Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

• Overview

  The accountant has become a key player in the provision of management information to enable successful decision-making, planning and control in all types of organisations; public and private sector, within industry and commerce, both in the UK and abroad. Accounting is more than just a computational skill and we intend to develop your ability to analyse and to evaluate real-life situations and effectively communicate your views and opinions.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  Course

  Highlights

  • Optional Work Placement Year.
  • Exemptions from the main professional body exams.
  • Progression courses available.
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  The course will begin by considering the practical techniques involved in accounting and finance and then continue to develop skills to critically analyse the theory behind these techniques. It will also develop the interdisciplinary nature of business and integrate accounting with broader subject areas such as economics, law and human resources.

  There is also the option to complete a year’s work placement to prepare you for your future career.

  The course offers significant exemptions from the main professional body exams including:

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

  We are also delighted to report the Accounting and Finance Division have retained a number of industry accreditations and are commended for being one of only six universities to have their courses accredited by AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). Once you graduate you will be able to apply for AAT membership, providing you with a professional qualification to enhance your employability.

  The Division has also retained its accreditations from ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) and AIA (Association of International Accountants). Representatives from these bodies and visiting speakers from a variety of businesses attend the university regularly. You will be invited and encouraged to attend these useful events and engage in the debates.

  Nationwide, MacIntyre Hudson and Mazars are examples of recent visits and are also some of the sponsors who provide prizes at our annual awards ceremony. Local sponsors include Grant Thorntons, Hawsons and Elsby. Elsby are a growing company who will be developing a ‘Young Professionals Networking Platform’ in conjunction with the university in the very near future.

  At the Accounting, Finance and Banking Awards 2015, which were incorporated into our Graduation celebrations, £1,000 was given out in prize money to our students. Grant Thorntons, Hawsons Chartered Accountants, McIntyre Hudson and Mazars were amongst the companies sponsoring these awards. Further information about the Accounting, Finance and Banking Awards can be found on our News section of the website.

  Methods of Learning

  For this course you can expect taught study to be a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops which usually consist of 14 contact hours per week. We recommend that you spend 20 hours per week in self-directed study time, as a full-time student, or usually seven contact hours and ten hours per week in self-directed study time if you are studying part-time.

  Assessments

  A wide variety of assessment strategies are used, including examinations, simulations, spreadsheet activities, presentations and group activities.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Optional Work Placement Year

  If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take a placement year you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.

• Careers and Events
  • The Northampton Employment Promise.

    *We promise to secure paid experience for you, if you need it.

    We work with employers to understand what they’re looking for and we’re confident that if you follow one of our structured awards, as well as committing to your studies you’ll be in a competitive position when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

    We’re so confident, that we promise to secure a paid 3-6 month internship for you, if you need it. Find out more about the Northampton Employment Promise, including how it works and who is eligible.

    
  • Open Days

    See for yourself

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying at The University of Northampton.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    Excellent career opportunities are available for graduates holding an Accounting and Finance degree, especially those that will be part professionally qualified. This course will prepare you for work in any of the key accounting fields of auditing, financial accounting, management accounting, budgeting and taxation. A career in accounting offers you the flexibility to work in industry, commerce, the public sector or even private practice.

    
• Requirements

  A typical offer would be BBC at A Level or DDM at BTEC. Standard entry requirements apply. In addition, you should hold Mathematics GCSE at grade C/4 or above or equivalent. We welcome international applicants.

  If you have professional qualifications such as AAT (Level 4), IFA, AIA or CAT, you can be considered for direct entry into stage two of the degree.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  For information on how to apply to study with us as an International student, please see our How to apply for International Study page.

   

   

  Contacts

  Course enquiries
  study@northampton.ac.uk

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Enquire online
  Online enquiry form

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Optional Placement Year
  • Stage 3

  The first stage of the course will lay the foundation for future study. You will study the basic elements of accounting and finance and develop spreadsheet and numerical skills, research, referencing and academic writing skills. You will also learn more about the role of the accountant in business and the fundamental aspects of Business and Company Law.

