Accounting and Finance BA (Hons) top up degree
Course code: N401 (required to complete application form)
If you already hold an HND or foundation degree in Accounting and Finance, top it up to a full degree in one year with this online course. Gaining the full bachelors degree can help you towards becoming a qualified accountant sooner, and allows you to move onto a masters degree later, should you wish to.
It’s a popular choice for busy professionals or those returning to work, who want to get all the benefits a full degree brings, but need a flexible study pattern.
Ideal for aspiring accountants and others
This degree will give you a thorough understanding of accounting and business concepts which is ideal if you want to go on to be a professional accountant. However, having a good understanding of accounting and finance is an advantage in any profession today. So even if you don’t want to become a professional accountant, you will find this online top up degree valuable.
Tutors that work to the latest professional standards
Our teaching staff are all professionally qualified and have industry as well as academic experience. They also teach on the professional body courses, ACCA and CIMA, which means they understand the most current professional standards. That’s important because you need to be sure that what you’ll learn is up to date and relevant to today’s business world.
Course Length:
Up to 2 years of part time study
Start Dates:
September, January and May
Entry Requirements:
You need to have one of the following qualifications:
- HND or Foundation Degree in Accounting
Fees:
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK/EU | £405 | 8 | £3,240* | Sept/Jan/May |
| Overseas | £450 | 8 | £3,600* | Sept/Jan/May |
*Prices correct for 2012/2013. Subject to annual increase in September 2013.
New flexible payment plans available
Choose from three options:
- Pay only for the modules you are studying
- Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases
- Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)
Funding options for undergraduate UK students
Depending on where you are from in the UK, you may be eligible for a part time student loan towards the cost of your undergraduate degree. Find out more about the options available to you.
UK Students: Prices above are inclusive of examination fees when exams are taken at University of Derby. If you are unable to travel to Derby, we can arrange for you to take your exams at an alternative, approved venue but this will incur an additional £100 fee per exam.
Non UK Students: Prices above are inclusive of examination fees.
Career Information:
Become a qualified accountant, quicker than most
We have 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.
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.
Testimonials:
"My degree is equipping me with the right tools for work when I graduate; not just theoretically but also practically as there are lots of opportunities to practise what you have learned."
Luke Rowarth BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Course Leader:
Student Profile:
"My degree is equipping me with the right tools for work when I graduate; not just theoretically but also practically as there are lots of opportunities to practise what you have learned."
Luke Rowarth BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Career Information
Become a qualified accountant, quicker than most
We have 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.
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.
Modules
Stage 3
Core Module
In this module you will develop a more in-depth awareness of the tax compliance issues relating to businesses and individuals within the business context, including an understanding of information systems requirements. You will also cover the associated capital gains tax aspects, improve your understanding of VAT, and learn about the associated tax planning issues and overseas matters affecting the taxation of businesses – both incorporated and unincorporated.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 30% coursework and 70% exam.
Credits: 15
Core Module
Financial Reporting is financial information for external people and the wider stakeholders of accounts so that they can make useful decisions. This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the financial accounting principles that have influenced how financial statements are prepared. It will enable you to select, interpret and apply the relevant accounting standards to a range of financial reporting situations, so that the financial information is useful for external users and stakeholders.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 30% coursework and 70% exam.
Credits: 15
Core Module
This module focuses on financial information produced by an entity for external purposes. You will explore issues in financial reporting and develop analytical and forecasting skills to help with decision making.
We will cover:
- Financial reporting – its regulation and fundamental concepts; measurements of assets and liabilities, measurements of profit.
- Reporting for taxation purposes
- The role of the external audit
- Sources of information and comparative analysis
- Analysis of published financial information
- Forecasting: an introduction to modelling, statistical techniques and failure models.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits: 15
Core Module
Financial Management is concerned with the financing and investment decisions of organisations, which are made in an increasingly uncertain, dynamic and complex business environment. The subject is an essential part of any course in business and finance. This module concentrates on the investment decision.
We will cover:
- Methods of investment appraisal
- Investment appraisal with tax and inflation
- Investment appraisal with risk and uncertainty
- Capital rationing
- Lease or buy decisions
- Weighted average cost of capital
- Cost of capital and capital structure
- Portfolio theory
- Capital asset pricing model
- Adjusted present value.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 30% coursework, which is made up of a series of ten weekly tests, and 70% exam. This will be a 3 hour exam.
Credits: 15
Core Module
This module expands on the knowledge and understanding gained on previous management accounting modules. As a management accountant, you will require a good understanding of management accounting concepts and techniques in order to provide managers with useful information. This information needs to be clearly presented and communicated in an appropriate manner. The primary areas of study in this module will be control and performance measurement, and we will also explore the appropriate level and specific requirements of different industries.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 30% coursework and 70% exam. For the coursework, you will be asked to research and present an appropriate paper relating to a current management accounting problem or issue. The exam will be a 3 hour closed-book exam.
Credits: 15
Core Module
Personal finance and investment is an area that brings together major themes from economics, finance and psychology but also touches on many other business and social sciences disciplines.
This module will give you a good grounding in savings, investments, pensions and debt in the UK and elsewhere. We will cover financial markets, financial assets, mortgages, pensions and insurance, investor strategies and investment fund performance, as well as considering the importance of system design and regulation and the implications of socio-economic change from an international perspective.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework, made up of a computerised assessment based on personal finance and investment management issues, and an individual piece of work (2,500 words) in which you will analyse a portfolio of investments.
Credits: 15
Core Module
Also known as a dissertation, this is a major piece of independently researched work, giving you an opportunity to explore some of the subjects we’ve covered in greater detail. Under the guidance of your supervisor, you will choose a topic that’s of particular interest or significance to you. You will be expected to submit a piece of work that’s between 8,000-10,000 words.
By undertaking an Independent Study, you will learn:
- how to prepare and critically articulate a research proposal, and translate this into a feasible research plan that’s relevant to the Accounting and Finance degree
- to identify and critically review literature and other contextual sources relevant to your subject
- to critically evaluate a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and to select data collection and analysis tools and techniques appropriate to your Independent Study
- to work independently to present a substantive piece of research in an applied aspect of accounting and finance; articulating, evaluating and reflecting upon the outcomes to an appropriate critical depth.
How will I be assessed?
10% of this coursework is made up of the Research Proposal, which is usually around 1500 words plus a GANTT chart. The remaining 90% is the Independent Study itself, usually between 8,000-10,000 words.
Credits: 30
You need to have one of the following qualifications:
- HND or Foundation Degree in Accounting
Apply Now
Applications for Online courses are made through the main University of Derby website.
By clicking on "Apply now" below you will be redirected to the University of Derby website to continue your application process.
Fees
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK/EU | £405 | 8 | £3,240* | Sept/Jan/May |
| Overseas | £450 | 8 | £3,600* | Sept/Jan/May |
*Prices correct for 2012/2013. Subject to annual increase in September 2013.
New flexible payment plans available
Choose from three options:
- Pay only for the modules you are studying
- Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases
- Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)
Funding options for undergraduate UK students
Depending on where you are from in the UK, you may be eligible for a part time student loan towards the cost of your undergraduate degree. Find out more about the options available to you.
UK Students: Prices above are inclusive of examination fees when exams are taken at University of Derby. If you are unable to travel to Derby, we can arrange for you to take your exams at an alternative, approved venue but this will incur an additional £100 fee per exam.
Non UK Students: Prices above are inclusive of examination fees.
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