BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

UCAS code: N400

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, or four with optional placement year.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

You can also study Accounting (Joint Honours) as part of a Joint Honours degree.

This degree equips you with a sound knowledge of accounting and business which will enable you to take up a management position in industry and commerce, or become a professional accountant. 

During the first year you will be introduced to the key concepts of accounting, and your knowledge and skills will be developed within a business framework. 

The second year will see you learning more advanced techniques and specialisms in accounting, broadening your analysis and application of techniques in different sectors. You'll also be developing your teamwork, leadership and project management skills through the work and assessments you undertake.

You can choose to take a work placement, applying what you've learnt to the work place and getting valuable work experience, or you can move straight on to the final stage.

The final stage will see you tackling complicated accounting and ethical issues. You'll be studying leading edge and contemporary business and accounting issues, you'll understand general accounting and business concepts and will develop the skills and techniques required, through research, critical analysis and evaluation to suggest solutions to real management problems.

You'll be able to critically evaluate strategic business issues, and you'll complete your independent study. You can select two options in the final year which gives you the flexibility to specialise in an area that interests you, or where you see your career developing.

Throughout the degree we will also be developing your personal, transferable skills. These are the skills that complement your academic knowledge and which improve your employability. 

You'll develop your communication, report writing and presentation skills and be able to manage your time and work to deadlines. You'll be able to work independently and be self-motivated, and also work effectively and constructively as part of a team. These skills are vital to your success, wherever you see your career developing.

Our teaching staff are all professionally qualified and have industry as well as academic experience. As well as teaching on degree programmes, they are also teaching on the professional body courses - ACCA and CIMA. This means that they are aware of and work to the latest and most current professional standards, so you'll benefit from their expertise and understanding of the modern business world.

Stage one

You will study these modules:

• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Law for Accounting
• Managing Performance in Operations
• Introduction to Management Accounting
• Developing Professional Business Skills
• Market Economics and Mathematical Concepts

Stage two

You will study these modules:

• Financial Accounting
• Principles of Taxation
• Management Accounting
• Financial Management
• Employability and Personal Development

And you will choose one option from:

• Audit and Assurance
• Innovation and Knowledge Transfer

Stage three - Optional placement year

Final stage

You will study these modules:

• Independent Study or Issues in Global Business and Corporate Accountability
• Financial Strategy
• Management Accounting Performance Evaluation

And you will choose two options from:

• Developing Employability from the Placement Experience
• Financial Reporting Theory
• Business and Personal Taxation
• Investing and Financial Markets
• Financial Statement Analysis

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £7,700 (each year)

International students

• Full time: £9,945 (per year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you'll learn

• During the first and second stage you will learn mainly by formal lectures, tutorials and workshops where you will receive direction and feedback on your work.
• In the second stage you will be expected to work more independently progressing to being more in charge of your own learning, whilst receiving guidance and direction from the academic staff in the final stage.

How you're assessed

• There are a range of assessment methods used throughout the degree. In the first stage we use a range of computer based assessments to help you gauge your own level of learning. These assessments give you feedback on how you do so that it helps your learning in a constructive way. In other modules there are essays and reports to submit.
• At the second and third stages you will be assessed mainly by examinations, but also by essays, business reports, portfolios and presentations.

• There is always a demand for accounting graduates. Our past students have gone on to work for local public practices, multinational accounting firms and taken up accounting careers in merchant banks and other large businesses. As an accountant you will have the opportunity to work in many diverse fields, anywhere in the world.
• We've designed the degree so you get maximum exemptions from ACCA or CIMA professional qualifications. This shortens the time required for you to become a fully qualified member of your chosen professional body.
• On graduation you can choose to continue your studies with a masters degree here at Derby. Take advantage of the 10% discount you'll be eligible to once you've completed your degree.

"The vocational focus of the degree provided me with the technical skills to begin a career in accountancy and finance, and also allowed me to qualify for exemptions with CIMA."

Vicky Bostock. BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance graduate, and now working as Business Partner to the European Engine Oils Business Group at Lubrizol Ltd.