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Accounting with Finance BA (Hons)

On this accredited course you'll develop the analytical techniques and data presentation skills necessary in modern accountancy, and use industry tools to graduate employment-ready.

University of Portsmouth Connected Degree - 3 year course with 4th year placement

Key information

UCAS code:

N4N3

Accreditation:

This course is Accredited

Typical offer:

112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

Modern accountancy isn't all about number crunching and spreadsheets. As an accountant you need to be able to understand, visualise and present financial data to ensure businesses make the right decisions. You'll be at the heart of the business, analysing performance and informing strategy.

This degree focuses on modern accountancy skills as well as general business. You'll learn to inform and persuade using numbers. You'll work in small groups that replicate the workplace, with a focus on teamwork, real world case studies and developing strategy from financial data.

"All professional accountants will be expected to look beyond the numbers. They will need to collaborate with people...interpret and explain the numbers, provide insight...think and behave more strategically and become more involved in decision-making than before."

ACCA future skills report

From your second year you'll be able to tailor your learning to your area of specialist interest, choosing your modules to focus on:

  • professional modules: take the fastest route to becoming an ACCA chartered accountant
  • finance modules: your best preparation route for working in banking or investment management
  • analytics modules: combine accounting with data analysis, including data cleaning, visualisation and modelling

The course is accredited by 4 key accounting bodies (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW and CIPFA), so whichever route you take you'll have lots of exemptions from professional exams.

Course highlights

  • Be taught by professionally qualified accountants who have industry experience with companies such as KPMG, Deloitte and HSBC
  • Get on the fast track to becoming a chartered accountant through our accredited exemptions from professional exams with 4 global accounting bodies
  • Be employment-ready by using industry-standard software and databases such as Oracle, SAP, Sage and S&P Capital IQ
  • Choose options in business analytics to develop the skills that modern accounting needs
  • Benefit from the opportunity to gain additional certifications, for example the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification for Excel
  • Gain a Bloomberg Certificate (a trading platform that's used by 250,000 financial service professionals) in our dedicated Bloomberg Suite
  • Apply your learning by helping student entrepreneurs and local charities such as Age Concern and The Rowans Hospice with their finances
  • Feel supported throughout your studies through our peer mentoring, maths support and our team of friendly staff who'll get to know you well

I have really enjoyed my time at Portsmouth and if I could turn back time I would come back and do it all again! What really stood out to me was the breadth of commercial and academic experience of the lecturers and their ability to bring the course to life using real world examples.

Aidan Elliot, BA (Hons) Accounting with Finance

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS), and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

This means that in addition to achieving a degree, you receive exemptions from ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW and CIPFA professional examinations. This course offers the maximum number of exemptions for ACCA, CIMA and ICAS.

Why is this important?

To progress your career as an accountant you'll need to do further study after graduation whilst you're working. Combining study and work can be difficult, so it's good to complete as many required units as possible whilst you're still at university. This also benefits your future employers, as they'll have fewer professional examination fees to pay.

90%

graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course

(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19)

No. 3

influential business school in the world

Financial Times Teaching Power Rankings 2021

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BA (Hons) Accounting with Finance degree entry requirements

Typical offers

  • A levels – BBB–BBC
  • UCAS points – 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels – Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
  • International Baccalaureate – 29

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find 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.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Ideal skills and qualities for this course

As well as meeting the entry requirements for this degree and being comfortable working with numbers, we're looking for people who are team players and who embrace a challenge.

Having a curious mind is important, because employers value graduates who can adapt to new situations and find solutions to complex problems.

Facilities and clinics

10th December 2018
CCI Facilities and Students

Accounting Clinic

Volunteer to help solve financial issues for fellow students who are setting up their own businesses.

accounting-clinic-meeting-with-client

Professional Accounting Practice

Help local charities with their financial and accounting issues through this practical module.

student at a computer using business analytics software

Business analytics software

Use industry standard business analytics software such as Microsoft BI, Python, and Tableau.

Bloomberg suite

Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.

Students in the bloomberg suite facility
Discover our Bloomberg Suite

SAP Next Generation Lab

Gain practical skills with cloud-based software such as SAP and S&P Capital IQ, in our dedicated lab.

