UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme Title:
Accounting & Finance Awards
Awarding Body:
Staffordshire University
Teaching Institution:
Staffordshire University
LondonSAM (Level 6 only)
Final Awards:
BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
Intermediate Awards:
N/A
Mode of Study
3 years full time
(Fast Track – 2 years full time)
UCAS Codes:
QAA Subject Benchmarks:
Accounting
Professional/Statutory Body:
1. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
2. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
3. Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants
Date of Production:
June 2007
Date of Revision:
June 2011
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
Revised June 2011
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME
The accounting suite of awards is designed to develop up-to-date competent and
adaptable accounting graduates who will be suitable for a range of chosen
professions. The suite also provides opportunities for students to engage in
management, law, or computing specialisms. Throughout each of the programmes
students will be encouraged to develop an analytical and enquiring mind in order that
they will be able to respond creatively to problems facing professionals in a dynamic
environment. There is a key focus on the development of students as progressive
intellectuals and independent life-long learners.
A particular design feature of the suite of awards has been the accreditation from
professional bodies (CIMA, ACCA & CIPFA)
Aims

To enable students to select from a range of awards within the Accounting
and Finance areas in accordance with their interests and ambitions

To enable students with different abilities and different educational
experiences to benefit intellectually and vocationally from their education in
Accounting and Finance.

To provide a stimulating and accessible course of study that gives students a
sound grasp of analysis and contemporary Accounting and/or Finance issues
which the student can develop and apply in their future employment.

To develop skills in problem solving and decision making.

To facilitate progression, both academic and vocational, by means of
developing knowledge and a capacity for independent and lifelong learning.

To encourage the development of a range of skills, both discipline specific
and more general, which will enhance career opportunities.

To provide students with an opportunity to undertake a year of work
experience through the placement, with support from the Placements Office.
What is distinctive about this programme?
The award covers both financial and managerial aspects of accounting. Both
theoretical and applied areas of both disciplines will be covered during the award. It
covers the in-depth knowledge of the core areas for those intending to move into the
Accounting profession.
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
What will this programme teach me to do? At the end of your studies you should be
able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical evaluation of key aspects of
Accounting or Finance including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at
least some of which is at or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of
Accounting or Finance.
Learning
Demonstrate an understanding of the uncertainty and ambiguity associated with the
study of Accounting or Finance.
Enquiry
Deploy accurately established techniques of enquiry and initiate and carry out a
project within an aspect of Accounting or Finance.
Analysis
Describe and comment on the conflicting, contradictory concepts embedded within
the current regulatory financial reporting framework and critically evaluate arguments,
assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete) to make
judgements.
Problem Solving
Demonstrate the ability to analyse appropriate approaches to solving problems and
use decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts including the
measurement of business risk, organisational value and return on investment.
Communication
Communicate and analyse information, ideas, problems, complex issues and
solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Application
Apply the methods and techniques learnt to review, consolidate and apply knowledge
and understanding to devise and sustain arguments.
Reflection
Demonstrate a high level of competence in independent learning and personal
responsibility.
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, MODULES AND CREDITS
BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance Sandwich - 08N40000
BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance Full Time - 08N41000
Three Year Delivery
Level 4
TB1
BSB00173-4
Financial
Accounting
TB2
BLB00002-4
People Prices and
Profits
BLB10114-4
Business
Skills 1
Legal Environment
of Business
BSB00130-4
Financial Services
BLB10115-4
Business
Skills 2
General
Option
BLB10107-5
Managing People
& Performance
BSB00140-5
Applied Accounting
Software
BLB00046-5
Tax
General
Option
Level 5
TB1
BLB00043-5
Advanced
Financial
Accounting
BSB00131-5
Management
Accounting
Techniques
TB2
Optional Placement – BLB10102-P
Level 6
TB1
BSB00133-6
Financial Reporting
& Audit
BLB00015-6
Research Methods
BSB10183-6 Project
TB2
BSB00123-6
Strategic
Management
Accounting
BSB00124-6
Corporate Finance
BSB00122-6
Financial Decision
Making
BSB00169-6
Corporate
Governance
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
Revised June 2011
BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance, Fast Track - 08N34200
Two year delivery
Year 1
TB1
BLB00002-4 People
Prices and Profits
BLB10114-4
Business
Skills 1
Legal Environment
of Business
BSB00130-4
Financial Services
BLB10115-4
Business
Skills 2
General
Option
BSB00147-5
Personal
Finance
(FTA)
BSB00144-5
Taxation
(FTA
BSB10210-5
Independent
Learning and
Critical Thought
(FTA)
BSB00149-5
Research Methods
(FTA)
BLB00043-5
Advanced Financial
Accounting
BSB00131-5
Management
Accounting
Techniques
BSB00133-6
Financial Reporting
& Audit
BSB00173-4
Financial
Accounting
TB2
TB3
Year 2
TB1
BSB00122-6
Financial Decision
Making
BSB00139-6 Applied
Accounting
Software
TB2
Optional Placement
TB3
BSB00170-6
Corporate
Governance
(FTA)
BSB00146-6
Corporate Finance
(FTA)
BSB00145-6
Strategic
Management
Accounting
(FTA)
BSB10215-6 Project
(FTA)
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED?
Teaching and Learning
A wide variety of delivery methods will be employed. Modules will employ, for
example, some of the following methods:

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
Lectures
Tutorials
Structured directed learning
Computer Based Workshops
Case Study Workshops
Group Based Activities
Blended learning
Independent learning
In addition to this, most modules have a dedicated web site that contains additional
practice questions, exercises and suggested answers. Past exam papers and
assignments are also provided as are multiple links to additional resources such as
study skills and accounting glossary.
Throughout the Accounting and Finance awards, consideration has been given to
how to enrich the learner’s experience and enhance the teacher’s contribution. The
emphasis is on the learner as manager of his/her development with the teacher as
the catalyst and facilitator in the process. The assumption is that learning is not only
for personal growth but also for employability and that the learner is also taking on
the responsibility for self-managing his/her career.
Given the career aspirations of Accounting and Finance undergraduate students, the
assumption is that motivation to develop will be high and the learning experience
should reflect this by making demands on the learner to challenge his/her own
values, ideas and experiences and to be active rather than passive in his/her
development. This will be achieved by creating learning opportunities which will,
increasingly as the student progresses, require the learner to demonstrate greater
independence as his/her personal growth aspirations are fulfilled. Students will not
be expected to simply seek reinforcement of the technical and common sense
understanding of traditional training, rather they will be required by the honours level
to challenge and explore the subject area from a more critical and reflective
perspective.
Students’ learning is further enhanced by the inclusion of explicit opportunity to
develop, apply and reflect upon a range of relevant personal skills. For example, at
level 4 a 30CATS ‘Business Skills’ module, involving a range of transferable skills, is
included as core. At level 5 in the module ‘Applied Accounting Software’, students
are required to put into practice, within a real IT-based accounting system, many of
the concepts and principles learned in level 4, including setting up company details,
through to month and year end routines. Each week the students are guided in
performing a set of real life instructions which mimic the processing of key, everyday
financial transactions.
At level 6, prior learning is consolidated within the framework of an individual project,
which draws upon their research and communication skills. The level 4 ‘Business
Skills’ module also introduces students to the aims of the Personal Development
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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Portfolio (PDP) which they then complete throughout the award.
At level 4 learning relates predominantly to foundation concepts, principles and
techniques, which are then developed further in subsequent levels. At level 5,
learning becomes more focused upon the application and extension of level 4
knowledge and skills, with a critical and analytical perspective being required at level
6. Also, as the award progresses, students’ will be expected to develop as
independent learners. To this end, the prescribed contact time at levels 4 and 5 is
more than for level 6. Independent learning will be further reinforced by the
Research Methods module at level 5 and the Project modules at level 6.
The 2-Year Mode
In order to complete in 2-years, this mode utilises a third teaching block over each
summer period. At the beginning of teaching blocks 3 in each year, there are 2
weeks of directed learning followed by an ‘Accelerated Learning Stage’ (ALS). Each
ALS consists of a compulsory 2-week learning block of 60 contact hours. The ALS’s
are each followed by an 8 week blended learning period incorporating tutor directed
materials to facilitate greater use of directed and independent learning for this new
mode. This approach ensures that support materials are accessible to the students in
a more flexible way, whilst retaining some face-to-face contact.
Following the ALS, students will complete their modules via learning support
materials on the University virtual learning environment, Blackboard. During this
period of study, students may use the resources within the University or choose to
study elsewhere, such as at home. Tutors responsible for the delivery of the blended
learning modules may, for example, log on to Blackboard to monitor student
discussion and queries and will provide support via e-mail and telephone, subject to
availability during office hours.
The modules common to both the 3-year and 2-year Accounting and Finance awards
will continue to be delivered via a standard lecture/tutorial programme. Equally,
assessment of these modules will continue to be the same. For the blended learning
modules in teaching block 3, these will have the same learning outcomes as the
versions delivered in other teaching blocks, but will be adapted to ensure that the
teaching and learning strategies facilitate student learning in this ‘fast-track’ mode.
In order to provide a more advantageous learning environment, cohort size with be
around 25 students. This allows a higher staff-student ratio during the intensive
ALS’s of the course.
Whilst the course will be an intensive experience for the students, it is acknowledged
in the report ‘Accelerated Learning Programmes’ (compiled by Sheffield Hallam
University, commissioned by the HEA on behalf of the Department for Education and
Skills and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, May 2007) that:
“Some research suggests that learners retain knowledge better without long gaps
between study and application of knowledge…. intensive learning can offer retention
benefits for all students: longer, more intense sessions can stimulate deeper
understanding, and in student surveys it was found especially beneficial for higher
order learning.”
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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Assessment
A range of assessment methods are used throughout the three levels to assess the
learning outcomes. These include:

