Accounting and Finance

is a comprehensive undergraduate degree designed to equip students with a solid understanding of accounting principles, financial management, and business practices. This programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for a range of careers in finance, accounting, auditing, and related fields. Throughout the course, students explore core areas such as financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, and financial analysis, gaining skills that are essential for success in today’s dynamic business environment. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and ethical considerations, reflecting the standards and regulations of the accounting profession. Students will have opportunities to develop their understanding of international accounting standards, corporate governance, and financial reporting, which are crucial for operating in global markets. Practical experience is integrated through simulations, case studies, and placements, enabling students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios. The programme also prepares students for professional examinations such as ACCA, CIMA, and AAT, providing a pathway to professional accreditation and career advancement. In addition to technical expertise, students will enhance their soft skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and digital literacy. The University of Gloucestershire’s modern facilities, expert faculty, and strong links with industry partners create an enriching learning environment. Graduates of the Accounting and Finance programme are equipped to pursue careers in accounting firms, financial institutions, corporate finance departments, and public sector organizations. Many alumni go on to work as accountants, auditors, financial analysts, or management consultants. The programme is also suitable for students interested in progressing to postgraduate study or professional certification, offering a solid foundation for further academic and professional development. With a focus on employability, the course ensures that students graduate with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a competitive global job market.

Detailed Course Facts

Tuition fee

• GBP 18990 Year (International)

Start date January,March 2015 Duration full-time 18 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time

Course Content

What will I study?

The Composite Diploma programme combines modules from the the International Foundation and International Diploma programmes. All students complete a common core set of modules, plus specialist modules for your progression pathway. You will need to choose 105 credits from the specialist modules in terms 4 - 6. On average, there are 20 class hours per week.

Terms 1 - 3 Core modules:

• Academic and Study Skills

Academic Skills for Foundation Study: You will be supported in applying academic skills in the context of your chosen subject area. You will learn how to interpret and analyse a range of subject-related information, structure and plan academic work, find and use relevant resources, and communicate effectively using appropriate academic conventions. Guidance will also be given in preparing for taught sessions and assessment activities, and how to improve your academic performance through reflection on your academic progress and your performance in assignments.
Study Skills for Foundation Study: You will be introduced to the generic study skills necessary for successful undergraduate study. The module will commence with an appraisal of your learning style and development needs. You will be introduced to a range of introductory skills, such as time management, how toaccess resources both online and on-site, how to approach academic presentations, how to tackle and write assignments, apply mathematics and understand learning styles.

• English Language for Foundation Study

You will develop your overall English language level, including your grammar and vocabulary, as well as your specific skills in reading, listening, writing and speaking, which will prepare you for further academic study.

• Introduction to Accounting and Information Systems

This module provides a practical introduction to the concepts, conventions and practices used in processing business transactions into general purpose financial statements, and how this enables a critical evaluation of the role of accounting information in decision making. Topics covered include: accounting concepts; books of original entry; correction of accounting errors; preparing final accounts of sole proprietorships and limited liability companies; and interpreting accounting ratios.Specialist modules:

• Introduction to Accounting

The module will introduce you to accounting, and enable an understanding of its development and function in the world of business. It will introduce key concepts, terms and conventions in accounting, and will enable you to record, describe and analyse key accounting transactions from the perspectives of a variety of users of financial information.

• Investigating the Leisure Industries

In this module you will be introduced to the size and scope of those industries that make
up the leisure sector within the UK, namely the hospitality, events, sports and tourism
industries, and the diverse nature and variety of those sectors.
You will also gain an understanding of the value of these sectors to the UK economy and the range of employment opportunities that they offer. As part of your studies, you will have the opportunity to visit local leisure sector providers, giving you a better understanding of the diversity and size of the businesses involved.

OR

• Introduction to Law and Legal Systems

In this module the main principles and structures of English law are introduced. In order to understand the background of the English legal system you will study sources of the law and the process of law making in England and Wales, including the European Union and how this compares to other legal systems. You will also learn about the different types of law, including civil and criminal, and public and private. By the end of the module you will be able to apply your knowledge to a given scenario, and communicate outcomes clearly, using the correct legal terminology.

• Operational Skills for Hospitality, Events and Tourism

The module introduces you to a range of practical skills and attributes that a manager in the leisure industries will need in order to accomplish tasks effectively. You will develop an understanding of the relationships between event operations and the event experience, as well as an appreciation of the operational constraints under which managers are engaged. You will also have the opportunity to develop a range of employability skills, including communication and literacy, problem-solving, and independent learning and working, and the opportunity to practise them in a range of simulated settings.

• The World of Business

This module introduces you to the key dimensions of business through the introduction of different types of organisations, common business structures, the key functions of a business, including marketing, finance and human resource management, the roles of managers and other departments in the co-ordination of these functions, to ensure the delivery of business objectives is considered. The module also examines the factors in the
local and global business environment and how they impact on the way businesses run.

• Introduction to Information Technology*

This module introduces the use of information technology to support human activity, whether for work, business, social or personal use. Topics covered include the history of computers and information technology, the role of information technology in a variety of disciplines, common infrastructures and the impact of the Internet.