BAL-0519-Business Talk
Explore the lab

Maths cafe

No problem is too small or too tough for our Maths Café tutors, who are on hand every day during term-time to help you if you get stuck or need something explained.

University of Portsmouth students sat in the Maths Cafe
Learn more about the Maths Café

Careers and opportunities

Accountants are needed in good times and bad and they're needed in every type of business. This means that you can apply your skills in any sector you're passionate about, from sports and entertainment, to manufacturing, charities, or the arts. You'll also be able to work in other parts of the world as your accredited qualification is recognised internationally.

Our graduates go on to work in accounting practice, the finance departments of large corporations, and the finance sector.

Previous graduates of this course have got jobs at companies such as:

  • Deloitte
  • PWC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
  • Menzies LLP
  • HWB Accountants
  • EY Global (Ernst & Young)
  • JPP Financial
  • Barclays
  • Lockheed Martin UK
  • Lloyds Register
  • J P Morgan
  • Grant Thornton
  • Royal Bank of Scotland

Graduates of this course have secured jobs as:

  • accountant
  • auditor
  • finance analyst
  • financial consultant
  • investment broker
  • control analyst
  • financial reporting analyst
  • tax analyst

(Data taken from HESA Graduate Outcome surveys)

Meet Michael, BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance graduate and Finance Manager

Alumnus Michael Gray did a placement year at BMW before securing a graduate job at Deloitte. Michael shares how his experience and skills developed at university, and his journey to become a Finance Manager. 

My name is Michael Gray and I work for Artifax Software Ltd, and I'm The finance manager there.

I've grown up in Croydon, which is in South London. I was the first to go to university in my family. I chose Portsmouth. That first day of driving into the car park and moving in was something I'll never forget. So what really sold me? Being a guy from London, you're not really used to seeing the sea. You can go for a run to de-stress. If you do want that city side of stuff, you've got that there also, absolutely perfect for me.

Getting a job in my placement year was definitely more difficult than getting a graduate job. A job popped up from BMW. To be honest, I couldn't have wished for a better placement year.

I think one of the main reasons I got the job was because of the really good support that I got from the university. From CV building to interview practice, it was really exceptional. You think you're going to excel, but you're not really that good at excel until you actually are thrown in the fire.

I think the thing I'm most proud of in my journey so far is getting the call from Deloitte saying that I was lucky enough to be recruited.

That was an amazing thing. Imagine, one of the big four that you learnt throughout your studies that these are the sort of companies you want to aspire to and be recruited by, and getting that phone call was something I could have never imagined.

So, the future for me is that within the next five years, I'll be CFO of the group of companies.

That's the aim. If I didn't go to the University of Portsmouth, I probably would be wondering what I want to do next probably, but because I had that support network of great tutors, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, that was invaluable.

Mentor Celebration Afternoon Tea Selects

Mentoring programme - Pathways into accounting

Take part in virtual meetings with alumni mentors who are working in industry.

Hear about their journeys, successes and challenges as you prepare for the transition from student to working professional.

Explore the programme

Female student at computer

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

If you decide at the end of your studies that you don't want to qualify as an accountant there are many other options open to you. The data analysis skills and problem-solving skills you'll develop on this course will open many other doors.

You could also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level, or set up your own business with help and support from the University.

Michael Webber at Wimbledon

The degree really builds you as a young professional and makes you ‘well-rounded’ and employable; top employers want more than just a good degree classification nowadays. At Portsmouth, they have a clear intent on making you a great candidate to potential employers.

Michael Webber, BA (Hons) Accounting with Finance 2017 graduate, Management Accountant at The Championships, Wimbledon

Work placement year

You can boost your employability by taking an optional paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree, or after year 3.

Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:

  • Deloitte
  • PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
  • NBC Universal
  • Siemens
  • Decathlon
  • Metropolitan Police Service

Many of our students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employers.

BAL PLACEMENT AWARDS. 

TO BE USED FOR BAL CASE STUDY PURPOSES ONLY

My role as a Finance Intern at ISS UK Head Office involved providing support in key areas. What I enjoyed most about this was being a part of high level finance team. I would recommend doing a placement as it gives you a good idea of what it is like to work in a professional function and what skills you will need to acquire in order to develop and succeed in the future.

Blake McQuilken, BA (Hons) Accounting with Finance

The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.

You could also set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

Ways to enrich your study

 

Study abroad year

In your second year you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.

