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ACCOUNTING AT USW IS RANKED TOP 20 IN THE UK FOR STUDENT SATISFACTION
NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 2020
Our multi-accredited accounting and finance degree offers you the chance to develop and practise your technical knowledge, skills and expertise, while gaining professional recognition from the world’s leading accountancy bodies.
You will gain a solid grounding in the core elements of accounting and finance, ensuring you are well prepared for a variety of accountancy careers. Topics covered include financial reporting, management accounting, corporate finance, taxation, audit, and computerised accounting systems. You will also have the chance to gain a CIMA-accredited certificate in Sage, which is the UK’s biggest accounting software provider.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has fully accredited this Accounting degree, so you can gain up to the maximum exemptions from a professional qualification when you graduate.
We are a recognised Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) 'Partner in Learning' and, depending on your module choices, you can gain exemptions from ICAEW, with further exemptions offered towards the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA) examinations. This course is also available through Network75, a combined work and study route.
Accounting and Finance at USW has ranked in the Top 25 in the UK for the past two years (Guardian League Table 2020 and 2021)
The wellbeing and health and safety of our students and staff is paramount to us. We are committed to delivering all of our courses and services as safely as possible. Due to the pandemic, the methods and activities adopted for the coming year may differ from those previously published and may be subject to further change through the course of your study if such change is necessary due to public health concerns, health and safety guidance or in response to Government Guidelines. USW is committed to providing you with a fantastic student experience and a wealth of support, and you can hear how students have benefitted from this approach here: Learn more about blended learning.
The first year of your accounting and finance degree includes financial accounting, management accounting, an introduction to finance, quantitative techniques and data analysis, the business environment, and business and corporate law. You will also gain the opportunity to gain the Sage Accounting qualification.
Year two studies include financial reporting, performance measurement and control, audit and assurance, corporate finance, Digital accounting and a specialist employability module where you can develop your employability skills and work on live projects with real world businesses.
The final year explores advanced some advanced aspects of accounting and also taxation (option module) to further develop your knowledge and gain maximum professional body exemptions. You will further develop your employability skills, ensuring you are not only well educated but also well prepared to compete in the selection and recruitment processes and add value to organisations through subsequent employment. You will also study two specialist optional modules from a choice including taxation, forensic accounting, cases in audit, and the theory and practice of securities trading, where you can use our simulation trading room on campus. The cases in audit module allows our accounting students to work with a number of third sector organisations and carry out assurance engagements with actual clients from this sector.
Year One - Accounting degree
Your first year includes the core disciplines of financial accounting, management accounting, financial planning, data analysis and computerised accounting, the business environment, and business and corporate law. You can also gain the CIMA accredited Sage Accounting Certificate.
Modules studied:
• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• The Business Environment for Accountants
• Business and Corporate Law
• Data Analysis and Computerised Accounting
• Personal Financial Planning
Year Two - Accounting degree
Year two studies include financial reporting, performance measurement and control, audit and assurance, digital accounting, financial management and a specialist employability module where you can develop your employability skills and work on live projects with real world businesses. This module also benefits from an impressive range of guest speakers.
Modules studied:
• Financial Reporting
• Management Accounting for planning and control
• Financial Management
• Digital Accounting
• Auditing and Assurance
• Professional Development in Accounting & Finance 1
Year Three - Accounting degree
The final year explores advanced aspects of accounting and has specialist optional modules, including forensic accounting and financial trading and investment, where you can use our simulation trading room on campus. If you choose the cases in audit module, you will have the opportunity to work with a number of third sector organisations and carry out assurance engagements with actual clients from this sector.
Core modules include:
• Advanced Financial Reporting
• Information for Decision Making and Control
• Strategic Business Partner (a Business Analysis module)
• Professional Development in Accounting & Finance 2
You can also choose to undertake a further two modules from the following list:
• Taxation
• Financial Trading and Investment
• Cases in Audit
• Forensic Accounting
• Financial Services
Option availability will be subject to student demand
For Year Three, September 2021 start only
The final year explores advanced aspects of accounting and has specialist optional modules, including forensic accounting and the theory and practice of securities trading, where you can use our simulation trading room on campus.
