Accounting with Finance with Foundation & Placement Years

The BSc (Hons) Accounting with Finance with Foundation and Placement Years is aimed at students who have an interest in developing their knowledge and understanding of the key aspects of finance and accounting, and in particular, who are looking to pursue a professional career in finance. The curriculum is also complemented by guest lectures and ‘live’ workshops to promote independent learning and help students increase their employability skills for the future. These skills will be further developed and expanded in the years following successful completion of the Foundation Year.

The degree programme is designed so that the Foundation Year provides an underpinning year, incorporating both academic and work/professional related learning, for applicants needing to improve their academic skills. The year develops students academic and professional skills within the contexts of the disciplines offered by the university, e.g. Business, Law, Psychology, Computer Science and Criminology, to enable students to continue and participate in the undergraduate business programmes at levels 4, 5 and 6. This includes developing communication skills, digital and research skills, and understanding the importance of sustainability, diversity and inclusion.

Year 1 provides students with a good understanding of the foundations of finance and accounting alongside the fundamentals of business. Years 2 and 4 give applicants an in-depth knowledge of how companies use finance and accounting to make decisions and report performance under conditions of uncertainty and risk. The programme equips students with the knowledge and skills required for a professional career in a rapidly changing work environment, while supporting self-awareness, personal development and providing access to valuable work-experience opportunities.

If taking a Placement Year, this will fall in the 3rd year of a 4-year degree. Students will have the opportunity to find paid work, putting the learning of their first 2 years into practice to develop and enhance real world skills to launch their career.

This degree is ideal for those interested in a future professional career in accounting, finance, audit and taxation. It offers an excellent grounding in accounting and acts as a foundation for further study in accounting or finance at postgraduate or professional level.

Course Modules

Foundation Year

In Term 1 students study;
• Communication Skills (20 credits)
• Digital and Research Skills (20 credits)
• Sustainability and Society (20 credits)

In Term 2 students will study;
• Foundation Year Project (20 credits)
• Core Concepts of Business (20 credits)
• One option from the following: Core Concepts of Computer Science; Core Concepts of Criminology; Core Concepts of Law or Core Concepts of Psychology (20 credits)

Year 1

The first year will consist of six compulsory modules:
• Essentials of Management (20 credits)
• Academic and Employability Skills (20 credits)
• Managing and Leading People (20 credits)
• Financial Accounting (20 credits)
• Data Analysis (20 credits)
• Managing Accounting (20 credits)

PLEASE NOTE - Students will have the opportunity to undertake one law module (Common Law Method) on a pass/fail system (i.e. non credit-bearing) over the summer between Year One and Year Two. Students are strongly advised to take this module before undertaking the core law modules.

Year 2

The second year will consist of six compulsory modules:

Three modules in Semester 1:
• Ethics and Regulations in Finance and Accounting (20 credits)
• Economics for Business (20 credits)
• Finances (20 credits)

Three modules in Semester 2:
• Introduction to Taxation (20 credits)
• Business Law 1 (20 credits)
• Management Accounting for Business (20 credits)

Students also have the opportunity to spend Semester 2 studying abroad (60 credits).

Year 3

Students who select to undertake a placement year in industry will spend the penultimate year of their BSc programme working for an organisation under academic supervision. This supervised work placement will connect them with the employment market.

Students will gain job-related skills, awareness of the structure of an organisation, practical problem-solving, responsibility, interpersonal skills in professional settings, and understanding of the unwritten rules of workplaces. They will have the opportunity to reflect on their learning, supervised by an academic supervisor. They will also enrich their CVs with important practical experience.

Year 4

Level 6 will consist of six compulsory modules:

Three Modules in Semester 1:
• International Strategic Management (20 credits)
• Financial Reporting (20 credits)
• Corporate Finance (20 credits)

Three core modules in Semester 2:
• Advanced Taxation (20 credits)
• Audit (20 credits)
• Advanced Financial Reporting (20 credits)