Prague cityscape

Students that go abroad are more likely to obtain first-class honours [and] more likely to be in graduate employment than their non-mobile peers.

Universities UK International: 'Gone International, Rising Aspirations', 2019

Modules

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.

What you'll study

Core modules

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Explain the purpose and types of businesses and how they interact with stakeholders and the external environment
  • Explain business organisation structure, functions, strategy and management process
  • Describe the accounting functions and the role of management accountant within organisations
  • Explain and discuss the importance of personal effectiveness as the basis for effective team and communication in organisations
  • Explain and discuss the principles of authority and leadership and how teams and individuals are managed, motivated and developed
  • Use management accounting techniques for decision making, planning and controlling in organisations

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Apply the use of relevant IT skills required in accounting occupations
  • Explain, apply and evaluate business theory using key academic skills in a written report
  • Demonstrate team working skills in a group project and communicate outcomes to an external audience by means of a presentation
  • Recognise key employability qualities, such as written and oral communication, team-working and problem-solving skills

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you’ll be able to:

  • Describe and demonstrate knowledge of the main financial markets and institutons

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the main financial theories

  • Explain the interaction between the accounting profession and financial markets and institutions

  • Understand the role of financial markets and institutions play in modern society

Explore this module

 

The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Demonstrate how data can be effectively presented for a range of business needs
  • Identify how data can be analysed and used for informed decision making
  • Demonstrate use of appropriate tools for presentation of data in a way that supports decision making
  • Utilise mathematical and statistical techniques to analyse data, interpret the results
  • Use quantitative methods to forecast organisational performance

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Understand key concepts and principles of economics

  • Explain topical economic issues and Government policy decisions

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Describe the role of accounting in the modern business environment
  • Apply accounting concepts and conventions in business transactions
  • Record business transactions and prepare financial statements for different types of business
  • Interpret and analyse financial statements for basic business analytics

Explore this module

Core modules

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Discuss the role of the financial management function and the impact external factors have on the financial management function

  • Identify, evaluate and apply relevant financial management concepts and techniques

  • Apply the principles and theories underpinning the investment decision, to apply capital budgeting techniques to decision making

  • Explain and apply the concepts and techniques of working capital management

  • Distinguish and evaluate different sources of finance

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Appraise the need for regulation over the quality of corporate reporting, explain specific aspects of the UK regulatory framework, analysing them in the context of accounting concepts and applying them in practical situations

  • Evaluate and illustrate the main features of the taxation system which are likely to impact on a UK company

  • Prepare limited company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards from a trial balance

  • Compare and interpret information contained in financial accounts, highlighting the limitations of such information

  • Identify and explain governance, sustainability, corporate responsibility and ethics within a business context, and recognise and summarise the importance of internal controls in these areas

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Develop understanding and evaluation skills regarding the concepts and techniques of management accounting as well as their contributions to operational planning, control and decision making

  • Illustrate and discuss the concepts and techniques of costing in contributing to profit determination

  • Compute the costs of product/service for the purpose of stock valuation, planning and decision making in the complex business world

  • Select and utilise management accounting principles and techniques to resolve business problems

  • Describe and evaluate the context within which costing and management accounting techniques have evolved to deal with operational decisions

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Show an understanding of the contemporary issues in accounting and financial management
  • Show understanding of environmental sustainability and social responsibility issues within business, and how these may affect professional practice

  • Understand the role of theory and its limits in explaining corporate and financial practice

  • Be able to evaluate between competing theories and perspectives using appropriate empirical evidence

  • Carry out Personal Development Planning

Explore this module

Optional modules

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Explain technology trends that affect and shape modern business

  • Explain data privacy and ethics in Big Data age

  • Apply data extraction techniques to shape dataset for analytics
  • Apply data visulisation techniques for data analysis and information communication

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Outline the sources and classifications of law
  • Recognise and apply case law and legislation to relevant factual problems
  • Explain and apply basic principles of contract law and the tort of negligence to everyday business scenarios
  • Identify an employer/employee situation
  • Identify the different business organisations and explain the formation and running of a private limited company

