Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Two students using Bloomberg terminals on the Trading Floor

This course offers you the chance to gain a solid foundation in a broad range of potential career options within finance, accountancy or general management.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

NN34

Start date

September 2023
January 2024

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
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Course overview

Sound financial knowledge and accountancy skills are needed so businesses can make the right decisions, develop the right strategies and achieve growth, while also considering issues of ethics and sustainability. Many management roles require an understanding of budgeting and financial administration, to ensure the business remains on track and meets its targets.

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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Tailor your study to your chosen career path
    This course allows you to broaden your knowledge and skills or focus on specialisation as you see fit. You will first study a wide range of subjects laying a solid foundation for a career in accounting, finance or financial management. In the final year, you will have the opportunity to select from a range of optional modules to focus on a particular area of interest.
  • Prepare for professional qualifications2
    Our degree is closely aligned to the syllabi of professional accountancy bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
  • 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.
  • Develop practical skills in our Bloomberg Trading Floor
    Develop your skills in our Trading Floor4, which is currently one of the largest academic trading floors in Europe, featuring 42 dual screen Bloomberg terminals.
  • Benefit from real-world exposure
    Prepare for a future career in accounting and finance with a work placement2. Past students have undertaken placements with L'Oreal, Vauxhall Motors, and Digitus Accountancy Limited.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

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.

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.

Coventry University Accounting students explain what International Audit Week is all about.

The Accounting and Finance BSc at Coventry University provided me with a rigorous and comprehensive platform for building my accounting and finance knowledge. The Bloomberg Trading floor and huge amount of online academic resources are a great help.

Yilong Chen, Accounting and Finance BSc (2021)
Two students working on a bloomberg terminal in the trading floor

What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Accountancy BSc

Modules

  • This module focuses on the main principles governing the recording of business transactions and the presentation of financial information for external reporting globally, the systems and techniques used by businesses to produce financial statements, and the core concepts that underpin these statements. The module aims to introduce the main financial statements produced by different business organisations and explain what these indicate about business performance.

    Compulsory

  • This module focuses on the nature and behaviour of costs and introduces various approaches to the treatment of overheads and the different costing and decision-making techniques available to the professional management accountant. It aims to introduce the fundamental management accounting techniques including, but not limited to budgeting, measurement and analysis of variances, contribution analysis and throughput accounting.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with an understanding of the importance of business finance, and of the constraints and opportunities relating to business finance, as well as how businesses raise capital and carry out investment appraisals. The module also explores the concepts of debt, savings and investments from a personal finance perspective. It provides you with opportunities to apply theories in finance to real-world business scenarios.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your ability to apply appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques to financial and economic problems. It starts by applying core mathematical methods that you will have studied previously, and then introduces you to other mathematical and statistical techniques in the context of financial and economic applications.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces you to the economic environment in which a business organisation operates and to develop an understanding of basic economic concepts that are applicable to careers in business, accountancy and finance. It also considers how resources are allocated in a market economy, alternative market structures and their implications for businesses and consumers, the role of government, macroeconomic issues, and the international economic environment.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to enable you to engage critically and creatively with entrepreneurship in the context of responsible management practice. Using a variety of tools, you will be supported to develop a self-awareness of your own entrepreneurial mindsets, competencies and skillsets. During the module, you will be able to share your own experiences with those of other practitioners from business, role play different entrepreneurial archetypes and peer review their enterprising traits and entrepreneurial competencies.

    Compulsory

In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:  

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge 
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner 
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career 
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen 

Modules

  • This module provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and apply a number of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and accounting concepts. These standards and principles will be applied in the preparation of published financial statements for entities, including a simple group structure. Wherever possible the module applies theories and concepts to real-world examples, thereby replicating scenarios faced by accountants on a regular basis. You will also be able to develop the skills necessary to critically analyse and interpret financial statements and become aware of limitations in published accounting information.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces you to the behavioural aspects of managerial accounting in areas such as transfer pricing and divisional performance management. It also provides you with relevant accounting techniques that can be used in decision-making and explores how they can be applied in business situations, and their limitations.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces you to key concepts in financial management. You will learn about the function of financial management the operations of capital markets, the trade-off between risk and return, how to price financial assets and the importance of the way a business finances its operations. The module is designed to develop numeracy and analytical skills within a sustainable, socially responsible and ethical framework.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with the opportunity to identify current or global challenges in the environment and present ideas to address those issues in a proactive manner. You will develop an awareness and a critical understanding of key research methodologies within your chosen area of study and design a proposal for researching the relevant contemporary issues.

    Compulsory

  • This module explores the processes by which financial and management accounting is supported by various Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, Statutory Accounting Principles (SAPs), and market leading accounting software (e.g. SAGE) in the analysis and decision-making process.

    The module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to operate in a finance or accounting role in real world situations using internationally recognised software products to develop your abilities and understanding of the role of such tools in an industry setting.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the functions and operation of retail financial services in the UK, the key financial products, regulation of financial services, financial inclusion, FinTech, financial crimes, risks, and current issues and trends. You will learn about the workings of the equity and bond markets, gain quantitative skills to price stocks and bonds and develop critical understanding of theories in finance.

    Compulsory

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from years one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a supervisor.

Modules

  • This module aims to enable you to design, use and critically appraise management and cost accounting information systems. You will learn how to employ advanced management accounting techniques and how to evaluate their strengths and limitations, and appreciate when different techniques may or may not be appropriate in the light of recent research in this area.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with a deeper understanding of the scope and nature of the financial management issues that exist within modern corporations. It covers the major strands of financial management theory such as working capital management, financing of the firm, risk management and seeks to apply the theory to real world applications.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with the opportunity to apply and develop your research skills and to extend your knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse a topic in a specialist area of interest. You will choose a research topic related to your programme of study and apply critical analysis skills acquired through this and other modules to research the topic in depth. You will receive academic support through a series of group supervisions and will be allocated a project supervisor.

