BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Course Overview

Are you ready to become an accounting and finance leader of tomorrow? Arden University’s BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance will equip you with all the latest advancements and technical skills you need to achieve your career goals.

Arden have designed this course to give you the forward-facing skills required in today’s evolving accounting and finance sector. You’ll become equipped with an in-depth understanding of modern accounting and finance, including the role and scope of technology in the field in areas such as Fintech and blockchain, as well as gain the skills to make sound investment decisions. . Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to put your learning into practice, helping you gain real-world skills you can use in your future role.

Accounting

This course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), three world-leading professional bodies. Arden have fully aligned your course content with these qualifications, meaning you can gain up to 26 exemptions towards any future exams you may take with these accountancy bodies.

Finance

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) approved this course, meaning you can prepare to sit CFA Level 1 papers. This makes it one of the select few programmes carrying three professional accounting body accreditations and CFA endorsement.

Arden have also partnered with Moody’s to give you access to a wealth of financial data. Using these alongside advanced statistical software, you’ll have the opportunity to make real-world financial decisions using live data, ensuring you’ll be well-versed in modern finance before you even graduate.

Course details and modules

Accredited by ACCA, CIMA, and ICAEW, AU BSc Accounting and Finance course will provide you with key financial reporting and management accounting skills, and the ability to use these to inform good decision-making in real business situations. The specialist modules explored on this degree, as well as their practical application in the Bloomberg Terminal, will help you graduate as a well-rounded professional ready to take on all manner of challenges.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Modules

You have 3-9 years to complete your course, meaning that you can take up to three years to complete each level – however, many of AU students complete the course in 3-6 years.

Level 4

Introduction to Business Economics (20 credits)
Introduction to Finance (20 credits)
Financial Accounting (20 credits)
Introduction to Management Accounting (20 credits)
Quantitative Methods for Accounting and Finance (20 credits)
Introduction to Financial Technology (20 credits)

Level 5

Financial Reporting (20 credits)
Financial Markets and Institutions (20 credits)
Performance Management (20 credits)
Corporate and Business Law (20 credits)
Security Analysis and Valuation (20 credits)
Applied Research Skills (20 credits)

Level 6

Corporate Financial Management
International Finance
Taxation
Audit and Assurance
Investment and Portfolio Management
Financial Management Project

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are considered 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 – Arden Team is happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

AU BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree has standard entry requirements. To be able to study this course, AU need to see that you have:

GCSE Grade C in Mathematics , or equivalent.
Two subjects at GCE A-Level or equivalent, plus passes at grade C or above in three subjects at GCSE level or equivalent; OR
If you don’t currently hold the above qualifications, AU also offer this course with an additional foundation year, which is designed for students who need extra support when starting their degree course.

Course fee

Blended	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 9,250

Distance Learning	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 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

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 (AU recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

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Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at AU study centres in London Ealing, London Tower Hill, London Holborn, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Berlin, Germany.

The course is also available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees.

Full-time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose AU blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden study centre of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, AU university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to AU Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face-to-face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of AU UK study centres.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of AU UK study centres) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

This course is also available to study full-time at AU campus in Berlin, Germany, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as an international student in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and historic cities.

Part-time online learning

How does it work?

Studying this course 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.

AU 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 AU 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 AU 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 like-minded 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. Arden have 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 Tuition Fee loan to pay for their course. If you cannot attend your course in person because of a disability, you may also be entitled to a Maintenance Loan to cover living expenses. Please find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

Career prospects

This course has been created by experienced finance and accounting professionals to ensure that you gain the knowledge you’ll need to find secure employment after graduation. Arden aim to prepare you with universal skills that employers from a variety of organisations will value, so you’ll graduate feeling confident to decide where your future career lies.

What can I do after Arden University?

As a graduate of this accounting and finance degree, you’ll be prepared to enter a variety of business, financial, and accounting roles. Candidates equipped with a solid understanding of business management, financial knowledge, and accounting skills are highly valued and sought after by many employers, meaning there are a variety of job roles you might want to consider, such as:

Trader
Broker
Financial Agent
Financial Advisor
Auditor
Financial Accountant
Management Accountant
Corporate Treasury Manager
Financial Planner
Insurance
Banking

What can an accounting and finance degree do for me?

By mastering the fundamentals of accounting and finance, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers how valuable you are. Just as valuable, are the key skills you can develop with this undergraduate course, including:

An in-depth knowledge of modern business and finance with real-world applications.
Becoming prepared for Industry 4.0 by understanding the role and scope of technology in accounting and finance, including Fintech, blockchain, AI, and cloud computing.
Understanding the sector from a strategic, management, and investment perspective, covering international finance, financial technology and management, and more.
Using advanced computer software to analyse financial data and make robust forecasts, including SPSS, STATA, EViews, and MATLAB.
Writing and interpreting financial statements, and monitoring, controlling, and planning for the ongoing success of an organisation.
Experience in commonly used industry practices, including consultancy reports, investor memos, and management of equity portfolios.

Industry skills

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a powerful global presence within the accountancy profession, inspiring its members and students towards greater success and prosperity.

When a higher education degree course is accredited by the ACCA, that course has been assessed by the ACCA’s professional qualifications approvals team, and exemptions from future ACCA exams are awarded accordingly.

At Arden, BSc Accounting and Finance is awarded the maximum of nine ACCA exemptions. This means that students who go on to study ACCA after graduation will start their studies at the appropriate level, studying only five ACCA papers out of the standard 14 that make up the ACCA qualification.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is one of the most globally reputable organisations in professional accountancy. The institute works to provide continued professional development services, fund academic research, develop thought leadership, and monitor professional standards in the accountancy sector.

It also maintains a code of ethics for members and works with external tuition providers and assessment services to provide the best study and examination experiences possible for accounting students. CIMA currently has a network of more than 696,000 members, students, and professionals in management and public accounting.

AU BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance has eight exemptions from CIMA at operational and certificate levels, meaning you will only have to complete four of the 12 papers that make up the qualification. Upon successfully graduating from this degree, you will also achieve the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting.

Business Graduates Association (BGA)

The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows AU students that Arden is demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through AU own courses.

As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with AU curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.
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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is a world-leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops, and supports chartered accountants and students around the world. At the end of 2020, it had over 189,000 members and students in 147 countries.

This course has nine exemptions from ICAEW, which means you’ll only need to complete six of the 15 exams on the qualification.

The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA)

The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) is a global association of investment professionals. The organisation offers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation to candidates that have successfully completed Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the CFA qualification.

Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholders apply their knowledge and skills in a wide range of positions throughout the global finance industry. Distinguished by their commitment to setting a higher standard of excellence, they are sought after as investment management professionals. The BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme covers all CFA Level 1 knowledge domains, thereby allowing students to prepare for Level 1 of the CFA programme. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be ready to sit the CFA Level 1 exam, taking you one step closer to gaining the Chartered Financial Analyst qualification.

Moody’s (an affiliate of Moody’s Analytics)

You’ll have access to Bureau van Dijk throughout your studies. Bureau van Dijk is a leading publisher of business information specialising in private company data combined with software for research and analysis. It’s the world’s most powerful comparable data resource on private companies, with information on more than 400 million companies across the globe and 41 million of these including detailed financial information.

Through this, you’ll be able to gain a holistic overview of different companies and how data can be used for better decision-making and increased efficiency. You can use the database to explore areas such as credit risk, compliance and financial crime, corporate finance, business development and strategy, and much more.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) membership.

Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.

This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives AU faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of AU courses and teaching methods, ensuring that Arden is able to provide you with the best possible university experience.