Professional Accounting BA (Hons)
Study level: UndergraduateHNC/HND courses

Accountancy is a vital function in business, fulfilling a significant role in business development and profitability.
Year of entry
Location
CU Coventry (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich
Duration
4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC
Flexible part-time
Course code
NN1K / 004N / N400
Start date
September 2023
November 2023
January 2024
March 2024
April 2024
June 2024
Course overview
The ability to produce quality financial data is integral to strategic decision-making and could ultimately be the reason a business thrives or dissolves. Because of this, accountants and financial officers are in demand in both the public and private sectors, as well as in not-for-profit organisations such as charities.
We will aim to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skillset to help you get into the accounting profession. Alongside your learning, you will also get the chance to conduct critical research with our experienced staff, learn from guest visitors and take part in practical modules. Guests and visitors are subject to availability.
Why you should study this course
For a variety of industries, we will provide you with not only theoretical insights, but the practical knowledge needed to effectively deliver financial and accounting services. This course covers a comprehensive range of themes including taxation, financial reporting, budget management and business operations.
We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work2. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees3 low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving on to the next.
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course has been specifically designed to coincide with units taught at recognised, professional accounting bodies. This means graduates from our course could gain module exemptions from professional accounting bodies as outlined below – which could be an attractive accolade to potential employers. In order to achieve these module exemptions, you must successfully complete the degree course and gain relevant work experience.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will have the opportunity to apply for exemptions from the professional bodies to work towards the professional qualification. This is not, however, a condition of academic credit: assessments for the professional qualification will be independent of that undertaken for the academic award. Should you decide to apply for exemptions to the professional qualifications, there will be additional student membership fees and assessment fees.
The Professional Accounting BA (Hons) degree part of this course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies1:

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. Also, students can 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. The IFA is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants. Graduates of CU London and CU Coventry's BA (Hons) Professional Accounting degree programme meet the relevant qualification criteria to obtain Associate membership and will also need to provide evidence of having completed a minimum of three years' work experience in accountancy or a closely related field as part of their membership application. Upon completion, you can apply to use the IFA designations as well as a practising certificate.
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What you'll study
This detailed course focuses on giving you the foundational knowledge needed for a successful career in accounting.
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 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 field2. 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, which is currently Aula.
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.
Due to the professional alignment of the course, phase tests 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 project plans as part of a group and individually.
Teaching contact hours
Full-time
If you choose to study full-time you can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
Part-time
If you choose to study part-time you'll usually receive up to eleven hours per week of blended learning, including classes, tutorials and online learning. Outside of this, there will also be independent study and online support. Please note: part-time courses run subject to numbers.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, CU may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), CU Coventry may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to COVID-19, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
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 provide an overall percentage grade.
Assessment methods vary and include phase tests, 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 Credit Value:
- 10 credit value for Coursework/Phased Test (assignment 1)
- 20 credit value for Phased Test Assessments (assignment 2)
Entry requirements
Haven't met the entry requirements or don’t have the right qualifications? You may still be able to progress onto a degree you’d love by studying a foundation course.
View our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £7,950 per year | Request fee information |
EU | £7,950 per year with EU support bursary** £16,800 per year without EU support bursary** |
Not available |
International | £16,800 per year | Not available |
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.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
Tuition fees3 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 fees3:
- 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.
**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.
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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
All our facilities are located at Mile Lane4. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):
- Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
- A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
- Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
- Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
- Student support and careers advice teams.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion of the Professional Accounting BA (Hons) course, you should 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.
With high demand for accounting professionals in all industries, graduates of this course have a potentially exciting list of career paths to explore.
Successful graduates will be knowledgeable across a range of accounting and management disciplines, giving you a potential advantage over candidates who have gone through the traditional route of an independent and narrowly focused course. You will have gained several module exemptions with professional accounting bodies in addition to your degree, giving you a good advantage for progression towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.
Where our graduates work
Some of our Professional Accounting BA (Hons) course 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 global companies such as Santander, BDO Accountants and RSM International.
How to apply
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UK students
Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
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 students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.
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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Disclaimers
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. A copy of the 2023/24 contract can be found here. 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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