Accounting and Finance for International Business BA (Hons) top-up

Top-up courses

Female sitting in a classroom looking at a screen

Develop practical accounting and finance skills for a global business career.

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

N900

Start date

September 2026
November 2026
January 2027
March 2027
May 2027
July 2027

How to apply

Your UCAS Guide

Download a prospectus

Course overview

The modern global economy relies on professionals who can navigate both complex financial data and international business strategy. This one-year top-up course helps you build on your existing Level 5 qualification (such as an HND or Foundation Degree) to earn a bachelor's degree, focusing on the practical and analytical skills designed to support your career in finance.

You’ll study accounting and finance with a strong international focus, exploring core areas such as corporate reporting, financial management, audit and assurance, and business ethics.

Through real-world case studies, interactive business simulations and exploration of new technologies like artificial intelligence, you should develop strategic problem-solving skills valued by employers. This course is designed to help you interpret complex financial information, evaluate strategic decisions and analyse corporate finances across different global markets.

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

Icon of human figure in front of whiteboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

Employability

Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

Top up to a full bachelor’s degree
Turn your existing Level 5 qualification, such as an HND, into a full BA (Hons) degree in just one year.
Study in a global financial hub
Build your commercial awareness by studying at our campus in London’s financial district. Where available, guest lectures from industry professionals provide practical insights into the sector.
Apply your learning in practice
Take part in interactive business simulations where you can explore management roles, model strategic financial decisions and analyse real-world international business scenarios.
Explore the impact of technology
Examine how emerging innovations like artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics are impacting financial reporting, auditing and compliance.
Study one module at a time
Focus on one 30-credit module for six weeks, followed by an assessment week. This approach allows you to build your knowledge step by step, completing your assessments with support and feedback before moving on.
Prepare for your future career
Access guidance from our dedicated employability team, which offers support with job applications, career planning and skills development as you explore opportunities in areas such as financial analysis, management accounting and audit.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is recognised by the following bodies¹:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

This course is accredited¹ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of awarding exemptions from selected ACCA examinations for graduates from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. Subject to ACCA's current exemption rules, students who successfully complete the course may be eligible to claim exemptions. ACCA exemptions recognise relevant prior learning from your degree. The exemptions you can claim depend on successfully completing the course, ACCA’s current exemption rules and your registration with ACCA. ACCA sets the exemption eligibility and may charge exemption fees. You should check ACCA’s exemption calculator for the most up-to-date information before making decisions about professional study.

What you'll study

Modules

Financial and Corporate Reporting – 30 credits

This module provides an in-depth examination of international financial reporting standards and corporate reporting frameworks, analysing their critical role in communicating transparent and reliable financial information to diverse stakeholders.

In this module, you’ll explore complex financial statements, evaluate corporate performance, and navigate contemporary reporting challenges across different jurisdictions. A strong emphasis is placed on the principles and practice of preparing consolidated financial statements for various group structures, including subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements.

Compulsory

Financial Management and Analysis – 30 credits

This module introduces the essential principles and practices of financial management for informed business decision-making. You will explore how organisations plan, analyse and control financial resources to achieve strategic objectives, examining the relationship between investment, financing and risk management decisions.

The curriculum focuses on evaluating financial performance, assessing funding options and applying critical financial analysis techniques within real-world business contexts. Through case studies and practical exercises, this module covers financial modelling, investment appraisal and working capital management.

Compulsory

Audit, Assurance and Ethics – 30 credits

This module provides a comprehensive exploration of external and internal auditing within evolving UK and international regulatory frameworks, emphasising legal, ethical and professional practice standards. You will critically examine auditing's strategic role in corporate governance, risk management and internal control systems, while evaluating contemporary audit methodologies and emerging technological developments in the profession.

You will cover the complete audit process from planning to reporting (including risk assessment techniques, evidence-gathering procedures, and applying professional judgement) to understand how auditors maintain public trust and deliver high-quality assurance services across different organisations.

You will also investigate key challenges facing the profession, including audit expectation gaps, ethical dilemmas and regulatory responses to corporate failures.

Compulsory

Business Simulation and Practice – 30 credits

This module uses a simulated business environment to explore how strategic management concepts apply to decision-making, resource allocation and organisational performance. Through the simulation, you will examine key drivers of change, conduct business situation analysis and evaluate decision-making frameworks. This module also covers environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors to assess their impact on business perception, incorporating problem-solving scenarios to evaluate strategic choices.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and up to date for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures: gain a structured introduction to key concepts, theories and frameworks
seminars: take part in discussion and debate to deepen your understanding and develop critical thinking
tutorials: access guidance to consolidate learning, explore key topics and apply ideas
presentations: practise communicating ideas clearly and presenting information to different audiences
group projects: build teamwork and collaboration skills through shared tasks and activities
case studies: examine examples to understand how theory can be applied in context
business scenarios: explore realistic situations and consider responses
applied projects: connect theory with practice through research, planning, analysis or recommendations
online learning activities: access digital resources and activities that support flexible study and reinforce key concepts
guided and independent study: develop your understanding through directed reading, research, preparation and reflection.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching 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’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

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

formal examinations
projects
group work
coursework
tests.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures fair assessment and supports student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
Higher National Diploma (HND)	HND or successful completion of two years of appropriate academic study in higher education.
Foundation Degree	Merit Profile
GCSE requirement	GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

To check whether your work experience or academic qualifications meet our entry requirements, please contact registry.london@coventry.ac.uk

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

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 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

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.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,790	Not available
EU	£9,790 per year with EU Support Bursary £17,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£17,600	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 Undergraduate Finance 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 above table 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 inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, 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 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.

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).

*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.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

We have a range of facilities⁴ available to support our students to put the theories they are learning into practice.

Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you.

Bloomberg Trading Floor

Build practical finance skills using our Bloomberg trading floor. You will use industry-standard software to analyse real-time data and market trends, giving you hands-on experience to help you prepare for a career in global finance.

IT Suite

Keep up with the latest industry news, track market performance, and research investment ideas. The IT suite provides the specialist software and hardware you need to complete your practical coursework and projects.

Library

Find a study environment that works for you, with over 100 study spaces plus dedicated silent areas. You can access a wide range of resources, from physical books to online databases, and join tailored workshops with our expert team to help develop your research skills.

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

This course is designed to support progression to further study or possible careers in accounting, finance, banking and related business sectors.

Accounting and finance expertise can open routes into corporate reporting, financial management, auditing, taxation, investment analysis, commercial banking, and public sector financial management. You could also choose to continue your studies through postgraduate routes in finance and international business, or pursue professional qualifications with accounting bodies such as ACCA or CIMA, subject to their entry requirements and any requirements in place at the time.

Possible career and progression routes include:

financial analyst
assistant management accountant
audit or assurance assistant
tax assistant or adviser
corporate finance analyst
banking and financial services specialist
public sector or non-profit finance officer.

These are examples of possible career paths. Some roles may require further training, professional qualifications, professional accreditation or experience.

How to apply

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time UK students should apply for this course through UCAS.

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

International codes:
LONU061

Full-time students applying to start in 2026/27 should apply directly to the university.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, 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, partnerships and membershipsons

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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

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 unpaid and/or 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, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any 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.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

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 current 2026/2027 contract is available on the website. 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.