Accounting and Finance for International Business BSc (Hons) top-up

Study level: Undergraduate
Top-up courses
Students in a meeting room in conversation.

Do you speak another language and are you interested in accounting and finance? Then international accounting and finance could be an ideal potential future career option for you.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time (Entry at level 6)
2 years full-time (Entry at level 5)

Course code

NN43

Start date

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026


Course overview

Primarily targeted at international students, this course is designed with a specific focus on accounting and finance in an international context, incorporating the study of English language for business, to better prepare you for potential global career options in areas such as business, accountancy or financial management.

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

This top-up course has been designed with specific emphasis on international accounting and finance. We aim to adopt a multidisciplinary approach, which covers economics, business strategy, marketing, financial planning and accounting through a range of mandatory modules.

An advanced module in English aims to support development of your English skills to a higher level and with a focus on the language used in international business arenas. You will have the chance to practise and learn how to write reports in a suitable academic style on relevant accounting, finance and international business topics such as inflation and Brexit, then present your findings to help build your confidence in communication skills.

You will consolidate your previous studies, while having the chance to develop the higher-level skills needed for international business. For example, by examining real-life case studies in financial accounting, management accounting, financial theory and international finance, you will have the opportunity to develop your analytical and critical thinking skills. We encourage you to adopt a problem-based approach to identify, analyse, apply and evaluate real-world business problems, such as the implication of globalisation and relevance of international/corporate social responsibility.

You will examine how organisations interact with stakeholders within the external environment, with the opportunity to identify the different users of financial data and their varying needs, investigating the adequacy of information disclosure in corporate annual reports.

You will also look at some of the challenges facing financial management in an international context, such as overseas initial public offerings and variances of regional accounting standards. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a range of accepted techniques and practices, like consolidation of financial statements and investment appraisal, considering how to apply them in different contexts, for example, evaluation of overseas investment opportunities.

By studying our top-up course you will benefit from:

  • specialist content which covers the identification, analysis and solution of financial decision making
  • access to facilities4 including our Trading Floor, featuring contemporary Bloomberg terminals
  • access to maths and stats help and advice through drop-in sessions with experienced staff4
  • professional accreditation from some leading professional accounting bodies, including those with a global reach, such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Practising Accountant Australia (CPA). Please refer to the Accreditation and Professional Recognition and Exemptions section1
  • experienced staff, who have worked in roles such as auditors for large scale professional services firms and as ACCA markers in the UK (please note that staff are subject to change)
  • opportunities to join a variety of student led societies, including the Accounting and Finance Society, the Investment Society and the Financial Trading Society
  • opportunities to network with like-minded professionals and visit key financial institutions, which have previously included the London Stock Exchange and Bank of England2.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is recognised by the following bodies1:

Chartered Insurance Institute logo

Chartered Insurance Institute

This course is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for the 2025/26 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.


ACCA Accredited Programme logo

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

This course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the 2025/26 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.


Chartered Institute for Management Accountants logo

Chartered Institute for Management Accountants

This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute for Management Accountants (CIMA) for the 2025/26 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.


We were given access and taught a number of industry standard packages including SAGE and SAP which is really valuable once we go into work with the experience of using these accounting systems already.

Marc Raven, 2024 Accounting and Finance Alumnus | Head of School Prize winner | PwC
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What you'll study

The below modules are studied in your first year on the course if you enter at Level 5, having already gained a Level 4 award in a related field. You will need 120 credits to pass the year.

Modules

The below modules are studied in your second year on the course if you enter at Level 5, or the first year on your course if you enter at Level 6. You need 120 credits to successfully pass the year.

Modules

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

This course is studied full-time over one or two years, depending on the level of entry. You can start in September, January or May.

Seminars and workshops are interactive teaching environments, often involving hypothetical problem questions, simulations, case studies and the analysis of more theoretical issues. 


Teaching contact hours

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

  • on-campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • group work
  • self-directed learning.

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

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

Assessment methods may include:

  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual Assignments
  • laboratories.

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.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


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

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 (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

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.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £16,800 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to 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.

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 permits an increase in tuition fees, the niversity 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.

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.

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).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*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.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

We have a range of facilities4 available to support you in putting the theories you're taught into practice. 

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.

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 that allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the facility adds a dynamic practical element to your course.

 

 

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

Talent Team

Employability is at the forefront of all our accounting and finance courses. Our dedicated Talent Team are also on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate level jobs and offer skills development workshops, and also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

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

sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments. It is the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an accounting and finance degree.

 


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future career options in finance, management, accounting, banking, personal and corporate finance and IT in private, public and third sector organisations. You could explore potential future roles as an accountant, auditor, business analyst, investment consultant, stock controller, tax assistant or teacher.

You will be able to:

  • demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of the fundamental functions of and contexts in which accounting and finance operates in an international context.
  • communicate accounting and finance concepts, models and techniques – including interpretation and forecasting of financial statement and business valuation – in a clear and precise style through written and oral work.
  • analyse and draw reasoned conclusions concerning structured and unstructured problems from sets of data drawn from a range of sources, such as corporate annual reports, FAME and Bloomberg etc.
  • analyse and discuss contemporary accounting and finance issues using appropriate accounting and finance principles and conventions.
  • record and summarise transactions and other economic events in accounting systems for presentation and decision-making purposes.
  • prepare and analyse financial statements through the use of recognised accounting conventions, statistical methods and computer-based techniques.
  • analyse and produce financial solutions to complex business decisions.

Further study

Alternatively, you may decide to pursue postgraduate study opportunities by studying courses such as Accounting and Financial Management MSc or Finance MSc here at Coventry Business School, which could further enhance your employability. Please note that further study opportunities are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs may apply.

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