Economics and Accountancy

  • UCAS Code LN14
  • Duration Up to 4 years
  • Delivery type Full Time
  • Study location
  • Edinburgh
  • Number of places
  • 40 across all programmes

Overview

The Course

The MA in Economics and Accountancy does not require prior knowledge of the core disciplines of economics or accountancy. Study begins at an introductory level and the degree has a flexible structure to enable students to tailor studies so that they can pursue ambitions and interests. As a result, graduates are able to embark upon successful careers, especially in accounting, banking, finance, and the civil service, and also pursue further study in economics and related disciplines.

Career Prospects

The joint degree in Economics and Accountancy provides a wide range of employment options, and our graduates have an excellent reputation with employers. Successful careers pursued include economist, chartered accountant, unit trust administrator, stockbroker, and performance analyst.

Overview

The Course

The MA in Economics and Accountancy does not require prior knowledge of the core disciplines of economics or accountancy. Study begins at an introductory level and the degree has a flexible structure to enable students to tailor studies so that they can pursue ambitions and interests. As a result, graduates are able to embark upon successful careers, especially in accounting, banking, finance, and the civil service, and also pursue further study in economics and related disciplines.

Career Prospects

The joint degree in Economics and Accountancy provides a wide range of employment options, and our graduates have an excellent reputation with employers. Successful careers pursued include economist, chartered accountant, unit trust administrator, stockbroker, and performance analyst.

Programme content

Level 1

Students will follow introductory courses in Economics, Accounting, Finance, and Business Management. An introductory Mathematics course is also taken. In addition, students may take an elective course from a wide range of subjects including Legal Method, Information Skills, and Modern Languages.

Level 2

Students are introduced to the formal theory of economics and methods used in applied research. Intermediate Economics covers core microeconomic models of consumer choice and firm behaviour, and macroeconomic models of long-run equilibrium and short-run adjustments. Accounting courses introduce financial reporting and management accounting. Students also take Quantitative Methods.

Level 3

Some of the courses taken during third year will count towards the final degree classification awarded. Students must complete an econometrics project, and a minimum of one Accountancy course from a variety comprised of Taxation Law; Management Accounting; Auditing; and IT for Accounting. Electives are also taken.

Level 4

Students will take courses in the core subjects of Economics and Accountancy. A required number of courses must be taken from each subject area. Students may also take courses from other disciplines, with a wide range of subjects available, including Company Law, Finance, Logistics, and Marketing.

David Broadbent Warren Goldthorpe

David Broadbent

School St John Fisher Catholic High School, West Yorkshire
Degree MA (Hons) in Economics and Finance
Present Job Analyst, Barclays Capital
David Broadbent

"The superb campus, fantastic facilities and friendly staff all initially attracted me to Heriot-Watt University. Having its own campus gave Heriot-Watt a fantastic atmosphere, with the added benefit of being close enough to Edinburgh city centre to take advantage of its great night life and social scene.

Studying Economics and Finance very much helped me to determine what career I wanted to do. The course offered a good balance between theory and practice and since starting work I have realised just how up to date the course was, teaching material that is at the very forefront of current research. I found the course to be extremely fl exible, and the wide range of modules to choose from each year ensured that I could tailor the degree to fi t my requirements.

When applying for a job to take up on leaving Heriot-Watt it became very apparent how well known and respected the University is. The economics and careers departments had some great contacts and were a huge help in preparing me for interviews. The degree has certainly stood me in good stead for my current job. I feel confident in saying that if you want to live in one of the UK?s best cities and benefit from some of the best academics, then Heriot-Watt University is the one for you."

Warren Goldthorpe

School Bangor Grammar School
Degree MA (Hons) in Economics
Present Job Assistant Economist, Department of Health

I currently work as an Assistant Economist in the Department of Health in London. Currently I'm based in the Finance Directorate working on various projects including resource allocation of the GBP100 billion budget.

I chose to study economics at Heriot-Watt because the University has an excellent reputation for producing graduates who excel in the private and the public sectors. The campus university offers facilities that are easily accessible and also provides a community spirit which is important when leaving home for the first time.

Economics at Heriot-Watt is excellently taught with a very wide range of topics offered. This broad and varied base of knowledge enabled me to go into many different career paths upon graduating. The teaching of economics at Heriot-Watt is first class with lecturers who invest both time and effort in your personal development.

After graduating, I initially went into accountancy training for the ACCA qualification. However, I wanted to use my economic knowledge to better effect and changed career paths by applying for the Government Economics Service. The economic foundations gained at Heriot-Watt have enabled me to easily adapt to health economics and the economic tools for analysis are put to use each day at work.

My work as an Assistant Economist is challenging and requires a very flexible and reactive approach to problem solving. Skills such as time management, analysing and reporting are essential in the work place.

Entry requirements

The University offers as its normal entry routes:

  • entry at Level 1, mainly for students with Scottish Highers (or similar)
  • entry at Level 2, mainly for students with A-levels (or similar).

There is nevertheless considerable flexibility, depending on the level of qualifications, for entrants with A-levels to opt to enter at Level 1 and for Scottish students to enter at Level 2. Direct entry into Level 3 is also possible for students who already have certain HE qualifications.

Level 1 entry

  • Scottish Highers AAAB
  • GCE A Level BBB
  • SQA Higher National Cert B in graded unit
  • Int. Baccalaureate 29 points
  • Additional information Passes in English and Mathematics at Credit level (Standard Grade), or A - C (GCSE)

Level 2 entry

  • GCE A Level ABB in relevant subjects
  • SQA Advanced Highers BB in relevant subjects, plus AAAB at Higher.
  • SQA Higher National Cert Relevant HNC. Entry to Level 2 will be considered for exceptional candidates on an individual basis.
  • SQA Higher National Dip BB in graded units, relevant HND
  • Int. Baccalaureate 34 points
  • Additional information Minimum of grade C in Maths at AS Level or Scottish Higher required for Level 2 entry.

Tuition fees

Status* Scotland / EU** England / Northern Ireland / Wales International
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,000 £11,370

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the 3 years before the start of your programme. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries, not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Scholarships & bursaries