Entry Requirements
Minimum of 48 UCAS points from relevant fields
Study Mode
Full time
Duration
Full time:
2 years
Timetable
Various
Key Features & Benefits
- Validated by UK Top 15 Lancaster University
- Plus exemptions from ACCA and CIMA
- Opportunity to gain a SAGE certificate accredited by ACCA
- Learn from expert lecturers with specialist industry knowledge and experience
- Take part in competitions and showcase your abilities to a wider audience
Fast track your career with our professionally accredited Accounting and Finance foundation degree including exemptions from ACCA and CIMA.
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Overview
The Foundation Degree is suitable for those who are currently in employment in an accounting environment or an accounting-related position, or those who are seeking employment in these fields. The course will equip you for a successful career in accounting, finance and business. It will give you a good understanding of both accounting and finance and their importance within different organisations.
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Accreditations
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
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What will I study?
The content of the Foundation Degree covers accounting and finance concepts as well as introducing other business related topics. You will develop the practical accounting skills demanded by employers such as the ability to draft financial statements and produce costing and budgeting reports, as well as analysis and decision making in appropriate contexts. This will allow you a thorough appreciation of the interrelation these topics have within an accounting and finance context.
The course also supports the development of essential soft skills that employers value. Throughout the modules, you will build an understanding of customer care and how businesses operate, develop effective team-working abilities, and gain insights and practical experience in managing people. These skills are underpinned by a strong foundation in accounting and finance, enabling you to understand the financial drivers behind business decisions and apply analytical thinking in a professional context.
All students take a total of 120 credits per level.
Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:
- Principles of Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Business Finance
- Business Economics
- Introduction to Data Analytics
- Management Accounting
- Legal and Ethical Aspects in Accounting
Level 5 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Management
- Statistics
- Accounting Information Systems
- Research Methods
- Personal Taxation
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Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for Foundation Degree in Accounting and Finance FdSc are 48 UCAS Tariff points.
In addition, for this programme, you will be required to have a GCSE (or equivalent qualification) at Grade 4 or above in Mathematics and English, or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in Mathematics and English.
Applicants without GCSE Grade 4 Mathematics or equivalent will be required to undertake numeracy aptitude test, consisting of up to two attempts. Any offer for a place on the course is subject to successfully completing this assessment.
All applicants must show that they have a good level of spoken or written English, and if English is not your first language you’ll need to demonstrate the ability to study in English.
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How will I be assessed?
Assessment will be undertaken through a range of established methodologies at various stages throughout the student learning experience. This incorporates standard practices through initial, diagnostic, formative and summative stages. Examples of assessment activity includes:
- Computer based examinations
- Reports
- Group presentations
- Projects
- 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.
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Teaching and Learning
The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, libraries, computer suites, and 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, role play or scenario activities, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions, debates, and the production of reports all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject-specific knowledge and the development of transferable and employment-related skills.
In addition to your Guided Learning contact hours (see Study Hours below), you will also 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. 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.
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
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What can I do next?
The Foundation Degree in Accounting and Finance is a valuable qualification in its own right preparing the students for employment within a range of roles within the Accounting and Finance sector, such as accounts payable and receivable assistant, sales ledger assistants and many more.
For those wishing to continue with their studies the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance (Top Up) route is available, which is delivered for one academic year, full-time.
Students can also choose to study the professional qualification CIMA or CIPFA as a route to better enhance their professional opportunities.
Once students attain an accounting, business or finance degree from any educational establishment, they are exempt from the Foundation level and some Certificate level modules of the ACCA and they may also gain further exemptions at the Applied level, but not the Strategic/Professional level, which is a Masters/PhD level equivalence.
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Fees and Financial information
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.
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Fees and Finance
Fees
Studying for a degree is not as expensive as you think – especially if you stay local. There are no upfront fees to pay if you take out a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England.
Financial support
There is a range of financial support available to you, including generous support from the College.
Additional costs
There may be additional costs to consider that are not included in the tuition fees. These costs can vary based on your course and personal choices.
There are some general additional course costs to consider that can apply to all courses:
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Study Hours
This is a full-time course so you will undertake both Guided Learning and Independent Study.
- Guided Learning may take the form of lectures, seminars, workshops, field trips and visits, or 1-to-1 supervision/tutorial.
- Independent Study will take place in your own time, either on or off campus, and will be used for reading, research, and the completion of coursework.
Studies per module
In each academic year, for each module, you will receive approximately*:
- Level 4 (per module) – 60 hours Guided Learning, supported by 140 hours of Independent Study
- Level 5 (per module) – 50 hours Guided Learning, supported by 150 hours of Independent Study
- Level 6 (per module) – 45 hours Guided Learning, supported by 155 hours of Independent Study
Modules may take place in a semesterised design or a linear fashion:
- Semesterised design means they will run September until December (15 weeks), or January to May (15 weeks)
- Linear fashion means they will run the full year (30 weeks).
On rare occasions modules may have a different weighting of credits, duration through the year, or both.
*Based on a 20-credit weighting. Please refer to module specifications for variations in this weighting.
Weekly study
Each week you will normally study for approximately:
- Level 4 (per week) – 12 hours of Guided Learning, up to 2 hours of tutorial (based on group size), and 28 hours of Independent Study
- Level 5 (per week) – 10 hours of Guided Learning, up to 2 hours of tutorial (based on group size), and 30 hours of Independent Study
- Level 6 (per week) – 9 hours of Guided Learning, up to 2 hours of tutorial (based on group size), and 31 hours of Independent Study
Further details
The amount of Guided Study, and how it is distributed per week, will be shown in your Timetables and Subject Outlines. You can determine the schedule of Independent Study yourself around your lessons.
The overall design of your modules and study hours is detailed within Module Specifications. These are available upon request.
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