BA ACCOUNTING & FINANCE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Transcription

1 BA ACCOUNTING & FINANCE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION CORE INFORMATION Programme Name: Accounting & Finance Programme Length: 3YFT Is this part of group of linked programmes (e.g. a version with/without a placement year, a group of programmes with a common first year etc.) between which students can transfer at agreed points?: YES BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Placement) It is possible to transfer between these programmes at certain points. This may be subject to particular requirements. Award Title: BA (Hons) Level of award: 6 Awarding body: University of Sunderland Which department is it in? Business Programme Studies Board: UG Business Programme Leader: Phil Dodds How and where can I study the programme? At Sunderland: Full-time on campus At a partner college: Full-time/Part-Time overseas How long does the programme take? Min number of years / months Max number of years / months Full-time 3yrs 9yrs Part-time Sandwich Distance learning Work-based learning For start-dates please see the current edition of the Prospectus or contact the relevant department at the University. For start-dates for programmes delivered in a partner college, please contact the college.

2 TEACHING AND LEARNING What is the programme about? The programme aims to; enable students to demonstrate relevant knowledge and understanding of accounting and finance and the environment in which they operate. develop and maintain an awareness and understanding of accounting and finance in regional, national and international contexts. develop students with a range of accounting and finance-specific as well as transferable skills which will prepare them for a career within a wide range of commercial and not-for-profit organisations and business start-up. develop independent life-long learners. deliver a programme which is attractive to employers at regional, national and international levels What will I know or be able to do at each Stage of the programme? By the end of this Stage of the programme successful students should know, understand or be able to do the following: Learning Outcomes Stage 1 skills S1. Employ a range of subject specific skills in relation to the world of accounting and finance. S2. Exercise judgement in the planning and control of tasks. S3. Accept responsibility and accountability within pre-determined parameters for the achievement of outcomes. Learning Outcomes Stage 1 knowledge K1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts within the field of accounting and finance and/or its environment. K2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of financial information K3. Have awareness of the business legal environment in which financial affairs operate. Learning Outcomes Stage 2 skills S4. Command wide ranging specialised academic, technical and creative skills with regard to accounting and finance. S5. Diagnose problems, design solutions in a range of accounting, finance and management areas. Learning Outcomes Stage 2 knowledge K4. Demonstrate understanding within the field of accounting and finance and its environment. K5. Have awareness of the role and scope of accounting and finance in the global business environment. Learning Outcomes Stage 3 skills S6. Critically apply a range of accounting and finance theories in an international context. S7. Integrate and critically evaluate a range of financial models and concepts in an international context. S8. Apply financial skills in resolving a range of business problems. Learning Outcomes Stage 3 knowledge K6. Appreciate the significance of the global environment on accounting and finance issues. K7. Demonstrate critical understanding of relevant contemporary theories and concepts in accounting and finance and its environment. K8. Integrate and critically evaluate a range of debates and issues within the international financial arena.

