Overview
Accountancy is a vital function in business, fulfilling a significant role in business development and profitability.
The ability to produce quality financial data is integral to strategic decision-making and could ultimately be the reason a business thrives or dissolves. Consequently, studying accountancy and finance can lead to an exciting career in a variety of organisations from public sector to private sector as well as charities.
At CU Coventry, we aim to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skillset to help you get into the accounting profession. Alongside your learning, you will also have the chance to conduct critical research with our experienced staff, learn from guest visitors and take part in practical modules.
Why CU Coventry
We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.
Employability
Dedicated Careers & Employability department who will assist you in finding employmentTop Quality Courses
Taught by industry professionals, awarded by Coventry UniversityNo End of Year Exams
Our modern teaching techniques mean no last-minute cramming and less stressProfessional Recognition
Specific courses contain additional industry recognised qualifications from awarding bodies
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
This course has been specifically designed to coincide with learning material recognised by professional accounting bodies. This means graduates from our course leave with a degree embedding the essential skills that will help toward gaining professional qualifications from a range of accounting bodies.
To achieve these qualifications, you must complete the degree course and gain relevant work experience. Upon completion of the course you will have the opportunity to apply for exemptions from the professional accounting bodies to work toward their professional qualifications.
However, this is not a condition of academic credit. Assessments for the professional qualification will be independent from that undertaken for the academic award. Should you decide to apply for exemptions from units of the professional qualifications there will be additional student membership fees and assessment fees.
The Association of Accounting Technicians
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a professional membership body. An AAT qualification is a route to some of the most in-demand skills in the world and provides you with a professional status. The AAT will grant exemption from the Level 4 AAT qualification. In addition, students can apply for membership of the AAT, providing they obtain the relevant working experience and demonstrate reading on professional ethics.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) offers qualifications recognised by employers and accountancy professionals. The ICAEW will grant exemption from eight of their units. Students can also obtain the ICAEW Certificate for Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) providing the student completes their accounting exam.
The Institute of Financial Accountants
The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) is a professional body representing and providing certification for financial accountants in the United Kingdom and other countries. The IFA is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). Graduates of the BA (Hons) Professional Accounting degree course meet the relevant qualification criteria to obtain associate membership and will also need to provide evidence of having completed a minimum of 3 years' work experience in accountancy or a closely related field as part of their membership application. While you are gaining work experience you can become a provisional associate member. Upon completion you can apply to use the IFA designations as well as practising certificate.
What our students say
The great thing about my course is that it provides exemptions for the professional qualifications such as AAT. It adds another level to the degree and gives me a competitive edge over other graduates. It means I am one step closer to my dream job.
Course information
This detailed course focuses on giving you the foundational knowledge needed for a successful career within accounting.
For a variety of industries, we will provide you with theoretical insights and the practical knowledge needed to effectively deliver financial services. This course covers a comprehensive range of themes including taxation, financial reporting, budget management and business operations.
Due to the professional alignment of the course, exams will be a common feature when it comes to final assessments. However, a variety of assessment methods will be used. You’ll be required to deliver reports, presentations, essays and projects plans as part of a group and individually.
Course Specification
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Modules
Coventry University is ranked 15th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020. CU Coventry is part of the Coventry University Group.
In more detail...
Facilities
Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library & Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites. Plus, you can take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU).
Staff
This course has been developed and is taught by practising professionals and industry experts. Our academics bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom with many continuing to undertake research and other projects alongside teaching, meaning our students gain a well-rounded and relevant teaching experience.
Practical Experience
Throughout your studies, you will find that the course is underpinned with practical elements. You will devise reports, conduct business analysis and collaborate with students on related courses.
Placements
At CU Coventry, we put a strong focus on getting our graduates ready to enter the job market. This can be done in a variety of ways—one key element is work placements. With this degree, you are given the opportunity to undertake short and long-term placements in between your second and third year.
Stephanie - Becoming An Accountant
Aspiring accountant Steph wants to be part of a new generation of women taking leadership roles within STEM subjects. She has secured a position as a maths teacher where she gets to inspire young people to enter traditionally male-dominated roles. She strives to break boundaries by becoming a powerful figure in business.
Discover Stephanie's Story- Upon completion of this course, you will receive a qualification awarded by Coventry University.
- You will receive support with applying for short and long-term placements, to gain the experience employers desire, with our in-house Careers & Employability department.
- You will have the opportunity for multi-campus learning in Coventry, London and Scarborough.
- In order to make higher education accessible to as many people as possible, we keep our tuition fees competitively priced.
- Small tutorial group sessions ensure that you receive the mentoring help and support you need.
- We deliver one module at a time during each block. This means you can dedicate your time to specialise in each subject without the distraction of numerous modules and multiple deadlines.
- This programme offers professional accreditations meaning you leave with multiple valuable professional qualifications in addition to the academic qualification. Holding professional qualifications can help you stand out from the crowd of recent graduates to prospective employers.
- Language and practices: Understanding the main language and common practices used within accounting contexts. Understanding a number of alternative practices, such as recognition rules and valuation bases, approaches to control and decision making.
- Analytical tools and techniques: Theories and models of pricing, management decision making and performance. Using analytical tools and techniques, you will look at the key tools and techniques used to analyse organisational performance, prepare budgets and construct reliable forecasts.
- Legislation and governance: Assurance and professional ethics, the impact of civil law on business and professional services, company and insolvency law.
- Management and leadership: A solid knowledge of planning activities, competence reviews, monitoring performance, coordination of activities and effective communication.
- Accounting context: The role of accounting and finance, the accounting profession and the impact of the external environment. Also, core micro and macro-economic theory related to business objectives, functions and business structures.
