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Study Abroad course guide

Study Accounting Abroad

Financial reporting, audit and tax, with routes towards ACCA, CPA and chartered status.

A guide for Indian students · Updated 23 Oct 2026

Subject area

Business and finance

Master's length

1–2 years

Countries compared

13 destinations

Popular destination

United Kingdom

Switch courseBrowse all 18 courses

What is Accounting?

Quick read

  • Accounting degrees teach financial reporting, management accounting, audit, tax and business law.
  • Many degrees abroad carry exemptions from professional exams such as ACCA, ICAEW, CPA Australia or CA ANZ.
  • A master's in accounting abroad usually takes 1 year in the UK and Ireland and 1.5–2 years in Australia and Canada.
  • Graduate salaries in the UK start around £25,000–£30,000 for trainee chartered accountants (Prospects, 2025).
  • If you plan to work in India later, check how your degree and any professional exemptions are treated by ICAI.

Accounting is the study of how organisations record, report and analyse money. You learn to prepare financial statements, cost products and services, audit accounts, plan tax and explain numbers to managers and investors.

Abroad, accounting is taught as a bachelor's (often with finance), as a specialist master's for students with a commerce background, and as a conversion master's for graduates from other subjects. Most programmes are built around the syllabus of professional bodies, which is why exemptions matter when you compare them.

Why study Accounting abroad

  • Exemptions from professional exams

    Accredited degrees can exempt you from several papers of ACCA, ICAEW, CPA Australia or CA ANZ, which shortens the route to a professional qualification.

  • International reporting standards

    Courses in the UK, Ireland, Australia and Europe teach IFRS, the standards used in more than 140 jurisdictions, which is useful for multinational employers.

  • Short master's options

    One-year master's in the UK and Ireland let you finish quickly and move into the post-study work period.

  • Demand across sectors

    Every sector needs accountants, so graduates are not tied to one industry or one city.

Specialisations you can choose

  • Financial reporting
  • Audit and assurance
  • Taxation
  • Management accounting
  • Forensic accounting
  • Accounting and finance
  • Accounting analytics
  • Public sector accounting

Degree options

Accounting degree options
ProgrammeDurationTypical entryIdeal for
Bachelor's (BSc/BA/BCom Accounting)3–4 yearsClass 12 with good marks; maths at Class 10 or 12 for many universitiesStudents who want a professional accounting career from the start
MSc / MAcc (specialist)1–2 yearsBachelor's in commerce, accounting or financeBCom graduates who want exemptions and international exposure
Conversion master's (e.g. MPA / MProfAcc)1.5–2 yearsBachelor's in any subjectGraduates from other fields moving into accounting
Graduate diploma1 yearBachelor's degreeA shorter route to the core accounting subjects

Best countries to study Accounting

Accounting: costs and work rights in 13 countries

The table compares typical international tuition per year in each country (a range across subjects, from our country guides), how long a master's usually takes, and the post-study work route. Notes specific to Accounting are added where they matter.

Accounting: countries compared
CountryBachelor's / yearMaster's / yearPost-study workWhat to know
Flag of United KingdomUK£15,000–40,000≈ ₹18.3 lakh – ₹48.8 lakh£17,000–36,000≈ ₹20.7 lakh – ₹43.9 lakh1–2 yearsGraduate visa: 2 years (18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027) DetailsCheck which ACCA/ICAEW exemptions each course carries.
Flag of AustraliaAustraliaA$30,000–50,000≈ ₹19.5 lakh – ₹32.5 lakhA$32,000–55,000≈ ₹20.8 lakh – ₹35.8 lakh1–2 yearsTemporary Graduate visa (485): usually 2–3 years; Indian graduates up to 3 years after a master's DetailsLook for CPA Australia / CA ANZ accreditation.
Flag of CanadaCanadaC$20,000–60,000≈ ₹13.4 lakh – ₹40.2 lakhC$10,000–50,000≈ ₹6.7 lakh – ₹33.5 lakh1–2 yearsPGWP: up to 3 years, depending on programme length DetailsColleges also offer postgraduate diplomas; check the field-of-study rule for PGWP.
Flag of IrelandIreland€16,000–30,000≈ ₹17 lakh – ₹31.8 lakh€16,000–30,000≈ ₹17 lakh – ₹31.8 lakh1–2 yearsStamp 1G: 12 months, up to 24 months after a master's DetailsMost taught master's take 1 year.
Flag of GermanyGermanyUp to €20,000up to ≈ ₹21.2 lakhUp to €25,000up to ≈ ₹26.5 lakh1.5–2 years18-month job-seeker residence permit DetailsFew English-taught accounting master's; usually taught as part of finance or management.
Flag of New ZealandNew ZealandNZ$36,000–55,000≈ ₹19.4 lakh – ₹29.7 lakhNZ$40,000–60,000≈ ₹21.6 lakh – ₹32.4 lakh1–2 yearsPost Study Work Visa: up to 3 years after a master's DetailsIncludes 1-year and 1.5–2 year master's.
Flag of NetherlandsNetherlands€9,000–20,000≈ ₹9.5 lakh – ₹21.2 lakh€12,000–30,000≈ ₹12.7 lakh – ₹31.8 lakh1–2 yearsOrientation year: 1 year DetailsResearch universities and universities of applied sciences both teach in English.
Flag of Dubai (UAE)Dubai (UAE)AED 44,000–165,000≈ ₹11 lakh – ₹41.3 lakhAED 42,000–181,000≈ ₹10.5 lakh – ₹45.3 lakh1–2 yearsNo dedicated route: employer work visa or a 60–120 day Job Seeker visa DetailsBranch campuses award the parent university's degree.
Flag of SpainSpain€1,000–27,000≈ ₹1.1 lakh – ₹28.6 lakh€2,700–43,000≈ ₹2.9 lakh – ₹45.6 lakh1–2 yearsJob-search authorisation: 24 months DetailsPublic universities teach mostly in Spanish; English-taught options are mainly at private schools.
Flag of MaltaMalta€7,000–15,000≈ ₹7.4 lakh – ₹15.9 lakh€8,000–20,000≈ ₹8.5 lakh – ₹21.2 lakh1–2 yearsPost-study permit: up to 9 months DetailsEnglish is an official language; small universities and colleges.
Flag of CyprusCyprus€6,800–12,000≈ ₹7.2 lakh – ₹12.7 lakh€4,000–18,000≈ ₹4.2 lakh – ₹19.1 lakh1–2 yearsUp to 12 months after a master's; none after a bachelor's DetailsPublic universities teach mainly in Greek; private universities teach in English.
Flag of LatviaLatvia€3,000–10,000≈ ₹3.2 lakh – ₹10.6 lakh€3,500–12,000≈ ₹3.7 lakh – ₹12.7 lakh1–2 yearsUp to 9 months after a master's or PhD DetailsEnglish-taught programmes at state and private universities.
Flag of LithuaniaLithuania€2,500–10,000≈ ₹2.6 lakh – ₹10.6 lakh€2,300–12,000≈ ₹2.4 lakh – ₹12.7 lakh1.5–2 years12-month job-search permit DetailsEnglish-taught programmes at state and private universities.

