Overview

The BSc Accounting & Finance degree has been introduced to the Cass portfolio as a result of demand from employers for professionals who are well-prepared for careers in accountancy. It is one of a small number of UK degrees supported by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

The BSc Accounting & Finance degree gives you a solid grounding in all areas of accounting and finance, including financial accounting, assurance, audit, taxation, law, corporate finance and financial management. You will also gain skills and knowledge in the key areas of economics, maths and statistics. In each year of study for the BSc Accounting & Finance, you will choose a number of elective modules which allow either to focus more deeply on finance and accounting, or to broaden your studies into areas including languages, business law and corporate social responsibility.

The BSc Accounting & Finance degree is available as a three year programme or a four-year options which offer excellent opportunities to gain relevant work experience to prepare you for your career, and to make contacts in the business world.

BSc Accounting & Finance is designed in conjunction with the ICAEW, giving you the opportunity (should you meet all the relevant criteria) to achieve the maximum exemptions/credit for prior learning from the ICAEW's ACA qualification, as well as preparing you for the four external examinations.

Course content

Year 1

In the first year of your studies you will develop the fundamental knowledge required for a successful career in any area of business, including accounting, finance and financial markets, economics and law. You will also consolidate your quantitative skills in business and finance applications. The BSc Accounting & Finance course will also enable you to develop skills in teamwork and communication, which are essential for your future career.

Core modules (six core and one elective)

Core modules:

  • Financial Institutions 
  • Financial Mathematics & Business Statistics
  • Foundations of Economics for Finance
  • Introduction to Business Law
  • Introduction to Financial & Management Accounting
  • Professional Skills

Elective modules - choose one from:

  • French for Business 1
  • French for Business: Beginner Level
  • International Business Environment
  • Introduction to Management
  • Spanish for Business 1
  • Spanish for Business: Beginner Level

Year 2

In the second year of the BSc Accounting & Finance, you will acquire a deeper understanding of accounting, financial markets, risk and capital markets. You will develop the ability to record transactions, prepare financial statements, apply tests to financial and accounting problems, analyse the operations of a business and perform financial analyses and projections. Finally you will gain exposure to more complex topics such as financial reporting and taxation.

Core Modules (eight core and two electives)

Core modules:

  • Assurance
  • Corporate Law
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Markets 2
  • Financial Accounting 2
  • Management Accounting
  • Principles of Finance
  • Principles of Taxation

Elective modules - choose two from:

  • Business and Industrial Economics
  • Company Valuation
  • European Business Culture
  • European Studies
  • Financial Analysis
  • French for Business 2
  • French for Business (Lower Itermediate)
  • IT for Business 1
  • Personal Finance
  • Portfolio Theory & Investment Valuation
  • Risk Analysis and Modelling
  • Spanish for Business 2
  • Spanish for Business (Lower Intermediate)

Year 3

The third year will see you tackle the more advanced topics in both accounting and finance, including audit, taxation, financial management and corporate finance. As part of the BSc Accounting & Finance course, you will also be required to research, write up and submit a final year project on a topic relevant to your studies, which will hone your independent research skills.

Core modules (seven core and two elective)

Core modules:

  • Audit and Assurance
  • Business Strategy
  • Coroprate Finance
  • Final Year Project
  • Financial Management
  • Financial Reporting Theory and Practice
  • Taxation

Elective modules - choose two from:

  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Advanced Financial Economics
  • Alternative Investment Management
  • Arts and Antiques Markets
  • Asset-Liability Management
  • Business and Financial Forecasting
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • European Business Seminar
  • Financial Accounting Theory
  • Financial Services Regulation
  • French for Business 3
  • French for Business (Upper Intermediate)
  • German for Business 3
  • German for Business (Upper Intermediate)
  • International Financial Management
  • IT for Business 2
  • Spanish for Business 3
  • Spanish for Business (Upper Intermediate)
  • Technical Analysis

Placements and internships

A key part of a Cass degree is the opportunity to gain professional experience working for a leading organisation. All Cass students are eligible to take either a short-term internship or a one-year placement programme as part of your degree.

