BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance: 3-Year, Full-time

A minimum UCAS Tariff Score of 112. This could, for example, be BBC at A Level or DDM at BTEC. We also accept Access to HE Courses and a broad range of international qualifications.

GCSE in English Language and Mathematics at Grade C/4, or an equivalent qualification. Alternatively, you can take our English Language and/or Mathematics assessment and interview that we provide free of charge.

International applicants for whom English is a second language require IELTS for UKVI Academic at 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each skill sub-set). We also accept the Password Skills Plus Test.

For more information on how to make an application, please visit our Apply page.

If you are an international student and would like information on making an application, please see our International page.

Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, you may be eligible to join the Foundation Year. For more information visit our Foundation Year page.

For more information on our Admissions Policies – click here.

Home Students

(Home student fees apply to students who do not require a Student Visa to study in the UK (e.g. UK and Irish citizens; EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status).

International Students

Travel Bursary for Home Students

You are eligible for a travel bursary if your tuition fees and/or maintenance is covered by a loan or grant from the Student Loans Company. The Travel Bursary covers the full cost of a student Zone 1-6 bus and tube Monthly Travel Card during term time (currently £181.70 per month). The bursary is paid monthly, from the second month, directly into your bank account.

For more information on Fees and Financial Support click here or contact our Student Recruitment team on sr@bil.ac.uk.

Level 4

You will complete the following four 30-credit modules during Year 1 (taking two modules in Term 1 and two modules in Term 2):

Fundamentals of Business Environment and Economics

The aim of the module is to:

• Introduce students to various aspects of the modern business environment enabling them to appreciate challenges facing today’s organisations.
• Enable students to understand the various types of business organisations and its environment, organisational structure and functions, key stakeholders, governance, external environment factors, organisational culture, and ethical behaviours.
• Enable students to understand the role of accounting and reporting systems in relation to real business problems and offer IT related solutions on a wider perspective for efficient management and internal control of organisation.
• Equip students with a set of concepts and analytical tools, the application of which not only provides and develops an understanding of economic issues but also develops and stimulates the students’ reasoning and conceptual awareness.

Financial Accounting – Theory and Practice

The aim of the module is to:

• Provide students with knowledge and understanding of Financial Accounting that will enable them to grasp fundamental concepts and theories of accounting and apply their skills to a whole range of financial accounting matters.
• Enable students understand the regulatory and conceptual framework applicable to financial accounting and the techniques and skills required to prepare the financial statements of a business with particular emphasis to the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position and statement of cash flow.

Management Accounting

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of the role, importance of cost and management accounting techniques and their application in business.
• Enable students to develop capability and insight of management accounting techniques to support management in planning, measuring, controlling, and monitoring business performance in a variety of business contexts.
• Enable students to evaluate the importance of cost determination, pricing and volume measures for global organisations and understand resource allocation and the control of available resources in maximising benefit to the global organisation.

Business and Corporate Law

The aim of the module is to:

• Provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of law and ethics relating to business transactions and commercial entities, and the main concepts of corporate law and the different types of business organisations.
• Enable students to understand the management, administration, and regulation of a company and how these impact on the duties of directors and company meetings and resolutions.
• Provide students with an understanding of the legal aspects of corporate governance.

Level 5

You will complete the following four 30-credit modules during Year 2 (taking two modules in Term 1 and two modules in Term 2):

Quantitative Techniques and Computer Applications in Accounting

The aim of the module is to:

• Develop students’ expertise in applying quantitative techniques to the study and practice of accounting and finance.
• Provide students an opportunity to get experience of a practical operational context where they can apply accounting techniques acquired in earlier modules of study as well as be able to critique the framework relating to the design and operation of an integrated accounting system.

Financial Reporting and Practice

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to develop knowledge and skills in understanding and applying accounting standards and the theoretical framework in the preparation of financial statements of entities, including groups and how to analyse and interpret those financial statements.
• Enable students to critically discuss and apply a conceptual framework for financial reporting, critically discuss a regulatory framework for financial reporting, prepare and present financial statements which conform with international accounting standards, account for business combinations in accordance with international accounting standards, and critically analyse and interpret financial reports of businesses.
• Enable students to prepare consolidated financial statements of a group consisting of subsidiaries and associated companies after adjusting for fair value, unrealised profits, intra-group balances, pre and post-acquisition, non-controlling interest, and goodwill in accordance with local and international standards.