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Time constrained unseen examinations, both written and computerised.
Time constrained examinations with pre-issued questions.
Short answer tests.
Essay based assignments.
Short answer assignments.
Presentations.
Literature reviews.
Investigations.
Group activities.
Formative Assessment and Feedback
In order to provide formative assessment and feedback, award modules will employ
one or more of the following:

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

Multiple choice tests
Quizzes
Class presentation
Exercises
Peer assessed discussion
Case study discussions
Work shop activities
Self assessment tests
Class tests
Also, when a module has multiple summative assessments then the early
assessments will also be formative in nature.
All modules will have formative feedback linked to learning outcomes and this will be
detailed within the module handbook. Formative feedback is important to give the
students a measure of how they are performing on the award; this is particularly the
case for the 30 credit core modules that operate across the year and for students on
the two year Fast Track version.
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entry Requirements (including IELTS score)
All students whose first language is not English will also need a minimum of IELTS 6.0
What qualifications would I need to join this programme?
Admissions Criteria
3 GCE/VCE A levels:
Normally BCC or CCE plus 40 points from 3 Advanced GCE/ VCEs or a VCE double
award or combination.
2 GCE/VCE A levels:
Normally a BC or CC plus 40 points from two advanced GCE/ VCEs or a VCE double
award or combination
GCSE
Grade C or above (or equivalent) required for Maths and English.
At A-level, 40 points may come from Key Skills level 3, AS or other units
For entry on to the 2-year mode:
3 GCE/VCE A levels:
Normally BCC
GCSE
Grade C or above (or equivalent) required for Maths and English.
Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications are encouraged to apply.
In addition to the above, applicants for the 2-year award will be interviewed. In the case
of international applicants where attending a face/face interview may not be practical, a
telephone interview will be used. In all cases, the purpose of the interview is to ensure
that the student fully understands the rigours of this mode and is motivated to succeed.
Disability Statement
Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching and learning to ensure
that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Details
about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study_here/disabled_students/index.jsp
Further information about the award can be found in the relevant
Student Handbook and on the University Website. This includes
information about optional modules, learning outcomes at levels below
honours, student support, and academic regulations.
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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Programme specification addendum for delivery at London School of
Accountancy & Management (LondonSAM)
Name and
location of
partner
London School of Accountancy & Management, London.
Partnership
Context
The awards listed below are part of a franchise arrangement with Staffordshire
University.
Awards to
be offered at
partner
BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance, Level 6 only.
Aims /
Learning
Outcomes
See Main Programme Specification, Level 6 only
Curricula
See Main Programme Specification for Level 6 only
In addition students will need to study BSB00140-5 Applied Accounting
Software (or by APL from a London SAM course, ie. Sage Line 50)
Teaching
and
Learning
See Main Programme Specification
Assessment
See Main Programme Specification, Level 6 only
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
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Admissions
Criteria
Professional Accounting Qualifications
Students who have completed the following stages of the professional accounting
qualifications will be eligible to progress to Level 6 of the B.A.(Hons) Accounting
and Finance award.
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA)
ACCA Part 2
ACCA is made up of three stages/parts - the students must have passed the first 9
modules i.e.

Stage 1 - the Knowledge Modules

Stage 2 - the Skills Modules
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
CIMA Part 2
CIMA is made up of three stages/parts - the students have passed the first 11
modules i.e.

Stage 1 - the Certificate Level

Stage 2 - the Managerial Level
Accounting Software Module
In addition to the above qualifications students would need to study the Applied
Accounting Software (BSB00140-5) module, which focuses on the main functions
of the ‘Sage’ software. Students with a prior qualification in accounting software
(eg. LondonSAM Sage 50), will be eligible for the Accreditation of Prior Certified
Learning under the University’s AP(E)L Policy.
London SAM Graduate Advanced Diploma
Students who have passed the LondonSAM Graduate Advanced Diploma in
Business Management will be eligible to progress to Level 6 of the B.A.(Hons)
Accounting & Finance award.
In addition to the above qualification students would need to study the Applied
Accounting Software (BSB00140-5) module, which focuses on the main functions
of the ‘Sage’ software. Students with a prior qualification in accounting software
(eg. LondonSAM Sage 50), will be eligible for the Accreditation of Prior Certified
Learning under the University’s AP(E)L Policy.
All students whose first language is not English will also need a minimum of IELTS
6.0
Specific
Regulations
Level 6 only plus BSB00140-5 Applied Accounting Software (or by APL from a
London SAM course, ie. Sage Line 50)
Two intakes: - September and January
Date of
completion
January 2009
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BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance
Revised June 2011