BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance (Top Up)

The course will produce honours-level graduates with higher level skills and knowledge within a financial, accountancy and management environment.

You will study 6 main modules in order to complete your Top Up year. All modules build on the skills that you have already acquired as part of the Accounting and Finance FdSc. You’ll have to analyse problems, apply theory to practice and challenge theoretical models.

Throughout all the stages of the course you’ll be encouraged to develop your own leadership and management style as well as the development of professional skills. You’ll look at the rules surrounding corporate governance, law and practice within a national context, as well as taxation, financial systems and the role of UK Auditing.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 6 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Financial Reporting and Auditing
• Business Taxation
• Corporate Finance
• Strategic Managerial Accounting
• Business Strategy and Sustainability
• Research Project

In order to join this programme you will need to have successfully completed the Accounting and Finance FdSc 

If you have received less than a Merit grade overall in your Foundation Degree you will be invited to attend a guidance interview first to ensure you are fully prepared for the Top Up programme.

Additional preparation for study at the Top Up programme may be required.

Throughout the course a full range of assessment techniques will be used. You will be assessed by:

• Computer based examinations
• Presentations
• Research Project
• Essays
• Case study reports
• Professional dialogues

This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions. 

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 10 contact hours per week if you are studying full-time.

In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.  

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Timetables

We endeavour to make timetables available one month before you start your course. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week. 

Overall Workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity and any field trips which may take place.

Academic Support

We have a dedicated Academic Coaches who will be able to provide support in the following areas;

• Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English
• Academic Writing (including referencing)
• Research Skills

You’ll graduate from the course able to apply for a range of careers both locally and nationally. You may choose to apply for a graduate role and a graduate trainee scheme in a financial or accountancy capacity. Such schemes exist with major UK employers including accountants and auditors. Postgraduate study is actively encouraged.

Many of our graduates choose to progress on to a professional qualification upon successful completion of the course. You can continue your study of professional qualifications at the University Centre at Blackburn College.

Going to University is not as expensive as you think. There are no upfront fees to pay if you take out a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England. Don't forget to apply as early as possible to secure your fees before you start your course.