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Our International Accounting top-up focuses on the global business environment and provides you with the skills you need to work in an international organisation.
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International Accounting (Top-Up) BSc (Hons)

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Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    N491

  • Level

    UndergraduateUG BSc (Hons)

  • Duration

    Full Time: 1 Year

  • Starting

    September

    SEP

Updated 31/10/2025

Open Days

Updated 31/10/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

The accountant has become a key player in the provision of management information, to enable successful decision-making, planning and control. To achieve this, on the International Accounting Top-Up degree, you will consider the practical techniques involved in accounting and finance, and then continue to develop your skills to critically analyse the theory behind these techniques.

The business world is a fast-paced, ever changing environment that global, as well as local, organisations consistently try to analyse in order to stay ahead of their competitors. Financial components are vital for businesses all over the world as they allow them to come up with strategies based on the financial data, both internally and externally within their sectors. You will explore this further on the International Accounting Top-Up degree.

Highlights

  • Top-up your qualification to a full BSc BSc International Accounting degree
  • Access to our Bloomberg Finance Lab facilities
Aerial view of the Learning Hub on Waterside Campus

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View of a seating area on the ground floor of the Learning Hub

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View of the ground floor in the Learning Hub

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Entry Requirements

You will be considered for entry onto this course if you hold:

  • a Higher National Diploma from Edexcel, ABE or NCC, (equivalent to 2 years of a UK Bachelor’s degree), or
  • international equivalent, or
  • a Foundation Degree (FdSc) in a related field.

Professional qualifications up to level 5 such as AIA, IFA, ACCA, or CIMA will also be considered.

If you have relevant work place experience, you can ask for that to be taken into account in your application. For more information please see the Policy for the Accreditation of Prior Learning.

International students with Higher Diplomas or degrees from their own country will be considered, provided that they are the equivalent of 2 or more years of UK undergraduate study.

For more information on how to make an application for the international accounting top up degree, please visit our How to Apply page.

If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.

For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content

Our  International Accounting BSc top-up focuses on the global business environment and provides you with the skills you need to work in an international organisation. We will develop your ability to analyse and evaluate real organisations and effectively communicate your views and opinions. Our International Accounting top-up degree is an excellent foundation for entry onto a Master’s programme.

This top up international accounting programme has been designed for holders of an HND or equivalent (Edexcel, ABE, NCC), a Foundation Degree in a related field, or a professional qualification up to level 5 such as AIA, IFA, ACCA or CIMA to upgrade to the full degree.

International Accounting

This module on the international accounting BSc provides an appreciation of the key issues in international financial reporting and financial analysis, understanding the financial reporting challenges of multinational companies, comparing and contrasting accounting regulatory frameworks, the preparation and interpretation of consolidated financial statements, exploring and evaluating how different jurisdictions recognise, measure and disclose various items such as goodwill, and performing and deciphering financial analysis.

International Tax Systems

You will develop your understanding of the complexity of global tax systems and how multinationals plan and manage tax. The challenges of double taxation and the bi/multi-lateral agreements in place to reduce that are addressed in this module. Contemporary themes in international tax will include tax avoidance (passive and aggressive), tax evasion and the role of tax havens.

Corporate Governance

You will examine the practice and key issues of governance within organisations in the national and multinational context.  The module combines theories, codes and regulations, corporate social responsibility and ethics in addressing how modern corporations could adopt effective governance to manage their role and place in society.

Financial Strategy

This module on the top up international accounting BSc degree will introduce you to a strategic approach to critically analysing and evaluating financial information with a view to enhancing your knowledge and understanding of financial strategy.

The module explores the interrelationship between dividend, financing and investment decisions of an organisations. It introduces relevant theory and models, with appropriate references to real life organisations.

International Money and Finance

This module addresses and appraises the increasingly important aspect of financial management in a dynamic international business. It critically analyses the attractions and limitations of doing business in a global market, identifying the inherent additional risks that global market exposure produces.

Accounting Project

You will carry out a piece of independent research and demonstrate an ability to present, analyse and evaluate financial and non-financial information in a critical manner. This project gives you the opportunity to research an industry and three companies within it. The skills that you develop when completing your project will help you if you choose to progress to a postgraduate programme.

List of modules

Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • Module code: ACC3011
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to present a strategic approach to critically analysing and evaluating financial information with a view to enhancing knowledge and understanding of financial strategy. The module is designed to explore the interrelationship between the dividend, financing and investment decisions of an organisations. The emphasis will be on how an entrepreneur or manager makes decisions at a strategic level. The module introduces relevant theory and models, with appropriate references to real world organisations.
  • Module code: ACC3024
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to explore the complexity of global tax systems and how multinational organisations plan and manage tax. It looks at the challenges of double taxation and bi/multil-lateral agreements in place around the globe. Contemporary themes in international tax include tax avoidance (passive and aggressive), tax evasion and the role of tax havens.
  • Module code: ACC3025
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to explore the historical complexity global financial reporting standards and how the IFRS has helped in the harmonisation of reporting. This module provides an appreciation of the key issues in international financial reporting and financial analysis, understanding the financial reporting challenges of multinational companies, comparing and contrasting accounting regulatory frameworks, the preparation and interpretation of consolidated financial statements, exploring and evaluating how different jurisdictions recognise, measure and disclose various items such as goodwill; and performing and deciphering financial analysis.
  • Module code: ACC4003
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to support the conceptualisation and development of a piece of independent research and an ability to present, analyse and evaluate financial and non-financial information from an industry case study in a critical manner.
  • Module code: ACC3017
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to examine the practice and key issues of governance within organisations in the national and multinational context. The module combines theories, codes and regulations, corporate social responsibility and ethics in addressing how modern corporations could adopt effective governance to manage their role and place in the society.
  • Module code: ACC3007
    Status: Compulsory
    The purpose of this module is to appraise the increasingly important aspect of multinational financial management in dynamic international business. It critically analyses the attractions and limitations of doing business in a global market, identifying the additional inherent risks that global market exposure produces and strategies in managing the global firm.
Are there any special features on this international accounting BSc top-up degree?
  • Proven student support system
  • Specialised pathway
  • Modules tailored towards students coming from a wide range of previous qualifications
  • Significant exemptions from AIA exams
Will I go on any study trips?

In previous years, International Accounting BSc students have participated in optional study trips to Bank of England, Cadbury/ Mondelez and Manchester United for essential first-hand experience of how global businesses function on a daily basis. We aim to provide at least one regional or national study trip annually. In some cases you will be required to contribute to the cost of entry; this would normally not exceed £25.

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

  • UK Full Time: £9,535
  • International Full Time: £17,000

Fees quoted for the international accounting degree relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.

There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • International Full Time: £16,500

Careers and Employability

There are excellent career opportunities available for graduates holding an International accounting degree, especially those that will be part-professionally qualified.

This programme will prepare you for work in any of the key accounting fields. A career in accounting offers you the flexibility to work in industry, commerce, the public sector or even private practice.

Master’s Opportunities

Our master’s courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

Campus Facilities

As a BSc International Accounting (Top-Up) student, you will have access to University of Northampton on-campus facilities, study areas, and services to help you with your studies.

The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

Learning Hub

The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.

Senate Building

Bloomberg is the industry standard for economic, financial and other data provision and analysis.

Bloomberg Finance Lab Facilities

Is this course for you?

Open Days

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