Accountancy and Financial Management (Top-up) BA (Hons)
BA Hons Accountancy and Financial Management Top up
Overview
If you're an EU or international student and want to top up your diploma in accounting to degree level, this top up BA (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management top-up degree course is for you.
You'll build on your previous studies, developing analytical, technical and commercial skills that are sought-after in business. You'll develop your English language ability alongside other international students and emerge with the qualities you need for roles in areas such as accounting, financial analysis and stockbroking.
Accredited by:
This course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and recognised by Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) Australia.
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants accreditation exempts graduates from specific professional examinations.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Accountancy and Financial Management (Top-up) degree entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- Only those who have previously studied at higher education level should apply. 120 first year HE credits.
See full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
What you'll experience
On this Accountancy and Financial Management Top Up degree course, you'll:
- Be taught by professionally qualified staff who have industry experience and expert academic researchers
- Tailor your studies to focus on the aspects of accountancy and finance management that interest you most and match your career ambitions
- Be exempt from professional body accounting examinations (for example, ACCA) when you complete certain units successfully
- Use the University’s Bloomberg terminals to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data
- Apply the concepts and skills you learn to real scenarios
Careers and opportunities
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry.
You could work in an accounting firm or larger company to complete your accountancy training, use your expertise within the financial sector or branch out into a more general management position.
What jobs can you do with an Accountancy and Financial Management degree?
Previous students have gone on roles such as:
- management accountant
- financial analyst
- management consultant
- stockbroker
- finance manager
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
Entrepreneurs in Residence
If you're interested in setting up your own business while you study, you can get support on this course from the Entrepreneurs in Residence programme. Our Entrepreneurs in Residence are experienced business professionals who work with us to deliver group workshops and 1-to-1 drop-in clinics to help you plan and market your business idea.
I chose Portsmouth because of the wonderful environment and professional teaching programmes.
What you'll study on this BA (Hons) Accountancy and Financial Management Top-up degree
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
Modules
Core modules in this year include:
- Financial Reporting
- Management Accounting
- Financial Management
- Critical Issues in Accounting and Finance
Options to choose from in this year currently include:
- Accounting Packages and Information Systems
- Financial Markets and Institutions
- Personal Finance
- Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
- Taxation
Core modules in this year include:
- Strategic Management Accounting
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Advanced Global Financial Management
Options to choose from in this year currently include:
- Dissertation
- Financial Investment Project
- International Accounting Project
- Independent Study Project
- Auditing
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Work experience and career planning
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course if you're eligible to work in the UK.
Academic skills support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- Academic writing
- Note taking
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Referencing
- Working in groups
- Revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Support with English
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- tutorials
- practical sessions
Teaching Staff Profiles
Louisa Burton, Teaching Fellow
Louisa is a University of Portsmouth graduate and ACCA qualification holder, whose extensive professional experience includes accounts, taxation, charity audits, and corporate auditing at Ernst & Young.
Her teaching specialisms are audit and taxation. She also works on projects to improve student employability and professional skills, by linking students with local charities to complete practical work experience while they study. Louisa is currently carrying out research into fraud risk in charities.
Tat-Thanh Nguyen (Frank), Lecturer
The first ever ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) Chartered Accountant qualified in Vietnam, Frank has international experience in various industries, including: accountancy (KPMG & PwC), trading & services (Marubeni) and banking (Techcombank and Maritime). His research interests are in the intersection of Accounting, Finance & Big Data, Machine Learning and Blockchain
Alan Graham, Lecturer
Alan qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in London, working in the areas of audit, tax and management consulting. He spent 15 years working in Financial Controller and Chief Accountant positions in the electronics and heavy manufacturing sectors in Hampshire and the Thames Valley.
His research interests focus on pedagogical issues surrounding the teaching of writing skills and also ethics teaching for accountants. He's also interested in the role of the financial controller in business organisations and in the area of football finance.
Professor Andrew Wood, Head of Accounting and Financial Management
Andrew has worked in universities for more than 20 years, and arrived in Portsmouth from the University of Essex, where he led on learning and teaching for Essex Business School.
Michael O'Connor, Lecturer
Michael trained in tax with Arthur Andersen and KPMG in Ireland, and has held senior roles at both private companies, public entities and international consultancies in Russia, Central Asia, Africa and China. He has also worked as a trainee and provided training services at the European Commission.
Christina Philippou, Lecturer
Christina qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PKF (now BDO), undertaking audits across a variety of business sectors, preparing financial statements, performing due diligence work and providing business services to SMEs.
How you'll spend your time
Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:
- Teaching block 1 – October to January
- Assessment period 1 – late January to early February
- Teaching block 2 – February to May
- Assessment period 2 – May to June
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports
- essays
- presentations
- self-led project or dissertation
- group work
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Course costs
Tuition fees (2021 start)
- UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £15,500 per year (subject to annual increase)
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 8 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each unit.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2021, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – NN34
- our institution code – P80
If you’d prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
How to apply from outside the UK
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply for this course through UCAS or apply directly to us (see the 'How to apply' section above for details). You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
- Subject area
- Accounting, Economics and Finance