Core modules include:
• Advanced Financial Reporting
• Global Governance, Risk and Ethics
• Business Analysis for Accountants
• Accounting Research
You can also choose to undertake a further two modules from the following list:
• Advanced Management Accounting
• Theory and Practice of Securities Trading
• Cases in Audit
• Principles of Forensic Accounting
• Introduction to Islamic Finance
Option availability will be subject to student demand
Students on this accounting and finance degree will learn through a mix of lectures, tutorials, workshops, innovative e-learning techniques and directed self-study. As well as our links with the ACCA, you will benefit from regular presentations from guest lecturers representing many aspects of the profession.
Throughout your course, you will get practical experience of the accounting, auditing, and general software packages you will use after you graduate – another skill to add to your CV.
Most modules are assessed by a combination of examination and coursework. There is a variety of coursework – helping you develop your employability skills through the use of IT, preparing written reports, and giving presentations.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has fully accredited this Accounting degree.
You can apply for a one year work placement after your second year of study or short-term placement (up to three months) between your second and third year. It’s a great option if you want a mixture of academic and practical learning, teaching and assessment.
Longer work placements are offered with a number of organisations, and in recent years this has included Atradius – one of the world’s largest credit insurers, Alcatel-Lucent – a global communications industry leader, and the Welsh Government. Names like this on your CV will certainly help you stand out from the crowd.
The University of South Wales’ accounting students have access to a financial Trading Room including state-of-the-art computer hardware and software.
The Trading Room will add a new experiential dimension to the accounting and finance courses, allowing simulation of share dealing and decision making incorporating theory and practice.
Through the simulations, you will experience the dynamic and exciting environment of real-time trading in the classroom. You will learn and experience first hand the complex strategies associated with buying and selling, understand the volatility and fluctuations of the market and the uncertainty of risk.
You will be able to assess your individual performance and compete against fellow students. This will give you a range of skills and tools to take into the workplace, ready for a successful career.
Many of our staff are professionally qualified accountants and financial planning professionals who have a wealth of experience in teaching accounting and finance at all levels, including preparation for the examinations of professional accounting bodies.
Simon McCarthy, course leader
The entry criteria below shows the qualification range within which the University will make offers. Most offers we make are at the top of the range, but we take all aspects of an application into consideration and applicants receive a personalised offer. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable.
Please note that whilst this course does not require a DBS Check for entry, some professions will not consider candidates who have certain types of criminal convictions. Therefore, if you have a criminal conviction and you are considering a particular career path we would recommend that you check with the relevant professional body or refer to their recruitment policy to make sure that your conviction will not disadvantage you.
BCC - CDD (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical AAT Offer
AAT Level 3 for 1st year entry or AAT level 4 for direct 2nd year entry onto the degree
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).
Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including 5 or above in English at standard level
Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees in full or by payment plan.
This course is eligible under the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme for Ex-Armed Forces personnel.
International Scholarships are available for self-funding international students.
Students have access to a wide range of resources including textbooks, publications, and computers in the University’s library and via online resources. In most cases they are more than sufficient to complete a course of study. Where there are additional costs, either obligatory or optional, these are detailed below. Of course students may choose to purchase their own additional personal resources/tools over and above those listed to support their studies at their own expense. All stationery and printing costs are at a student’s own expense.
* Obligatory
| Item | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Placement expenses: | £0 - £300 | The exact cost of any attending any placement is dependent upon the it's location in relation to the student's place of residence, mode of transportation etc. and therefore cannot be determined at this moment in time. Furthermore, depending upon the placement the student may need to purchase suitable attire (e.g. a suit or formal clothing). |
| Other : Text books | £300 | Some additional text books may need to be purchased. |
| Additional assessment or memberships: Student membership of professional bodies | £20 | Reduced fee membership of ACCA "Accelerate" scheme. Normally £79 but we have a special fee of £20. |
| Other: : Travel Costs for Work placements | £0 - £300 | Placement Year. Travel costs depend on placement location. |
Apply via UCAS if you are a UK/EU residing applicant, applying for year one of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.
Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK/EU.
Accountancy careers offer great salaries, travel opportunities and the chance to work your way to the top. All kinds of financial careers will be available to graduates with an accounting and finance degree, in all kinds of organisations. You could work in management or financial accounting, tax-related work or management consultancy. Accounting and finance is an ideal foundation for senior management roles, or even starting your own business.
To give you a head start following graduation the University organises an annual employability conference for its accounting students. Previous attendees have included PwC, Eversheds, JK Accountancy, Civitas Law and Watkins & Gunn.
As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites: Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere, as well as living and studying in the same place. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.
