BSc Accounting and Finance (study online)
Look beyond the numbers to understand how financial information shapes organisations, markets and decisions. The online BSc Accounting and Finance degree combines practical accounting and finance skills with quantitative analysis and LSE’s distinctive social science perspective.
Build expertise in financial reporting, management accounting, finance and economics, and learn to apply these tools to real-world organisational and financial challenges.
Key information
- Qualification: Undergraduate Degree (BSc)
- Duration: 2 - 6 years (Graduate Entry) | 3 - 6 years (Standard Entry)
- Type of study: Online
- Intakes: February, May, August & November
- Awarding body: University of London
- Academic direction: The London School of Economics and Political Science
Why choose LSE Global Programmes?
- Access a world-class education – wherever you are
Ranked #1 in the UK (Complete University Guide 2027) and #5 globally for social sciences and management (QS World University Rankings 2026), LSE is a world-leading university, specialising in social sciences. - Study online on your terms
Complete your undergraduate degree flexibly over 2 to 6 years, allowing you to balance your learning with work and other personal commitments, all without the added expense of relocating. - Earn a globally respected qualification
Your degree is awarded by the University of London (UoL), recognised internationally by employers and graduate schools. Many graduates progress to master’s study at LSE and other leading institutions. - Gain skills for real-world impact
Build analytical thinking, global perspectives, and problem-solving skills to tackle complex challenges across sectors and borders. Join a global alumni community driving change worldwide.
Start your journey with LSE Global Programmes – wherever you are
Interested in learning more or starting an application? Complete the form below and a member of the team will provide further information about studying this course online.
Why study Accounting and Finance?
Accounting and finance play a central role in how organisations understand performance, allocate resources and make strategic decisions. This degree goes beyond numerical techniques, examining accounting and finance within their wider organisational, economic and social contexts.
- Build a strong quantitative foundation
Develop knowledge in accounting, finance, economics, mathematics and statistics. - Understand financial information and decision-making
Explore how organisations record, report and analyse financial information and how it informs planning, performance and control. - Develop specialist accounting and finance knowledge
Progress into areas including financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, asset pricing and financial management.
Academic direction from LSE
LSE Global Programmes are all UoL qualifications. LSE is a federation member of UoL and provides academic direction for the Global Programmes portfolio. This means that LSE is responsible for:
- Planning the structure and content of each programme
- Developing and writing the study materials
- Setting assessments and marking
- Determining the academic regulations
Your final degree will be from UoL and will identify LSE as having developed the syllabus and curriculum and provided assessment.
Meet the Programme Director
Dr Xi Li is an Associate Professor of Accounting at LSE and Programme Director for Accounting and Finance within LSE Global Programmes. Her research focuses on financial reporting, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and shareholder engagement on environmental, social and governance issues.
Xi holds a PhD from London Business School, and her research has been published in leading accounting and finance journals and recognised with several international research awards.
LSE approaches Accounting and Finance not just as technical subjects, but as vital tools for understanding and influencing realworld outcomes.
Programme structure
The BSc Accounting and Finance degree is available through the Standard Route or Graduate Entry Route.
| Route | Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Route | 12 full courses | 360 credits |
| Graduate Entry Route | 9 full courses | 270 credits |
Students are advised to study around three full courses, or 90 credits, per academic year. The maximum registration period is six years, although students are encouraged to complete the programme within three to four years.
Students aiming to finish in three years should plan to take four full courses or equivalent each year.
The curriculum combines accounting, finance, economics and quantitative methods, developing the analytical skills needed to understand financial information, evaluate organisational decisions and explore how financial markets operate.
The table below shows a suggested sample course sequence for students taking the programme through the Standard Entry Route over three years.
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three |
|---|---|---|
| AC1025 Principles of Accounting | AC2091 Financial Reporting | AC3093 Auditing and Assurance |
| ST104A Statistics 1* | EC2066 Microeconomics | AC3193 Accounting: Markets and Organisations |
| MT105A Mathematics 1* | FN2203 Principles of Asset Pricing | Open choice (300 level) |
| FN1202 Introduction to Finance | AC2097 Management Accounting | Open Choice** |
| EC1002 Introduction to Economics |
For more detailed information about individual courses, including course content and assessment, please visit the Course Information Sheets.
* Half course
** Open choice courses: Choose one 100-, 200- or 300-level course, or two half courses, from the Programme Specification, or two LSE Summer School courses.
You will study through a combination of flexible online learning, live interactive classes and academic support.
