You will study 6 compulsory modules over two semesters. These modules are designed to give you a solid grounding in the subject and bring you to a standard level of competence to pursue further study in the subject.
You will also complete a virtual internship with reputable companies (such as KPMG, Goldman Sachs and HSBC) as part of the assessment, plus study towards the Xero Advisor Equivalency Certificate, a widely recognised qualification in the accounting sector. You will develop data analytical skills by completing problem-based business cases in your assignment

This module introduces you to bookkeeping and financial accounting. Providing you with knowledge of the techniques and skills required to record transactions by the method known as the “double entry system” and then prepare a set of single company financial statements based on those records. It will provide you with the knowledge needed to read and interpret financial statements prepared by others, including real company financial statements. 

This module evaluates the role of business in societies by exploring contemporary issues and how corporate practices are responding to the increasing demand on non-financial performance. It introduces corporate responsibility and business ethics as a basis for assessing business behaviour in upholding principles of accountability to stakeholders and professional ethics in the accounting domain.

This module focuses on the economic context within which business decision-making occurs. It incorporates assessments of the impact of market environment, funding matters, corporate organisation and government policy on the actions of business enterprises. In addition, it provides you with an appreciation of how economic concepts can help in deepening understanding of these issues. 

This module equips you with the basic accounting tools that aid management with its core functions of planning, decision making and control. Key areas covered are cost classifications for decision making, product costing techniques applicable to different industries, budgeting, short term decision making using cost volume profit analysis, and long-term investment appraisal. 

This module introduces you to the significant role accounting information plays in each fundamental business transaction process. You will learn to analyse and handle information using accounting systems and advanced IT techniques.

This module provides a thorough grounding of the basic statistical methods and computer software for the analysis and presentation of accounting and economic data. It caters for you with some prior mathematical knowledge, and while students are expected to complete mathematical calculations by hand and using a computer the emphasis is on the interpretation and communication of quantitative results.

You will study 3 compulsory modules and one option module over two semesters. You will study accounting rules and apply accounting skills, and business law. There is more emphasis on discussion, critical evaluation, reflection and anticipation of likely future development.

The financial accounting module that you study in year two depends on the grade achieved in year one.

You need to get a grade 10 or above in Financial Accounting to study Advanced Financial Accounting otherwise you will study Applied Financial Accounting.

Advanced Financial Accounting

This module extends your knowledge of the principles and techniques used in financial accounting and corporate reporting. You will develop the ability to understand and critically analyse key techniques and practices within the framework of statutory financial reporting. You will also develop your transferable skills, including communication, presentation skills, critical analysis, time management and team working.

Or

Applied Financial Accounting 

This module extends your knowledge of the principles and techniques used in financial accounting and corporate reporting. You will develop the ability to understand and critically analyse key techniques and practices within the framework of statutory financial reporting. You will also develop your transferable skills, including communication, presentation skills, critical analysis, time management and team working.

The management accounting module that you study in year two depends on the grade achieved in year one.

You need to get a grade 10 or above in Management Accounting to study Advanced Management Accounting otherwise you will study Applied Management Accounting.

Advanced Management Accounting

This module provides a critical understanding of the management accounting techniques today as well as cost information that can be produced for manufacturing, service and not-for-profit organisations. You will be able to critically appraise the recent advances focusing on external as well as internal measures of performance to reflect the changing nature of modern business.

Applied Management Accounting

This module provides a critical understanding of the management accounting techniques today as well as cost information that can be produced for manufacturing, service and not-for-profit organisations. You will be able to critically appraise the recent advances focusing on external as well as internal measures of performance to reflect the changing nature of modern business.

This module will examine the laws regulating the conduct of business and business organisations. The first part of the module provides the essential basic knowledge and understanding of English law (English Legal System, Contract, Tort and Employment) whilst the second part covers Company law and Corporate Governance.

One module needs to be chosen from the four listed below.

