credit Risk Manager. ...
- Equity Analyst. ...
- Senior Financial Analyst. ...
- Financial Planning and Analysis Manager.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) ...
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) ...
- Associated Chartered Accountant (ACA) ...
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) ...
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Psychology. Kicking off our list of the hardest degrees in the UK is Psychology. ...
- Microbiology. ...
- Economics. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Finance. ...
- Fine Art. ...
- Astrophysics.
- Coventry University.
- London Metropolitan University.
- University of Exeter.
- University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
- Newman University, Birmingham.
- University College Birmingham.
- University of Winchester.
- Cardiff Metropolitan University.
A medicine degree is generally at the top of most employability league tables, but courses in engineering, life sciences, computer science, mathematics and education also feature highly.
Which country is best for finance? ›- Finance in USA.
- Finance in UK.
- Finance in Canada.
- Finance in New Zealand.
- Finance in France.
- Finance in Germany.
- Finance in Switzerland.
- Finance in Australia.
Finance jobs are essential worldwide, but some countries offer more potential than others. The USA, China, Japan, England, and the United Arab Emirates provide better job opportunities.
Is UK good for finance students? ›
The UK is recognised as a global financial centre. By coming to the UK, you will be studying accountancy and finance in a rich, culturally diverse community. British universities are recognised as having international excellence in both teaching and research.
Which field in finance is best? ›- Investment banker.
- Information technology auditor.
- Compliance analyst.
- Financial advisor.
- Insurance advisor.
- Financial analyst.
- Senior accountant.
- Hedge fund manager.
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance. A bachelor's degree in finance is usually the most common requirement to pursue a career in finance. ...
- Master's Degree in Finance. ...
- Doctorate Degree in Finance. ...
- Commercial Banking. ...
- Investment Banking. ...
- Financial Planner. ...
- Insurance Agent. ...
- Public Accounting.
...
15 Best Finance Universities in the World.
Accounting
Accounting jobs in product control can be stressful simply because they require interaction with traders on a daily basis, says Stoddart. Similarly, management and regulatory reporting roles can be stressful as deadlines come near.
Highest paying jobs in the UK
These are the best-paid jobs in the UK: Chief Executives and Senior Officials – £90,000. Legal Professionals (n.e.c.*) – £76,522. Marketing and Sales Directors – £75,631.
Switzerland. The financial services industry is a big employer in Switzerland and it's well known as a high-wealth centre. Switzerland is one of the highest-paying countries in the world.
What is the hardest finance qualification? ›The notoriously difficult Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam involves answering 240 questions in six hours, requires at least 300 hours of study, and has slim odds of passing.
Which is the toughest course in finance? ›Chartered Accountancy
As per the Companies Act, it is only the CAs who is entitled to be auditors of companies in India. Chartered Accountancy is considered the toughest course of India with a pass percentage of 5-10%.
Finance Salaries. The average Finance salary is £36,675. Working in Finance you can earn between £21,000 and £79,950.
What are the most regretted degrees UK? ›
Also in the top five subjects most regretted were sociology, liberal arts and general studies, all at 72 per cent, communications, at 64 per cent, and education, rounding up the list at 61 per cent.
What is the most stressful University in the UK? ›- 1 – Plymouth. Finally, the most stressed city is Plymouth.
- 2 – Oxford. Once more, we are not surprised. ...
- 3 – Cambridge. Unsurprisingly, Cambridge has made the top 3, with 50%. ...
- 4 – Coventry. ...
- 5 – Brighton. ...
- 6 – Cardiff. ...
- 7 – Leeds. ...
- 8 – Leicester. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Life Sciences (Health and Medicine related fields) ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Mathematics and Actuarial Science. ...
- Performing Arts. ...
- Creative Arts. ...
- Geology and Earth Sciences. ...
- Life Sciences and Biosciences.
- University College London.
- Imperial College London.
- Cardiff University.
- University of Bristol.
- University of Sheffield.
- University of Manchester.
- Queen's University Belfast.
University of Oxford
Oxford is one of the best universities in the world and admissions are extremely competitive. The University enjoys a great reputation with employers who are always keen on hiring Oxford graduates, whilst groundbreaking teaching and facilities ensures students are highly employable upon graduation.
As one of the largest universities in the UK, with around 40,000 students from all around the world, The University of Manchester carries the highest number of international students from around the globe.
Which degree gets highest salary? ›The highest-paying degree you can get – according to our graduate data – is one in Dentistry. It's a specialised and vocational subject area, where most graduates find professional work in a dental-related role soon after completing their studies.
What degree has highest salary? ›- General Engineering.
- Economics. ...
- Physics and Astronomy. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Business and Administration. ...
- Architecture. ...
- Politics. Average starting salary: £20,900- £52,500. ...
- Law. Average starting salary: £20,200- £22,700 per year. ...
- Computing Science. It is not a surprise that computer science is one of the most employable degrees. ...
- Medicine. ...
- Finance. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Architecture. ...
- Psychology.
Java. Java is the top-ranked programming language in finance, according to HackerRank, for reasons that mirror its general cross-industry popularity. The language has a friendly learning curve, can handle significant amounts of data, and boasts rigid security features.
Which city is best for finance jobs? ›
City | Percent of Disposable Income Remaining After Rent | Ranking |
---|---|---|
Charlotte, N.C. | 52.3% | 1 |
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas | 53.4% | 2 |
Phoenix, Ariz. | 50.6% | 3 |
Boston | 41.7% | 4 |
...