Ranges are typical yearly international tuition across subjects; lab-based and professional courses often sit at the upper end. Living costs, visa and health cover are extra. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

Not sure which country suits Accounting?Share your marks, budget and goals and we'll compare countries and universities for you.

Universities to consider for Accounting

Admission requirements

Bachelor's

  • Class 12 pass with the university's minimum marks (often 60–80% depending on the university)
  • Maths or accounts in Class 11–12 helps; some courses require maths
  • English test or Class 12 English mark accepted by the university

Master's

  • Bachelor's in commerce, accounting, finance or business for specialist master's; any subject for conversion master's
  • A minimum grade, often 55–65% for Indian degrees at mid-ranked universities and higher at top universities
  • English test score; GMAT or GRE is rarely required

Documents you will usually need

  • Mark sheets and certificates
  • Statement of purpose
  • CV
  • Two references
  • Passport
  • English test score report

English test scores

English requirements for Accounting
LevelTypical requirement
Bachelor'sIELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall with no band below 5.5–6.0 is typical
Master'sIELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 is typical; some top schools ask for 7.0
Other testsPTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Duolingo English Test are widely accepted; check each university's list
Class 12 EnglishSome universities accept a high Class 12 English mark (often 70–80%+ from CBSE/ISC) instead of a test for some courses

Typical ranges; each university and course sets its own scores. Prepare with our IELTS and PTE classes.

Professional recognition

Skills you will build

  • Financial reporting (IFRS)
  • Excel and spreadsheet modelling
  • Accounting software such as Xero, SAP or Oracle
  • Audit and risk thinking
  • Tax rules
  • Data analysis
  • Clear writing for non-finance readers
  • Attention to detail

Careers and salaries after Accounting

Accounting career roles and UK salary guides
Job roleUK salary guideSource
Chartered accountant (trainee to qualified)£25,000–£30,000 starting; up to about £65,000 once qualifiedProspects job profile (UK), 2025 (opens in a new tab)
External auditorAround £28,000 for a graduate trainee; £32,000–£45,000 once qualifiedProspects job profile (UK), 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Tax adviser£21,800–£40,000 as a trainee; £35,000–£65,000 once qualified (CTA)Prospects job profile (UK), 2025 (opens in a new tab)

UK salary guides are shown so all courses use the same comparison. Pay elsewhere differs, and a job offer abroad is never guaranteed.

Planning a career in Accounting?Our counsellor can map courses to the jobs and countries you're aiming for.

Study Accounting abroad: FAQs

Is accounting a good course to study abroad after BCom?

Yes, if you want a professional accounting or finance career. A specialist master's builds on your BCom, and accredited courses can cut the number of professional exams you sit later.

Can I study accounting abroad without a commerce background?

Yes. Conversion master's (often called Master of Professional Accounting) accept graduates from any subject but take longer, usually 1.5–2 years.

Do I need GMAT for an accounting master's?

Usually not. Most universities decide on your degree marks and English score. A few top business schools ask for GMAT or GRE.

Which country gives the most professional exemptions?

It depends on the course, not the country. UK and Irish degrees often carry ACCA or ICAEW exemptions; Australian degrees are accredited by CPA Australia and CA ANZ. Compare the exemption lists for each course.

Will an accounting degree from abroad be valid in India?

Degrees from recognised universities are generally accepted for jobs, and AIU equivalence can be needed for some purposes. Becoming a CA in India still requires ICAI's route.

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