BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year

Our confident and dynamic graduates are employed in a wide range of roles across the sector, from accountants and financial analysts to business development and business management professionals.

What can you do with an accounting and finance degree?

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.

We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month.

We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.

Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.

• Our foundation year is specifically designed to introduce and develop essential skills for success in higher education, including critical thinking and research skills, and the knowledge and understanding of key facets of business and accounting and finance.

• Start your career from day one, our course is accredited by the major professional accountancy bodies and new students are enrolled as student members of the ACCA or ICAEW. Our course is designed so that students are eligible for significant exam exemptions from the ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA on graduation.

• Learn about global stock markets in our Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite. Complete an optional online Bloomberg course awarded by the Bloomberg Institute allowing students to add this onto their CV and be provided with a certificate of completion.

• You will develop proficiency in key skills such as reflection, evaluation and group work. These skills will improve your academic performance, develop your ability to communicate, enhance your employment prospects and equip you for lifelong learning. The embedded use of spreadsheet software throughout the course allows you to gain important employability skills so that you can demonstrate your value to businesses immediately.

• Careers advice is embedded throughout. Meet potential future employers at accountancy-specific careers events and explore where your career might take you. Join the Devon Chamber ROOTS scheme and receive training and professional mentoring, as well as invitations to top networking events.

• Year 0

• Begin to develop your research skills, knowledge and understanding through an introduction to key aspects of business, accounting and economics. Undertake independent research into an area of study that interests you. Successful completion of this year ensures progression to year 1.

• Year 1

• Introduction to the business world of accountancy and finance. Learn how to control company finances and report company performance. Understand the important role that economics and data analysis play in the success of every business.

• Year 2

• Learn how to create and manage budgets and develop your core accounting skills. Choose to examine stock markets in our Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite or learn about key aspects of taxation for businesses. Discover how to manage a company’s finances to maximise its performance and how to manage a business responsibly and ethically. 

• Optional placement year

• In your third year, you can choose to do a placement year, taking the opportunity to earn a salary while getting hands-on work experience. You’ll develop your financial flair and build confidence to help you in your future career.

• Final year

• Apply core knowledge to decide whether a business should undertake a major investment project. Learn how a company is financed and how cash is managed effectively. Undertake a business-specific research project and choose to learn about auditing or financial modelling.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year Prog Spec Sep22 FINAL 6220

UCAS tariff

32+

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma

PPP-MMP in any subject.

BTEC National Diploma modules

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

International Baccalaureate

24-25 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5.

IELTS

If overseas & not studying English within IB – Must have IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.

Access courses

Pass access course (any subject) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent.

T level: Pass in any subject.

New Irish Highers: From 2017 32-80 points.

City and Guilds Level 3: We will accept with a minimum of Merit overall alongside a good GCSE profile, including English and Maths grade C / 4.

Cyprus Apolytirion: 15/20 to 16/20 overall to include a pass in Maths and IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.

GCSE

GCSE’s or equivalent: Maths and English at Grade C/4 or City and Guilds; Key Skills Level 2 will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.