3 Learning Outcomes Ordinary degree If you are awarded an Ordinary degree you will have achieved the majority of the learning outcomes for the programme studied. However you will have gained fewer credits at Stage 3 than students awarded an Honours degree, your knowledge will typically be less broad and you will typically be less proficient in higher-level skills such as independent learning. What will the programme consist of? Each undergraduate programme consists of a number of Stages from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 4, each of which is equivalent to a year s full-time study. The summary below describes briefly what is contained in each Stage. Most programmes have a mixture of core (i.e. compulsory) modules and optional ones, often with increasing choice as you move through the programme and gain in experience. In some programmes the choice of optional modules gives you particular routes through the programme. Stage 1: This stage leads you towards knowledge and understanding of the field of accounting and finance through analysis of its practical application and theoretical underpinning. The modules have been specifically selected to enable you to start your accounting knowledge from the basics so even if you have no previous experience the course is designed to provide you with all the necessary education. The role of accounting and finance in the business environment is examined from both the financial and management accounting perspective with management, law, quantitative methods and economics also present to provide context and broaden scope. Stage 2: The Diploma stage encompasses the role and scope of accounting and finance in a global environment and expands the breadth and depth of your academic, creative and technical skills. The financial and management accounting streams are continued. Additional knowledge and skills in the important specialised areas of corporate finance, audit and taxation are explored. Business management is studied further to continue the contextualisation of the core discipline within the wider business environment. Stage 3: This stage focuses on the international dimension of accounting and finance and examines contemporary theories, models, debates and issues which globally affect the core disciplines of accounting and finance. Financial and management accounting and the corporate finance function are followed in depth, building on previous stages. Project management and business modelling provide a practical forum for extending and applying these disciplines while Contemporary Business Developments places the models and theories within topical and contextual parameters. How will I be taught? Scheduled teaching activities Independent study You will attend on a regular basis for tutor-moderated activities designed to support learning. The activities will include group-based activities, and assessment preparation workshops. You will study 6 modules normally over 2 semesters, taking 3 modules per semester. The teaching and learning strategy encourages participative learning where you bring prepared knowledge from directed reading and activities to workshops, either physically or virtually, and deepen this learning through interaction with the tutor and other students. You will be developed as independent learners and will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning. Activities within the contact time will require you to analyse scenarios and data and draw conclusions. You will make use of case studies with questions designed to develop analysis and critical appraisal skills. Whilst passive teaching is employed in lectures, other more interactive activities will play a major role in the teaching and learning strategy. Learning through case studies in contact time will develop your intellectual and work related skills. For example, you may work in small teams to explore issues or a problem in a financial/management situation in an organisation. This exploration aims to allow you to establish what knowledge is needed in order to resolve or manage a situation. Activities will be participative and student centred. You will be required to find data, analyse and draw

4 conclusions. Provision of feedback will enable them to check your own learning. Student guides are available and have several functions: they enable you to plan learning around prior reading and also include further information on the subject areas to integrate activities and information from the text. All modules will be supported by a core text. Learning achieved through reading and reflection is tested through the workshop activities. How will I be assessed and given feedback? Written examinations Coursework Practical assessments The assessment strategy aims to allow you to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of accounting, finance and its principles and concepts, placing it in context within the environment in which it operates. It also aims to allow you to demonstrate skills of criticality and evaluation. The use of informal formative assessment allows you to take risks and test theories with the aim of extending knowledge and confidence without fear of failure, thus encouraging a deep approach to learning. Assessment methods aim to allow you to demonstrate breadth and depth of directed and independent research. The assessment strategy at Stages 1 and 2 is based on an assessment approach that allows for formative feedback throughout the modules. The process of formal and informal formative assessment will be supported by feedback to increase confidence and complement the summative assessment tasks. At Stage 2 and on your final year, assessments will involve you synthesising and applying a number of concepts. As well as including academic investigation into accounting and finance-specific issues based on reading, analysis and evaluation of academic papers, you will 'research' in the general sense of finding out and then applying, evaluating, analysing, comparing and recommending. In your final year, the emphasis will be on an individual summative assessment; however this will be supported by informal nonassessed formative assessments throughout the module to ensure you are fully prepared for the summative work required of them. On completion of the programme, you may wish to move on to a career in accounting and many of you will continue onto professional accounting qualifications. As such the assessments are largely based around exams supported by formal formative assessments in order to give you the opportunity to gain maximum exemptions from such professional bodies as the Chartered Institute of Certified Accountants. The generic assessment criteria which we use can be found at The University regulations can be found at How does research influence the programme? Research within the accounting area is extremely important to us. The majority of the staff are currently engaged in research and this is used to inform and expand the students knowledge within the teaching environment. Tasks are often set within the seminars to allow the students to research new ideas and thoughts and discuss these. Guest speakers are a regular event within the University and members of the main accounting bodies are invited to talk to the students giving insights into the current and most up to date practices.