  • Financial Skills and Numeracy (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC1012

    Core Module Y
  • Financial Accounting (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC1001

    Core Module Y
  • Cost and Management Accounting (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC1002

    Core Module Y
  • Economic Environment (20 Credits)
    Module code: ECN1006

    Core Module Y
  • Business and Company Law (20 Credits)
    Module code: LAW1015

    Core Module Y
  • The Accountant in Business (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC1009

    Core Module Y

  The second stage will further develop the core area of accounting and finance. You will be able to choose additional modules to map onto a chosen career pathway. This stage will examine financial management, financial reporting and management accounting. You will also have an opportunity to select topics that take your interest, including career development and planning, project management and a computer-based module enhancing skills with practical application of accounting software models. If you are seeking maximum exemptions on completion of the course studying the taxation and enterprise operations modules would be beneficial.

  • Financial Management (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC2001

    Core Module Y
  • Financial Reporting (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC2002

    Core Module Y
  • Management Accounting (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC2003

    Core Module Y
  • Financial Environment (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC2008

    Core Module N
  • Project Management: Planning and Control (20 Credits)
    Module code: BSO2016

    Core Module N
  • Taxation Theory and Practice (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC2009

    Core Module N
  • Accounting Software and Models (Accounting Software and Models Credits)
    Module code: ACC2005

    Core Module N
  • Enterprise Operations (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC2018

    Core Module N
  • Career Development and Employability (20 Credits)
    Module code: HRM2049

    Core Module N
  • Research Methods for Accounting and Finance (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC2027

    Core Module N

  If a student decides to undertake the Optional Placement year, HRM2053 becomes a module for completion. Students must have successfully completed 100 credits at Level 5 in order to undertake placement.

  • The Placement Year Experience: Organisations in Context (40 Credits)
    Module code: HRM2053

    Core Module N

  In the final stage, you will cover two core areas in corporate finance and advanced accounting. These modules in particular will help to develop skills of critical analysis and synthesis. You will then have a choice of modules to reflect your career aspirations. Accompanying the formal study will be the production of an individual project or dissertation which will offer you the opportunity to integrate and consolidate material from all three stages of the course and to investigate issues of interest in greater depth. You also have the option of completing a one-year sandwich placement with a company of your choice before commencing the final stage of study. The benefits of a placement year are enormous, in terms of personal and career development, networking and in most cases, financial reward.

  • Accounting and Finance Dissertation (40 Credits)
    Module code: ACC4001

    Core Module N
  • Accounting Project (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC4003

    Core Module N
  • Advanced Accounting Theory and Practice (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC3002

    Core Module Y
  • Corporate Finance (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC3009

    Core Module Y
  • Taxation (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC3004

    Core Module N
  • Audit and Investigations (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC3005

    Core Module N
  • Project Management: Managerial Perspectives (20 Credits)
    Module code: BSO3014

    Core Module N
  • Management Accounting - Decision Making (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC3014

    Core Module N
  • Strategic Financial Management (20 Credits)
    Module code: ACC3023

    Core Module N

  Module information is quoted for 18/19 currently. The course modules for 19/20 will be confirmed in Spring 2019, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  • optional work-based learning placement year
  • proven student support system
  • specialised pathway
  • significant exemptions from professional body exams
• Further Studies
  • Postgraduate Opportunities

    Further your study

    Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

    Accounting and Finance MSc

    Management MSc

    Economics for Business MA

    
  • Research

    at the University of Northampton

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    Opportunities Available

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module
  Optional Work Placement Year: £1,000

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2020. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  However, we do ask that students pay a £10 deposit to hold their place on the Manchester United trip which is refunded to you after the event.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module
  Optional Work Placement Year: £950

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2019. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  However, we do ask that students pay a £10 deposit to hold their place on the Manchester United trip which is refunded to you after the event.

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,900
  Optional Work Placement Year: £1,000

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2020 Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  However, we do ask that students pay a £10 deposit to hold their place on the Manchester United trip which is refunded to you after the event.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,500
  Optional Work Placement Year: £950

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2019. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  However, we do ask that students pay a £10 deposit to hold their place on the Manchester United trip which is refunded to you after the event.

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  John Lowe Scholarship

  The John Lowe Scholarship provides a £2,000 award to a first year undergraduate studying one of the following courses: BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance BSc…

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

  Wilson Endowment Scholarship

  The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

• Part Time Study

  Courses offered on a part time basis are an excellent way of gaining a qualification around a busy home life or job. The University of Northampton recognises that many of our students have family and work commitments and offer various courses on a part time study basis, working flexibly around your requirements.

  A lot of our courses can be completed part-time, so you can fit your studies around your life. The majority of part-time and professional courses start in October. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure we have your details before your course starts.

*Course data provided by Unistats