This module introduces you to the techniques and practices of project management. The first part of the module examines the conceptual framework and key theories that underpin each phase of project management. The second part evaluates project optimisation mechanisms and explores ethical issues in project management. You will have the opportunity to manage a simulated project in this module. 

This module introduces you to the principles of managing personal finances through diversifying income, automating regular saving, mindful spending, long-term investing and awareness of the impact of borrowing on wealth. In the process you will be introduced to a variety of personal finance products and issues to increase your financial literacy. You will be provided with an understanding of personal financial behaviour and biases, market anomalies, financial bubbles, fake news and manipulations in financial markets which can influence individual financial decision making.

This module develops your knowledge of operations and supply chain management within a variety of organisations. It examines  aspects of operations and supply chain management relevant to the design, planning, control and improvement of business operations. You'll learn to evaluate, select and apply relevant operations management concepts, tools and techniques to solve problems, make informed decisions and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational processes. 

This module explores the mathematics that underlies financial processes and financial decision making and complements the study of these areas in economics and accounting. Specific areas include probability, extending interest ideas to mortgages and annuities, modelling financial data using time series models and Markov chains, applying discrete methods for option pricing, and using utility to make decisions in risky environments.

This module introduces you to bookkeeping and financial accounting. Providing you with knowledge of the techniques and skills required to record transactions by the method known as the “double entry system” and then prepare a set of single company financial statements based on those records. It will provide you with the knowledge needed to read and interpret financial statements prepared by others, including real company financial statements. 

This module evaluates the role of business in societies by exploring contemporary issues and how corporate practices are responding to the increasing demand on non-financial performance. It introduces corporate responsibility and business ethics as a basis for assessing business behaviour in upholding principles of accountability to stakeholders and professional ethics in the accounting domain.

This module focuses on the economic context within which business decision-making occurs. It incorporates assessments of the impact of market environment, funding matters, corporate organisation and government policy on the actions of business enterprises. In addition, it provides you with an appreciation of how economic concepts can help in deepening understanding of these issues. 

This module equips you with the basic accounting tools that aid management with its core functions of planning, decision making and control. Key areas covered are cost classifications for decision making, product costing techniques applicable to different industries, budgeting, short term decision making using cost volume profit analysis, and long-term investment appraisal. 

This module provides a thorough grounding of the basic statistical methods and computer software for the analysis and presentation of accounting and economic data. It caters for you with some prior mathematical knowledge, and while students are expected to complete mathematical calculations by hand and using a computer the emphasis is on the interpretation and communication of quantitative results.

On this module you will undertake approved work experiences and personal and professional development activities, for a minimum of eighteen weeks full time employment. This will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of work and develop effective strategies to deal with and understand work and organisational life. The module will help you to demonstrate your commercial awareness.

The financial accounting module that you study in year two depends on the grade achieved in year one.

You need to get a grade 10 or above in Financial Accounting to study Advanced Financial Accounting otherwise you will study Applied Financial Accounting.

Advanced Financial Accounting

This module extends your knowledge of the principles and techniques used in financial accounting and corporate reporting. You will develop the ability to understand and critically analyse key techniques and practices within the framework of statutory financial reporting. You will also develop your transferable skills, including communication, presentation skills, critical analysis, time management and team working.

Or

Applied Financial Accounting 

This module extends your knowledge of the principles and techniques used in financial accounting and corporate reporting. You will develop the ability to understand and critically analyse key techniques and practices within the framework of statutory financial reporting. You will also develop your transferable skills, including communication, presentation skills, critical analysis, time management and team working.

The management accounting module that you study in year two depends on the grade achieved in year one.

You need to get a grade 10 or above in Management Accounting to study Advanced Management Accounting otherwise you will study Applied Management Accounting.

Advanced Management Accounting

This module provides a critical understanding of the management accounting techniques today as well as cost information that can be produced for manufacturing, service and not-for-profit organisations. You will be able to critically appraise the recent advances focusing on external as well as internal measures of performance to reflect the changing nature of modern business.