Principles and Practice of Taxation

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to examine the conceptual and computational principles of UK taxation system and its impact on Individuals and businesses. It will cover the fundamental principles of UK tax law and practice, including the overall function and purpose of taxation in a modern economy, the obligations of individual and corporation taxpayers, and the computation of tax liabilities.
• Expose students to tax planning, the taxation principles of VAT and IHT.

Financial Management

The aim of the module is to:

• Develop students’ knowledge and understanding in financial decision making and equip students with the skills necessary to carry out core finance functions.
• Develop students’ understanding of corporate financial strategy through the interpretation, uses, and analysis of strategic financial information in the context of an understanding of the tactical need for the survival of corporate business.
• Enable students to dissect the four key financial management decisions of investing, financing, asset management and dividend policy.

Level 6

You will complete the following 30-credit module in Term 1 of Year 3:

Auditing in Context

The aim of the module is to:

• Provide students with understanding of what audits (internal and external) should achieve, equip them with the ability to understand how an audit is conducted and its usefulness to society generally.
• Enable students to develop knowledge of the professional regulatory framework that applies to audit and assurance engagements.
• Enable students to identify and describe the systems, processes and principles which seek to ensure that internal and external auditing will promote good corporate governance and the achievement of corporate objectives.

You will also complete one of the following 30-credit option modules* in Term 1 of Year 3:

International Finance

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to assess the current global business environment and design appropriate international finance management strategies.
• Develop students understanding of multinational financial management through the interpretation, uses, and analysis of strategic financial information in the context of an understanding of the strategic reasons for the existence of multinationals.
• Provide students the relevant multinational financial management strategic factors that affect the operations of international organisations.

Mergers and Acquisitions

The aim of the module is to:

• Provide students an invaluable insight into how the theories of corporate finance, economics, accounting and financial management work in practice.
• Familiarise students with the mergers and acquisitions phenomenon from various angles: strategic, financial, public policy. It demonstrates the application of the concepts and techniques of corporate finance, such as valuation, to practical and active developments in the corporate business world.
• Enables students to identify and assess key factors explaining the success or failure of companies, as well as practical insights through case studies into the workings of investment bankers, financial professionals, and management in the formulation of Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Policy.

Accounting and/or Finance Internship

(only if you are going to take either International Finance or Mergers and Acquisitions module in term 2).

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to gain a beneficial experience of the accounting and or finance working environment, evaluating real-life issues and provide solutions as well as become aware of the culture and structure of a working environment, develop new accounting and or finance capabilities and skills, and engage in reflective learning.
• Develop students’ employability and increase graduate career prospects.

You will complete the following 30-credit module in Term 2 of Year 3:

Performance Management and Control

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to understand the use of various types of strategic planning while showing awareness of environmental, behavioural and organisational factors through management and control of the inherent business and financial risk factors involved in order to ensure business survival, total quality management and prosperity.
• Equip students in the application of relevant knowledge, skills, and the exercise of professional judgement in selecting and applying strategic managerial accounting techniques and approaches in different business contexts and to contribute to the evaluation of the performance of an organisation and its strategic development.
• Enable students to prepare and interpret financial information for management, contribute to budgetary planning, monitoring and control via effective communication and improve functional performance within a global business organisation.

You will also complete one of the following 30-credit option modules* in Term 2 of Year 3:

Business ethics and Corporate Governance

The aim of the module is to:

• Introduce students to corporate governance, and its practical relevance to national and multinational organisations in all sectors of the economy.
• Expose students to the typical requirements of senior executives in business organisations in relation to governance and ethical issues.
• Enable students to analyse risks both financial and non-financial and critically evaluate the deeper consequences of executive action in these areas.