5 Matrix of Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment: Stage 1 Module Introduction to Financial Accounting Introduction to Accounting Introduction to Business Quantitative Methods for Business Code Core / option Modes of T&L Modes of Assessment K1 K2 K3 S1 S2 S3 UGB105 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading EX 70% CW 30% X X X X X UGB106 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading EX 70% CW30% X X X X X UGB107 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading EX 70% CW 30% X X X X UGB108 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading EX 70% CW30% X X X X X Economics UGB109 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading EX70% CW 30% Business Law UGB110 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading EX70% CW 30% X X X X X X X X X X Matrix of Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment: Stage 2 Module Financial Accounting Accounting Business Finance Business Business Taxation Audit And Assurance Code Core / option Modes of T&L Modes of Assessment K4 K5 S4 S5 UGB221 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection EX 100% X X X X UGB222 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection EX 100% X X X X UGB223 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection EX 100% X X X X UGB224 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection EX70% CW30% UGB225 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection EX 100% UGB238 Core Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection EX 100% X X X X X X X X

6 Matrix of Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment: Stage 3 Module Business Modelling for Decision Makers Financial Strategic Accounting International Financial Reporting Code APC310 APC314 APC315 APC316 Core / option Core Core Core Core Managing Projects SIM335 Core Contemporary Developments in Business and SIM337 Core Modes of T&L Modes of Assessment K6 K7 K8 S6 S7 S8 Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection Lectures, private study, seminars, directed reading, learning through reflection Exam 100% EX 100% EX 100% EX 100% CW 100% CW 100% Integrative individual assignment X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

7 EMPLOYABILITY How will the programme prepare me for employment? Accountancy has long been a top destination for graduates due to attractive starting salaries, professional qualifications and long-term career prospects. This course has been designed with this in mind. Currently the degree will give you exemptions from the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants. The course has been designed to gain maximum exemptions while still giving the academic rigour of an Honours degree. The degree gives you the latest information on the international accounting standards as well as how to prepare financial accounts. There will be opportunities to go on a 48-week placement allowing you to gain practical knowledge of working within the accounting industry while still studying. A recent survey indicated that 49% of the chief executives of the top 100 UK companies had a finance background. Particular features of the qualification: The focus of the assessments within this degree is examinations. This has been implemented to allow for the maximum exemptions from one of the leading professional accounting bodies within the United Kingdom. Professional statutory or regulatory body (PSRB) accreditation This programme currently has PSRB accreditation The programme is currently accredited until June 2015 The relevant PSRB(s) is/are: ACCA The terms of the accreditation are as follows: The accreditation is from one of the leading UK professional bodies in Accounting. The course will allow you to claim the maximum exemptions offered by the ACCA. The ACCA Qualification will provide you with skills and knowledge relevant to any business, which means you are free to choose which type of accountancy role and organisation you want to work for. (ACCAGlobal 2013) From their 14 exams the following 9 will be exempted:- F1 Accountant in Business F2 Accounting F3 Financial Accounting F4 Corporate and Business Law F5 Performance F6 Taxation F7 Financial Reporting F8 Audit and Assurance F9 Financial PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND REGULATIONS Interim or Exit Awards The following awards are available to students who complete part of the programme. The university regulations explain in detail the requirements for such awards. Undergraduate Certificate in Higher Education, Level 4 Name: Certificate in Accounting & Finance Undergraduate Diploma in Higher Education, Level 5 Name: Diploma in Accounting & Finance Ordinary degree, Level 6 Name: BA Accounting & Finance Bachelors degree with Honours, Level 6 Name: BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance Programme Regulations Name of programme: Accounting & Finance Award title BA (Hons) Level of award 6