Some modules you may study are:
- Accounting.
- Business policies.
- Management accounting.
- Financial management.
- IT for business.
- Macroeconomics.
- Financial reporting.
- Business ethics.
...
Top 10 Hardest Working Countries in the OECD:
Rank | Country | Average hours worked in 2021: |
---|---|---|
1 | Mexico | 2,128 |
2 | Costa Rica | 2,073 |
3 | Chile | 1,916 |
4 | South Korea | 1,915 |
Cost of Studying in UK | Cost in INR & GBP |
---|---|
Tuition Fees | Undergraduate: £8000 – £30000 (₹7,10,000-₹27,00,000) Postgraduate: £12000 -£35000 (₹10,70,000-₹31,00,000 |
Tier 4 Visa | £1015 (₹90,000) per month as proof of sufficient funds |
- Personal or Parental Savings. ...
- Students Loans. ...
- Scholarships and Grants. ...
- Part Time Jobs. ...
- Teaching and Research Assistantships. ...
- Additional Funding Options.
- Types of Careers in Finance.
- Investment Banker.
- Actuary.
- Portfolio Manager.
- Quantitative Analyst.
- Securities Trader.
- Financial Planner.
- Financial Analyst.
There are four main areas of finance: banks, institutions, public accounting, and corporate.
What are the five fields of finance? ›- Financial planning. Financial planners help people strategize for their present and future finances. ...
- Insurance. ...
- Corporate finance. ...
- Hedge fund. ...
- Commercial banking. ...
- Investment banking. ...
- Public accounting. ...
- Private equity.
Some of the main math-related skills that the financial industry requires are: mental arithmetic (“fast math”), algebra, trigonometry, and statistics and probability. A basic understanding of these skills should be good enough and can qualify you for most finance jobs.
Is finance easier than accounting? ›Generally speaking, people consider accounting majors to be more difficult to study and pass than finance majors. And there are a few different reasons for this. The content of accounting majors is, on average, much more technical than for finance majors, and this can make it more difficult.
Which University is better for finance in UK? ›
- MIT (Sloan) Master of Finance. ...
- HEC Paris. Master in International Finance. ...
- Cambridge (Judge) Master of Finance. ...
- UC Berkeley (Haas) Master of Financial Engineering. ...
- ESSEC Business School. Master in Finance. ...
- UCLA (Anderson) Master of Financial Engineering. ...
- London School of Economics. MSc Finance. ...
- Bocconi University. MSc in Finance.
As well as a robust knowledge of accountancy practices and finance, a UK degree will give you knowledge of the dynamics of commerce and industry – broad knowledge of the subject area and technical skills that you can apply to any sector.
Is UK good for finance? ›The UK has been a global financial hub for decades. Consequently, it has many prominent personalities, who have been considered idols in the world of accounting and finance.
Is finance a good degree UK? ›A finance degree is useful across the entire business spectrum, and in any sector, meaning you can apply for public sector, private sector, government, and international careers. Other career options might include actuary, banker, procurement, auditor, consultant, trader, insurance, stockbroker, or economist.
Which university is known for finance? ›...
15 Best Finance Universities in the World.
Common specializations for those who study finance at degree level include corporate finance, financial evaluation, behavioral finance, derivatives, capital markets, econometrics, financial modeling, quantitative finance, investment management, financial regulation, financial reporting, and even some aspects of ...
Is studying finance difficult? ›It is definitely difficult if you don't like math. It's not impossible, though, but it is tedious and can be boring at times. Is a finance degree even worth getting? Yes when you get a job or apply some of the knowledge inculcated during the study, you will be fulfilled to thank me later!
Which country is best for finance study? ›- Finance in USA.
- Finance in UK.
- Finance in Canada.
- Finance in France.
- Finance in Germany.
- Finance in Switzerland.
- Finance in Australia.
- Finance in Ireland.
Finance is one of the highest-paying sectors in the UK economy, and the industry draws many job seekers for precisely that reason.
Is UK rich or poor? ›
How rich a citizen is depends on per-capita GDP and how equitably it is distributed. It is better to use purchasing power parity (PPP) to compare individual wealth – this takes account of the per-capita GDP and the cost of living in each country. By this measure, the UK is ranked 30th in the world.
Is UK Best than USA? ›If you're a little unsure on your major or want to experiment for a year or two, then the USA is probably the better option. If you are 100% set on a subject, and just want to get going, the UK may be the place for you.
What degree gives you the most money UK? ›- Veterinary medicine.
- Chemical engineering.
- Economics.
- Physics and Astronomy.
- Law.
- Architecture.
- Mechanical engineering.
- Computer science.
- Investment banker.
- Information technology auditor.
- Compliance analyst.
- Financial advisor.
- Insurance advisor.
- Financial analyst.
- Senior accountant.
- Hedge fund manager.
- BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year. ...
- BA (Hons) Business and Finance. ...
- BSc Business Management & Finance. ...
- Bachelor of Arts in Finance. ...
- Bachelor in Finance & Control (international) ...
- Bachelor of Business Administration and Digital Innovation with Digital Finance and Fintech.
An Education In Finance: The Academic Hierarchy
D. A Ph. D. is the absolute highest form of education and degree one can get in the finance discipline.