September 2024

Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

Honours Degree, Undergraduate, September 2024

Key Details

  • N400 Course Code
  • 3 Years
  • 112 Typical UCAS Tariff
Accounting Accreditation logos

On our BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme you’ll study the theories and develop the skills of accounting and financial management. These are transferable to a range of employment opportunities in private, public and third sector organisations. And, as our class sizes are small, we’re able to get to know you and focus case studies on the industry you’d like to work in. You’ll graduate with the competence and experience to progress your career or into postgraduate study.

12 modules on our degree have gained accreditations from the leading professional accounting bodies –: ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA and IFA,. So when you pass those modules successfully, you’ll be exempt from a number of external accountancy exams that you may otherwise need to complete when you graduate. If you’re looking to gain professional qualifications in accountancy, these exemptions can save you time and  give you a competitive advantage against graduates from unrelated courses applying for accountancy roles. Depending on the modules that you chose, you could expect to be a qualified accountant within one to two years after graduation, as opposed to the three to four years it might take a graduate from an unrelated degree. (Scroll down for our Accreditations and Exemptions section).

As well as focusing on the area of Accounting, our degree also explores key financial theories, which could give you an advantage against those who have studied other accountancy qualifications. By studying a university degree in Accounting and Finance, as opposed to other routes into the profession, you’ll be able to take advantage of the full university experience, developing a toolkit of vital transferable skills that can be applied to a wide range of careers.

  • The BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree at Newman provides you with the skills, knowledge and resources relevant for a wide range of enterprises in the private and public sectors.
  • We focus on student-centred learning, and the development of the whole individual which will help you to develop into a successful accounting and financial professional with the capacity and vitality to make a difference.
  • Accounting and Finance at Newman is taught in smaller class sizes than many UK universities which enables discussion and debate to embed learning and view problems from a variety of perspectives, a vital skill for accountants. In this course you will study accounting and finance in a way that addresses values and ethics in a way not always achieved in other institutions.
  • Over the three year course a variety of modules are covered to equip you with the knowledge to go on to be successful. Some of the types of modules you can expect include financial accounting, management accounting and decision making, personal and business taxation, auditing and assurance, corporate financial management, financial analysis and financial reporting.
  • Newman provides excellent academic and individual support. Teaching is much more than just lectures, you will have the support of seminars, tutorials, group activities, study skills and fieldwork. Taught modules are assessed through a variety of different forms of coursework, such as reports, presentations, analysis tasks and reflective logs. Members of the department are always happy to give individual tutorials and advice on research and writing assignments.

The solid foundation for future study will be laid in the first year of this course. You will study the basic elements of Accounting and Finance and develop spreadsheet and numerical skills, research, referencing and academic writing skills. You will also learn more about the role of the accountant in business and the fundamental aspects of Business and Corporate Law.

Your second year will further develop the core area of Accounting and Finance. This level will use the concepts and skill-based tools from Level 4 for more applied learning activities. The range of learning activities will increase to facilitate different learning styles. For example, you will take on specialist modules to map onto a chosen career pathway which may lead to some exemptions from the professional bodies. This part will examine personal and business taxation, corporate financial management, financial reporting, and management accounting.

In the final year of study you will be involved in using the conceptual tools and experience developed in the first two years.  Final year modules may lead you towards partial exemptions being granted by the professional bodies. You will cover some core areas such as advanced management accounting, financial analysis, advanced financial reporting and audit and assurance. These modules in particular will help to develop skills of critical analysis and synthesis which will help you to reflect on your career aspirations.

Our BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme has a theoretical and practice-led approach covering the core aspects of accounting and finance including:

  • Financial accounting
  • Management accounting
  • Finance and investment
  • International finance
  • Banking and insurance
  • Credit and financial analytics
  • Contemporary issues in accounting and finance
  • Portfolio management
  • Investment banking
  • Corporate finance
  • Financial reporting
  • Business economics for accounting and finance
  • Corporate and business law
  • Ethics in finance and accounting
  • Financial or economic analysis
  • Computerised accounting systems – Sage 50cloud Accounts
  • Specialist areas such as audit and assurance, taxation, digital finance, sustainable finance, and strategic management

You will be assessed via a combination of options including coursework, class tests, and formal examinations.

