Course Details
EQF/MQF Level
Level 6 Qualification
ECTS Credits
120 UK Credits (equivalent to 60 ECTS)
Duration of Study Programme
1-2 Academic Years – Part-Time
Awarding Body
University of Derby
Intakes
January, May and September 2022
Malta/EU Price
£5,040
Operational End Date
NA
Mode of Delivery
Online
Pass Rate
NA
Disclaimer: This course is not delivered by Domain Academy. Delivered by UDOL – University of Derby Online
Course description
About:
The BA (Honours) Accounting and Finance degree aims to provide a programme of study to equip you with an accounting and general business education which will better enable you to take up management positions within industry and commerce. In particular it seeks to equip you with the knowledge and skill to pursue a career in accounting with the ability to become qualified accountants. The degree has been designed to allow greater opportunity for employability to be reflected in graduates as an outcome of their commitment to their studies. In order to achieve this aim we seek to offer an accounting curriculum that is up to date, vocationally relevant, challenging and reflects the complex and challenging nature of the accounting and business environment. At the completion of the Accounting and Finance programme you will gain significant exemptions from the professional accounting bodies. This has helped employability of Derby graduates and will be a strong part of their offering.
In addition, this Degree aims to:
- Provide a programme of study that equips students with an accounting and general business education with the ability to subsequently become qualified accountants
- Offer students an accounting curriculum that is up to date, vocationally relevant, challenging and reflects the complex and challenging nature of the accounting and business environment.
- Help to prepare a student for a career in a rapidly changing business and social environment.
- Provide a challenging, integrated programme of study that equips students with a sound general knowledge of accounting.
- Develop progressively cognitive, intellectual and practical skills within a relevant business context.
- Develop progressively transferable graduate skills as a foundation for lifelong learning.
- Develop personal, self-learning and team-working skills necessary for successful employment in accounting or business and management.
- Develop increasingly employable graduates in the discipline of accounting and related professions.
Target Group:
It’s a popular choice for busy professionals or those returning to work who want to get all the benefits a full degree brings but need a flexible study pattern. We accept a range of qualifications for entry onto the course.
Target Audience:
- 18+
What you will study
We will advise you of your study plan – the running order and availability of the modules – when you are invited to enrol.
If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered. In addition, where demand is high, some modules may be subject to a cap.
For this top-up degree, you will need to complete a total of 120 credits. This will be made up from the core modules (adding up to 80 credits) and two of the optional 20-credit modules in your preferred area of Accounting and Finance.
You will study modules such as:
- Financial Strategy – 20 UK credits (equivalent to 10 ECTS)
The Financial Strategy module will focus on the advanced aspects of the investment decision (capital budgeting) and the way in which the organisation’s capital structure can be strategically adjusted to ensure the maximisation of shareholder wealth/added value.
The module will introduce relevant theory and models, practical financial tools and techniques, with appropriate references to real-life organisations. A strategic approach to critically analysing and evaluating financial information is encouraged, with a view to advancing your knowledge and understanding of capital budgeting, capital structure and dividend policy. In addition, it is vital you can confidently and effectively communicate the rationale behind your decisions.
With this in mind, the Financial Strategy module will utilise every opportunity to expose you to situations where you will be required to lead a seminar, facilitate a workshop, chair a meeting and/or present a report. The relevance of the Financial Strategy module as part of an undergraduate Accounting and Finance programme is further supported by the fact that it aligns to the syllabus requirements of professional accounting bodies such as CIMA, CPA (Certified Practicing Accountants) Australia, IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants) and ACCA. It will also equip you to enter the work environment with knowledge and competencies that will enable you to critically analyse, evaluate and communicate the financial decisions that will help transform the organisation to address its key priorities.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate and analyse a business situation from a strategically financial perspective
- Accurately apply relevant accounting tools and techniques to support strategic decisions
- Explore and critically assess the implications of pursuing various courses of actions available to a company
Module content
You will learn advanced capital budgeting to build on the basic methods of appraising a project/investment by building in real-life considerations such as tax, limited capital and inflation. Practical applications of advanced investment appraisal through mini case studies will be used in the seminar sessions. Reference to real-life scenarios will be informed by research in this area, relating to what real life companies actually do.
Capital structure will be explored by considering theoretical models and the empirical evidence that has been put forward in this area of finance. Key ratios will be referred to in order to analyse the impact of various sources of finance on the performance and position of the company.
