BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Introduction to Critical Business Competencies

The module is designed to develop the essential skills you need to support your university journey and prepare for professional work. It aims to help you manage the transition to undergraduate study, with a particular focus on building skills that underpin both academic success and professional development. 

Management and Organisational Behaviour

In this module, you will look at the three core factors of management and organisational behaviour: external, internal and individual.

You will first explore a range of concepts, tools and models which focus on the external factors that influence and impact organisations, including stakeholder theory.

You will then consider internal perspectives of organisational culture and structure. This will include an examination of the role of teamwork and group dynamics. Finally, you’ll be introduced to concepts of workplace motivation and key ideas around individual diversity.

Marketing Principles and Practice

In this module, you will explore the purpose and societal role of marketing, with topics including buyer behaviour, digital innovations, marketing research methods and ethical considerations.

You’ll develop your practical skills in conducting environmental audits and marketing research, applying segmentation, targeting and positioning strategies, and designing your own marketing plans. You will also learn about customer relationship management and look at practical marketing strategies for new product launches.

Accounting Skills and Financial Reporting

The aims of this module are to enable you to describe and critically discuss how financial reporting can be regulated, including the system of international accounting standards.

The module will also provide you with the fundamental accounting concepts, skills and techniques to enable the collection and recording of data and transactions for the preparation of accounting statements and management accounts.

In addition, the module aims to provide the necessary knowledge that will enable you to prepare the statutory accounts in the appropriate form for a single company.

Technology and AI for Business

This module introduces you to the use of digital technologies in enhancing organisational efficiency, improving oversight and control, and supporting effective decision-making.

It explores how organisations adopt, adapt and integrate technological solutions to gain and sustain competitive advantage within a rapidly evolving business environment. 

A key focus of the module is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in business. You will examine how AI technologies, including data analytics, machine learning and intelligent automation, are applied across functions such as operations, finance, marketing and strategy.

The module considers how AI supports predictive decision-making, improves performance, and enables innovation, while also addressing key challenges such as ethical considerations, data governance, and the impact on the future of work. 

Through real-world examples and applied learning, students will develop an understanding of how technology and AI are reshaping organisations and industries, and how these tools can be used responsibly and effectively in business contexts. 

Law for Organisations and Managers

This module aims to introduce you to the subject of law relevant to the commercial world, applicable in any sector. The module looks to provide you with sufficient understanding of the law that, as managers, you are able to recognise and understand its relevance and application within your organisational lives.

Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management

This module builds on core operations management principles and extends traditional efficiency-based operations strategy to include a focus on economic, environmental, social performance and sustainability factors that all organisations need to consider when operating efficiently and profitably.

You will develop the knowledge and analytical skills required to design, manage and improve operations and supply chains that are efficient, ethical and sustainable.

You will also explore how operations decisions influence environmental and social outcomes, and apply contemporary models and technologies to build resilient, low-carbon and responsible operations systems.

By analysing real-world case studies, you will explore how operational performance objectives can adapt to changing business environments, improve sustainably, integrate innovation, apply circular economy principles and be responsible in their supply chain management and organisational strategy.

You will be introduced to a range of industry standards, measurements and auditing of sustainability to analyse case study operational activity more transparently.

Auditing and Assurance

This module aims to introduce you to areas of key concepts of audit, assurance, and corporate governance. This will include an understanding of ethics and professional conduct.

You will learn about the audit framework and regulation, planning and risk assessment, internal control, audit evidence and how the discovered material is reviewed and reported.

Financial Management

This module aims to introduce you to areas of key financial decision-making and related underlying theory. These decisions include the setting of corporate objectives, the funding of corporate operations and the appraisal of potential investments.

In addition, the choices that are available to companies in terms of their working capital management and the implications of foreign exchange currency movements will be examined.

The module will also provide you with an understanding of the operation of equity markets and the related implications for listed companies.

Management Accounting for Control

The aims of this module are to develop your understanding of a range of management accounting techniques and how these can be applied to support decision-making.

Through the course of the module, you will be required to solve problems that require you to demonstrate thoughtful and effective reasoning in proposing solutions or responses to a given set of circumstances.

Project Management

This module introduces you to the tools and skills necessary to manage projects efficiently and effectively.

The content is based upon the Association of Project Management (APM) Body of Knowledge (BoK) – a holistic and generic approach provided by the leading association for project management in the UK.

You will be guided through the complete lifecycle of a project and actively encouraged to apply learnings through your assessment.