Applied Management Accounting

This module provides a critical understanding of the management accounting techniques today as well as cost information that can be produced for manufacturing, service and not-for-profit organisations. You will be able to critically appraise the recent advances focusing on external as well as internal measures of performance to reflect the changing nature of modern business.

This module will examine the laws regulating the conduct of business and business organisations. The first part of the module provides the essential basic knowledge and understanding of English law (English Legal System, Contract, Tort and Employment) whilst the second part covers Company law and Corporate Governance.

One module needs to be chosen from the four listed below.

This module introduces you to the techniques and practices of project management. The first part of the module examines the conceptual framework and key theories that underpin each phase of project management. The second part evaluates project optimisation mechanisms and explores ethical issues in project management. You will have the opportunity to manage a simulated project in this module. 

This module introduces you to the principles of managing personal finances through diversifying income, automating regular saving, mindful spending, long-term investing and awareness of the impact of borrowing on wealth. In the process you will be introduced to a variety of personal finance products and issues to increase your financial literacy. You will be provided with an understanding of personal financial behaviour and biases, market anomalies, financial bubbles, fake news and manipulations in financial markets which can influence individual financial decision making.

This module develops your knowledge of operations and supply chain management within a variety of organisations. It examines  aspects of operations and supply chain management relevant to the design, planning, control and improvement of business operations. You'll learn to evaluate, select and apply relevant operations management concepts, tools and techniques to solve problems, make informed decisions and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational processes. 

This module explores the mathematics that underlies financial processes and financial decision making and complements the study of these areas in economics and accounting. Specific areas include probability, extending interest ideas to mortgages and annuities, modelling financial data using time series models and Markov chains, applying discrete methods for option pricing, and using utility to make decisions in risky environments.

Building upon your first work experience module, you will undertake approved work experiences and personal and professional development activities, for a minimum of 18 weeks full time employment. This gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of work and develop effective strategies to understand work and organisational life. The module will help you to demonstrate your commercial awareness.

For this module you will undertake an approved work experiences and personal and professional development activities, for a minimum of 18 weeks full time employment. This will provide you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of work and develop strategies to deal with and understand work and organisational life. The module will enable you to develop your ability to articulate your graduate competencies and demonstrate your commercial awareness.

On this module you will undertake an approved work experience and personal and professional development activities, for a minimum of thirty-six weeks of full-time employment. This will provide you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of work and develop effective strategies to deal with and understand work and organisational life. The module develops your ability to demonstrate your commercial awareness.

On this module you will participate in an approved work experience and a range of personal and professional development activities, for  a minimum of 36 weeks full-time employment. This will provide you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of work and develop effective strategies to deal with and understand work and organisational life. The module will develop your ability to demonstrate your commercial awareness.

You will study four compulsory modules and one option module over two semesters. In the final year, you will spend more time on ethics, governance and controversial accounting principles to advance your skills and knowledge appropriate to graduate level.

This module examines accounting theory and its influence in accounting. The module provides you with an opportunity to evaluate and apply different strands of accounting theory to research accounting. The module is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of philosophical debates connected to the generation of knowledge, whilst connecting such debates to those currently employed in accounting. The use of AI is embedded in this module to promote critical thinking and analysis by comparing and contrasting the AI prompt with the literature.

This module will provide you with a conceptual understanding of contemporary corporate finance and the practical tools and techniques for the financial decision-making process. The module explores the main aspects of financial management, including capital budgeting and investment decision-making, capital structure and finance decision-making, and working capital management. It will enable students to form a critical appreciation of the link between accounting and finance, and the interaction between financial decision-making and capital market behaviour. Students will also develop and refine their transferable skills, including communication, presentation skills, critical analysis, time management and team working.

This module focuses on societal values that advance the well-being of people. In this regard, you will be equipped with the knowledge and capabilities to critically evaluate societal structures and institutional influences that promote ethical and sustainable frameworks. An evaluation of progress in the implementation of initiatives is strongly encouraged with the view to assess how the principle human dignity is promoted. 