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Articulate and explain the structure, conduct and performance of banking and financial markets
  • Articulate and explain the role of money and the principles, conduct and effects of monetary policy in the economy
  • Translate real world problems into analytical models and viceversa and employ appropriate analytical techniques to graphically and mathematically study, and critically assess, money, banking and financial markets
  • Review academic literature relating to money, banking and financial markets in order to make policy reccomendations and assessments
  • Translate real world problems into analytical models and vice versa and employ appropriate analytical techniques to graphically and mathematically study money, banks and financial markets
  • Review academic literature relating to banking and finance in order to make policy recommendations

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Understand and evaluate competing approaches to portfolio management

  • Understand appropriate techniques for measuring risk for different assets

  • Understand competing approaches to stock selection

  • Critical awareness of topical issues relating to finance

Explore this module

This module assumes a basic knowledge of financial assets. You'll have ideally attended one of the following modules, or any other finance-related module:

  • Introduction to Finance for Accountants (Accounting with Finance BA)
  • Issues in Finance and Banking (Economics, Finance and Banking BSc)

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Show understanding of issues relating to corporate social responsibility and how it might influence decision making within organisations

  • Review academic literature relating to managerial and decision economics in order to make policy recommendations

  • Compare and contrast different theories that managers use when making decisions within the firm and interpret their effectiveness in an international context

Explore this module

 

 

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Describe the background and operation of the structure of the UK income tax system and perform necessary calculations of taxable income

  • Calculate income tax payable to an individual or sole trader

  • Appreciate the principles involved in Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax, Inheritance Tax and Value Added Tax, and perform necessary calculations of tax payable by applying statute and case law

  • Outline the factors involved in tax planning

Explore this module

The learning objectives of this module are to be confirmed.

Core modules

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Evaluate the principles and theories of global financial management and markets

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of risk and return and portfolio theory including a critical awareness of the factors affecting risk and return

  • Apply and synthesise shareholder value analysis techniques

  • Critically appraise the application of theory and appropriate quantitative techniques to risk management including the ability to illustrate and discuss how firms use derivatives to manage risk

  • Critically evaluate how multinational firms manage financing and investment decisions, including cross-border mergers and acquisition

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Critically appraise alternative conceptual and regulatory frameworks for financial and non-financial reporting
  • Systematically apply current accounting standards to a wide range of practical issues in financial accounting
  • Critique the current state of financial and non-financial reporting and potential future developments

Explore this module

 

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Appreciate how management accounting is evolving and how it fits into the overall strategic management and management control process within organisations

  • Utilise management accounting tools and techniques to solve strategic problems formulated within an organisational context

  • Utilise management accounting tools and techniques to solve problems of a management control/performance measurement nature within the organisational context

  • Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these alternative management accounting tool and techniques in differing organisational, behavioural and political settings

Explore this module

Optional modules

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to select a suitable topic for investigation and to appreciate its relationship with current developments in the respective subject area(s)
  • Demonstrate the ability to define clear project aims and to select and critically appraise secondary sources that are relevant to the project in a structured and organised manner
  • Draw meaningful conclusions and recommendations from the project
  • To develop employability skills needed in today's commercial environment

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Demonstrate an ability to select and carry out a piece of original research
  • Employ appropriate research methods
  • Demonstrate the ability to undertake critical analysis and review of a chosen topic
  • Present the dissertation in a format that corresponds to the guidelines provided by the University and the department, e.g. referencing protocols
  • Systematically organise and interpret data obtained in the course of the project
  • Develop Personal Development Plans, focusing on their own individual needs, also to develop the employability skills needed in today's commercial environment and understand the graduate employment market

Explore this module

 

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Critically appraise the role and responsibility of auditors, both statutory and non-statutory in a national and global context

  • Be able to apply and appraise an audit with reference to auditing principles, procedures and techniques to real business problems

  • Evaluate the ethical requirements of an auditor and be able to conceptualise them in scenarios

  • Evaluate developments in auditing practices

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Demonstrate a good understanding of the key principles and economic theories in business analysis
  • Be able to perform descriptive and diagnostic analytics on business data using applied economic techniques
  • Understand and describe different types of data-mining tasks (e.g., classification, scoring, clustering)
  • Demonstrate the ability to adopt the 'CRISP for data-mining' framework to provide solutions to business projects
  • Be able to adopt common machine learning algorithms for predictive analytics in a business context
  • Be able to use quantitative analysis packages (i.e., Excel, Stata) and develop transferable skills for other packages

