Accounting and Finance with Foundation

Our Accounting and Finance with Foundation is an alternative route to begin your degree offering direct entry to second-year study across our undergraduate degrees.

Learning style

The foundation style of teaching will best prepare you for degree level studies with lectures, tutorials and seminars, encouraging independent thinking and developing your academic knowledge and skills.

The intensive and focused programme will enable you to:
• transition seamlessly into degree-level studies;
• make an informed choice about your degree;
• develop independent learning skills through our problem-based and student-centric learning approaches;
• learn to work in groups, conduct research and deliver presentations.

Course options

The first year of our 'with Foundation' programmes can normally be completed within one academic year (nine months). The programme comprises four year-long courses of 30 credits each.

Academic skills

This course introduces students to the study skills, practices and expectations of university study while preparing you to better participate in a tertiary learning environment. Throughout the course, there will be an emphasis on the utility and transferability of these academic skills and competencies not only for foundation and degree studies, but also for employability and lifelong learning.

Option courses

There are four options for the accounting and finance programme, you will need to choose three:
• Accounting (recommended)
• Business Management (recommended)
• Economics (recommended)
• Mathematics (recommended for Actuarial Science pathway)

Degree pathways

Successful completion of Year 1 of the Accounting and Finance with Foundation programme offers a direct pathway into Year 2, of a wide range of professionally relevant degrees:

• Accountancy, MA (Hons)
• Accountancy and Finance, MA (Hons)
• Finance, MA (Hons)
• Business and Finance, MA (Hons)
• Combined Studies, BSc (Hons)
• Professional Accountancy, MA (Hons)

To be eligible for the maximum (11) ICAS exemptions, students wishing to progress to MA Professional Accountancy must evidence prior learning in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (e.g., completed A-level/IB/university-level modules or equivalent).. Applicants without this may receive fewer exemptions.

Heriot-Watt is 2nd in the UK for positive graduate outcomes (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). As Scotland’s top producer of CEOs (Novuna, 2025), their programmes focus on giving you real-world experience and strong industry links to help you kick-start your career success story. You'll have lifelong access to their award-winning Careers Service with guidance on CV tailoring, careers fairs and job applications.

They guarantee accommodation for students on their safe, green parkland campus, with all energy and Wi-Fi bills included. For students coming from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Heriot-Watt provides a free semester of accommodation to help you with the costs of starting university.

You’ll also be living and studying in a top 2 UK student-friendly city (QS Best Cities, 2026) – Edinburgh. With a vibrant nightlife, eclectic food scene and plenty of shops and green spaces, it's a great city to be a student.

At Heriot-Watt University, you can choose to study flexibly with a 3-year honours degree, allowing you to complete the typical four-year Scottish Bachelor Honours degree in just three years while still enjoying the full student experience, including Welcome Week, Freshers’ events, and support from your Personal Tutor. This can save you both time and tuition fees while allowing you to graduate at the same time as students across the rest of the UK.

Register for your Heriot-Watt Priority Pass to make sure you are first in line when Clearing opens, or to chat with their friendly team