Course Outline
This course offers both the professionally focused, practical study of accountancy, combined with a wide ranging exploration of key contemporary business topics.
Accountancy
At some stage, all organisations must present their performance in the form of financial statements. They must also be able to analyse performance from the figures before them.
The study of accountancy enables you to acquire the skills necessary for the preparation and, more importantly, the interpretation of such financial statements. Following the common first year structure, you will learn the basics of financial and management accounting from the standpoint of both practical skills and reflection. You then build on these basic skills with a range of specific accounting and related options, such as Business Taxation, Corporate Reporting and Management Accounting.
Business
The study of business provides a detailed understanding of the way organisations work, how they operate within their specific environment and the impact on individuals working within them.
This pathway develops a general knowledge of business to complement a more specialised area of study. Modules introduce key themes, specifically, business operations (how it works) and entrepreneurship (creating opportunity within a competitive environment).
You learn how to apply business theory, identify types of business opportunity and address a range of business issues in an imaginative way. Investigating the issues confronting individuals within a business, you will develop an awareness of the problems businesses can face in general, and be able to identify a number of possible responses.
As a Joint Honours degree student at Birmingham City Business School, you will study a common first year before continuing onto subject-specific modules in the remaining years of your course.
This exciting development is designed to offer you flexibility of subject choice and increase your employability.
| First Year |
| Autumn |
Spring |
Credits |
| Business Economics |
15 |
| Accounting and Finance |
30 |
| Managing People and Organisations |
15 |
| Marketing and Business Operations |
30 |
| Personal Development |
Business Problem Analysis |
15 each |
| Second Year |
| Autumn |
Spring |
Credits |
| Contemporary Business |
Business Logistics |
15 each |
| Financial Reporting |
30 |
| Management Accounting |
30 |
| Professional Development |
International Business |
15 each |
| Optional Placement Year |
| Final Year |
| Autumn |
Spring |
Credits |
| In the final year you undertake 60 credits per term made up from core and optional modules. Those not marked core are your options. |
| Comparative International Reporting |
Business Operations and Systems |
15 each |
| Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development |
Current Issues in Company Reporting |
15 each |
| Statistical Decision Making |
Statistical Modelling |
15 each |
| Corporate Reporting (core) |
30 |
| International Business Strategy (core) |
30 |
| Placement Project (core if you take a placement year) |
30 |
| Dissertation (not available if you take a Placement Project) |
30 |
You will benefit from the opportunity to spend a year working in industry between your second and third study year, allowing you to acquire invaluable, hands-on experience ahead of your career in business.
It is an excellent opportunity for you and your placement company. Your work experience allows you to develop a greater understanding of the business world, pick up key transferable skills, and put theory into practice, whilst your placement company can gain from your fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
A note for all full-time students starting a Bachelor’s degree in 2012/13:
If you commence your studies in September 2012 under the new fees regime, and decide to undertake a placement year (making your degree a 4 year sandwich course), please note that you will not be charged a tuition fee for that particular year.
You encounter a wide range of innovative assessment styles, including business reports, academic papers, case studies, individual and group presentations, portfolios and projects, as well as conventional examinations.
Your Career
Career Prospects
If you take the Business pathway, you will be well placed for graduate fast-track training and entry-level management posts in a number of industries, including commerce, government, community organisations and charities. You may also use your knowledge to set up your own entrepreneurial venture.
The Accountancy subject area provides an entry to the profession with a range of exemptions from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and ACCA qualifications. It is also excellent preparation for a wider range of careers in business, finance and education.
If you are a prospective student wishing to pursue a career in accountancy, please also consider the Single Honours courses. These are designed to allow you to optimise exemptions against professional body requirements.
Further Study Options
This course opens up further study opportunities in accountancy, as well as the wider business environment.
The University is an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Platinum Approved Learning Partner and, if you wish to continue studying following graduation, you can make an individual application to obtain exemptions from the ACCA course and some exemptions for CIMA qualifications. We are able to prepare you for the internal and external ACCA examinations on a part-time basis.
Alternatively, you could choose to study MSc Accountancy and Finance, or MSc Management and Finance on a full-time basis, or you may progress to the University’s MA and MSc programmes as well as complete professional examinations in management or marketing.
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above including Mathematics and English Language or equivalent, plus one of the following:
- A minimum tariff score of 280 points made up of a minimum of two passes A2 Level, two 6 unit or one 12 unit AVCE. Remaining points can be made up from AS qualifications
- Satisfactory completion of a full-time Foundation Course of an appropriate type
- Applications are welcomed from those with international qualifications (equivalent to those above) such as International Baccalaureate 32 points, including internationally accredited Foundation courses. You must also have an English Language qualification such as IELTS (minimum score of 6.0) or TOEFL (minimum score 550)
- The programme welcomes applications from mature students
Application Details
The UCAS code for this course us NN41.
Search for this course on UCAS
Enquiries
Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.
Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Fees Notes
If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For further information visit the fees area of the Student Info section.