Accountancy BSc (Hons) with foundation year
Study level: UndergraduateStudy a course that prepares you for professional qualifications while developing your knowledge and skills to help businesses and organisations manage finances, make management decisions, face economic challenges and grow ethically and sustainably.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich
UCAS codes
N4DF
Start date
September 2024
November 2024
Course overview
Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.
Foundation year
This year aims to provide the fundamental knowledge and skillset in a range of mathematical and business principles, as well as the theories and concepts involved in investment risk and professional ethics.
Degree
Accountants with the skills to monitor the flow of money for a business while being able to spot and protect against potential challenges, are highly sought after. Global uncertainty and the challenges of the economic climate, mean that skills in this field could be more important than ever before.
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 20225 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University RatingsTop 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
By studying this course you will have the opportunity to:
Foundation year
- Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
- Provides a grounding in key areas of accounting and finance.
Degree
- Prepare for professional qualifications - Our degree is closely aligned to the syllabi of professional accountancy bodies1 including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
- Develop practical skills in our Bloomberg Trading Floor4 - Develop your skills on our Trading Floor, featuring contemporary dual screen Bloomberg terminals.
- Put your skills to the test - Prepare and analyse financial statements, as well as studying the impact of finance on real businesses through case studies of a diverse range of organisations.
- Access our sigma Maths and Stats Support Centre4 - Access maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions with experienced staff.
- Benefit from real-world exposure - Prepare for a future career in accountancy by applying for a work placement2. Past students have undertaken placements at PwC, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Jaguar Land Rover and the NHS.
Accreditation and professional recognition
The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
This course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the 2023/24 intake. Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to secure certain exemptions from ACCA papers, depending on your choice of modules. Please note that additional papers will be required to be taken to become /qualified through the ACCA, which will incur additional costs, and you will also need to fulfil the practical experience requirement. Qualifying will be subject to competitive application, availability, and meeting any applicable visa requirements.
This course is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for the 2024/25/26 intakes. CII recognition allows students to gain certain exemptions from some professional examinations, upon successful completion of this course (subject to application, availability, meeting applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply). If there is any change to the recognition of this course by the CII, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
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Exemptions
Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)
This course is recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) for the 2023/24 intake. Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to secure particular exemptions from certain ICAEW papers, depending on your selection of modules, and you will also need to fulfil the practical experience requirement to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Please note this is subject to availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs.
Chartered Institute for Management Accountants (CIMA)
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute for Management Accountants (CIMA) for the 2023/24 intake. Upon successful completion you will be able to secure exemptions from CIMA papers, depending on your choice of modules. Please note that additional papers will be required to be taken to attain the CIMA qualification, which will incur additional costs, and you will also need to fulfil the practical experience requirement. This may also be subject to competitive application, availability, and meeting any applicable visa requirements.
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Additional certificates
As part of the degree you will have the option to work towards two additional certifications (outside of your study modules):
[1] Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate: Optional certification to help our students stand out and demonstrate their understanding of financial markets, central banking and the application of economic indicators, as well as hone their skills in utilising Bloomberg terminal functionalities for a fast moving market.
[2] Bloomberg ESG Certificate: Optional certification for students to demonstrate their understanding of the Environmental, Social and Governance factors, and their implications for strategy development and regulatory compliance.
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Memberships
PRME - The Principles for Responsible Management Education
Coventry Business School is currently an active member of The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). PRME is a United Nations-supported initiative founded in 2007 that aims to raise the profile of sustainability in their classrooms through seven principles focused on serving society and safeguarding our planet.
AACSB - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the world’s largest network of business schools and organisations committed to advancing business education and making a lasting, positive impact on society to create next generation of great leaders.
BGA - Business Graduates Association
Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA). BGA’s student and graduate benefits have been crafted to enhance your learning experience, providing a range of tools to support professional and personal development.
GBSN - Global Business School Network
Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Global Business School Network (GBSN). The Global Business School Network is a nonprofit organisation that partners with business schools, industry, foundations and aid agencies to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education for the developing world.
