Professional Accounting Top-Up BSc

Program Overview

The Professional Accounting Top-Up BSc (Hons) is a research-driven program designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of partially qualified accountants. It focuses on contemporary issues in accounting, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and social responsibility. Comprising 120 credits of Level 6 study, the program includes modules on contemporary accounting issues, research methods, and an in-depth dissertation. It aims to prepare graduates for a variety of career paths within the accounting profession.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Professional Accounting Top-Up BSc (Hons) is designed to enhance the knowledge gained through professional studies by developing analytical and problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and social responsibility in a professional accounting context. It is a research-driven program focusing on contemporary issues in accounting and their implications for organizational performance. The program allows partially qualified accountants to obtain an Honours degree by completing 120 credits of Level 6 study. This extends their professional studies with coverage of analytical skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, and social responsibility in a professional accounting context.

Outline:

The BSc Professional Accounting Top-Up degree comprises 120 credits, divided into three modules:

• Contemporary Issues in Accounting (30 credits): This module examines emerging contemporary issues in accounting and finance, such as corporate governance, environmental accounting, and Economic, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, and their impact on business sustainability.
• Research Methods (30 credits): This module explores existing research methods skills to design an academic project.
• Professional Accounting Dissertation (60 credits): This module allows students to conduct in-depth research on a chosen topic within the field of accounting.
The two 30-credit modules (ACC3028 and ACC3029) run in the first term, allowing students to build critical analysis and writing skills. Students then progress to complete the 60-credit dissertation module (ACC4008).

Assessment:

The modules use a variety of assessment methods and strategies, including:

• Case-based reports
• Essays
• Dissertation
• Research-based project to report findings
There is an emphasis on research, both in selecting relevant data and determining the appropriate tools to assist with decision-making. This is often assessed in the form of a case study, enabling students to incorporate current issues and formulate and justify solutions.

Teaching:

The delivery and assessment design of individual modules are structured to meet distance learning requirements in terms of technology-enhanced and active blended learning.

• Contemporary Issues in Accounting (ACC3028): This module uses a flipped virtual classroom and adopts a range of team-based and case-based learning approaches.
• Research Methods (ACC3029) and Professional Accounting Dissertations (ACC4008): These modules adopt a technology-enhanced delivery approach, making use of state-of-the-art techniques and technologies, with access to live data and statistical software.

Careers:

The program aims to enhance employability skills and prepare students for a variety of career paths within the accounting profession.

Other:

• The University and the Faculty of Business and Law organize an extensive Online Welcome Week Induction Programme with supplementary input for specific groups, such as international students, mature learners, and direct entrants.
• The Faculty of Business and Law provides private one-to-one online meetings/tutorials when necessary.
• All top-up accounting degree students have a named personal academic tutor (PAT).
For the final year of the undergraduate awards, this is usually the student's dissertation supervisor. All dissertation students receive one-to-one support.
• Changemaker Hub provides additional input from subjects such as careers.
• The Faculty of Business and Law makes good use of an electronic Managed Learning Environment called NILE, which is based on Blackboard.
The NILE system is used to support staff in the dissemination of best practice and to facilitate discussion and the sharing of experience in the development and management of modules and programs.