BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Are you looking to start a career in accounting and finance, but are unsure if a university degree is within your reach? Our accounting and finance degree with additional foundation year is ideal if need a bit more academic support as you begin your course, as well as for anyone who doesn’t meet the entry requirements for a standard degree course. In fact, this degree has been specially designed to provide with a full range skills that will help achieve your higher education goals, even if it’s been a while since you last studied.

On your foundation year, you’ll study six course modules that each cover important skills that will give you the confidence to progress through your degree successfully. In year two, you’ll develop broad knowledge in key areas of business management, including managing people and an introduction to how modern organisations function. On the third and fourth years of your degree, you’ll learn how to use the key accounting and finance skills and technologies required to be successful in today’s workplace, as well as studying financial and cost accounting, risk management, business transformation, corporate governance, and more.

This course has been created with input from leading organisations and industry professionals so that you are exposed to the most recent developments in accounting and finance practice. And because you’ll also graduate with a keen awareness of business areas such as operational planning, finance, and management theory, you’ll have gained important transferable skills that will give you a flexible, future-proof career ahead.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have:

At least 3 x GCSEs OR 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent – if your qualifications are older than 3 years we would also ask to see a professional CV.
Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference if they do not meet the qualification requirements.
We also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£4000

UK Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

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Course details and modules

Arden’s foundation year modules have been designed to give you a tailored and fully supportive introduction to university study. This first year of study will prepare you for success in higher education by introducing you to the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge required to excel in your chosen degree subject.

Accounting and finance professionals perform important roles in almost all sectors of business. They use their specialist knowledge to help organisations make critical decisions and devise strategies for increasing organisational success.

Using our business simulation software, you’ll be able to access a virtual business and run it as your own enterprise – managing activities such as accounting and finance, sales, finances, people, and product development. This will give you the chance to practice making critical decisions within a safe environment, helping you develop your ability to interpret commercial information and apply your learnings to generate a profit for your enterprise.

You’ll also have access to our Digital Enterprise Hub throughout your course, which provides you with additional software and resources as well as real-world mentors and industry experts to draw knowledge from.

How do we assess you?

Assessments

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you don’t need to sit any exams on the BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and finance) with Foundation Year, and you won’t need to spend the summer at home writing a dissertation either. Your assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-word scenarios. This means you’ll be better prepared to apply the skills you’ve gained on the course to your professional role after graduation.

As you work through your course modules you’ll have the chance to complete a range of useful assessment methods such as individual reports, case study analyses, group presentations, and personal independent assignments devised in consultation with your course module leader. Your assessments will have an emphasis upon personal discovery, digital technology, the application of theory to real world business, and management practice and innovative thinking.

We encourage you to be innovative when carrying out your assignments and assessments. You can create podcasts, videos, infographics, consultancy reports, campaigns, posters, interviews, debate sessions, and more. This approach will help you develop skills you’ll use in the real world, and most of all, is a fun and engaging way to demonstrate your knowledge and development.

Modules

You have 4-12 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4 to 6 years.

Foundation Year

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Business Environment
Advancing your Academic Skills
Becoming an Effective Leader
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation Project

Level 4

Digital Skills & Professional Development (20 credits)
Contemporary Business Environment (20 credits)
Marketing Dynamics (20 credits)
Introduction to Business Finance (20 credits)
People Management (20 credits)
Technology & Innovation (20 credits)

Level 5

Data Analytics & Management (20 credits)
Business Start-up (20 credits)
Sales Management (20 credits)
Digital & Social Media Marketing (20 credits)
Financial Accounting (20 credits) 
Cost Accounting (20 credits)

Level 6

Business Transformation (20 credits)
Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 credits)
Corporate Governance, Law & Ethics (20 credits)  
Independent Study (20 credits)  
Financial Management (20 credits)
Business Risk Management (20 credits)

Career prospects

Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your accounting and finance degree, or maybe you want to keep your career options open for now? Either way, don’t worry if you’re still a little unclear about what the future holds. Our accounting and finance bachelor’s course with foundation year will give you a range of in-demand and transferable skills that will help you understand how modern organisations work. This gives you the freedom to take your time deciding where in the business ecosystem you’ll fit best, be it as an entrepreneur, manager, or if you’re an experienced professional looking for a career change.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your foundation degree in accounting and finance will open up a wide range of career opportunities across industries. As you study with us you’ll have access to our dedicated career services portal, where you can access additional ‘bolt-on’ e-learning courses, employer presentations, and search for jobs worldwide. Of course, your course lecturers are always on-hand to provide advice and guidance when it come to your professional future. Just a few of the possible roles you might want to consider after graduation could include:

Business Analyst
Business Development Executive
Buying Assistant
Accounting Technician
Actuarial Analyst
Company Secretary
Stockbroker

What will this course do for me?

As well as developing important soft skills, up-to-date knowledge of business functions, and career planning abilities, you’ll also be encouraged to develop a Personal Development Plan as you work through your degree. With support from our lecturers, this will help you track your progress and identify areas where you excel.

On the course, your assessments will be linked to real-world workplace issues and practices. Added to the benefits of our enterprise simulation software and Digital Business Hub, you’ll graduate with hands-on experience in problem solving and identifying areas for business growth – all highly desirable skills for today’s employers.

This course will also give you the chance to:

Comprehend and appreciate the importance of the key skills, technologies, and competencies required to be successful in the finance and accounting sector.
Identify and evaluate the roles and contributions of the key business and finance functions applicable to contemporary organisations.
Produce and evaluate relevant and robust solutions to meet the challenges located in modern accounting and finance practice.
Apply and evaluate accounting theories and accounting principles to a range of business contexts, challenges, and situations.
Develop your research and analytical skills.

During your Foundation Year, you’ll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:

Introduction and preparation: our Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You’ll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.

Personalised support: our academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They’ll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.

Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden’s degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.

Improved degree outcomes: we prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, we empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studyin the BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and Finance) with Foundation Year online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through iLearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. iLearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us. iLearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.