The relevance of accounting information available in the organisation and how it can help evaluate implications of a decision will begin to become apparent. The concept of the cost of capital will be explored and its relationship with the investment appraisal process will be discussed. The dividend policy of the organisation will be explored by considering theoretical models and the empirical evidence that has been put forward in this area of finance. The impact this has on shareholder wealth and the capital budgeting and capital structure decision is further explored.
At this level, you will begin to appreciate the need to be able to communicate the derivation and implications of strategic decisions. The analysis and evaluation is just one aspect of financial strategy, the delivery and communication of this strategy followed by the ability to reflect on the outcomes is what completes the strategy.
- Independent Study – 40 UK credits (equivalent to 20 ECTS)
Your Independent Study dissertation allows you to analyse and test the theories, principles and concepts addressed in the classroom environment in the reality of a private, public or community sector organisation by means of a pathway-related report. The independent study represents an individual piece of research completed under the guidance of an academic supervisor. It may be a research study which makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in your discipline area or professional background, or a study in which you critically analyse and evaluate existing knowledge and produces observations and conclusions of relevance to the particular field of study.
Module learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you should be able to:
- Prepare and critically articulate a research ethics-approved proposal and translate this into a feasible research plan relevant to your overall programme of study, which for some students will be within a named pathway
- Identify and critically review literature and other appropriate contextual sources pertinent to the issue, theme, subject or applied problem as identified within the proposal submission
- Critically evaluate a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and to select data collection and analysis tools and techniques appropriate to their Independent Study
- Working independently present a substantive piece of research in an applied aspect of business and management critically articulating; evaluating and reflecting upon the outcomes to an appropriate critical depth
Module content
The module will seek to equip students with the necessary skills to prepare, design and carry out complex business research projects using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods.
The nature of the independent study will vary from student to student and from programme to programme. The study could take the form of a critical case study or a dissertation on a subject of the student’s choice, with the supervision of a member of staff. The content will include an elaboration of the background factors involved in the situation, an evaluation of the relevant theories and concepts from the programme pathway, and a critical analysis of the subject selected.
This module will cover the following:
- Introducing business research
- Developing research skills
- Understanding research philosophy
- Understanding research ethics
- Reviewing the literature
- Understanding research methodology and design
- Developing a research proposal
- Understanding research methods, populations and sampling
- Using secondary data and archival sources
- Using observation
- Using interviews and focus groups
- Using questionnaires and scales
- Managing data and introducing data analysis
- Analysing quantitative data
- Analysing qualitative data
- Drawing conclusions and presenting research
- Management Accounting – Performance Evaluation – 20 UK credits (equivalent to 10 ECTS)
You will need to be able to present this information clearly to employees and managers at all levels in a business, especially those without any financial knowledge. You will learn how to critically evaluate tools and techniques and then apply them to scenarios. The main areas of study will be control, performance measurement and strategic management accounting.
This module runs over one semester and consists of lectures, including guest lecturers from industry and seminars. Be prepared to join in with group work during the seminars as we discuss many of the current issues in management accounting. At this level, the focus of your work will be on the communication of the information and not the creation of the numbers.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply concepts in management accounting control and performance measurement to various business scenarios and case studies
- Investigate, critically analyse and present an appropriate management accounting response to a current or modern business problem or issue
Module content
Firstly, you will look at how a business is controlled, investigating both the financial controls and the behavioural controls that are available. You will then move on to budgeting and how to calculate and interpret budgeted numbers so you can improve the performance of the business. This will include some analysis using advanced variances.
This leads on to performance-measurement tools and also the challenges that multi-divisional companies have with managing their performance along with transfer pricing issues, how companies compare to each other with benchmarking and how this is also useful within the not for profit sectors.
You will also learn about incentives and rewards and how, if these are not set correctly, can have dysfunctional consequences for your organisation, which also links into some ethical dilemmas. You will discuss the current issues in strategic management accounting and review some of the main cost-management theories. Pricing is discussed along with the different methods of calculating a cost plus base as well as looking at the market environment.