This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field. Alternatively, part-time study is also available. Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work.
We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Moodle.
Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.
Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.
The learning outcomes of modules and assignments will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.
Assessment methods vary and include practice assessments, written practical reports, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place in week 3 and week 6 of each six-week block.
Assessment Weighting:
- 40% Coursework/Phased Test (assignment 1)
- 60% Phased Test Assessments (assignment 2)
On completion, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of policies, strategies and processes within a changing environment, to meet stakeholder interests.
- Critically appraise theories related to the development of a successful budgeting and financial strategy including the risk factors that need to be considered including country, currency and competitor risk.
- Be proficient in developing management level strategy.
- Develop appropriate research and analysis techniques, alongside the ability to undertake reliable market research activities.
- Operate, lead and collaborate in a team to solve problems of a practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions.
- Apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.
Full-time students are expected to attend CU Coventry every day of the week.
The majority of this will be face to face teaching, with the addition of individual and group tutorials and independent/online learning, as well as enhancement activities on Wednesdays.
Classes run daily and students are allocated to either:
Morning - 9am-1pm or
Afternoon - 2pm-6pm
Both morning and afternoon sessions have the addition of Enhancement Wednesdays when students can choose individualised learning activities between 9.30am-1.30pm to support their study, providing time in the afternoon to engage in clubs and societies.
Part-time students receive 7 hours per week direct face-to-face delivery and 3 hours per week blended learning.
Outside of this, there will also be independent study and online support.
Teaching will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6pm-9.30pm. Students are also able to book individual tutorials in advance, from 5.30pm-6pm.
Please note our part-time offering is subject to numbers.
We hold tutorials in small groups. These sessions are mandatory and ensure you receive detailed feedback about your work, go into depth on specific topics and have any of your burning questions answered.
Groups are kept at an average of 25-50 students per class. This way, students can take advantage of small numbers to increase contact time with lecturers.
What our students say
The great thing about my course is that it provides exemptions for the professional qualifications such as AAT. It adds another level to the degree and gives me a competitive edge over other graduates. It means I am one step closer to my dream job.
Entry Requirements
Unconditional offers
We want to recruit the best students to CU Coventry. We assess an applicants' past, current and predicted performance and commitment to the course, and we may feel that it is appropriate to reward consistently high-achieving students with an unconditional offer to CU Coventry. It is a commitment from us with regard to an applicants’ potential as an excellent undergraduate and we hope that this will encourage such applicants to join CU Coventry.
Personal statements and references will also be taken into account and, for some degree courses, an interview will form part of the assessment. Requirements for specific courses differ and not all degree courses will be taking part in the scheme. The unconditional offer will be confirmed once a selected applicant has made CU Coventry their firm choice.
CU Coventry has assessed that you can achieve the required grades and we have demonstrated this belief by making you an offer. This is our commitment to you so then we ask that you reciprocate this commitment by selecting us as your ‘firm’ choice and activating your offer.
We will consider other qualifications for a pre-result unconditional offer if you have an appropriate proven performance at GCSE (or equivalent) level and predicted grades in line with grades that we expect to see at A-level. Other qualifications that we may consider for a pre-result unconditional offer include: The International Baccalaureate Diploma, BTEC Level 3 qualifications, Cambridge Pre-U and combinations of qualifications (e.g. BTECS plus A-levels).
An unconditional offer is what it says it is. So, if you don’t meet your predictions then your place is still guaranteed. However, we would hope and expect that you continue to work hard to make the most of your potential and be best prepared to study at university level.
No, the unconditional offer is only available to those who will take up their place in the year for which they applied.
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for this course, we have a number of programmes which upon successful completion and meeting any additional entry criteria, qualifies you onto a place on this degree course, such as Foundation Years or Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
What our students say
The great thing about my course is that it provides exemptions for the professional qualifications such as AAT. It adds another level to the degree and gives me a competitive edge over other graduates. It means I am one step closer to my dream job.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
Fees & Funding
We price our courses competitively in an attempt to make higher education accessible for a wide range of people. Your tuition fees will cover all of your classes, online tutorials, some of the learning materials and access to our Library & Learning Services.
Each academic year we review our fee structure to ensure we're offering value for money to all our students. The 2020/21 fees are currently under review and will be available in autumn 2019.
Funding
As a full-time or part-time student resident in the UK or EU, you can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees at CU Coventry from Student Finance England.
What our students say
The great thing about my course is that it provides exemptions for the professional qualifications such as AAT. It adds another level to the degree and gives me a competitive edge over other graduates. It means I am one step closer to my dream job.
Career prospects
With an ever-growing demand for accounting professionals in all industries, graduates of this course have an expansive list of career paths to explore.
Successful graduates will be knowledgeable across a range of accounting and management disciplines, giving an advantage over candidates who have gone through the traditional route of an independent and narrowly focused course. Further, students will have gained several professional certificates in addition to their degree, meaning you have an excellent advantage for progression towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.
Where our graduates work
Some of our graduates have gone on to further study with a master’s degree in the finance industry at institutions across the UK. Specialist areas have included Banking and Finance MA, Accounting and Finance MA and Business Administration MBA in Dubai.
Other graduates from this course have gone on to work successfully in leading global companies such as Santander, BDO Accountants and RSM International.
What our students say
The great thing about my course is that it provides exemptions for the professional qualifications such as AAT. It adds another level to the degree and gives me a competitive edge over other graduates. It means I am one step closer to my dream job.
Disclaimer
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK and EU 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 for UK and EU Students is expected to be in line with inflation. For international students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
