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Professional Accounting BA (Hons)
Study level: Undergraduate
Learn how accounting helps organisations understand performance, manage money, meet responsibilities and make informed decisions in a changing business world.
Course features
Year of entry
Location
CU London (Dagenham, London)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Course code
NN1K
Start date
September 2027
Course overview
This course offers an applied learning experience focused on financial reporting, management accounting, taxation, assurance, business law, ethics and financial management. You’ll learn how organisations record transactions, prepare financial information, manage budgets, assess performance and use accounting insight to support decision-making.
Through module-based activities, case studies and practical accounting tasks, you’ll develop knowledge of financial statements, tax computations, credit control, assurance processes and business strategy. Depending on the module, typical active and applied learning activities may include preparing accounts, analysing financial data, developing budgets, interpreting tax rules, producing reports and communicating financial information clearly.
This professional accounting course is designed to provide a broader understanding of business. You'll develop commercial awareness, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills valued across finance and business roles, and explore how accounting supports planning, reporting, compliance, governance, sustainability and corporate accountability.
Why study this course
- Build practical accounting knowledge
Develop your understanding of financial records, financial statements, budgeting, taxation and internal controls. You will explore how accounting information is prepared, interpreted and used across different business contexts, and build practical skills through applied study of these areas. - Connect finance with business decision-making
Learn how financial data can support planning, performance management and strategic decisions. You will study areas such as costing, pricing, forecasting, investment appraisal, financial risk and business strategy to understand how organisations use financial insight to guide decisions. - Explore tax, law and assurance
Study key areas of UK taxation, business law and assurance relevant to accounting practice. You will consider topics such as income tax, corporation tax, VAT, contract law, company structures, internal controls and professional standards. - Develop ethical and sustainable thinking
Explore professional ethics, governance and sustainability in a global business context. You will consider ethical decision-making, corporate sustainability reporting, regulation and the responsibilities involved in professional accounting practice. - Study one module at a time
Focus on one 30-credit module over a six-week block. This approach uses practical, exam-free assessments to build your knowledge step by step with regular feedback.
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and current for our students. Consequently, we may update modules to reflect the latest industry standards.
How you'll learn
Teaching and learning methods may include:
- lectures: gain expert insights and a structured overview of key concepts and latest research
- seminars: engage in discussion and debate, deepening understanding and critical thinking
- tutorials: receive personalised guidance to solve complex problems and consolidate learning
- presentations: develop communication skills and the ability to convey technical ideas
- group projects: build teamwork and collaboration skills while tackling real-world challenges
- workshops: apply knowledge hands-on, enhancing practical skills and problem-solving abilities
- practical IT sessions: gain hands-on experience with accounting software
- online learning: access flexible resources for self-paced study and reinforcement of key concepts.
Teaching contact hours
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.
Teaching hours
Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 10 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional 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 will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.
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
Assessment methods vary by module and may include:
- coursework
- practical class performance
- project performance
- written practical reports
- project thesis
- laboratory experiments
- tutorial tasks
- practical assessments
- group work
- presentations
- time-constrained assessment
- research tasks.
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:
Fees and funding
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £9,790 per year |
Not available |
| International | 2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £15,500 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 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Fees and Funding 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 table above 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 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 the Retail Price Index (RPI), a UK measure of inflation that tracks changes in the cost of living.
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement or study abroad year, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above RPI.
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) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.
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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
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) which may include costs of travel, accommodation, equipment or uniform required for the placement and any visa-related 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.
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
Facilities
Our Dagenham campus is in the stylishly renovated Civic Centre, offering a unique mix of classic architecture and modern learning spaces. You can study in our high-tech library, use the open-access IT suites, or find a quiet spot in one of the many breakout areas designed for group work.
When you need a break, the on-site café is the perfect place to grab a snack and socialise with friends. The campus is just a short walk from local shops and transport links, making it easy to balance your studies with your life outside of university.
You’ll use facilities through timetabled teaching, practical activities and relevant independent study. Access may vary by module, activity, capacity, supervision or safety requirements. Access may change or be limited where the University needs to follow public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
Careers and opportunities
Accounting is central to how organisations manage money, meet reporting responsibilities and make informed business decisions. This course can help you prepare for early-career opportunities in accounting, finance, taxation, assurance, credit control and business support roles across a range of sectors.
You could use your accounting knowledge in organisations such as accountancy practices, private businesses, public sector bodies, charities, financial services firms or consultancies. The course may also support progression to further professional study in accounting, finance, taxation or business.
Potential career paths include:
- accounting assistant
- finance assistant
- finance officer
- credit controller
- tax assistant
- assurance assistant
- financial reporting assistant
- management accounts assistant
- accounts payable or receivable assistant
- business analyst
- trainee accountant.
These are examples of possible career paths. Some roles may require further training, professional qualifications, accreditation or experience.
Where our graduates work
Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for the following companies:
- Halifax Bank
- KPMG
- IFA
- Aspire Ltd
- IMI Critical Engineering
- Bupa Global.
How to apply
UK students
International students
Disclaimers