• Individual Project for Accounting and Information Systems*

This module enables students to demonstrate the skills they have learned through a small and guided independent project. You will work on a project using data and information available publicly or with information or case studies provided by your tutor or an external client.

* Only available for January and March 2015 entry.

Terms 4 - 6

Core modules:

• English Language for Undergraduate

StudyEssential preparation for university life, the Study Skills module will help you develop the necessary skills for undergraduate-level study by providing support with group work, presentations, research methods, note taking in lectures, structuring assignments and understanding methods of self-evaluation.

• Academic Skills for Undergraduate Study

English language is a core subject in the International Diploma programme, covering reading, writing, listening and speaking. The module ensures that students reach the entry requirement for the second year of a degree course.

Specialist modules (choose 7):

• Database Design*

(15 credits)This module introduces the fundamental principles of database design. You will learn how to take business requirements and turn these rapidly into working and usable database systems, appropriate for a variety of business applications.

• Introduction to Financial Accounting

(15 credits)This module provides a practical introduction to the concepts, conventions and practices used in processing business transactions into general purpose financial statements, and how this enables a critical evaluation of the role of accounting information in decision making. Topics covered include: accounting concepts, books of original entry, correction of accounting errors, preparing final accounts of sole proprietorships and limited liability companies, and interpreting accounting ratios.

• Introduction to Management Accounting

(15 credits)This module aims to provide you with an introduction to accounting generally, and in particular to key elements of management accounting, such as elements of cost and cost behaviour, as well as budgetary preparation and control. Furthermore, it aims to provide you with an understanding of the theory and practice of management accounting principles and their relevance to the business environment.

• Information Technology and Business Data

(15 credits)This module introduces you to the use of software packages in the context of solving business problems and information needs. The module includes coverage of databases with an emphasis on spreadsheets and data analysis. The module provides you with a foundation in the use of information technology to process business data and enables you to acquire practical skills to support businesses.

• Professional Development 1

(15 credits)This module is designed to develop a variety of technical and analytical skills, with an emphasis on problem solving. The module concentrates on those features of quantitative analysis which are of immediate relevance, and aims to increase students’ confidence in their application. The context for this module is the use of quantitative techniques in the financial and managerial decision-making processes, including financial mathematics, project planning and the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, including the use of spreadsheets and statistics software.

• Professional Development 2

(15 credits)The module introduces important features of an organisation’s external and internal environments, including the impact of economic, political, social, legal and environmental factors, as well as the nature of competition and how this presents both opportunities and threats to an organisation. The second part of the module focuses on providing an internal environmental analysis through examination of the structure and type of organisation, as well as culture, leadership and management. The module will also provide a brief introduction to issues of corporate governance.

• Systems Analysis*

(15 credits)The module introduces the theories behind systems analysis and design of systems solutions, and the opportunity to gain experience in applying these in practical exercises. Systems analysis subjects include: requirements analysis; process modelling; devising business options; estimating system costs; and data modelling and normalisation. Students are shown how to use computerbased systems analysis tools and database development tools.

• Business Environment

(15 credits)This module analyses the interaction between the organisation and its stakeholders, and interprets the influence of the internal and external business environments. The role of shareholders and customers will be examined through a discussion of their financial and marketing relationships. The module will also cover the environmental influences on the organisation by examining the legal, political, economic, social, ecological and technological factors at a global, international, national and industry level.

• Web Design*

(15 credits)This module introduces you to the rationale for using the Internet to deliver information, together with the technologies required to create web pages. The module covers topics related to an understanding of the Internet, its structures and protocols, the production of web pages using a range of software and scripting standards. In addition to dealing with issues relating to the development and maintenance of websites, students will create web pages from a client brief incorporating the latest industry-standard technologies.

• Business Finance†

(15 credits)This module provides a broad introduction to the subjects of financial and management accounting. Its aim is to provide students with an understanding of the purpose and uses of financial information in business. Students are encouraged to evaluate financial information for control purposes and for assessment of business performance.

• Introduction to Business Law†

(15 credits)This module introduces students to the English legal system and some aspects of business law which are relevant to the accounting profession. It looks at the distinction between civil and criminal law, gives an overview of the court system and considers various aspects of contracts including the distinction between employment and service contracts, factors affecting contracts and ways in which contracts can be changed.

* Only available for January and March 2015 entry.

† Only available for September 2015 entries onwards.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 4

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

Academic requirements:

You need to have completed 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades.
To find out more about country specific entry requirements contact us now.

English requirements:

We can also accept Pearson (PTE).

If you do not meet the minimum English language requirements you should apply for English for University Study.

Age:

17 years and above.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Gloucestershire.

Accreditation

How is the programme validated?

The programme is validated and quality assured by the University of Gloucestershire. Successful completion of the Composite Diploma programme leads to the University of Gloucestershire award of International Diploma. It is equivalent to the University’s Certificate of Higher Education; Level 4 on the National Qualification Framework (NQF). The Composite Diploma is therefore a first step towards obtaining a recognised undergraduate qualification.