Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)

at City University of London

Who is it for?
 

If you’re ambitious, determined to succeed in the field of accounting and finance, and have lots of drive, a can-do attitude and a strong work ethic, you’re ready for this course. During the Accounting and Finance undergraduate degree course, you’ll master your subject knowledge and acquire the professional acumen and key skills to stand out as a professional in your field.
 

In each year of your degree, you choose a number of modules that allow you to either focus more deeply on finance and accounting, or to broaden your studies into areas including business forecasting and corporate social responsibility.
 

Objectives
 

Your career in finance and accountancy launches here. Over three years – or four if you choose to take a work placement or study abroad year – you gain a thorough grounding in a wide range of core and optional modules. You will become proficient in all areas of accounting and finance, from financial accounting and corporate finance to financial management, taxation and economics.
 

You also have the highly valuable option of a study abroad sandwich year at one of our highly-respected partner institutions across the world. In an increasingly globalised business environment, this is excellent preparation.
 

The Accounting and Finance degree is both highly selective and highly demanding. You will be working hard for the rewards it delivers. The degree is delivered in strategic partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). By meeting the relevant criteria, BSc Accounting and Finance students can achieve up to eight exemptions from the ICAEW's Chartered Accountant qualification (ACA) and receive similar exemptions from other professional accountancy bodies.
 

Structure
 

What will I learn?

• Acquire the most up-to-date professional knowledge in the fields of accounting and finance

• Learn how to think critically, how to work under time pressure, how to handle uncertainty

• Develop your understanding of the business environment in which you’ll be working, from law to financial management

• Acquire key professional skills, including presentation, report writing, conflict resolution and team working skills

• Interact with top employers through numerous events and workshops at Bayes Business School.
   

Year 1
 

In year 1, Students will take a total of 8 Core Modules (135 credits) and 1 Elective Module (15 credits).

Core modules:

• Introductory financial accounting

  This module focuses on the interpretation and use of financial accounting information as part of the effective operation of a business. Moreover it looks at the principles that underlie financial accounting, the application of these principles in recording transactions and the preparation of financial statements.

• Introduction to finance

  This will offer a thorough grounding in finance concepts.  You will understand how to interpret financial information and commentaries, and be able to consider how to take account of finance in decisions which you may need to make. You will also have a sound basis for any further finance modules which you may take within your course.

• Introduction to business law

  This module gives you an understanding of the legal framework within which business decisions take place. It covers the following areas, among others: Overview of the English Legal System, Contract Law, Negligence, Business Ventures, Employment and Intellectual Property Law.

• Financial institutions

  The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge of the workings of financial institutions, markets, products, services, customers, corporate governance, the accounting profession, their regulation and ethics.

• Professional skills

  This unique practical module is led by experienced business practitioners and focuses on developing your individual business skills, through a series of discussions and practical exercises. By attending this module you will enhance your networking and reflective practice abilities, team working, project planning and research skills, analytical, business writing and team working skills.

• Microeconomics

  The aim of this module is to provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the main ideas in microeconomics, to enable you to start analysing specific markets and firms using a critical perspective.

• Introduction to statistics

  This module provides you with an underpinning and understanding of numerical techniques used in the business world to aid decision making. It presents the fundamentals of probability & statistics, and explores more advanced techniques such as data analysis, interrelations between variables, and forecasting.

• Introductory management accounting

  The aim of this module is to introduce you to the principles that underlie management accounting, to the application of these principles in preparing management accounting information, and to the use of management accounting information in the effective management of a business. Topics covered will include, among others: budgeting, costing for pricing and for decision making, investment appraisal.

• Macroeconomics

  The aim of this course is to give you a comprehensive introduction to the main ideas in macroeconomics, and to you to start analysing issues relating to the economy as a whole, including monetary and fiscal policy, with a critical perspective.
   

Elective modules

• Introduction to Management

• Introduction to Visual Basic

• Microplacement
   

Year 2
 

In year 2, Students will take a total of 8 Core Modules (120 credits) and 2 Elective Module (30 credits).

Core modules:

• Assurance

  Assurance is one of the foundation blocks of the accounting profession and one of the knowledge modules of the ACA qualification offered by the ICAEW. This module provides you with an understanding of the assurance process and fundamental principles of ethics, and an ability to contribute to the assessment of internal controls and gathering of evidence on an assurance engagement.

• Corporate Law

  This module provides you with an understanding of company law and the main legal implications arising from the corporate structure. Alternative forms of business structures, such as unlimited partnerships and limited liability partnerships, will be outlined. You will be able to understand the role of shareholders and directors, and the main implications of insolvency laws. Both the impact of criminal law on businesses and how the law affects the role and work of the professional accountant will be examined.

• Financial Econometrics

  This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts of econometrics and its usefulness in analysing financial data. It is designed to give you an understanding of why econometrics is necessary, to provide you with a working ability of basic econometric tools and to illustrate their application in finance. This module introduces you to econometric tools for empirical modelling, accustoms you to applying these tools to estimation, statistical inference, and forecasting in financial markets and enables you to develop the necessary skills to critically interpret the results of econometric analyses.

