BSc (Hons) Accounting, Finance and AI for Sustainable Futures with integrated Foundation
Become a modern, data-driven professional. After your foundation year, you'll learn about finance in the context of sustainability and AI.
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Course overview
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Accounting isn’t just about numbers – it’s about shaping the future. This degree brings together finance, sustainability and AI to help you become a new-generation professional who’s ready to lead in a world driven by data and purpose.
The Accounting, Finance and AI for Sustainable Futures with Integrated Foundation degree prepares students for the next generation of accounting and finance careers. Rooted in strong technical foundations across financial reporting, audit, taxation and corporate finance, the programme integrates sustainability, data-driven decision-making and digital awareness throughout the curriculum.
Designed to meet the changing expectations of business and society, the course explores how AI, automation and sustainability frameworks are transforming financial decision-making. You’ll learn through interactive lectures, simulations, case studies and industry engagement, all designed to build both technical expertise and professional confidence.
Employability is embedded from the start through a structured professional portfolio that encourages reflection, skill development and real-world application. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a clear record of your professional growth and evidence of the digital and ethical competencies employers value most.
Whether your path leads to professional accountancy, corporate finance, data-driven financial roles or yet-to-emerge careers at the intersection of technology and sustainability, this programme equips you with the adaptability and forward-thinking mindset to shape the future of finance.
Course Highlights
This degree:
- Bridges the gap between previous education and undergraduate requirements.
- Combines accounting, finance, sustainability and digital innovation for a future-ready qualification.
- Aligned with leading professional bodies (ACCA, CIMA, CPA) for potential exemptions and career progression.
- Develops digital awareness and data-driven decision-making through authentic, industry-relevant learning.
- Focuses on ethical leadership, sustainability reporting and the social impact of financial decisions.
- Opportunities to engage with guest lecturers, industry speakers and alumni working in accounting, finance, audit and other relevant sectors.
- You’re not just a number – our small class sizes ensure you’re known, supported and guided throughout your studies.
Industry accreditations
The programme is aligned with leading professional accounting bodies, including ACCA, CIMA and CPA Australia, to support exemption opportunities and professional progression.
The University collaborates regularly with professional bodies to keep the curriculum current, relevant and in step with the evolving accounting and finance landscape.
Course breakdown
This three-year degree is delivered across twelve teaching terms, depending on your start date. It is designed to build from core foundations in academic skills and accounting and business, to covering advanced studies in sustainability and digital innovation, and exploring how this shapes the future of accounting and finance. Each stage develops the professional, digital and ethical competencies expected by global employers and professional bodies.
Year 1 (Foundation)
Students work in small groups to ensure a successful transition to higher education. You will develop essential academic skills such as academic writing, digital skills and critical thinking, preparing you for degree level studies. You will also be exploring foundational concepts in Accounting and Finance. By the end of this stage, students are expected to be ready to successfully start the 2-Year part of the programme.
Year 2
Students establish strong foundations in accounting, business and analytics. Core areas include financial and management accounting, business economics, taxation and digital futures in accounting. The first year also introduces the employability portfolio, where students begin developing key professional and reflective skills.
Year 3
In the second year, you’ll strengthen your technical knowledge and strategic thinking across financial reporting, corporate finance, data science, sustainability and performance management, audit and governance. You’ll also explore how digital transformation and AI are reshaping the profession, equipping you to adapt, innovate and lead in an evolving financial world.
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Teaching and assessment
We keep class sizes small so you won’t get lost in the crowd. You will be assigned a personal tutor to support you every step of the way, and our academic and student support teams will ensure you have the tools to success in your studies. We value the quality of your learning experience.
Teaching methods
Learning on this degree is active, engaging and built around real-world application. Rather than traditional lectures, sessions are designed to spark discussion, creativity and collaboration, sometimes through games and interactive challenges that make complex ideas fun and memorable.
Small-group tutorials ensure you’re supported and known as an individual, while workshops and case-based activities help you connect theory to professional practice. Learning is further enhanced through digital resources, simulations and data tools that mirror the technologies used by modern finance professionals.
Our friendly and approachable teaching team operates an open-door policy and provides consistent academic and pastoral support. You’ll always be able to ask questions, seek feedback and receive guidance when you need it. This personal approach helps you build confidence, stay motivated and make the most of your learning experience.
Timetabled activities
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures / Seminars | 6 hours per week |
| Tutorials | 3 hours per week |
These figures represent an average across the first year of undergraduate study. Actual contact hours may vary by term and module.
Assessment Methods
Assessment reflects how accounting and finance professionals work, combining exams, reports, simulations and group projects. Many assessments are based on real or simulated business scenarios, allowing you to demonstrate both technical competence and professional judgement.
You’ll have opportunities to receive feedback and one-to-one guidance to help you strengthen your academic, digital and professional skills. You’ll also be encouraged to build an employability portfolio to record your progress and achievements, helping you reflect on your development and showcase your readiness for the workplace.
The balance of assessment methods varies across modules, with a mix of coursework and exams, typically following a 70:30 weighting. This ensures a fair combination of practical application and examination of core professional knowledge.
After your course
This degree opens doors to a wide range of roles across accounting, finance and business. You’ll graduate with strong technical knowledge, digital capability and an understanding of sustainability that reflects the future of the profession. The course also supports professional progression with bodies such as ACCA, CIMA and CPA. Whether you choose to work in practice, industry or the public sector, you’ll have the confidence, adaptability and insight to succeed in a rapidly changing financial world.
Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying on this course:
Career opportunities
- Chartered Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Auditor or Assurance Associate
- Tax Consultant
- Management Accountant
- ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) or Sustainability Reporting Specialist
- Data and Business Analyst
- Finance or Business Manager.
Career skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ethical and sustainable decision-making
- Digital literacy and data analysis
- Communication and teamwork
- Professional judgement and leadership
- Strategic and critical thinking
- Adaptability in dynamic environments
- Research and evaluation skills.
Careers and Employability Support
Our courses strive to effectively combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. The Buckingham tutorial teaching model means that our students are well prepared as they embark on their careers and future study.
Find out more about our Careers and Employability Service.
Postgraduate study
Our two-year degrees mean you can begin your postgraduate studies quicker than your peers.
“Buckingham helped make the impossible, possible. The strong support offering and small class tutorials make the degree less daunting.”
Reni, Undergraduate student
Entry requirements
See our general University entry requirements for information on flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications.
UK Offers
Foundation
Applicants must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9, including English and Maths, or their international equivalents. In addition, applicants must have one of the following qualifications or their international equivalents:
- A Levels with minimum grades of DD
- BTEC National Diploma with minimum grades of MPP
- Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to at least 48 UCAS points
International Applicants
We welcome equivalent qualifications from around the world. However, you must also demonstrate your English language proficiency by achieving an IELTS score of 6 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component, or another approved language test.
We have a number of standard entry requirements for our international applicants:
If you are uncertain on whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact our Admissions team.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Scholarships and bursaries
How to apply
We welcome applications in two different ways – directly via our online application form, or through UCAS.
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as:
- The most flexible option.
- You can apply until shortly before the course starts.
- There are no application fees.
- Apply as an additional option to your UCAS choices.
You can apply directly through our website by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button.
Apply via UCAS
Alternatively, if you do not wish to apply directly with us, you can apply via UCAS where you can easily make Buckingham one of your UCAS choices.
Do bear in mind that the application and decision deadline are set by UCAS and there is an application fee to UCAS.