Accounting and Finance

This course will equip you for a successful career in accounting, finance and business. It will give you a good understanding of both accounting and finance and their importance within different organisations.

The FdSc in Accounting and Finance is aimed at individuals who wish to develop the skills, expertise, knowledge and understanding of accounting and accounting-related issues to enhance their employment.

The Foundation Degree is suitable for those who are currently in employment in an accounting environment or an accounting-related position, or those who are seeking employment in these fields.

This course should appeal to you if you need to fit studying around other commitments or if you are looking to take your first step into Higher Education after a gap of study.

The content of the Foundation Degree covers accounting and finance concepts as well as introducing other business related topics. You will develop the practical accounting skills demanded by employers such as the ability to draft financial statements and produce costing and budgeting reports, as well as analysis and decision making in appropriate contexts. This will allow you a thorough appreciation of the interrelation these topics have within an accounting and finance context.

The course also supports the development of essential soft skills that employers value. Throughout the modules, you will build an understanding of customer care and how businesses operate, develop effective team-working abilities, and gain insights and practical experience in managing people. These skills are underpinned by a strong foundation in accounting and finance, enabling you to understand the financial drivers behind business decisions and apply analytical thinking in a professional context.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

Principles of Bookkeeping and Accounting
Business Finance
Business Economics
Introduction to Data Analytics
Management Accounting
Legal and Ethical Aspects in Accounting

Level 5 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

Financial Accounting
Financial Management
Statistics
Accounting Information Systems
Research Methods
Personal Taxation

Assessment will be undertaken through a range of established methodologies at various stages throughout the student learning experience. This incorporates standard practices through initial, diagnostic, formative and summative stages. Examples of assessment activity includes:

Computer based examinations
Reports
Group presentations
Projects
Professional dialogues

This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions.

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.