SBC - Small Business Charter
Coventry Business School is a recipient of the Small Business Charter (SBC) Award. The award is a mark of excellence for business schools, recognising their expertise in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and effective engagement in the local economy.
International Audit Week
International Audit Week is usually held annually, and is dedicated to helping students develop their auditing skills, with a view to successful careers in the audit and accounting sectors.
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
The tutors are really helpful and there to listen, they don’t mind putting in there own time to ensure we would understand and encouraged us to ask questions. This is something that really impressed me and helped me to achieve in my studies.
Rahmatullah Amanullah (Course Tutor Prize Winner), Accountancy, 2023
How you'll learn
Our teaching has a strong focus on merging theory and practice. You will be engaged in simulation and practical exercises, such as preparing and analysing financial statements or assessing financial investment options, giving you the opportunity to apply theory to real-life scenarios that professional accountants encounter on a day-to-day basis.
I bring professional experience of working in accounting and financial management to the Accountancy and Accounting and Finance BSc programmes. Our teaching teams bring an outstanding balance of academic and industry experience to teaching a broad range of modules, to prepare students for careers in all industry sectors.
Richard Pennington, Assistant Professor in Accounting and Course Director, 2022
As a student at Coventry University, I got internship offers from banks and CPA firms in China, and I did two internships which give me a basic understand of prospective roles for the future.
Yilong Chen, Accounting and Finance BSc (2021)
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.
Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?
Fees and funding
2024/25 tuition fees.
Foundation year
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
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UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £7,950 | Not available |
International/EU | Not currently available*** | Not available |
Degree
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International/EU | Not currently available*** | Not available |
Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.
If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.
Careers and opportunities
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Explore and evaluate the complex and dynamic global business environment in which accounting operates including detailed analysis of the legal and ethical frameworks applicable to accounting and business, and awareness of interdependencies between the regulatory, legal, ethical and economic frameworks.
- Identify, extract and interpret data from a variety of financial and other numerical sources using appropriate analysis techniques and an appreciation of statistical concepts.
- Record and summarise transactions and other global economic events;, prepare financial statements in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements; and demonstrate awareness of the contexts in which accounting data and information is processed and used, by different stakeholder groups.
- Critically evaluate different theories of taxation, describe the principal types, rules and requirements of UK taxation and prepare computations of the income tax liability for employees, sole traders, partnerships and corporations.
- Critically evaluate a range of contemporary theories, models and concepts in accounting, and synthesise these to devise optimal strategies for entities.
- Apply critical, analytical and problem-solving skills, including critical analysis and evaluation of data, drawing reasoned conclusions to formulate effective strategies for individuals or organisations.
- Use digital information and communications technology for the acquisition, analysis and communication of information.
- Effectively communicate and present quantitative and qualitative information, analysis and findings in a form appropriate to the intended audience.
- Evidence effective critical self-reflection, ethical awareness, intercultural awareness and well-developed interpersonal skills including numeracy, collaborative problem-solving and effective time management.
Designed to prepare you for a successful career in accounting, this course offers lots of opportunities2 to gain industry experience.
Upon completion, you should have the confidence to give sound financial advice and make effective financial decisions. You should be well-placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future careers options in areas such as:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Management
- Banking
- Personal and Corporate Finance
- Business
- Education in private, public and third sector organisations.
In addition, this course could set you on the path towards a professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant.
Where our graduates work
Past students have gone on to work for prestigious companies including Samsung, HSBC and Greene King.
Typical roles that graduates of this course may progress to include Graduate Financial Accountant, Trainee Tax Advisor, Finance Graduate Scheme, and Finance Assistant.
Further study
Upon successful completion of our Accountancy BSc (Hons) course, you may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level with our Finance MSc here at Coventry Business School, or our Professional Accounting MSc at Coventry University London. You can explore all of your options using our postgraduate course search tool. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.
How to apply
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UK students
Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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International students
International codes:
How to apply
FBLU080IFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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Disclaimers
Study location
The Foundation Year study route will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University.
If you choose to study at CU Coventry for your Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU Coventry. Mile Lane, Coventry. Subject to meeting requirements you will then transition to the relevant Coventry University subject faculty building for your progression degree.
Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.