Accounting and Finance Research Project

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to demonstrate integration of their learning in their accounting & finance modules and apply this to the formulation and completion of a research proposal and final project.
• Develop in students the ability to implement their research plans, and to collect and analyse data.
• Enable students to demonstrate their ability to discuss the findings generated through research, and to demonstrate the robustness and rigour of such through critical awareness and evaluation.

Independent Learning Project

The aim of the module is to:

• Provide an opportunity for students to work on areas of research and/or performance that are not covered within existing taught modules.
• Facilitate students’ pursuit of individual interests in contemporary phenomenon related to accounting and finance.

Accounting and/or Finance Internship

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to gain a beneficial experience of the accounting and or finance working environment, evaluating real-life issues and provide solutions as well as become aware of the culture and structure of a working environment, develop new accounting and or finance capabilities and skills, and engage in reflective learning.
• Develop students’ employability and increase graduate career prospects.

International Finance (If not taken in Term 1)

The aim of the module is to:

• Enable students to assess the current global business environment and design appropriate international finance management strategies.
• Develop students understanding of multinational financial management through the interpretation, uses, and analysis of strategic financial information in the context of an understanding of the strategic reasons for the existence of multinationals.
• Provide students the relevant multinational financial management strategic factors that affect the operations of international organisations.

Mergers and Acquisitions (If not taken in Term 1)

The aim of the module is to:

• Provide students an invaluable insight into how the theories of corporate finance, economics, accounting and financial management work in practice.
• Familiarise students with the mergers and acquisitions phenomenon from various angles: strategic, financial, public policy. It demonstrates the application of the concepts and techniques of corporate finance, such as valuation, to practical and active developments in the corporate business world.
• Enables students to identify and assess key factors explaining the success or failure of companies, as well as practical insights through case studies into the workings of investment bankers, financial professionals, and management in the formulation of Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Policy.

*All optional modules are delivered subject to sufficient student demand

You will be taught at our Central London (Zone 1) Campus. You will have full access to the library at Birkbeck College (University of London), including the right to borrow books.

You will attend two Terms each year. Each Term you will complete two 30-credit modules.

You will attend classes 3 days a week, averaging 12 hours a week. Your classes will be scheduled Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

You will experience a variety of teaching methods. Most modules are delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops.

Lectures provide a broad outline structure for each topic to be covered. Lectures offer a good way of covering a lot of information and, more importantly, of conveying ideas to many people at once.

Seminars enable you to complete directed self-study and to answer questions and solve problems which are set by the lecturer. You will discuss your answers and solutions within the seminar group. Seminars will enable you to explore further the topics introduced in the lectures.

Workshops follow on from lectures and seminars. They are designed to enable you to work within a small group to perform set tasks (e.g. working on an exercise or case study).

Assessment

We use a range of new and traditional assessment methods to allow you to explore and express your abilities. They are not just a way of assessing whether something has been learned, but an opportunity to develop skills that will equip you in your future life and career.

We aim to provide all the support you need to make sure you have the confidence and understanding to engage with your assessments. Our tutors are experienced in providing support to students who may feel unconfident in an academic environment. You can also access free support through our Learning Enhancement team.

The type of assessment for each module is as follows:

Start date: February 2023

You will be invited to attend the welcome week 30 January to 3 February 2023.

Start date: June 2023

You will be invited to attend the welcome week 5 to 9 June 2023.

Start date: October 2023

You will be invited to attend the welcome week 2 to 6 October 2023.

Our course is accredited by both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) – studying with us will grant exemptions from the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills (nine papers) examinations of the ACCA and Certificate and Operational Levels (eight papers) examinations of CIMA.

We offer the maximum number of ACCA and CIMA exemptions – you’ll struggle to find this across other universities. This means you’ll not only save time but money too. If you dream of becoming a Chartered or Management Accountant, this is one of the quickest ways to achieve your goal.

You can also benefit from free student membership to ACCA and CIMA, unlocking online communities, free resources and career support services.

At the end of your chosen course, you will be well equipped to work within banking and finance, accounting practice, business and tax consultancy.

