Why study economics, finance or accounting?
Accounting, finance and economics all deal with the way we view money. Accounting is about money going in versus money going out; finance is about how to divide the money you have; and economics asks the question: “what's the bigger picture when it comes to money?”. Why study economics, finance or accounting at university? You’ll set yourself up for the future! Prepare for a well-paid career that’s focused on strategic thinking, analytics and problem solving.
3 reasons why you should study economics, finance or accounting
- Become chartered - many accounting and finance degrees offer exemptions from accounting exams, making your road to certification that much quicker.
- Work experience - finance-related degrees offer some great opportunities for industry experience. Some courses even give you the chance to intern at companies such as Deloitte, KPMG, PwC and Ernst & Young.
- Salary expectations - accounting and economics graduates are among the highest earners in the UK. In the US, graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Accounting, Applied Economics and Management, and Actuarial Mathematics are among those with the top 10 highest paying jobs (PayScale College Salary Report 2021).
Accounting and finance are about managing the money of a company or individual, creating budgets and forecasts to ensure finances are balanced and efficient. Accountants are the backbone of the financial world and vital to the running of businesses across the globe, working in just about every industry imaginable.
Economics concerns the study of financial markets, as well as the flow of goods and services within a national economy. Economists analyze data and study the behavior of people and markets to predict national or global growth rates.
As part of your degree, you could:
- learn how to trade and analyze data on the stock exchange using a Bloomberg Terminal, Thomson Reuters Eikon or equivalent trading tools
- benefit from connections to industry leaders in finance through workshops, placements and talks
- gain exemptions from exams for professional accounting qualifications
- learn how to use specialist IT systems such as Sage
- pick up key skills such as financial auditing, tax law and risk management
- work on case studies using real companies and undertake practical projects
The skills you’ll develop during your degree are someone of the best reasons why you should study economics, finance or accounting. These include:
- analytical thinking
- problem-solving
- report writing
- organization
- presentation
- communication
- teamwork
Popular finance-related careers include:
- Actuary
- Banker
- Chartered Accountant
- Company Secretary
- Data Analyst
- Economist
- Management Consultant
- Stockbroker
- Tax Advisor
Which humanities and social sciences subjects are right for you?
Choose from accounting, finance and economics or another related discipline. Here are some of the most popular degrees in this field.
Actuaries use mathematical analysis, probability and statistics to measure risk for companies, particularly in relation to insurance. If you enjoy the application of data and statistics to real life this could be the subject for you.
Did you know?
City, University of London boasts the longest established Actuarial Science degree in England.
"The subjects taught at INTO have helped me and set me aside from other students at City, University of London. I couldn't have got into the famous Cass Business School without the help of INTO. Actuarial Science is a great degree for students who really like maths."
Linshuo from China
Completed International Foundation in Business and Economics with Accounting at City, University of London
Banking is the study of financial markets and macroeconomics. You’ll learn all about different financial systems, asset management, banking regulations, trading and securities. This could be the ideal qualification if you want to be a trader or stockbroker.
__What’s the difference between a banker and an accountant? __
While both professions deal with money, bankers and accountants have two different career paths. A banker has an executive position in a bank and meets with both corporate and personal clients to discuss financial requirements and advice. Accountants can work in a bank but often manage financial records within a company, with responsibilities including bookkeeping, analyzing and interpreting financial information, auditing and preparing payrolls.
Did you know?
Some Banking and Finance courses in the UK are accredited by organizations like the CFA Institute and the London Institute of Banking and Finance, who offer exemptions from exams and membership benefits.
"When I started at university, I was sure I wanted to work in investment banking, but then I had a chance to work in the asset management industry and I absolutely loved it. Being open to other opportunities apart from your 'ideal' choice is very important."
Sabina from Kyrgyzstan
Completed International Foundation in Business and Economics with Accounting at City, University of London
Prepare for entry to Year 1 of a science-related undergraduate degree, including Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Biomedicine at UEA.
On campus and online study options This program is available to study either on campus or online – giving you the flexibility to choose what’s best for you.
If you start online, you’ll have the opportunity to transfer to an on-campus program the following term. You’ll need to meet any visa requirements and demonstrate good attendance and performance during your studies online.
If you’re applying for an Online Extended program, you’ll be offered an Online Academic English plus online or on-campus academic pathway study plan.
Why study finance or financial accounting? Managing finances is a highly sought-after skill that is in demand in today’s job market. Financial Accountants specialize in bookkeeping, which is the art of managing the day-to-day finances of a company. They look at costing, receipts and inventory. They work across all industries and are vital to the smooth running of businesses and their finances.
Did you know?
There is an international standard for financial accounting. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are designed to provide a global framework for financial reporting that can be understood across international borders.
"I enjoyed the freedom of selecting modules. Although I did accounting and finance, I could choose to do management modules, languages or mathematics modules. This was great because I could learn even more about what I’m interested in."
Khin from Myanmar
Completed International Year One in Accounting and Finance at University of Exeter
Ideal for careers in investment fields, where you’ll analyze risk in financial markets and asset trading. You could manage investment portfolios, make acquisition decisions or act as risk advisor for banks or global companies.
Did you know?
You can learn investing in one of the largest academic trading rooms in the US, identical to those used by leading financial institutions, at Hofstra University in New York.