  • Financial accountant
  • Management accountant
  • Financial analyst
  • Investment banker
  • Tax consultants
  • Internal/External auditor

The skills, knowledge and resources you develop on the programme will be relevant for a wide range of organisations and industries in the private and public sectors. The department’s previous graduates from other business programmes have gained management roles in a broad range of areas.

The programme will give you the skills and knowledge that you need to be able succeed in the future. Graduates in Accounting and Finance are highly sought after and are able to use their skills and knowledge in a wide range of different areas. Graduates of Accountancy and Professional Services are regularly recruited by the `Big Four’ accounting firms – Ernst and Young, KPMG, Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers, as well as other graduate level employers. As a graduate in Accounting and Finance, there are opportunities to work in both local government and central government departments such as the National Audit Office, FSA, HMRC, and HM Treasury.

At Newman, the Careers service also organises fairs and events throughout the year to give you a chance to meet graduate recruiters and ask your questions; These include the `Graduate Recruitment fair’, `The Finance, Business and Management Fair’ and the `Postgraduate Study fair’.

Depending on the modules that you have chosen during your degree you may be eligible for exemptions for professional examinations from the following accountancy bodies:*

Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)

A number or our modules have gained exemptions from ICAEW, including all six modules on the ICAEW’s certificate level and one on the ICAEW’s professional level. Successful Students can claim prior learning with ICAEW upon completion of the degree from Newman towards being qualified in the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB).

These exemptions will save you time when applying for professional qualifications.

For more information about ICAEW’s Credit for Prior Learning please visit  www.icaew.com/cpl

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Certain modules are accredited by ACA and ACCA and thus students completing these modules may gain exemptions from professional exams as part of postgraduate accountancy training. We were awarded seven exemptions from the ACCA.

This means that students could save up to one to two years of further study before they are fully qualified with ACCA.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

We have gained eight exemptions from CIMA and students will be able to claim prior learning and award designation after graduating from Newman.  The award designations are listed below:

CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting (CIMA DIP MA)

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (CIMA CERT BA) 

This means that students could save up to two years of further study, to be qualified as a chartered management accountant.

* Please note that if you have a conviction for fraud the above professional bodies may not agree to exempt you.

Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)

We have obtained 12 exemptions out of a total of 14 exams from the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA).

This means that students will only need to complete two exams before they are qualified as a chartered accountant with IFA.  The IFA is an internationally recognised professional accountancy membership body whose members work for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

 

The exemptions listed above are for future Newman University students. Current or past students should check with the Course Leader about the exemptions applicable to them. 

Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.

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Entry Requirements

You must achieve at least 96 UCAS points including a minimum of CC at A level or equivalent (e.g.MM at BTEC Diploma; MPP at BTEC Extended Diploma) towards the total tariff.

Access Students can achieve the requirements with the following combination of Distinction, Merit and/ or Pass grades at level 3 achieved from a completed Access course. 96 UCAS Points: D21-M3-P21; D18-M9-P18; D15-M15-P15; D12-M21-P12; D9-M27-P9; D6-M33-P6; D3-M39-P3; D0-M45-P0.

The University accepts appropriate T Levels as part of its usual entry requirements.

For applicants who are unsure that they will achieve the above UCAS tariff, Newman University offers Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) which enables such applicants to access a university degree via a four year route. Upon successful completion of their foundation year, students will progress to Year 1 of a named degree. Whilst not a condition of entry onto the Foundation Year, students wishing to follow particular named routes with additional entry requirements, will need to meet these requirements before they make the transition from their foundation year to year 1.

International Students
The University is not licensed by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.

Applying Direct Option

You can apply direct to Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.

Simply click on this Direct Application link.

N.B. will need to enter ‘New User’ account details when first accessing this portal.

Course Fees

The full-time course fee for September 2023 is £9,250 per year.

The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

Additional Costs

Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.