Study Accounting abroad
An in-depth guide to studying accounting as an international student.
Accounting degrees abroad
Accounting and accountancy is one of the most important subjects in modern international business. Skilled accountants are at the heart of every successful business, so it’s no surprise that accounting is considered one of the secure and most rewarding careers you can pursue.
The study of accounting is all about the movement of money in and out of a business. It covers the measurement, processing and analysis of financial transactions, and how to display and present that information. It’s an ideal choice if you are highly organized, analytical and have a passion for numbers.
Choosing to study accounting abroad gives you a great opportunity to study at universities and accounting schools from all over the world. It means you’ll have a larger choice of programs, and you’ll be able to learn while experiencing a whole new culture and way of life.
Accounting program structure
The program content, curriculum and structure of accounting degrees can differ depending on the university you’re attending. Some programs include elements of finance, or combine the two subjects in a joint degree.
At undergraduate level you can study a BA or BSc - there is little difference between the two, but BSc degrees may have more focus on practical elements. In the US you can study for a Bachelor of Accounting, which you may need in order to work as an accountant.
Undergraduate degrees last between three and four years, depending on the country and whether the course includes an additional year abroad. Master’s degrees are also available, and will usually last between one and two years, and a PhD in accounting will take up to five years to complete.
There are topics and modules you can expect to study on any accounting program, including:
- Financial reporting
- Management accounting
- Auditing theory and practice
- Accounting information systems
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Business law
- Principles of taxation
Best countries to study accounting
How to study accounting abroad
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Universities & programs
Find the right program for you and your career aspirations
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Application assistance
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Visa & embassy guidance
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Enrollment & travel advice
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Accounting study abroad programs
Accounting undergraduate programs
Diploma in accounting
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Accounting MAHSA University, Malaysia
- Tuition fees per year 4,200 USD
- Program type Undergraduate diploma
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, April
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Accounting, Advanced RMIT University, Australia
- Tuition fees per year 20,500 AUD
- Program type Undergraduate diploma
- Duration 1 year
- Start date February, July
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Business - Accounting Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Tuition fees per year 16,532 CAD
- Program type Undergraduate diploma
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, May, September
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Business Administration – Accounting Centennial College, Canada
- Tuition fees per year 16,531 CAD
- Program type Undergraduate diploma
- Duration 1 year 6 months
- Start date January, May, September
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Business Administration (Accounting) - Year 2 Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada
- Tuition fees per year 16,102 CAD
- Program type Undergraduate diploma
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, May, September
Bachelor's in accounting
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Accounting MAHSA University, Malaysia
- Tuition fees per year 4,800 USD
- Program type Bachelor's
- Duration 3 years
- Start date January, April
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Accounting Greenville University, USA
- Tuition fees per year 27,580 USD
- Program type Bachelor's
- Duration 4 years
- Start date January, August
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Accounting Bay Atlantic University, USA
- Tuition fees per year 15,900 USD
- Program type Bachelor's
- Duration 4 years
- Start date January, August
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Accounting Long Island University Post, USA
- Tuition fees per year 35,736 USD
- Program type Bachelor's
- Duration 4 years
- Start date January, September
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Management (Accounting) Fisher College, USA
- Tuition fees per year 31,992 USD
- Program type Bachelor's
- Duration 4 years
- Start date January, September
Pathway in accounting
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Finance and Accounting - International Year One University of Sussex, UK
- Tuition fees per year 17,200 USD
- Program type Undergraduate pathway
- Duration 1 year
- Start date January, September
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Accounting and Finance (Foundation) Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Tuition fees per year 10,900 USD
- Program type Undergraduate pathway
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, September
Associate in accounting
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Accounting Oklahoma City Community College, USA
- Tuition fees per year 7,552 USD
- Program type Associate
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, June, August
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Accounting Mohawk Valley Community College, USA
- Tuition fees per year 6,892 USD
- Program type Associate
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, September
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Accounting Goodwin College, USA
- Tuition fees per year 24,888 USD
- Program type Associate
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, May, September
Accounting graduate programs
Master's in accounting
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Accounting Long Island University Post, USA
- Tuition fees per year 44,100 USD
- Program type Master's
- Duration 2 years
- Start date September
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Business Administration (Accounting) Fisher College, USA
- Tuition fees per year 25,678 USD
- Program type Master's
- Duration 2 years
- Start date January, September
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Accounting and Finance University of Liverpool, UK
- Tuition fees per year 22,000 GBP
- Program type Master's
- Duration 1 year
- Start date September
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Accounting and Finance Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Tuition fees per year 15,000 EUR
- Program type Master's
- Duration 1 year
- Start date September
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Professional Accounting, by coursework RMIT University, Australia
- Tuition fees per year 38,400 AUD
- Program type Master's
- Duration 2 years
- Start date February, July
Certificate in accounting
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Accounting and Financial Decision Making Northeastern University, USA
- Tuition fees per year 24,000 USD
- Program type Postgraduate certificate
- Duration 1 year
- Start date January, May
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Professional Accounting RMIT University, Australia
- Tuition fees per year 19,200 AUD
- Program type Postgraduate certificate
- Duration 6 months
- Start date February, July
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Professional Accounting University of Newcastle, Australia
- Tuition fees per year 14,940 AUD
- Program type Postgraduate certificate
- Duration 6 months
- Start date February, July, September
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Professional Accounting Central Queensland University, Australia
- Tuition fees per year 13,920 AUD
- Program type Postgraduate certificate
- Duration 6 months
- Start date March, July, November
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Professional Accounting Practice Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Tuition fees per year 24,588 CAD
- Program type Postgraduate certificate
- Duration 1 year 6 months
- Start date January
Pathway in accounting
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Accounting and Finance, Pre-Masters University of Surrey, UK
- Tuition fees per year 11,500 USD
- Program type Postgraduate pathway
- Duration 6 months
- Start date February, September
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Business Economics Accounting and Finance, Pre-Masters Durham University, UK
- Tuition fees per year 16,905 USD
- Program type Postgraduate pathway
- Duration 3 months
- Start date January, September
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Accounting & Finance Pre-Master's Kingston University, UK
- Tuition fees per year 9,500 USD
- Program type Postgraduate pathway
- Duration 8 months
- Start date January, April
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Accounting and Financial Management, Pre-Masters Keele University, UK
- Tuition fees per year 8,950 GBP
- Program type Postgraduate pathway
- Duration 1 year
- Start date April
Doctorate in accounting
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Accounting and Finance London South Bank University, UK
- Tuition fees per year 13,780 GBP
- Program type Doctorate
- Duration 3 years
- Start date January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December
Diploma in accounting
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Accounting Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, New Zealand
- Tuition fees per year 18,900 NZD
- Program type Postgraduate diploma
- Duration 1 year
- Start date February, July
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Business Administration - Accounting and Finance North Island College, Canada
- Tuition fees per year 14,790 CAD
- Program type Postgraduate diploma
- Duration 4 years
- Start date January, September
Future accounting careers
Accounting is sometimes regarded as a vocational degree, with most graduates looking to become chartered accountants. However, there are several careers that are ideal for those with an accounting degree, including:
- Accountant
- Management accountant
- Auditor
- Tax adviser
- Actuary
- Insurance broker
- Stockbroker
If you choose to become a chartered accountant you will need to make sure the program you choose is accredited by the relevant authority. You can choose to work as an accountant in practice, where you’ll work for several different clients, or in-house as an accountant for a business.
