Best Universities for Accounting and Finance in the UK 2027
Swansea University ranks first for accounting and finance in 2027, ahead of Durham University, with Bath Spa University and Edge Hill University sharing third place. The wider Unifresher analysis compares 60 UK universities across eight academic, career and student-experience measures.
The complete supplied page dataset contains 30 published institutions. Every one is present in the HTML table below, while the first ten are shown initially when JavaScript is available.
Data note: HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after course completion. The live page should also state the exact source cohort used in this ranking.
Top universities for accounting and finance in 2027
The top four published institutions illustrate why the ranking should be read as a balance of outcomes, teaching, support and the wider student experience.
Swansea University
Swansea
93% teaching quality and 98% academic support.
Durham University
Durham
The highest published graduate earnings among the supplied top 30 at £40,000.
Bath Spa University
Bath
81% teaching quality and 100% academic support.
Edge Hill University
Ormskirk
100% teaching quality and 100% academic support.
How the accounting and finance ranking works
Eight measures shape the final result
No single salary, teaching or lifestyle figure decides the winner. The ranking combines the following measures using the published Unifresher methodology.
Accounting and Finance University Rankings 2027
Search or sort the 30 supplied institutions. Sorting changes the visual order only; the official published rank remains in the first column.
| Rank | University | Graduate earnings | Satisfaction | Teaching | Academic support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swansea University Swansea | £28,000 | 79% | 93% | 98% | 213 |
| 2 | Durham University Durham | £40,000 | 78% | 89% | 91% | 200 |
| 3 | Bath Spa University Bath | £25,000 | 79% | 81% | 100% | 194 |
| 3 | Edge Hill University Ormskirk | £25,000 | 83% | 100% | 100% | 194 |
| 4 | University of Exeter Exeter | £32,000 | 79% | 87% | 90% | 192 |
| 5 | University of the West of England, Bristol Bristol | £28,000 | 74% | 88% | 94% | 183 |
| 5 | University of Lincoln Lincoln | £25,000 | 78% | 91% | 100% | 183 |
| 6 | Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester | £25,500 | 73% | 90% | 100% | 181 |
| 7 | Northumbria University, Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne | £29,500 | 74% | 83% | 85% | 180 |
| 7 | Wrexham University Wrexham | £19,500 | 74% | 91% | 94% | 180 |
| 8 | Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool | £25,000 | 72% | 95% | 98% | 179 |
| 8 | University of Plymouth Plymouth | £27,000 | 75% | 90% | 92% | 179 |
| 8 | Cardiff University Cardiff | £30,000 | 71% | 94% | 92% | 179 |
| 8 | Bangor University Bangor | £24,000 | 76% | 80% | 95% | 179 |
| 9 | Cardiff Metropolitan University Cardiff | £23,500 | 75% | 88% | 82% | 176 |
| 10 | University of South Wales Pontypridd | £27,500 | 72% | 90% | 94% | 172 |
| 11 | University of Liverpool Liverpool | £28,000 | 71% | 93% | 98% | 171 |
| 12 | Edinburgh Napier University Edinburgh | £25,000 | 72% | 98% | 98% | 169 |
| 13 | University of Reading Reading | £30,000 | 74% | 82% | 82% | 168 |
| 14 | Nottingham Trent University Nottingham | £27,500 | 76% | 89% | 95% | 167 |
| 15 | University of Bristol Bristol | £27,000 | 73% | 85% | 89% | 165 |
| 15 | Robert Gordon University Aberdeen | £27,000 | 77% | 93% | 99% | 165 |
| 15 | University of Bath Bath | £35,000 | 80% | 93% | 96% | 165 |
| 15 | Royal Holloway, University of London Egham | £30,000 | 74% | 90% | 97% | 165 |
| 16 | University of West London London | £29,000 | 72% | 96% | 92% | 163 |
| 16 | Bournemouth University Bournemouth | £27,500 | 71% | 83% | 83% | 163 |
| 17 | De Montfort University Leicester | £27,000 | 70% | 85% | 87% | 162 |
| 18 | University of Salford Salford | £25,000 | 73% | 89% | 93% | 161 |
| 19 | University of St Andrews St Andrews | £33,500 | 84% | 93% | 95% | 159 |
| 20 | University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham / Gloucester | £28,000 | 76% | 95% | 84% | 158 |
Key findings from the accounting and finance ranking
Swansea leads the combined score
Swansea's score of 213 is supported by 93% teaching quality and 98% academic support, rather than one single standout measure.