• Intermediate Financial Accounting 1

  Recognition of accounting issues and understanding of accounting judgements implicit in financial reporting, are key to the development of a rounded understanding of business management. Building on the introductory financial accounting syllabus, this module will enable you to develop a wider breadth of accounting knowledge and the ability to understand accounting information in the context of recognised accounting standards and prevailing legal requirements.

• Management Accounting

  The module will enable you to select and apply appropriate management accounting techniques for decision making, planning, control and performance evaluation purposes. The usefulness of these techniques to modern business environments is critically examined. Emphasis is also placed on interpreting management accounting outputs as well as evaluating managerial implications of management accounting techniques.

• Financial Markets

  The module builds on the Introduction to finance module from Year 1, and applies finance to the pricing of assets in financial markets with the aim of examining how bond and equity prices are determined.

• Principles of Taxation

  Principles of Taxation is one of the foundation blocks of the accounting profession and one of the knowledge level modules of the ACA qualification offered by the ICAEW. By the end of this module, you should be able to understand the general objectives of tax and calculate income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, corporation tax and VAT in straightforward scenarios.

• Intermediate Financial Accounting 2

  By completing this module, you should become competent in addressing accounting issues related to Business Combinations and have a solid understanding of the concepts and application of various intermediate financial accounting areas - including intangible assets, financial instruments, provisions and contingent assets/liabilities, deferred taxation - in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
   

Elective Modules

• Asset Management

• Company Valuation

• Derivatives Trading & Hedging

• Financial Analysis

• Financial Economics

• Mentoring and Coaching for leadership

• Portfolio Theory and Investment Valuation

• Risk Analysis and Modelling

• Micro-Placements
   

Year 3
 

In year 3, Students will take a total of 7 Core Modules (120 credits) and 2 Elective Module (30 credits).

Core modules:

• Corporate finance

  The Corporate Advisory and Financial Services Industry requires graduates with a critical understanding and knowledge of modern corporate finance at an advanced level. As such, this module presents the fundamentals of valuation, investment, financing, and dividend policies, and exposes you to popular strategic and financial decisions, while developing self-learning and analytical skills to evaluate complex corporate finance problems.

• Corporate strategy

  This course examines several types of corporate reorganizations: mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, and divestitures, as well as reorganizations in financial distress situations through private workouts and bankruptcy. Particular emphasis is placed on linking conceptual tools and institutional environments to real business decisions.

• Strategy for business

  This module discusses the goal and elements of business strategy - the strategy of firms within a given industry. It seeks to answer two broad questions. First, why is a business strategy important? Second, what are the key issues involved in formulating and implementing a business strategy? The module will provide you with a range of analytical tools that will enable you to analyse and evaluate business strategy questions.

• Audit and assurance

  This module will equip you to develop knowledge and understanding of the process of carrying out the assurance engagement and its application in the context of the professional regulatory framework. It will also help you to explain the nature of internal audit and describe its role as part of overall performance and its relationship with external audit. In addition, it will explore the evaluation of information systems, internal controls, audit evidence, audit planning and the audit report. By the end of this module, you should understand critical aspects of managing an assurance engagement (including audit engagements): accepting, planning, managing, concluding and reporting.

• Advanced financial accounting: theory and practice

  This is an advanced financial accounting module that builds on the introductory and intermediate financial accounting modules completed earlier in the degree. The aim of this advanced module is threefold: (i)to explore key theoretical financial reporting concepts, (ii) to examine the application of financial reporting issues in more depth and (iii) to inform about recent developments and major debates in financial accounting. This module will help you develop your independent critical thinking on financial reporting issues and increase your awareness to related ethical issues.

• Taxation

  This module builds on the work done on Principles of taxation in your second year of studies. This module aims to focus on the knowledge and skills relating to the UK tax system as applicable to individuals, companies, partnerships and groups of companies. By the end of this module, you should be able to prepare tax computations and provide tax advice to individuals, partnerships and companies in straightforward scenarios.

• Final-year project (structured)

  The dissertation is a vital and substantial part of the final year of your degree. It will serve as a basis of discussion with prospective employers and as principal evidence of mastery of the chosen discipline. The dissertation aims to provide a link between the various subjects studied in your degree, while encouraging the production of independent research.  It also aims to develop your critical nature; your ability to select appropriate methods of investigation and capacity to produce sound conclusions based on your research findings.
   

Elective Modules

• Advanced Financial Economics

• Asset-Liability Management

• Bank Strategy & Management

• Business Forecasting

• Corporate Social Responsibility

• Emerging Markets

• Equity Investment Management

• Financial Forecasting

• Fixed Income Portfolio Management

• International Financial Management

• Statistical Reasoning, Communication & Ethics

• Technical Analysis

• Micro-Placements

United Kingdom
 

A-Level: AAA

If you are studying General Studies or Critical Thinking these subjects will not be included in any offer condition.

For A-Level applicants we also require a minimum of grade 5 (C) in GCSE English Language and grade 6 (B) in GCSE Maths.
 

BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD

For BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical applicants we also require a minimum of grade 5 (C) in GCSE English Language and grade 7 (A) in GCSE Maths.