Of course, other industries and roles are well suited to the skills and knowledge you will gain, and further study is a popular and recommended route for many.

Qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)

When you graduate with the BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance you will be given exemptions from the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills examination (nine papers);  you will only need to pass four papers at the Strategic Professional level, complete an Ethics and Professional Skills module and show evidence of three years of practical work experience within a relevant role to become a Chartered Certified Accountant.

Qualifying as a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA)

When you graduate with the BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance you will be given exemptions from the Certificate and Operational Levels examinations (eight papers);  you will only need to pass eight papers at the management and Strategic levels and complete a minimum of three years verified relevant work-based practical experience to become a Chartered Management Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

Postgraduate study opportunities

We have a progression agreement with Birkbeck College (University of London). If you graduate with a minimum 2:2, you will be eligible for admission to some of Birkbeck’s Master’s degrees without having to be interviewed.

You will also be eligible for admission to our MBA. As one of our graduates, you will receive a 25% tuition fee discount.

As a small higher education Institute, you’re never just a number. We pride ourselves on supporting each and every student, ensuring that your journey with us is rewarding and life-affirming.

Our Centre for Student Engagement, Wellbeing and Success (SEWS) employs a team of full-time staff, so there’s always someone available to listen to you and offer tailored guidance and advice:

Disability & Wellbeing

We recognise emotional and mental wellbeing as a priority. It’s so important for us all to find effective ways of coping.

Our wellbeing programme offers you the opportunity to take time out and reflect on how your life could be enhanced by finding that sense of calm and finding grounded which lies at the heart of a balanced, fulfilling life.

Managing stress, budgeting and building resilience workshops are all run through our wellbeing programme. For this reason, you should consider our wellbeing programme as a fundamental part of making the most of your time here at Bloomsbury Institute.

Disabilities, long-term medical conditions, or specific learning difficulties are never barriers to success here at Bloomsbury Institute.

We‘re committed to providing a level playing field and empowering everyone to study as independently as possible during their time with us.

Specially trained staff are on hand to advise and support you. And we’ll work with you and liaise with academic departments to agree any adjustments that might be needed (including exam arrangements) to make sure your needs are met.

Learning Enhancement

Learning Enhancement is here to provide every student with English language support, as well as developing your academic skill set.

Whether you’re struggling with your studies or simply want to go from good to great, our workshops and sessions on academic language and academic skills tap into the power of small group learning to really help you develop the tools you need to succeed as a student. You can also book a one-to-one appointment with a LE Leader to talk through any issues or questions.

Peer Assisted Learning

Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) is an internationally recognised scheme. We train students to lead study sessions outside of the classroom, to help students in the year below themselves with study material.

If you need extra study support, you can attend a PAL session and get one-to-one and small group session support from students who have experience of passing the modules and assessments you may be struggling with.

Let’s Grow

Our Let’s Grow programme provides you with personal, academic and career development opportunities.

Embedded within your course and taking place through extra-curricular activities, the programme prepares you for life after graduation, including:

• Enabling you to communicate your skills and experiences effectively to a range of audiences from employers to investors.
• Actively encouraging you to take on opportunities, provided by the Institute, to develop and apply a wide range of employability skills.
• Provide you with a global outlook, international opportunities and up-to-date analysis of the UK and international job market.
• Promoting, encouraging and rewarding work-related learning.
• Rewarding you by taking ownership of your career development.

Our Centre for Community Engagement and Learning connects the Institute (and staff and students) with local communities and global partners through experiential learning, research and civic engagement.

Some of the Centre’s activities link into the Let’s Grow programme, and provides students with the opportunity to participate in our Law Clinic and Radio.

Bloomsbury Institute Student Guild (BISG) aims to inspire and empower all Bloomsbury Institute students, providing you with a valued experience that extends beyond the classroom. They are the official representative of students here at the Institute, providing a range of services and opportunities during and after your studies.

From ensuring the student voice is heard, to running societies and clubs, students are at the heart of all they do.

For more information, head to their website: www.bil-guild.org

Glyndŵr University is the awarding body for this course.