8 Interim or Exit Awards Certificate in Accounting & Finance./ Diploma in Accounting & Finance. / BA Accounting & Finance / BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance Professional statutory or regulatory body (PSRB) accreditation: ACCA These programme regulations should be read in conjunction with the university regulations to be found at Note that module lists may change from year to year Stage 1: Students take the following compulsory modules: UGB105 Introduction to Financial Accounting (20 credits) UGB106 Introduction to Accounting (20 credits) UGB107 Introduction to Business (20 credits) UGB108 Quantitative Methods for Business (20 credits) UGB109 Economics (20 credits) UGB110 Business Law (20 credits) At the end of Stage 1 students may remain on their original programme or transfer to BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Placement) Programme-specific regulations The following programme-specific regulations apply to students starting the BA Accounting and Financial in January or February on an accelerated programme basis including teaching across the summer semester (the traditional summer vacation period). 1. Students may complete the programme in less time than the usual minimum of three years depending on their progress, including referrals and/or repeats. The minimum period of fulltime study will be two years. 2. Students may register for a total of 180 credits in a 12-month period across three semesters. The registration required for each Stage of study (120 credits) is unaffected by this and students will not be permitted to progress to the next Stage until their marks and progression status have been ratified by the relevant Assessment Board(s). 3. Students who are permitted to trail a failed module may register for that module additionally. This will result in a maximum registration in a 12-month period of 200 credits if a failed module is trailed into one Stage and 220 credits if a further failed module is trailed into the next Stage in the same 12-month period. 4. A student who is referred in a module will be required to take a semester out to undertake the referral if it is not possible for the referral to be completed and an Assessment Board to consider the result before the start of the next Stage planned for the cohort. 5. Modules may be studied in a different order from that in the programme specification (but not in a different Stage) or over a different duration (e.g. semester-long as opposed to yearlong or vice versa) but the total contact hours and required learning time will be unchanged. Stage 2: Students take the following compulsory modules: UGB221 Financial Accounting (20 credits) UGB222 Accounting (20 credits) UGB223 Business Finance (20 credits) UGB224 Business (20 credits) UGB225 Taxation (20 credits) UGB238 Audit and Assurance (20 credits) At the end of Stage 2 students may remain on their original programme or transfer to BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Placement)

9 Programme-specific regulations There are no programme-specific regulations for Stage 3 of the programme Stage 3: Students take the following compulsory modules: [select from drop-down menu] APC310 Business Modelling for Decision Making (20 credits) APC314 Financial (Professional) (20 credits) APC315 Strategic Accounting (Professional) (20 credits) APC316 International Financial Reporting (Professional) (20 credits) SIM335 Managing Projects (20 credits) SIM337 Contemporary Developments Business (20 credits) ADMISSIONS, LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORT What are the admissions requirements? The University s standard admissions requirements can be found in the university regulations Programme-specific requirements which are in addition to those regulations are given below. To qualify for entry to the three year full-time BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance, candidates normally possess the following qualifications: points from a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent. OR - Level 3 Key Skills qualifications - Three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language OR - A minimum of level 2 Key Skills Communication and Application of Number. Students applying with English as a second language will be required to have achieved as a minimum IELTS 6.0 to commence the programme. Can students enter with advanced standing? No. The University has a process by which applicants whose experience to date already covers one or more modules of the programme they are applying for may seek Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). Full details can be found here but if you think that this may be relevant to you, please contact the department which offers the programme you are interested in. What kind of support and help will there be? 1. In the department: All Faculty of Business and Law on-campus students have access to three Full-time Student Academic Advisors. The Student Academic Advisors provide a programme of study skills workshops using interactive and reflective approaches to develop key academic skills, embedded where possible within the business, tourism and law environments. In addition one to one support and guidance, building on from the workshops is made available. 2. In the university as a whole: The University provides a range of professional support services including health and well-being, counselling, disability support, and a Chaplaincy. 3. In a partner college: Please see the relevant college prospectus or website for details of student support if you are planning to study in one of our partner colleges. What resources will I have access to? The Faculty of Business and Law is located at St Peter's Riverside, where students also have access to out of hours IT provision in the Prospect building, and to Library/Information Services (24/7 in term time) and catering facilities in the Prospect Building. The University has consistently won the highest grades for Learning Resources in QAA Subject Reviews. Within the Reg Vardy Centre, there are a total of 30 teaching rooms, varying in capacity from 25 to 100, equipped with