For candidates taking a combination of A Level/BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications we accept the following:

• BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 National Diploma (grades DD) with one A-Level (grade A)

• BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (grade D) with two A-levels (grades AA)

For combination BTEC/OCR/A-Level applicants we also require a minimum of grade 5 (C) in GCSE English Language and grade 7 (A) in GCSE Maths.
 

IB: 35 points overall with at least 18 points across three Higher Level subjects, including either HL4 or SL5 in both Mathematics and English. Please note that we are happy to accept both Maths Analysis & Approaches and Maths Applications & Interpretations.
 

Access to Higher Education: Pass the course with 45 level 3 credits including minimum 30 distinction credits and the remaining 15 credits at merit or above.

For Access applicants we also require a minimum of grade 5 (C) in GCSE English Language and grade 6 (B) in GCSE Maths.
 

Foundation course for UK/EU students
 

If you do not meet the qualification criteria for this course, you may still meet the criteria for our Business Management Foundation course. The Foundation course is a one-year full-time programme that provides an entry route to any of the following business-related courses: BSc Business Management, BSc Business Management, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, BSc Business with Finance, BSc Business with Marketing and BSc International Business.
 

International students
 

We accept a wide range of international and other UK qualifications at Bayes.
 

Information for international and EU applicants
 

For international applicants requiring a Student Route visa we accept any of the below English language proficiency qualifications at the grades listed:

• Language Cert International ESOL: Language Cert B2 Communicator High Pass

• IELTS (Academic, UKVI or IELTS Indicator): 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any sub test.

• TOEFL (Test centre or iBT Special Home Edition): 92 overall (24 Writing, 23 Reading, 22 Speaking, 21 Listening)

• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 59 overall with minimum of 59 in each sub test

• Pearson Academic Online: 62 overall with minimum of 59 in each sub test

• IGCSE: English as a First Language (Syllabus 0500 & 0522) or English as Second Language (Syllabus 0510 & 0511) at Grade B or above

• International Baccalaureate: Grade 5 at Standard level or Grade 4 at Higher level

• Trinity College (Integrated Skills): ISE III – pass in each area

• INTO City Pre-sessional English: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any sub test (NB. Must be the 6 or 8 week Bayes-specific course)

• Cambridge English Advanced (also known as Certificate in Advanced English): Grade C (180-192) at CEFR Level C1

• Cambridge English Proficiency (also known as Certificate of Proficiency in English): Grade C (200-212) at CEFR Level C2

• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): English Language Examination grade 4 or above

• Bellerbys Foundation Course 69% overall and 59% minimum in each sub test

• Oxford Test of English 130 overall with minimum 120 in each sub test

• GCSE English Language Grade C/5 or above but 1) Qualifications must be issued by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA regulated body in the UK; 2) Education must be undertaken in a UK school.

• A Level English Language Grade C or above but 1)Qualifications must be issued by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA regulated body in the UK; 2)Education must be undertaken in a UK school.

• Vitnemal: English grade 5

• French Baccalaureat: 14/20 in English

• Malaysian GCE O Level (SPM-1119 syllabus only): grade A
   

An exception to the above criteria applies to Student Route visa applicants from the below majority English-speaking countries for whom we can accept a wider range of English qualifications:

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Australia

• The Bahamas

• Barbados

• Belize

• Canada

• Dominica

• Grenada

• Guyana

• Ireland

• Jamaica

• Malta

• New Zealand

• St Kitts and Nevis

• St Lucia

• St Vincent and the Grenadines

• Trinidad and Tobago

• United Kingdom

• United States of America
   

Information for home and EU applicants

In addition to the above English language proficiency qualifications accepted for International applicants, as a Home or EU applicant we can also accept any of the below English qualifications:

• GCSE: Grade C or 5
• O-Level: Grade C
• A-Level: Grade C
• Cambridge English First (also known as Certificate of First in English): Grade A (180-190) at CEFR Level C1

UK£9,250Tuition fees are subject to annual change

EU£20,500Tuition fees are subject to annual change

International£20,500Tuition fees are subject to annual change
 

UK students
 

* The fee for this course in 2021/22 was £9,250 for each year of study. Fees for students commencing study in 2022/23 are £9,250.
 

EU and Non-EU international students
 

** In 2020/21 the fee was £19,000 for the first year of study. Fees for students commencing study in 2022/23 are £20,500. The institution reserves the right to increase your tuition fees annually to take account of the institution's increased costs of delivering educational services. The increase will normally be 2% but this is kept under review with reference to the RPI. If the institution intends to increase your tuition fees you will be advised of this alongside the published entry fee.

BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance is structured to ensure you leave the programme with highly marketable knowledge, ensuring you develop the practical skills and professionalism for your career.
 

The undergraduate course produces well-rounded graduates with skills that are relevant to a wide range of careers in business, finance and accountancy.
 

Typical jobs for graduates include:

• auditor

• financial analyst

• tax advisor

• consultant
   

Recent graduate testimonial

"As a result of the business and global acumen I developed at Bayes, I was able to get three job offers from some of the top accounting firms and it continues to help me excel at work everyday."

-Sabeen Ijaz, BSc Accounting and Finance