Optional pathways
Completion of this top-up programme may lead to entry on a masters degree in a variety of business and finance areas.
Undergraduate course
BA (Hons)
Finance with Business Accounting
Develop and enhance your business and finance education with this one-year top-up to your Level 5 qualification. Advance your knowledge, gear up for the next step in your career and stand out in today’s competitive job market.Elevate your expertise
Build on your Level 5 qualification with this intensive one-year programme – an ideal launchpad into graduate roles in business, finance, or accounting.
Achieve your dream career
Gain the essential knowledge to get ahead, whether you're breaking into the financial services industry, pursuing a career as a qualified accountant, or strengthening your business credentials.
Progression opportunities
Completion of this top-up programme may lead to entry on a masters degree in a variety of business and finance areas including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Finance (MFin).
About
Completing a one-year top-up in BA (Hons) Finance with Business Accounting will deepen your understanding of how organisations operate within today’s dynamic commercial landscape.
You’ll expand your knowledge of customers, operations, communication, policy, and strategy – while exploring how these elements interact within modern business frameworks.
This course is for you if...
you want to kick-start an impactful career or progress onto further study
you want to boost your employability
you wish to build on your technical skills and sharpen your knowledge in finance, accounting, or business
you get a buzz from solving problems and analytical thinking
Details
Overview
Gain a comprehensive understanding of financial modelling, corporate financial management, investment management, and business accounting. You’ll learn to model financial securities like bonds, equities, currencies, and options, and develop practical skills for financial analysis. Key topics include investment appraisal, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, and multinational finance. You’ll also explore credit management, portfolio theory, and risk management, along with business accounting, focusing on financial statements, budgeting, and costing within UK reporting standards.
Core modules
ACF6004
Financial Modelling
20 credits
The module covers financial modelling for bonds and rates, equities, currencies and options. While analysing and modelling each category of securities with specific and pertinent approaches, it stresses the underlying principles governing all valuation processes. The module also equips the students with the skills to use software, such as Excel, for implementing models and perform analysis.
60% Examinations
40% Coursework
ACF6005
Corporate Financial Management
40 credits
This module is a study of corporate financial management, including: investment appraisal, financing decisions, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, and multinational financial management.
70% Examinations
30% Tests
ACF6006
Credit Management: Theory and Practice
20 credits
You will gain an in-depth knowledge of how to manage trade, consumer and export credit, exploring the economic importance of credit and the contribution it can make as a competitive device to add value to organisations.
70% Coursework
30% Examinations
ACF6008
Investment Management
20 credits
In this module, you will develop a broad understanding of the portfolio management with the focus on portfolio building and evaluation, portfolio risk and diversification. You will explore portfolio concepts such as: investors risk aversion, efficient frontier, capital asset pricing model. In addition, you will learn and discuss market efficiency, behavioural finance and fintech.
60% Examinations
40% Tests
ACF6009
Business Accounting
This module explores the presentation and interpretation of an organisation's financial statements, including consideration of the UK financial reporting regulatory framework and current reporting issues. Students will also study areas such as costing, budgeting and variance analysis for business managers.
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![IACBE logo]( "Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education")
Plymouth Business School is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) – the only UK university to have this status *
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![Teaching Excellence Framework Gold]( "Teaching Excellence Framework All Gold")
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Triple Gold 2023 – the University holds an overall Gold rating and Gold for student experience and student outcomes
Plymouth Business School is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) – the only UK university to have this status *
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Triple Gold 2023 – the University holds an overall Gold rating and Gold for student experience and student outcomes
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
Explore Plymouth Business School
We aim to provide our graduates with a memorable and exceptional student experience, enabling them to maximise their success in their chosen career.
Plymouth Business School is an enterprising environment driving sustainable prosperity.
Success stories that started here
Our school's graduates make their mark around the world. From global financial hubs to innovative start-ups and international NGOs, our alumni are thriving across industries and continents. With a strong foundation in business and the confidence to lead, they’ve gone on to become accountants, consultants, analysts, entrepreneurs, and more.
A new home to cultivate business leaders
Our Fitzroy Building has been transformed, becoming the new home of the Plymouth Business School and providing specialist facilities and social learning spaces. Among these spaces for business, management, accounting, finance and marketing students, you'll find the
Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite
for tracking stock markets and
The Cube
– support for our student and graduate entrepreneurs, as well as a
Maritime Suite
and a Language Lab.
Watch our video visualising what the new building looks like.
Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite
The Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite offers Plymouth Business School students the opportunity to learn how to analyse the markets, assess economic scenarios and interpret key news developments that might impact the global economy.
Boost your CV by undertaking an optional online Bloomberg course awarded by the Bloomberg Institute. At the end of the course you will be provided with a certificate of completion.
Meet your expert teaching staff
We’re Team Plymouth. As one of our team, we’re here to help you succeed. Our expert lecturers and your own personal tutor will be with you every step of the way.
Mr Kevin Finnegan
Lecturer in Accounting
Professor Peijie Wang
Professor of Finance
Dr Moji Olugbode
Lecturer in Accounting and Finance
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Your gateway to graduate-level business careers
Advanced skills, commercial insight, and practical knowledge gained from this top-up degree unlock a wide variety of career opportunities – including roles in accountancy, project management, consultancy, analytics, banking, and more.
You may also choose to pursue more specialised paths that align with your personal interests. If you're passionate about supporting and motivating people, a career in human resources could be a great fit. Prefer to make an impact in society? The public and charity sectors value graduates who bring strong business acumen to drive positive change. Or, if you're outgoing and persuasive, you might thrive as a sales executive in a competitive commercial environment.
Inspiring student and graduate entrepreneurs
From an idea to a fully-fledged business, the Cube offers advice, funding and support at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey. The Cube can develop your creative skills and business acumen to maximise your future career.
“On my placement I ran my own business and got support from the Cube. They helped my business model and refine my skills.”
Samuel Jaffe
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for full-time UK students starting in 2025-2026 academic year
Full-time study
£9,535 per year
£9,535 per year
Part-time study
£795 per 10 credits
£795 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. Following final Parliamentary approval in March 2025, the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2025-2026 academic year
Full-time study
£17,600 per year
£17,600 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,905
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,430
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Additional costs
This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business. Studying a course in this faculty may incur additional costs relating to placement or equipment requirements.
Fund your studies
As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Apply
Entry requirements
Our typical offer
UCAS points
UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
Level 4 and 5 qualifications
For entry into the one-year programme you must have completed a foundation degree or equivalent with a finance or business emphasis, equivalent to 120 credits of study at both Levels 4 and 5. To check the academic suitability of your qualification, please contact the Admissions Team – admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Extended entry requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
Short of the entry requirements for this course? Don’t worry you may be eligible for a
foundation year
to prepare you for possible entry onto this course for the following year.
UCAS course code
N3N4
N3N4
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
1 year
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
Our typical offer
UCAS points
UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
5
Candidates whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent.
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
Short of the entry requirements for this course? Don’t worry you may be eligible for a
foundation year
to prepare you for possible entry onto this course for the following year.
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
UCAS course code
N3N4
N3N4
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
1 year
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
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The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.