Management Accounting (Top-Up)

The online Management Accounting (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) course will equip you with the relevant skills to pursue Management Accounting positions within a sector of your choice. This course allows you to top up existing qualifications to a full Management Accounting undergraduate degree. Partnered with the CISI, our course is also directly mapped against the teaching of their foundation qualification, Introduction to Investment, with the option to take the exam upon completion of our course. It explores the complex and challenging nature of the management accounting and business environment.

Our Management Accounting (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) is ideally suited to holders of the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting and those interested in obtaining a degree in Management Accounting who have professional accounting qualifications or external business, finance or accountancy qualifications (up to level 5).

You can apply for module exemptions and module credits from prior learning and experience towards this course

CIMA qualified or part-qualified professionals may be eligible for exemptions from specific modules. Further details can be found in our Exemptions section.

Have you already studied at another institution, completed a training course, or does your work experience appear equivalent to one or more modules of your chosen course? If so, you may able to translate this prior learning into credits towards your course modules so you don’t have to study them again.

For undergraduate courses you can apply for credits up to 50% of each stage. Depending on your former learning this could mean you only need to complete one module and an independent study project to complete the course. Further information about applying for credits for prior learning can be found in our recognition of prior learning section.

CISI Education University Partnership

We have the first online university degree programme in the UK to be partnered with the CISI, the largest and most widely respected professional body for the securities and investment profession in the UK, with a growing number of global financial centres. Our Management Accounting (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) degree course has been closely mapped against the CISI’s Introduction to Investment foundation qualification, helping you to prepare you for its exam, which can be taken at the University of Derby campus or at one of the CISI’s global test centres.

Furthermore, students wishing to pursue the Introduction to Investment qualification will benefit from a 50% saving on the exam fee and the work book. A one-off registration fee will be payable to become a CISI student member, giving you access to a number of membership benefits designed to support your studies and broaden your career development. We are offering a limited number of scholarships to cover the cost of the CISI Registration Fee, exam fee and workbook – a select few will be chosen upon enrolment.

The Introduction to Investment qualification is the first step on the CISI qualification pathway, and is also recognised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It will be of special interest to you if you are interested in a career in wealth management, operational investments, financial planning, compliance and risk, and stockbroking. Upon completion of this foundation qualification, there is then an option to join the CISI as an affiliate member (subject to annual membership fee).

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, such as ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants 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.

Benefits of studying online

Studying online gives you the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed trimester but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures.

A talk from our academic

Our Academic for Accounting and Finance, Dr Alexis Makropoulos, talks about the online undergraduate Accounting and Finance courses in this video.

We will advise you of your study plan when you are invited to enrol.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate you should ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award. If you choose to study on the accelerated rate, you will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.

It may be useful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

For direct entry onto the course, you will need one of the following:

• CIMA Advanced Diploma (E2/P2/F2) in Management Accounting
• ACCA - Any 6 papers from F1-F9
• HND or foundation degree in Business, Accountancy or Finance or equivalent overseas qualification
• Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business with accountancy or finance
• ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) Professional Stage qualifications
• CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) Professional Diploma

If you do not meet the direct entry criteria but have one of the following qualifications, you may be eligible to join the course after passing a level 6 Research Methods module:

• CIMA Operational level plus at least three years of relevant full-time work experience within the financial sector
• ACCA F1-F3 plus at least three years of relevant full-time work experience within the financial sector
• HNC in Business, Finance or Accountancy plus three years of relevant full-time work experience within the financial sector

If you hold a CIMA advanced diploma, or HND or foundation degree in Business or equivalent overseas qualification, you may also be suited to our BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance (Top-Up) degree as an alternative option.

English language qualifications

If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.0
• TOEFL 550 (paper based) 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
• London Tests of English: we accept level 4 for undergraduate courses
• International GCE O-level English Language: Grade C
• International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C

Find out more about our English language requirements

Exemptions

If you have already completed CIMA’s Strategic Level modules (E3/P3/F3) – or partially completed them – you will be eligible for module exemptions on the BSc (Hons) Management Accounting (top up).

CIMA qualification exemptions

^‡2023/24 for new entrants

Starting between September 2023 and August 2024.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this will be in addition to the programme cost stated above.

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases*

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)*

*Please note: the discount for paying your fees up front, either for the full programme or the academic year, will only be available to students enrolling for eligible online studies between August 2023 and July 2024 and will not be available for the September 2024 intake onwards.

Undergraduate funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to meet the cost of tuition fees.

If you are considering applying for a student loan, please also see our additional guidance on Loans for Online Students.

If you already hold an honours degree, and you are looking to re-skill or up-skill, you may still be eligible for a loan to study this course.

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

This course appeals to those already in middle-management-level roles but would like to progress to more senior roles. It can provide you with the skills to help you apply for roles such as:

• Business analyst
• Investment banker
• Management consultant
• Financial controller

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

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