    Compulsory

  • Choose two of the following modules:

    • Investment Analysis – 20 credits
      The Investment Analysis module provides you with an understanding of the characteristics of and methods used in the valuation of, bond and equity financial investments. The teaching of the module will be focused on the use of practical problem-solving exercises using, where possible, real-world financial data.
    • International Finance –20 credits
      The International Finance module aims to provide you with an understanding of the international dimension of finance and how these impact businesses. By the end of this module you should appreciate the workings and operation of currency derivatives markets, the international money and capital markets, and the principles of currency risk management.
    • Business Strategy – 20 credits
      This module provides an understanding of strategic leadership and management, strategic analysis and strategic decision-making within organisations, and appraises what is required for high performance in an uncertain environment. You will consider the usefulness of effective leadership and its impact on corporate culture and strategic choice. Through the use of case studies, you will have the opportunity to study and critique a range of strategic management concepts and theories and apply these to real-world organisations and situations. The module synthesises and develops knowledge from topics studied previously including financial analysis and evaluation techniques, risk and corporate governance.
    • Portfolio Management –20 credits
      This module examines how portfolios are structured, monitored and managed for maximum effectiveness. It aims to develop you with the understanding and ability to apply asset allocation, portfolio strategies, international diversification and performance evaluation techniques.
    • Advanced Financial Reporting –20 credits
      This module builds on what you have studied in previous years on the Principles of Financial Accounting and Financial Reporting modules. It focuses primarily on the preparation of published financial statements by public limited companies. It enables you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and accounting theory in the preparation of published financial statements of entities, including groups.
    • Audit and Internal Control –20 credits
      This module builds on and requires knowledge and understanding of financial accounting and reporting developed by the Financial Reporting and Analysis (or equivalent) module. It helps you to develop understanding and critical evaluation of internal control risks and organisational responses, as well as audit processes and their application in the context of the external regulatory framework for different business entities, operating in an international environment.

    Optional

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.

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.

You will have the opportunity to use one of the largest educational trading floors in Europe4, running Bloomberg trading terminals and giving access to a wealth of live and historical trading market data.

You will benefit from formative feedback on your work delivered in class and online.

You will aim to develop team working, communication and leadership skills through participating in group projects.

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International Experience Opportunities

Coventry is a multicultural university, so our typically diverse student and staff body helps to facilitate a multicultural learning environment.

Coventry University aims to give you the global opportunities2 needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Options might include language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips, summer schools, leadership development or work experience.

In the past, our students have had the opportunity to visit universities abroad to study alongside students, see how finance is taught internationally, appreciate the issues in different countries and broaden their perspectives.

Closer to home, you might have the opportunity to participate in European field trips2 as part of events such as the annual Tax Week initiative or the annual Audit Week, both of which were conducted in collaboration with European universities, and saw students work collaboratively on related projects.

You can watch a video that explores a previous International Audit Week.

My absolute passion is making the complex issues of accounting and finance easily understandable to students. I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with over 15 years of teaching and research experience at various universities in three different countries.; I love bringing that experience to my teaching and inspiring learners to think about the possibilities that studying this course can potentially open up.

Dr Hafij Ullah, Assistant Professor in Accounting 2022
Two people looking at screens displaying stock market stats

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Typical offer for 2023 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BBC
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 4 / C or above including Maths and English
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 24 points 
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Accounting and Finance or International Year One (Accounting and Finance) will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

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.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

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)

  • 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

We have a range of facilities4 available to support our students in putting the theories you are taught into practice.

A student using a computer at a desk wearing glasses next to a tutor pointing at the screen

The Trading Floor

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility which allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring 42 dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, this facility can add a dynamic practical element to your course.

People at the Talent team fair on the balcony and on the ground floor

Talent Team

Our dedicated Talent Team can assist you in applying for work placements and graduate level jobs, and offer skills development workshops.


 

A female student sat at a desk holding a pen and looking at a laptop.

sigma Centre

sigma is housed in our Lanchester Library and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments.

 

 

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Explore and evaluate the complex and dynamic global business environment in which accounting and finance operate including 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 financial 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.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the financial needs of business entities, an appreciation of how theory and evidence may be used to guide practice, the workings of capital markets, and the relationships between risk and return.
  • Critically evaluate a range of contemporary theories, models and concepts in accounting and finance, and synthesise these to devise optimal investment and financial risk management strategies for entities including managing investment portfolios and currency risk.
  • 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 technology4 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 finance, accounting or management, this course aims to offer you opportunities to gain industry experience, such as field trips, live cases with clients, business simulations and work experience2.

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:

  • Finance
  • Management
  • Accounting
  • Banking
  • Personal and corporate finance
  • Business
  • Education in private, public and third sector organisations.

Alternatively, this course could set you on the path towards further study for a professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant.

Where our graduates work

In the past graduates have gone on to work for companies spanning a range of sectors such as BDO, Britvic, Meggit, ICON plc, and The Wigley Group.

Typical roles that graduates of this course may progress to include Finance Analyst, Account Technician, Audit Graduate Scheme, and Finance Graduate Scheme.

Further study

Upon successful completion of our Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons) course, you may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level with our Finance MSc here at Coventry Business School.

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.

Please note that further study opportunities2 are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs may apply.

Accountancy at Coventry

Student Caleb Mellen talks about the skills and experience he’s learning on his 3rd year work placement.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, 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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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.

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