As a result, you will have competent knowledge of key project management principles from which to explore further industry qualifications and certification.

Professional Graduate

The module aims to address the following:

• Enhance Career Readiness and communication skills by equipping students with the practical skills and confidence needed to navigate the graduate recruitment process, including CV writing, application forms, and interview techniques.
• Understand recruitment processes by providing insight into employer expectations and recruitment methods, including assessment centres and competency-based interviews, both locally and internationally.
• Build self-awareness and reflective practice by encouraging students to identify and reflect on their own skills, values, and career aspirations to make informed decisions about their professional development.
• Engage with industry experts through facilitated opportunities to learn directly from employers and professionals through guest lectures, workshops, and networking events, enhancing understanding of workplace expectations.
• Prepare for real-world scenarios by simulating professional situations such as mock interviews, group tasks, and role plays, carried out by local businesses, to build confidence and adaptability in high-pressure environments.
• Utilise digital career tools to introduce students to platforms like LinkedIn, CareerSet, and online psychometric test resources to support their ongoing career development.
• Ensure all students have the ability and opportunity to search and apply for placement opportunities, either as a part-time 20-week placement or a full one-year internship.

Taxation 

The aim of this module is to introduce students to key concepts and the underlying principles of major aspects of the UK taxation system. This will include an understanding of the principles behind taxation, the sources and types of taxation, personal income tax such as employment. It is expected that students will be able to understand and be able to calculate personal income tax liability from different sources, understand the way these are administered including deadlines, penalties etc. 

In addition, the module aims to provide an overview and coverage of calculations in relation to value added tax and an examination of the scope of national insurance contributions and Capital gains tax. 

Over the past few years, the UK has made changes in the tax system to remain competitive among the major economies. The tax system is continuously changing specifically in the advent of the financial crisis. This makes UK Tax an important subject area not only for Accounting and Finance students, but also for general business management students.  

The module is designed to build on the personal income tax and this time introduce company tax including sources of income, adjustments and rules, Chargeable gains, losses and finally cover Inheritance tax. 

Corporate Finance

This is an excellent way to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application in corporate finance. By starting with core concepts and then delving into specific areas such as corporate valuation and M&A activity, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of how these concepts play out in practice.

Introducing more advanced topics like Portfolio Theory and the Capital Asset Pricing Model adds depth to your knowledge and prepares you for analysing complex financial scenarios. The emphasis on “corporate finance in action” is particularly valuable, as it encourages you to apply what you learn to current developments and occurrences in the corporate world, fostering critical thinking and adaptability.

Assessment: 1-hour In Class Test 2-hour Examination

Advanced Financial Accounting

The aim of this module is to extend the areas explored within the Financial Reporting module, by examining consolidated accounts, evaluating financial statements to provide an analysis of performance, comparing, and contrasting alternative approaches to asset valuation, and examining current developments in external reporting.

Assessment: 1-hour In-class test 2-hour Examination

Research Project

The module offers you a chance to delve into a specific area of interest within various organisational contexts, fostering both professional and intellectual growth.

Under the guidance of a supervisor, you will undertake independent research, showcasing your ability for critical thinking and analysis. The chosen topic typically revolves around management issues in either public or private sectors, with a focus on generating findings applicable beyond specific cases.

There are optional placement routes – Industry, Consultancy, or Entrepreneurship – each tailored to align with career goals and academic pursuits.

Assessment: At the end of stage 2, you will submit a final version of your research project. This will look like the following, depending on the option chosen:

• Completed dissertation (industry route) or consultancy report (consultancy route) which is structured and presented according to the module guidelines (9,000 words)
• Entrepreneurship 2 year growth strategy and professional discussion around key findings on the viability of the business idea from the experience of starting up the business (6,000-word report and 3,000-word equivalent presentation)

Work Placement and Professional Practice 

This module aims to provide an opportunity for students to gain valuable experience of working in an organisation, or for an organisation for 270 hours. 

This module will lead directly on from level 5 module BUS4XX Professional Graduate, where students work towards securing a placement for this module and developing their Personal Development Planning for future career aspirations and improved employability. 

Students will typically be conducting their Research Project (BUS6XX) in parallel with this module, although for a minority of students (typically those that are studying part-time), the module can be undertaken as a stand-alone module. 

The primary aim of the module is to enable students, within the context of their work placement, to focus on areas of personal development to enhance their employability skills for chosen career aspirations and gain both practical and research skills for deeper knowledge of their subject field.