"The International Foundation is fantastic because it's closely connected to City, University of London. Once you've done your studies and passed your exams, you're well prepared for studying at university. By improving my English, integrating me into British society and giving me a solid foundation in Business Studies."
Boran from China
Completed International Foundation in Business and Economics with Accounting at City, University of London
Management Accountants look at the overall financial business strategy for companies and devise a suitable approach. The role includes financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, financial processes, risk management and optimization.
Did you know?
The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) celebrates International Management Accounting Day on 6 May. This global day of recognition commemorates the important role management accountants play within their organizations.
"I enjoyed the freedom of selecting modules. Although I did accounting and finance, I could choose to do management modules, languages or mathematics modules. This was great because I could learn even more about what I’m interested in."
Khin from Myanmar
Completed International Year One in Accounting and Finance at University of Exeter
Actuaries use mathematical analysis, probability and statistics to measure risk for companies, particularly in relation to insurance. If you enjoy the application of data and statistics to real life this could be the subject for you.
Did you know?
City, University of London boasts the longest established Actuarial Science degree in England.
"The subjects taught at INTO have helped me and set me aside from other students at City, University of London. I couldn't have got into the famous Cass Business School without the help of INTO. Actuarial Science is a great degree for students who really like maths."
Linshuo from China
Completed International Foundation in Business and Economics with Accounting at City, University of London
Banking is the study of financial markets and macroeconomics. You’ll learn all about different financial systems, asset management, banking regulations, trading and securities. This could be the ideal qualification if you want to be a trader or stockbroker.
__What’s the difference between a banker and an accountant? __
While both professions deal with money, bankers and accountants have two different career paths. A banker has an executive position in a bank and meets with both corporate and personal clients to discuss financial requirements and advice. Accountants can work in a bank but often manage financial records within a company, with responsibilities including bookkeeping, analyzing and interpreting financial information, auditing and preparing payrolls.
Did you know?
Some Banking and Finance courses in the UK are accredited by organizations like the CFA Institute and the London Institute of Banking and Finance, who offer exemptions from exams and membership benefits.
"When I started at university, I was sure I wanted to work in investment banking, but then I had a chance to work in the asset management industry and I absolutely loved it. Being open to other opportunities apart from your 'ideal' choice is very important."
Sabina from Kyrgyzstan
Completed International Foundation in Business and Economics with Accounting at City, University of London
Prepare for entry to Year 1 of a science-related undergraduate degree, including Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Biomedicine at UEA.
On campus and online study options This program is available to study either on campus or online – giving you the flexibility to choose what’s best for you.
If you start online, you’ll have the opportunity to transfer to an on-campus program the following term. You’ll need to meet any visa requirements and demonstrate good attendance and performance during your studies online.
If you’re applying for an Online Extended program, you’ll be offered an Online Academic English plus online or on-campus academic pathway study plan.
Why study finance or financial accounting? Managing finances is a highly sought-after skill that is in demand in today’s job market. Financial Accountants specialize in bookkeeping, which is the art of managing the day-to-day finances of a company. They look at costing, receipts and inventory. They work across all industries and are vital to the smooth running of businesses and their finances.
Did you know?
There is an international standard for financial accounting. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are designed to provide a global framework for financial reporting that can be understood across international borders.
"I enjoyed the freedom of selecting modules. Although I did accounting and finance, I could choose to do management modules, languages or mathematics modules. This was great because I could learn even more about what I’m interested in."
Khin from Myanmar
Completed International Year One in Accounting and Finance at University of Exeter
Ideal for careers in investment fields, where you’ll analyze risk in financial markets and asset trading. You could manage investment portfolios, make acquisition decisions or act as risk advisor for banks or global companies.
Did you know?
You can learn investing in one of the largest academic trading rooms in the US, identical to those used by leading financial institutions, at Hofstra University in New York.
"The International Foundation is fantastic because it's closely connected to City, University of London. Once you've done your studies and passed your exams, you're well prepared for studying at university. By improving my English, integrating me into British society and giving me a solid foundation in Business Studies."
Boran from China
Completed International Foundation in Business and Economics with Accounting at City, University of London
Management Accountants look at the overall financial business strategy for companies and devise a suitable approach. The role includes financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, financial processes, risk management and optimization.
Did you know?
The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) celebrates International Management Accounting Day on 6 May. This global day of recognition commemorates the important role management accountants play within their organizations.
"I enjoyed the freedom of selecting modules. Although I did accounting and finance, I could choose to do management modules, languages or mathematics modules. This was great because I could learn even more about what I’m interested in."
Khin from Myanmar
Completed International Year One in Accounting and Finance at University of Exeter
The following INTO university partners all offer programs which offer progression to a degree in this subject area:
Guardian University Guide 2019
(High Fliers Research 2013-2022)
Guardian University Guide 2019
Guardian University Guide 2021
U.S. News & World Report 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2018
(U.S. News & World Report 2018)
Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries 2018
(The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021)
(The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020)
Helping you to decide on your degree
Whatever type of career you're interested in, INTO can help you find the right study program to help you start your studies in economics, finance or accounting. Just get in touch with our enrollment counsellors who will give you the advice and support you need to start your studies. Or, if you've already submitted an enquiry or applied, simply reply to the latest email from your adviser.