The experience of working for a leading institution can be invaluable in terms of your future career. It will enable you to acquire skills and competencies sought by graduate employers, and give you an edge over the competition.

Cass Business School fully prepares you for these placements, with a dedicated Placements Office to help you with CVs, interview techniques and tips on how to make a winning application.

There are a wealth of placement opportunities available for students on the BSc Accounting & Finance programme.

The placement year would contribute towards the work experience requirements of an ACA training agreement with an ICAEW training employer.

Study abroad

In today's global business environment, international exposure gives you a vital edge in the employment market. A period of study abroad is an excellent opportunity to enhance your education with an international dimension.
Cass Business School gives you the opportunity to spend one-year or a term studying at one of our partner institutions.
As BSc Accounting & Finance is a new course, we will be reviewing the study abroad opportunities in the future.

Credit for prior learning

The Cass BSc Accounting and Finance is delivered in strategic partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and has been designed for students to achieve maximum exemptions  for the Associate Chartered Accountant qualification (ASA).

This will give you a significant head start on the road to becoming a fully qualified accountant. These exemptions are from the knowledge and application modules of the ACA qualification.  More information on the ACA qualification.

Teaching style

We have more than 100 full time academic staff, complemented by over 25 visiting lecturers, who combine expertise with successful careers as business leaders, policy makers and/or government advisors.

Our academic team works with businesses, alumni and leading thinkers to devise and update our course content so that is relevant and specific to market realities.

Our teaching style is based on encouraging you to think independently, to form your own opinions and critique relevant theory. We underpin your learning with the pertinent theories in your field embed with real life practices so you understand the way modern markets and businesses operate. Our courses offer numerous practical applications (or have a strong vocational element) without compromising their academic rigour. We use case studies, thought provoking scenarios and group work to give you a head start in the real world.

Each module will be a mix of lectures, seminars and group work.

Most modules are assessed by a combination of exams and coursework. The first year of your programme contributes 10% to your final degree classification, the second year 30% and the final year 60%.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements:

A-levels: A*AA including maths

BTEC NND: Distinction Distinction Distinction plus A-level maths or a science at grade A

IB: 35 points overall including 7,6,6 in Higher Level subjects (one of which must be maths or a science) and 5 in all Standard Level subjects.  Consideration will be given to 1 bonus point.

International Students: A comprehensive list of International equivalents to follow

GCSE: Maths (grade A) and English language (grade C) or equivalent

If you are studying General Studies, Critical Thinking or a native language A-level then these subjects will not be included in any offer condition.

English language requirements:

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency.  Minimum requirements are:

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in any unit.

TOEFL: 100 internet-based total with a minimum of 23 in all sub-tests.

GCSE: English language grade C.

Application, fees, and term dates

All applications should be made through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Applications are made via Apply, UCAS's online application system.

Institution code: C60 (Cass Business School and City University)
Course code:  NN43

You can find more information at UCAS and in the UCAS Handbook.

More information about applying to Cass

Fees

The fees for 2012 entry are:

  • UK/EU students: £9,000 per annum.
  • Non-EU international students: £12,500 per annum
  • Placement and study abroad students:
    If you are taking a professional placement or study abroad year, this forms an element of your degree and therefore you will be expected to pay a proportion of the standard year's tuition fees.
  • Students who have already studied to degree level:
    UK and EU nationals who have already obtained a degree (BSc/BA or higher qualification, or equivalent) are no longer entitled to public funding (HEFCE). The tuition fee for these students will be charged at the international students rate. 

Term dates

Term dates for first year entry BSc students

Autumn Term: 19 September - 09 December 2011

Spring Term: 9 January - 6 April 2012

Summer Term: 30 April - 22 June 2012

Term dates for returning second & third year BSc students

Autumn Term: 26 September - 09 December 2011

Spring Term: 9 January - 6 April 2012

Summer Term: 30 April - 22 June 2012

Your career after Cass

As a graduate of this course, you will be well-placed to enter a career in accountancy, or in other areas of finance and financial markets.