Professional Accounting BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Professional Accounting student using computer

Accountancy is a vital function in business, fulfilling a significant role in business development and profitability.

Year of entry

Location

CU London (Dagenham, London)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

Course code

NN1K / 004N / N400

Start date

November 2024
January 2025
March 2025
May 2025
June 2025


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 sector, 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 is recognised by the following bodies1:

Association of Accounting Technicians

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

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

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.



What you'll study

This detailed course focuses on giving you the foundational knowledge needed for a successful career in accounting.

Exploration of financial practices, techniques and tools used in accounting is the focus of the first year so that you have a solid foundation of basic principles. You will acquaint yourself with the key topics most accountants practice regularly, such as credit management control and analysis of financial statements. This year embeds level 4 of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Institute of the Financial Accountants (IFA) Level 4, providing you with the essential knowledge required for progression into years two and three. If you successfully complete year one, you will be eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Professional Accounting.

Modules

This academic year builds on the knowledge gained in year one to cement a solid foundation of core principles. Now that you are working to a higher level after completing the HNC, you will begin building your knowledge and understanding of basic financial practices.

In this year, you enter the management arena and will begin to focus on the role of leadership within accounting. Operating from a business point of view, you’ll focus strongly on the role of the accounting profession, legislation and governance. If you successfully complete year two, you’ll be eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Professional Accounting.

Modules

An optional placement or study abroad year gives you the chance to gain further insight into the industry or career you are seeking to follow, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace2. You can also choose to take an optional study abroad year between years two and three2. If you decide to take advantage of a placement year, this version of the degree will help you acquire valuable work experience and gain an understanding of what employers seek in graduates. It is your responsibility to find a placement with an employer within your chosen sector. The Talent Team, alongside the course team, will support you throughout your placement year.

Modules

You are now preparing to advance into industry, so you will experience broader strategic thinking on the application of models and theoretical concepts. At this stage, you can confidently bring about rational and sensible conclusions, make sound recommendations and effectively manage decision-making. This year helps you to understand the importance of ethical behaviour for a professional accountant. You’ll explore issues relating to integrity, objectivity, conflict of interest, confidentiality and independence.

If you successfully complete the final year you’ll be awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Professional Accounting.

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 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.

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. Additional support is available 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.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end-of-year exams instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of our learning model.


Teaching contact hours

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.

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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

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 provide an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments, which take place at the end of each six-week block.

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 2024/25 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

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 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

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply, travel to and live in the UK.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0

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.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 per year Not available
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

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 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 fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits.
  • 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.


Facilities

You’ll be based in the spacious Civic Centre building, which provides an outstanding learning environment4.

You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites.


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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