Durham University
The highest graduate-earnings figure among the 30 supplied institutions is £40,000.
Edge Hill University
Edge Hill University records the published table's highest teaching-quality score at 100%.
University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews has the highest student-satisfaction figure in the supplied table at 84%.
Four institutions reach 100%
Bath Spa University, Edge Hill University, University of Lincoln and Manchester Metropolitan University each record 100% academic support.
£27,500
This is the median graduate-earnings figure across the 30 institutions supplied for publication on this page.
What this ranking tells you about studying accounting and finance
This ranking is designed to show more than institutional reputation. It combines subject outcomes and teaching with the practical reality of studying in a particular university and city.
Graduate earnings vary, but the measurement needs context
Durham has the highest earnings figure among the 30 published institutions at £40,000, while the published median is £27,500. Salary data should never be read as a guaranteed starting salary. Location, occupation, prior experience, sample size and the graduate cohort all influence the result.
Important correction: HESA Graduate Outcomes is collected approximately 15 months after course completion. Ranking pages should not describe current Graduate Outcomes data as earnings “within six months of graduating”.
Teaching and support reveal universities that traditional prestige can overlook
Edge Hill records 100% for teaching quality and academic support in the supplied table. Bath Spa, Lincoln and Manchester Metropolitan also reach 100% for academic support. These measures help students identify where the day-to-day course experience may be particularly strong.
Professional accreditation should be checked separately
Accreditation is not included as a ranking score here, but it can materially affect the route into professional accountancy. ACCA says qualifying previous study can provide up to nine Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exemptions. ICAEW also offers credit for prior learning for relevant qualifications. Always check the precise course title and current exemption database before applying.
Russell Group membership is not a subject score
The ranking does not add points for belonging to a university mission group. Students should compare the actual accounting and finance course, placement opportunities, professional exemptions, published outcomes, teaching, affordability and the wider university experience.
How to use the ranking when choosing a degree
Check earnings, placement years and professional exemptions
Use the ranking to identify strong outcomes, then verify ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW or CIPFA recognition on the exact course page.
Prioritise teaching quality and academic support
Look beyond the overall rank to universities where course delivery and support are particular strengths.
Combine the ranking with cost of living and accommodation
A slightly lower-ranked university can become the stronger personal choice when the total degree cost is substantially lower.
Review satisfaction, social life, safety and the city
The final decision should reflect the student's likely daily life, not only the university name or one salary figure.
Related Unifresher university rankings
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best university for accounting and finance in the UK in 2027?
Swansea University ranks first in the 2027 Unifresher accounting and finance ranking with an overall score of 213. Durham University is second, while Bath Spa University and Edge Hill University share third place.
How many universities are included in this accounting and finance ranking?
The wider analysis covers 60 UK universities. The supplied page dataset currently contains 30 published institutions, which are all included in the table on this page.
When are graduate earnings measured?
The earnings figures should be read alongside the stated source cohort. HESA Graduate Outcomes data is collected approximately 15 months after higher education course completion, rather than six months after graduation.
Does professional accreditation matter for accounting and finance degrees?
Yes. Accreditation and credit for prior learning can reduce the number of professional examinations required after university. ACCA states that up to nine Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exemptions may be available, depending on the qualification and programme.
Is a Russell Group university automatically better for accounting and finance?
No. Russell Group membership is not one of the ranking metrics. Students should compare the published subject data, course content, placement opportunities, professional accreditation, graduate outcomes, cost and the wider university experience.
What is the difference between accounting and finance degrees?
Accounting courses generally focus more on reporting, audit, tax and management accounting. Finance courses usually place more emphasis on markets, investment, risk and corporate finance. Combined courses cover elements of both.
How does Unifresher's ranking differ from traditional university league tables?
The Unifresher ranking combines academic and career measures with student-experience factors including social life, safety, sustainability and cost of living. This is intended to show the wider reality of studying at each university, not only institutional prestige.
How are tied universities ranked?
Universities with the same published overall score share the same rank. The table uses dense ranking, so the next distinct score receives the next rank number.
How to verify the ranking data
- Unifresher university rankings methodology for the complete scoring model and source treatment.
- HESA Graduate Outcomes definitions for the approximately 15-month collection point.
- ACCA exemptions guidance for current professional-exam exemptions.
- ICAEW credit for prior learning guidance for relevant accounting and finance qualifications.
