Accounting & Finance - BA (Hons) Degree

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

1. Students who have not achieved the required A-level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
2. Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time.

Find out more about the foundation year.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation.

Year One (​Level 4)

In your first year, all six modules (120 credits) are compulsory and designed to give you a solid introduction to Accounting and Finance.

You will be introduced to financial and digital accounting and learn about global financial services, as well as being equipped with quantitative and academic skills to succeed in your studies and future career.

All modules are taught in English and there is provision for the Welsh language equivalent in a number of modules in Levels 4, 5 and 6. These are indicated below with an asterisk (*).

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Financial & Digital Accounting
• Global Financial Services*
• Management Accounting
• Quantitative Methods for Data Analysis
• Understanding the Economy
• Sustainable Money Management*

Year Two (Level 5)

In your second year, five modules are compulsory (100 credits), and you select one optional module (20 credits). You will build on your knowledge and skills within the world of Accounting and Finance and undertake an experiential work or volunteering opportunities module.

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Financial Management
• Performance Management
• Accounting for Responsible Management*
• Money and Markets
• Experiential Work or Volunteering Opportunities*

Select ONE Optional module (20 credits each)

• Audit and Assurance
• Corporate and Business Law
• Principles of Banking

Year in industry

You have the option to spend a year in industry on a work placement after successfully completing your second year of study. We have a dedicated work placement team to support you in securing a placement. A year-long placement can boost your career prospects and give you an advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.

Year Three (Level 6)

In your third year, five modules (100 credits) are compulsory, and you select one optional module (20 credits).

You will advance your finance-related knowledge and skills to prepare for professional qualifications. You will develop the knowledge and skills expected of a finance manager responsible for managing the finance function of an organisation.

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Advanced Financial Management
• Advanced Performance Management
• Investment Management
• Contemporary Finance*
• Forensic Accounting

Select ONE Optional module (20 credits each)

• Audit and Corporate Governance
• Financial Services Regulation
• Operationalising Strategy*
• Industrial Work Experience^

Optional modules are delivered subject to demand and availability.

^ If you’re taking a year-long industry work placement between year two and three, you have the option to select ‘Industrial Work Experience’ as your optional module. If not, select another optional module.

In most modules teaching consists of one lecture and one seminar per week.  Seminars are practically based and are usually run as workshops where students have an opportunity to practice the material covered in the lecture.  All modules are fully supported by the university’s VLE and students may also make an appointment with module tutors and personal tutors at any mutually convenient time. ​

Coursework is generally of a very practical nature to reflect the skills and techniques required by a professional accountant. Assessment for professionally accredited modules includes closed book examinations in order to satisfy exemption requirements.

There is a considerable demand from UK employers for accounting graduates and past experience suggests that a significant proportion of graduates will obtain graduate training places in 'the big four' (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), finance sections of businesses, high street practices and the public sector.

Students will engage with university experts in Employability alongside their core curriculum throughout their course of study and will be invited to attend regular workshops with the professional accounting bodies delivered specifically for students at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Many modules on the course are accredited by the main accounting bodies and you will be able to obtain exemptions from the ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA examinations. This is therefore a demanding course, which combines academic content with the development of the knowledge and skills required to pass the accounting bodies' final examinations.

Progression to postgraduate study within the Cardiff School of Management is also an option. 

Typical Offers

​The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion.​

• Tariff points: 112
• Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
• GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
• English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
• A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include Grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject.
• BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM
• T Level: Merit.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 2 x H5. No specific subjects required.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2 grades. No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD. No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.​

How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader Judi Stockford:

Email: jstockford@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2020 5638

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

1. Students who have not achieved the required A-level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
2. Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time.

Find out more about the foundation year.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation.

Year One (​Level 4)

In your first year, all six modules (120 credits) are compulsory and designed to give you a solid introduction to Accounting and Finance.

You will be introduced to financial and digital accounting and learn about global financial services, as well as being equipped with quantitative and academic skills to succeed in your studies and future career.

All modules are taught in English and there is provision for the Welsh language equivalent in a number of modules in Levels 4, 5 and 6. These are indicated below with an asterisk (*).

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Financial & Digital Accounting
• Global Financial Services*
• Management Accounting
• Quantitative Methods for Data Analysis
• Understanding the Economy
• Sustainable Money Management*

Year Two (Level 5)

In your second year, five modules are compulsory (100 credits), and you select one optional module (20 credits). You will build on your knowledge and skills within the world of Accounting and Finance and undertake an experiential work or volunteering opportunities module.

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Financial Management
• Performance Management
• Accounting for Responsible Management*
• Money and Markets
• Experiential Work or Volunteering Opportunities*

Select ONE Optional module (20 credits each)

• Audit and Assurance
• Corporate and Business Law
• Principles of Banking

Year in industry

You have the option to spend a year in industry on a work placement after successfully completing your second year of study. We have a dedicated work placement team to support you in securing a placement. A year-long placement can boost your career prospects and give you an advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.

Year Three (Level 6)

In your third year, five modules (100 credits) are compulsory, and you select one optional module (20 credits).

You will advance your finance-related knowledge and skills to prepare for professional qualifications. You will develop the knowledge and skills expected of a finance manager responsible for managing the finance function of an organisation.

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Advanced Financial Management
• Advanced Performance Management
• Investment Management
• Contemporary Finance*
• Forensic Accounting

Select ONE Optional module (20 credits each)

• Audit and Corporate Governance
• Financial Services Regulation
• Operationalising Strategy*
• Industrial Work Experience^

Optional modules are delivered subject to demand and availability.

^ If you’re taking a year-long industry work placement between year two and three, you have the option to select ‘Industrial Work Experience’ as your optional module. If not, select another optional module.

In most modules teaching consists of one lecture and one seminar per week.  Seminars are practically based and are usually run as workshops where students have an opportunity to practice the material covered in the lecture.  All modules are fully supported by the university’s VLE and students may also make an appointment with module tutors and personal tutors at any mutually convenient time. ​

Coursework is generally of a very practical nature to reflect the skills and techniques required by a professional accountant. Assessment for professionally accredited modules includes closed book examinations in order to satisfy exemption requirements.

There is a considerable demand from UK employers for accounting graduates and past experience suggests that a significant proportion of graduates will obtain graduate training places in 'the big four' (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), finance sections of businesses, high street practices and the public sector.

Students will engage with university experts in Employability alongside their core curriculum throughout their course of study and will be invited to attend regular workshops with the professional accounting bodies delivered specifically for students at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Many modules on the course are accredited by the main accounting bodies and you will be able to obtain exemptions from the ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA examinations. This is therefore a demanding course, which combines academic content with the development of the knowledge and skills required to pass the accounting bodies' final examinations.

Progression to postgraduate study within the Cardiff School of Management is also an option. 

Typical Offers

​The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion.​

• Tariff points: 112
• Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
• GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
• English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
• A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include Grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject.
• BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM
• T Level: Merit.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 2 x H5. No specific subjects required.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2 grades. No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD. No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.​

How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader Judi Stockford:

Email: jstockford@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2020 5638