Financial Management and Accounting with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Foundation year
Two students working on laptops in front of a large wall-mounted screen.

The Financial Management and Accounting with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in accounting and finance.

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

Course code

391N

Start date

July 2023

How to apply
Open days
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Course overview

The Financial Management and Accounting with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in accounting and finance.

The strength of the course lies in preparing students, who are unable to follow the more traditional route onto a degree course in Financial Management and Accounting.

  • The foundation year aims to provide the fundamental knowledge and skill set in a range of mathematical and business principles, as well as the theories and concept involved in investment risk and professional ethics.
  • Students who successfully complete their foundation year will then progress onto the Financial Management and Accounting BA (Hons).
  • The Financial Management and Accounting BA (Hons) degree part of the course aims to enable students to make a valid contribution to managerial and accounting functions of any organisation such as sole traders, firms of partnerships, private and public companies and charitable organisations.
  • Students who go on to graduate could benefit in the workplace by acquiring the skills and knowledge required to enable them to climb the ladder of opportunity for promotion to senior positions in an organisation, for example becoming an Assistant Management Accountant supporting a Financial Accountant in the preparation of budgets and financial statements.
  • This degree also seeks to develop and embed students with a commercial awareness, a key to success in the finance and accountancy sectors, enabling graduates to show that they can understand the work of a finance organisation as well as that of the companies for which the organisation works.

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. Wherever possible we aim to provide career-focused courses, coupled with placement opportunities2 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, so you have the opportunity to study topics in-depth and give assignments your full attention before moving onto the next.

What you'll study

The foundation year aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge relevant for successful progression onto a degree in Financial Management and Accounting. It also sets a foundation for your journey to employment, creating opportunities for professional and academic development.

Your foundation year is a common first year for this course and one other which could mean you will work alongside students doing similar courses to you which would widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You may also have the potential 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).

This course shares a common foundation year with Professional Accounting with Foundation Year BA (Hons).

Modules

  • In this module, you will start the year by setting academic goals, this helps track development throughout the course. You will be introduced to a range of skills that will aid you throughout the course and further study, such as critical thinking, planning and resource management and interpersonal skills.

    Additionally, you will have the opportunity to gain skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), team working, communication, planning and more. We will also discuss plagiarism, referencing and professional standard skills throughout the module, so that you receive thorough academic training.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of accounting and finance. You will explore and analyse different streams of accounting, such as partnership accounts, control accounts, sole trader accounts and accounting systems. We introduce professional software to you from the outset, so that by the end of the year, you are proficient in industry standard courses.

    To solidify your understanding, we test your knowledge through case studies centred around spreadsheet software.

    Compulsory

  • Investment and risk are specialist sectors within financial services, yet the discipline is required in every business.

    In this informative module, you will understand the impact that macro and micro environments have on investment and returns, as well as the nuances of ethically and socially responsible investments. Exploring modern and exciting case studies, you will learn about asset class, packaged investment products and asset allocation.

    Throughout this module, we will introduce you to the notion of working autonomously, taking control of your work and gaining the confidence to make informed decisions.

    Compulsory

  • This module focuses on the application of the fundamental concepts for accountants, including, ethics, costs and revenues. In preparation for progression onto our degree course, this module teaches you the ethical side of accounting, such as resolutions to ethical dilemmas and legal considerations when dealing with clients. In addition, you will look closely at costing methods and behaviours within the accounting profession. At this stage, you are able to analyse data and information and you will be required to complete a test to confirm your competency of this subject.

    Compulsory

The second year of the course is concerned with the application of skills for identifying and recording financial transactions in accounts and ledgers following the principles of double entry bookkeeping, drafting and interpreting the financial statements of sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. Students will also acquire knowledge of information to be presented to users of the financial statements and how to apply the rules and principles established by international accounting standards (IAS and IFRS) to these financial statements.

At the end of year two, students should be able to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems and communicate the results of their study or work accurately and reliably.

Modules

  • The specific aims of this module are to enable you to examine the institutional features of financial systems, as well as identify key issues and problems arising in Finance, both in a UK and international context.

    You will study the history and context of Financial Services in the UK, in addition to the regulatory changes that have come about as a result of recent events in the sector.

    Compulsory

  • You will learn how to apply the fundamental principles to economic problems and propose alternatives for resource allocation in order to meet the objectives of organisation. You will be able to understand the principle of supply and demand in the economy, assess the implication of production and associated costs and revenue under short and long-run production capabilities.

    Compulsory

  • An entirely theoretical module, you will learn how to implement due diligence in both the macro and micro environment. You will gain an understanding of how to operate within the legal remit, affecting precision and reliability to a high standard as an accountant. As businesses constantly enter contracts, you will also learn the basics of contract law and assess how the law impacts you as an accountant.

    Compulsory

  • This module is concerned primarily with competence in drafting and interpreting the financial statements of limited companies and budgeting which is an essential tool in planning, coordinating, authorising and cost control. You will attain competence in drafting financial statements of business entities and acquire an understanding of the fundamental management accounting concepts and techniques.

    Compulsory

Year three of this course is concerned with providing the knowledge and skills of corporate finance, which forms the basis of investment analysis and decisions and enables students to undertake a variety of risk assessments relating to financial matters. The students should understand the models of financial risk management and their application within a range of professional settings.

At the end of year three, students should be able to critically analyse, propose solutions from analysis and communicate information to specialists and non-specialists.