- Your digital campus
Access study materials, reading lists and peer discussion areas through the Virtual Learning Environment, as well as e-books and journal articles through the Online Library. - Live interactive classes
Join live online sessions to collaborate with class teachers and peers, evaluate ideas and solve problems together. - Comprehensive support
Receive academic guidance from class teachers, progression advice from a Student Success Advisor and tailored employability support through the Careers Service.
Programme specification
View the BSc Accounting and Finance Programme Specification for full details on programme structure, learning outcomes, assessment and regulations.
Course outcomes
By the end of the BSc Accounting and Finance degree, you will have developed analytical, quantitative and financial skills for understanding accounting practices, financial information and organisational decision-making.
You will be able to:
- record and summarise financial data and prepare financial statements
- apply mathematical and statistical concepts to financial information
- analyse business activities and undertake financial analysis and projections
- understand financial management, risk and the operation of financial markets
- critically evaluate accounting theories, practices and evidence
- use financial information to support planning, decision-making and control
- analyse and evaluate different arguments and perspectives
Entry requirements
For access to the BSc Accounting and Finance degree, you will usually meet the following criteria:
- Age 17+ by 30 November in the year of registration.
- Satisfy our General entrance requirements (see below).
- Demonstrate competence in mathematics at least equivalent to UK GCSE/GCE O-level at Grade C or equivalent.
We accept qualifications from around the world. To check your country equivalent, please contact our enrolment advisors.
If you do not already hold the relevant mathematics qualification, you may wish to consider completing LSE Maths Essentials. A mark of 50 per cent or above will fulfil the mathematics requirement for this programme.
If you already hold qualifications with similar learning outcomes to our degree modules, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Your entry requirements may vary depending on your age and previous qualifications:
- Age 20 or younger: you will usually need qualifications equivalent to three UK GCE A-levels at grades EED or above, or one year of university-level study.
- Age 21–26: you may qualify through Reduced/Mature Entry with one UK GCE A-level at Grade C or above, or an acceptable equivalent. Relevant work experience may also be considered.
- Age 27 or older: you may qualify through Reduced/Mature Entry with one UK GCE A-level at Grade E or above, or an acceptable equivalent. Relevant work experience may also be considered.
We accept qualifications from around the world. To check your country equivalent, please contact our enrolment advisors.
You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case. View English language requirements.
You may apply for Graduate Entry if you hold an acceptable undergraduate or postgraduate award. The awarding programme must be full time, at least one year in duration and considered at least comparable in level to a UK undergraduate degree. We will consider other undergraduate, postgraduate, professional membership and professional qualifications on an individual basis. You must also satisfy English language and mathematics requirements for your chosen degree.
We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need to be able to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.
Tuition fees
The following fees apply to the August 2026, November 2026, February 2027 and May 2027 registration windows.
| UK residents* | Non-UK residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Half module/course fee (10 weeks) | £740 | £1,100 |
| Full module/course fee (20 weeks) | £1,470 | £2,190 |
| Indicative total programme fee | £17,640 | £26,280 |
The indicative total programme fee is based on completing 12 full modules/courses in the minimum study period without resits. Fees may be subject to an annual increase of up to 5%.
*UK residents include those eligible for UK Tuition Fee Loans from Student Finance England on the same basis as UK nationals.
How to apply
Applications to our online degree programmes are made online, through the University of London's application portal. Applications are specific per programme, and separated into standard and graduate entry.
View application linksYou can view the application deadlines for upcoming intakes in the table below.
| Intake | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| 9 November 2026 | 2 October 2026 |
| 1 February 2027 | 1 January 2027 |
| 24 May 2027 | 23 April 2027 |
If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact our team via email at online.degrees@lse.ac.uk.
Careers
The BSc Accounting and Finance degree develops accounting, financial, analytical and quantitative skills that can be applied across a wide range of organisations and sectors. Graduates may go on to careers and further study in areas including:
- Accounting
- Investment Banking
- Management Consultancy
- Financial Management
- Investment Analysis and Management
- Finance and Financial Services
Graduates who wish to continue towards professional accreditation in accounting or finance may also benefit from fast-track agreements with professional bodies including ICAEW and ACCA, subject to the relevant professional body requirements.
Dedicated career support
- Careers service: Access tailored employability support, online resources, expert-led webinars and employer and alumni events whether you are starting, developing or changing your career.
- Global alumni network: Automatically join a lifelong community of more than one million University of London graduates across 180+ countries.