- Contemporary Reporting Issues – 20 UK credits (equivalent to 10 ECTS)
This module will investigate various contemporary issues relating to this area of performance management and integrated reporting. Delivery will include lectures, seminars and interactive sessions using Bloomberg financial software, projects and case studies.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of alternative forms of corporate accountability, including ethical, social and environmental impacts
- Critically appraise the benefits and limitations of alternative forms of corporate accountability
- Appreciate the contribution of professional accountants in new forms of corporate reporting
Module content
You will study the principles and impact of the circular economy, performance management and metrics in the circular economy, such as circularity assessments. This will involve the introduction, application and analysis of integrated reporting, including the work of the International Integrated Reporting Council, as well as environmental, social and governance reporting and impacts life-cycle analysis and case study analysis.
- Financial Reporting (non-exam route)
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the financial accounting principles that support the international accounting standards on which financial statements are prepared. It will enable you to evaluate the significance of the fundamental principles that underpin the drafting and revision of appropriate international accounting standards.
It will provide you with the ability to select, interpret and apply the relevant international accounting standards to a range of financial reporting issues and transactions that entities experience within the contemporary business environment. This is a key skill to ensure that the published financial information the entities provide is useful for external users and stakeholders.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Discuss the relevant accounting treatment of a range of economic transactions in accordance with the appropriate international accounting standards and correctly determine the accounting treatment to be applied
- Critically discuss the accounting implications of contemporary financial reporting issues, including the limitations of financial reporting
- Critically evaluate and prepare consolidated financial statements under International GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) from single company statements, including accounting for business combinations such as subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures
- Discuss approaches to non-financial reporting
Module content
- The role of the International Accounting Standard Board and the development of the regulatory and conceptual framework underpinning financial reporting
- Published financial statements: income statement, statement of financial position, statement of changes in equity and cash flow statements, including business combinations, such as subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures
- The analysis and evaluation of a wide range of accounting information, including financial instruments, earnings per share and employee benefits
- The limitations of financial reporting and the development of non-financial reporting
- Financial Statement Analysis – 20 UK credits (equivalent to 10 ECTS)
This module concentrates on using the financial information available to assess the relative strengths of companies and to assess the impact of outside forces on their viability. Analytical and forecasting skills will be used to aid decision making.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Analyse financial statements to make decisions on the strength, sustainability and adaptability of a business
- Evaluate the influence of internal and external factors on the company’s future prospects
Module content
- Interpretation and analysis of company financial reports
- Forecasting techniques
- Factors affecting share prices
- Evaluation of company’s place within the industry sector
- Vulnerability to external events
- Prediction of likely success or failure based upon extensive research
Module teaching and learning
The module will be taught through a series of online units supported by a mix of learning activities.
| Activity type | Hours | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Self-paced study and activity | 30 | 1 |
| Facilitated learning activity | 30 | 1 |
| Guided independent study | 100 | 2 |
| Peer-to-peer learning activity | 40 | 2 |
This module is based on the self-paced supported online learning delivery model. You are provided with a set number of units of learning content. Content can be in text form, can include video and audio material, screencasts or presentations with voiceovers. This content is supported by additional optional activities such as discussion forums to enable you to ask questions of your peers and your tutor to clarify their understanding and to engage in further development of the principles and ideas addressed.
Formative learning activities such as practice examples, worked examples and online quizzes are made available. Such activities enable you to interact and apply and exchange knowledge.
You will be provided with the opportunity to participate in a set number of live classroom sessions during the module. These provide you with ‘real time’ access to your tutor and an opportunity to collaborate with their peers. Recordings of these sessions are made available to all students for review by those unable to attend and for students to use as preparation for the module assessment strategy.
Module assessment methods
The module is assessed by 100% coursework, completed individually, split into two equally weighted tasks. Feedback from the first assessment will inform progress and act as feed forward to the second assessment.
Formative assessment
A range of formative assessment methods – providing feedback rather than grades – will be employed. This will include formative assessment during seminars and facilitated learning activities, allowing for peer and tutor feedback.
Seminars and personal tutorials will feature regular formative assessment throughout the semester, through exercises or class discussion.
Summative assessment
Coursework 1 – 50%: A numerical analysis of the performance of two companies from a specific industry sector. To include brief discussions of findings. This is to assess learning outcome 1.
Coursework 2 – 50%: A written report analysing the comparative performance of the two companies examined in coursework one. Word limit 2,500 words. This is to further develop learning outcome 1 and demonstrate learning outcome 2.
