Accounting BA (Hons) (Top Up)

Our one year, full-time BA (Hons) Accounting (Top Up) course allows students who have successfully completed the FdA Accounting course at the University Centre at Blackburn College to top up their foundation degree to honours level by studying for an additional year.

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 Foundation Degree. 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:

• Advanced Managerial Accounting
• Business Taxation
• Financial Reporting and Auditing
• Corporate Finance
• Business Strategy
• Business Project

In order to join this programme you will need to have successfully completed the Foundation Degree in Accounting. 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.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

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

• Examinations
• Presentations
• Research Project
• Essays
• Case study reports

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

You 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 Student Engagement Team 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.  

Work Placements

Work placements are subject to availability. You are also responsible for any costs in travelling to and from your work placements, for any accommodation costs and in some instances the cost of acquiring a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report.

The Programme Specification will give you further information about the course structure, learning outcomes and detailed information about the assessment you can expect during the course.