This module introduces you to UK personal and business taxation. It deals with the fundamental principles of UK tax law and practice, including the computation of tax liabilities. This leads you to tackle more complex computational problems and to identify tax planning opportunities. You will be introduced to tax software packages, and gain ‘hands on’ experience of their use. The module gives you an understanding of the ethical dimensions of tax compliance and tax planning, including the role of tax policy in achieving sustainability goals.

One module needs to be chosen from the four listed below.

This module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of key concepts, methodologies and applications in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. It equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyse large datasets, apply AI methodologies in delivering accounting and finance solutions, and make informed decisions based on data-driven insights.  

This module develops your knowledge of the purpose of auditing financial statements, to understand some of the theory of auditing and to develop an ability to evaluate the use of modern auditing techniques in practical situations. You will learn how to develop and apply audit strategies and learn the practical application of Auditing Standards (ISAs). 

This module immerses you in the multifaceted landscape of launching a new venture. You will gain knowledge and develop skills relevant to conceptualising start-up commercial activities. Through practice-led learning, you will craft a business plan enriched by industry-led insights and experiential pedagogies, fostering hands-on application of concepts beyond traditional classroom settings. Sustainable development goals will underscore the curriculum, emphasising ethical and socially responsible business practices essential for sustainable growth.

This module will provide you with a critical understanding of the concepts and key debates in corporate accountability. Using high-profile cases of corporate failures, you will critically evaluate challenges and shortcomings in national and international contexts. By extending the traditional corporate governance debates to address broader social responsibility issues, you will be able to critically understand and evaluate the significance of transparency and accountability in a global context. 

On this module you will undertake an approved work experience and personal and professional development activities, for a minimum of 30 days full time employment. This will provide you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of work and develop effective strategies to deal with and understand work and organisational life. The module will develop your ability to articulate your graduate competencies and demonstrate commercial awareness.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.

Your independent learning is supported by the library and study hub, laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub.

Here is an indication of how you will split your time.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Your weekly timetable will typically consist of:

• 7 to 8 hours of interactive workshops
• 7 to 8 hours of interactive seminars or computer labs.

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop your skills from research and practical skills to critical thinking. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus.

We'll test your understanding and progress with informal and formal tests.

The informal tests usually take place at least once per module, from which you’ll receive feedback from your tutor. The grades from these tests don’t count towards your final marks.

There are formal assessments for each module, usually at the end, which will count towards your module and your final marks. Assessment methods will vary across the modules you study.

Coursework assessment types vary from presentations, business simulated case studies, online quizzes, portfolio analyses, reflective reports, business reports and academic essays. You will have the opportunity to develop core graduate competency areas that will equip you for entering into relevant accounting and finance professions.

The balance between the two will depend on which modules you are taking. The table below is a good guide.

Formative feedback is an integral part of the assessment process and is consistently provided for all module activities. This comprehensive approach ensures that you demonstrate theoretical understanding in modules, and enhances your transferable skills along the programme, such as effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability. 

You may choose the course option that includes a year-long work placement in your third year. (In the course specification this is referred to as Thick Sandwich)
 
Alternatively, you can opt for 2 smaller work experience placements over the years one and two of the course including the summers between the years of study. (In the course specification this is referred to as Thin Sandwich).   
 
A dedicated employability advisor will help you find a placement.
 
The placement forms the basis for an assessed report based on the organisation.    
 
At the start of the placement you will be allocated an individual supervisor who provides support and advice for the duration of the project.    
 
You will be supported throughout the course through a series of award winning talks, workshops and engagement with professional bodies and employers

We have developed a strong relationship with NHS London, offering candidates finance work placements for a 12-month period. This is only open to second-year students.

The placement offers:

• Valuable experience in Accounting & Finance
• ACCA/CIMA accredited experience for professional practical experience requirements
• Fast track to a graduate position
• The opportunity to work within different departments of NHS, such as financial planning, strategy, payroll and many more
• A chance to develop soft skills in communication and teamwork as well as insight into applying accounting concepts to solve real business problems
• Support during the application process to maximise your chance of securing a place on the scheme.