Modules

  • You will be able to examine the key elements and range of investment theories; apply a range of techniques for determining the working capital management; analyse the Capital Asset Pricing Model in relation to the Arbitrage Pricing Model; and evaluate the behavioural finance and how it affects investor behaviour.

    Compulsory

  • On completion of the accounting module, you will also be proficient in the use of double entry accounting techniques and the maintenance of accounting records. You will be able to specify the components of financial statements and prepare and present non-complex accounts for a range of different business structures including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.

    Compulsory

  • The module will widen your knowledge on corporate governance and explore the role of financial regulation and legal mechanisms in averting financial crises. The module will focus on UK/European corporate governance, financial regulation, and practices, including international developments in the Financial Industry.

    Compulsory

  • This module provide an understanding of equity-based and fee-based contracts. You will also learn how to describe Intermediation contracts in Islamic Finance, and be introduced to the framework for the Islamic Financial System and investment, the Islamic Banking System and its Financial Products.

    Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur before your final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

The final year is concerned with students being able to evaluate the concept of compliance and assurance, why compliance is required and the reasons for assurance engagements being carried out by appropriately qualified professionals.

At the end of the final year students should be able to critically discuss tax and ethical issues relating to it, evaluate the organisation’s strategic operations and evaluate incomplete data to make judgements.

Modules

  • This module will prepare you with the necessary knowledge and skills, so that you are able to contribute to the assessment of internal controls and gathering of evidence on an assurance engagement. You will also develop a critical understanding of the importance of ethical behaviour for a professional accountant and be able to assess issues relating to integrity, objectivity, conflicts of interest, conflicts of loyalty, confidentiality and independence.

    Compulsory

  • This module assumes some basic knowledge of taxation and will enable you to develop knowledge in this area to include the processes for calculating income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, taxation of trust, stamp taxes, corporation tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) in a variety of scenarios.

    Compulsory

  • You will be introduced to the application of models use for strategic planning, controlling, and monitoring of organisational performance, assess the impact of risk and uncertainty on business entity performance, incorporate technology to performance management information systems, and advice business entities on how to recognise susceptibility to corporate failure.

    Compulsory

  • This module will provide you with the opportunity to explore a topic in Accounting or Finance that is current and relevant to the Financial and Accounting sector. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to use research and enquiry skills and to know how to conduct the research project from designing it through to writing up the research proposal.

    Compulsory

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

Your initial foundation year is focused on applied learning geared to high intensity teaching and study throughout the course. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online mediums.

After your foundation year, you will have the option to do either another three years full-time or another four-year sandwich course where you undertake a work placement or study year in a related field2.

Our teaching methods for the degree courses are varied depending on which course/modules you take, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of 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 current online learning platform, 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.

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.

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week each year (excluding placement year). Additionally, you will be expected to undertake up to 30 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, CU Coventry 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 the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 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

During your foundation year, the learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects 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, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place in week three and week six of each six-week block. This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the degree selected or the module.

Course breakdown:

  • Coursework (all years)
  • Phase tests (all years)
  • Presentations (degree)
  • Research/reports (degree)

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 offer for 2022 entry.

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support 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.

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 (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.

Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

2022/23 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK 2022/23 fees - £6,800 per year
2023/24 fees - TBC  		 Not available
International 2022/23 fees - £15,300 per year
2023/24 fees - TBC  		 Not available

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.

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.

  • 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 Lane. 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

On successful completion of the Financial Management and Accounting with Foundation Year BA (Hons), you will be able to:

  • Evaluate the legal, ethical and social context, in which accounting can be seen as operating in the accountancy profession; business entity; the capital markets; and the public sector.
  • Apply the main current technical language and practices of accounting in regard to recognition, measurement and disclosure of financial statements; managerial accounting; auditing and taxation on a national and international basis.
  • Critically evaluate the main current technical language and practices of accounting in regard to alternative recognition rules and valuation bases, accounting rules applicable nationally and internationally, different managerial accounting methods used in management control and decision making.
  • Apply the relevant skills in recording and summarising transactions and other economic events; preparation of financial statements using international standards; performance measurement of managers and business entities; management control; analysis of financial ratios or performance indicators, discounted cash flow analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and financial options and associated risks. These skills must be in the contexts in which accounting data and information is processed and provided within a variety of organisational environments.
  • Critically evaluate contemporary theories and empirical evidence, concerning the operation and effects of accounting, in the contexts of accounting and accountability; accounting and corporate governance; accounting and capital markets; accounting and sustainability; and auditing.
  • An appreciation of the nature of the contexts in which finance can be seen as operating, including knowledge of the institutional framework necessary for understanding the role, operation and function of markets and financial institutions (for example, the economic, ethical, legal, political, regulatory, social and tax environment, both national and international; the firm; the capital markets; and the public sector).
  • An understanding of the financing arrangements and governance mechanisms and structures of business entities, and an appreciation of how theory and evidence can be combined to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of such arrangements (for example, decisions as to sources of finance and financial structure; the pricing of corporate securities; the market for corporate control; corporate governance; financial planning; and international dimensions of finance).

Key graduate job titles may range from Chartered and Certified Accountants, Finance and Investment Analyst, Taxation Experts and Financial Managers and Advisors (additional qualifications may be required). According to High Fliers research, The Graduate Market in 2020, the most generous salaries are from investment banks, consulting firms, law firms and oil and energy companies.

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

    Some of our degree 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 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. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) 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 2022/23 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 CU Group will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Your next steps

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