10 moveable furniture to enable a variety of classroom layouts. Each room is equipped with whiteboard, screen, OHP, video and data projection and Internet connection. Other equipment, such as video cameras and slide projectors, is bookable via the technical help desk. In the past year, some of the accommodation for postgraduate learners has been upgraded and now includes more comfortable seating. The Prospect Building houses two 200 seat lecture theatres and one state-of-the-art 400-seat lecture theatre. The theatres in this building are managed by Learning Development Services which continuously monitors and reviews new technology and software as it becomes available to ensure that the facilities remain up-to-date. St Peter's campus also has three large lecture theatres for use by the Faculty. The largest - the Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre - contains a full range of state of the art audiovisual, video projection and presentation facilities including full video conferencing facilities. There are three computer laboratories, including the atrium, within the Reg Vardy Centre, one of which is for open access, and two prioritised for teaching but available for open access when not in use for that purpose. All PCs have Internet access, student and Sunspace access, as well as standard word processing, spreadsheet and presentational software together with EQL, Microfit, SPSS, Minitab and Prospect HE. The technical helpdesk provides computing support to students from 0830 until 1700 (out of hours Telephone support 1700pm-8.30am), and 24-hour access is available in the adjacent St Peter s Library and the Murray Library in term time. The IT provision within the Faculty is being continually upgraded. There are currently 63 student PC's based in 3 locations, all of which have a standard desktop currently running Windows XP and Vista as the operating system and Microsoft Office 2007, SPSS, Minitab and any other additional specialist software required by the students. You can also gain access to computing facilities within the David Goldman Centre adjacent to the Faculty and to St. Peter s Library during term time. These facilities provide 24/7 access to all University students. St. Peter s Campus has a wireless network for cable free laptop access to the internet. Anti-virus software and USB wireless adaptors are loaned free of charge by the libraries in order to facilitate student use of the wireless network. PC, mono and colour laser printing, scanning and photocopying facilities are provided in St. Peter s Library and the Campus Learning Resource Centre where CD-writers are also available. Are there any additional costs on top of the fees? No, but all students buy some study materials such as books and provide their own basic study materials. How are student views represented? All taught programmes in the University have student representatives for each Stage (year-group) of each programme who meet in a Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) where they can raise students views and concerns. The Students Union and the faculties together provide training for student representatives. SSLCs and focus groups are also used to obtain student feedback on plans for developing existing programmes and designing new ones. Feedback on your programme is obtained every year through module questionnaires and informs the annual review of your programme. Student representatives are also invited to attend Programme and Module Studies Boards which manage the delivery and development of programmes and modules. Various Faculty committees, particularly Faculty Academic Experience Committee, Academic Development Committee and Quality Sub-Committee also have student representation. This allows students to be involved in higher-level plans for teaching and learning. There is a parallel structure at university level on which students are represented by sabbatical officers who are the elected leaders of the Students Union. The University s student representation and feedback policy can be found here: A6%20Student%20%20Representation%20and%20Feedback%20Policy.pdf Final-year students are also invited to complete a National Student Survey (NSS) which asks a standard set of questions across the whole country. The results of this are discussed at Programme Studies Boards and at Faculty Academic Experience Committee to identify good practice which can be shared and problems which need to be addressed. We rely heavily on

11 student input to interpret the results of the NSS and ensure that we make the most appropriate changes.

12 QUALITY MANAGEMENT National subject benchmarks The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education publishes benchmark statements which give guidance as to the skills and knowledge which graduates in various subjects and in certain types of degree are expected to have. These can be found at The QAA also publishes a Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) which defines the generic skills and abilities expected of students who have achieved awards at a given level and with which our programmes align. The FHEQ can be found here How are the quality and standards of the programme assured? The programme is managed and quality assured through the University s standard processes. Programmes are overseen by Module and Programme Studies Boards which include student representatives. Each year each module leader provides a brief report on the delivery of the module, identifying strengths and areas for development, and the programme team reviews the programme as a whole. The purpose of this is to ensure that the programme is coherent and upto-date, with suitable progression from one Stage to another, and a good fit (alignment) between what is taught and how students learn and are assessed - the learning outcomes, content and types of teaching, learning and assessment. Student achievement, including progress between Stages of the programme and degree classification, is kept under review. The programme review report is sent to the Faculty Quality Sub-Committee which in turn reports issues to the University s Quality Sub-Committee (QMSC) and Academic Experience Committee (AEC). External examiners are appointed to oversee and advise on the assessment of the programme. They ensure that the standards of the programme are comparable with those of similar programmes elsewhere in the UK and are also involved in the assessment process to make sure that it is fair. They are invited to comment on proposed developments to the programme. Their reports are sent to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) as well as to the Faculty so that issues of concern can be addressed. All programmes are reviewed by the University on a six-yearly cycle to identify good practice and areas for enhancement. Programmes are revalidated through this review process. These reviews include at least one academic specialist in the subject area concerned from another UK university. The University is subject to external review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education on a six-year cycle.