Accounting and Financial Studies

Such a course may therefore be described as satisfying the education needs of a student seeking to obtain the skills necessary to become a financially astute professional, making real changes, and contributing to the creation of new systems for business, but who do not see qualifying as an accountant as a necessary prerequisite for such a career.

This course may, therefore, be described as going further than a traditional course in accounting in providing the skills required by finance professionals who are often not provided within the framework of a more traditional undergraduate accounting education. However, this course is also eminently suited to those who think that they may ultimately wish to pursue a career as a professional accountant.

All students are offered the opportunity to study overseas for at least one semester. In recent years, students on the course have studied at Central Connecticut State University and the University of Western Sydney. Additionally, exchange students from partner universities around the world are regularly present in classes. The perspectives they offer significantly enhance the groups in which they are present.

Graduates who wish to pursue an accounting qualification receive considerable exemptions from professional examinations as this course is deemed a relevant degree programme.

In the first year of the course the modules are compulsory. In the second and third years of the course, four core 'stream' modules from a varied choice of relevant financial subjects (such as financial accounting or international finance) are studied in addition to a selection of option modules in related subjects such as management, marketing or business information systems.

Assessment:

Assessments take the form of projects, reports, portfolio work, seminar discussions, consultancy projects and presentations, amongst others.

Learning Environment:

The course is a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. The seminars provide students with the opportunity to meet in smaller groups to examine material from the preceding lecture. Additionally they provide an informal opportunity to ask questions and discuss any areas of concern to the student.

Careers:

Graduates from the course have found employment in financial services, the accounting profession and diverse roles in industry. An increasing number of graduates undertake higher degrees in the UK and overseas. An elective that will help you plan your career is available as a free choice module which you can study as part of your degree programme.

Other Opportunities:

Other opportunities exist to study the discipline of accounting with the combined honours or joint honours programme.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For 2011 entry please contact our course enquiries team for entry requirements as these may differ from 2010.

The University's minimum standard entry requirement for degree-level study is a 12-unit profile, made up from one of the following:

• At least two A2-level subjects
• One A2-level subject plus one single award Advanced VCE
• One double or two single award(s) Advanced VCE

Other acceptable qualifications include:

• Scottish Certificate of Education Higher Grade
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
• International Baccalaureate
• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
• Kite marked Access Course

Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications or relevant work / life experience who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies are welcome. If you have not studied recently you may need to undertake a Foundation Entry programme first.

Mode of Attendance : Full-time