- Investing and Financial Market Behaviour – 20 UK credits (equivalent to 10 ECTS)
Students examine the theory and practice of pensions, investments, saving and debt decisions using concepts like inter-temporal decision-making, time preference, investment risk, capital accrual, fund management, investor behaviour bias in an international context. Students also examine the underlying issues in financial markets that lead to crisis and failure in order to examine the relationship between individual investment, organisational practice and regulation in financial markets.
Module learning outcomes
On completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of personal finance and investment theory and practice
- Demonstrate broad ability to critically summarise and appraise a financial expert’s view
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of how and why financial crises arise and the role of individual, organisational and regulatory decisions on financial market outcomes
Module content
- UK financial system, markets and instruments and the role of government regulation in the industry
- The economics and psychology of personal finance decision-making through portfolio investment theory to determine the best long-run investment and saving strategy and the problems of behavioural bias
- Savings activity, pension fund management and international patterns of investment. Students will attempt to build their own successful portfolio
- The economic role of the banking sector and other financial organisations in relation to investment and the economic and psychological explanations of financial crises
- The role of the regulators and different types of financial regulation
- Arguments from real financial market specialists discussing the role of the Bank of England, banks and specialists such as hedge funds
For more information, please click here.
How you will learn
We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester. If you aim to study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.
Where you will learn:
Online.
Assessment
Method of Assessment:
This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.
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Course Language:
English
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Structure of Programme:
The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.
If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.
With a mix of core and optional modules, you can tailor your studies to match your particular interests and career aspirations.
We will advise you of your study plan – the running order and availability of the modules – when you are invited to enrol.
To complete this top-up degree you will need to complete a total of 120 credits. This will be made up from the two core modules and three of the optional 20-credit modules in your preferred area.
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Teaching, Learning and Assessment Procedures:
The development of the autonomous and independent learner is further enhanced by a range of technology enhanced learning tools and activities. Students will have access to a range of tools and activities, providing support for research activities, personal diagnostics, additional content, online discussion and self-directed study techniques. Different methods will be used to take account of different learning preferences and include, for example, face to face or virtual lectures, case studies, role play, debates, student presentations, formative and summative enquiry based learning, and problem solving activities. The programme encourages students to apply learning to the work place and this is a central feature of the teaching and learning strategy. This will be achieved through a variety of means with the aim being to encourage and develop critical evaluation and the ability to synthesise and apply solutions to complex real life Finance problems. Teaching and learning approaches will be appropriately applied to each cohort in order that the same learning outcomes are achieved, but at times through different methods, whilst facilitating the development of effective peer support networks and learning sets. This will provide a stimulating experience as well as assisting students in their ability to critically evaluate and apply knowledge and intellectual skills to differing situations.
A range of assessments has been devised and the programmes operate within the University’s Regulatory Framework and conform to its regulations on assessment. A flexible approach has been taken in developing the assessment strategy, to allow for the diverse nature of the student cohorts as well as the different learning preferences of individual students.
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Grading System:
90-100% Excellent – Distinction
80-89% Excellent – Distinction
70-79% Excellent – Distinction
60-69% Very good – Merit
50-59% Good/Satisfactory – Pass
40-49% Unsatisfactory – Marginal Fail
5-39% Very Poor – Fail
Entry requirements
- HND or Foundation Degree in Accounting or Finance or international equivalent
- ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) F1-F6 or ACCA F1-F5 and F7
- CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) Advanced Diploma
- ABE (Association of Business Executives) Advanced Diploma in Business Administration
- IBAM (Institute of Business Administration and Management) Advanced Diploma in Business Administration
If you do not hold one of the above Accounting or Finance qualifications, but have a HND or foundation degree in Business or equivalent overseas qualification, you may be eligible to apply for our BSc (Hons) Management Accounting (top up) degree as an alternative.
Exemptions
If you have already completed CIMA’s F3 module or hold more than six ACCA F papers, you will be eligible for exemptions on this BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (top up) degree.
ACCA qualification exemptions
You will be able to gain exemptions on this course, if you hold specific ACCA F papers. Depending on the papers you hold you will be exempt from either one or two modules.
English language qualifications
If English is not your first language you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least the following:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.0
Fees & funding
Get 70% back on the full course fee upon successful completion.
Current Fees
| Part-time | ||
|---|---|---|
| Malta/EU | £5,040 |
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MFHEA Licence Nº: 2011 – TC – 01
Further and Higher Education Institution
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Last Updated: 09th November 2021