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Articulate core concepts and principles of behavioural finance at final year undergraduate level

  • Critically discuss and evaluate the relevant empirical research literature

  • Obtain an understanding of the relationship between short-term trading, market microstructure theory and behavioural finance

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Critically analyse outcomes in the professional sports industry using economic sand financial concepts

  • Appraise sports leagues using financial and economic concepts, including competitive balance

  • Appraise the financial sustainability of sports organisations

  • Critically analyse current issues and practices in the governance of sport

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Examine and evaluate key propositions that underlie strategic management theory and practice in national and global contexts
  • Appraise strategic issues at business and corporate levels using appropriate frameworks and evidence to identify, develop and recommend strategic options
  • Propose appropriate strategies for issue resolution and the strategic changes needed for their implementation

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Independently and critically appraise the use of financial information in evaluating a company's financial position and performance
  • Independently apply and evaluate different investment strategies
  • Critically evaluate theories and appropriate quantitative techniques applied to equity investment
  • Critically evaluate the impact of real world events on financial investment
  • Deliver an effective presentation

Explore this module

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Apply your learning and specialist training to responding independently, as part of a team, to a client problem enabling the development of skills relevant to an accounting or finance professional

  • Respond in a professional manner to the challenges of working in a client-defined context, demonstrating the appropriate adaptability, responsiveness, ethical awareness and ability to communicate with clients of varying levels of financial sophistication

  • Reflect constructively on client work carried out to identify shortcomings and develop improved technique and attitudes

  • Present a portfolio of evidence in a clear and concise format

Explore this module

Optional work placement year

You'll complete a placement portfolio over the duration of the placement and improve your professional skills such as self-reflection, networking, evaluating progress and using the portfolio. You'll have support from the Placement Office (PO) and a Placement Tutor, to plan, and during, your placement including a visit from your Placement Tutor.

Successful completion of the placement will be recognised in your transcript of achievement and your degree certificate will state 'in the sandwich mode'.

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Use the skills you've developed in the workplace, e.g. communication, time management, IT skills
  • Identify personal areas for improvement or training to enhance future employability
  • Use your record of experiences and training gained on placement to reflect on your skill and progress
  • Link what you learned on the rest of your undergraduate degree course to what you learn on placement
  • Understand your options regarding career planning, and future professional development
  • a full time work placement
  • 1 x placement day
  • meetings with your placement tutor

Changes to course content

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. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Alternative accounting courses

Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other accounting courses to compare your options.

If you'd like to combine your studies of finance with a broader understanding of business, looking at how finance works with other business sectors such as operations and people management, this BA Financial Management degree may be for you.

If you've done some of an accounting degree at another institution and you're interested in a career in accountancy this ACCA and CIMA accredited top-up BA Accountancy and Financial Management is a good choice. Although designed primarily for international students this top-up doesn't include any English language or communication modules.

What sticks out about my course is that there are so many elements incorporated to help us learn from different perspectives. You will learn economical, psychological, business, mathematical and technical abilities that will give you more confidence to enter any industry as it all links to one another.

Lola Akinpeloye, BA (Hons) Accounting with Finance

Teaching

Our teaching has been developed to maximise skills that employers are looking for. In our classes you'll engage in activities that both enhance your learning and develop your communication, presentation and team working skills. Where appropriate, you'll use computer packages that are valued within the accounting and finance professions.

The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:

  • seminars
  • practical workshops
  • computer workshops
  • group work
  • 1-to-1 tutorials
  • guest speakers from the profession and industry

We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.

Assessment

We use a diverse range of assessments and we focus on the types of work you'll be expected to complete in the workplace.

As with all accounting courses, accreditation requirements mean that you will be assessed by a number of exams, but your assessment will depend on which modules you take.

Assessment methods are likely to include:

  • analysis of topical case studies
  • written reports
  • presentations
  • self-led project or dissertation
  • group work
  • portfolio creation
  • essays
  • exams

Teaching staff profiles

These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course.

Christina Philippou Portrait

Media ready expert

Dr Christina Philippou

Programme Lead (PGT Accounting, Economics and Finance)

Christina.Philippou@port.ac.uk

Accounting and Financial Management

Faculty of Business and Law

Read more
Vivienne Marie Prudden Portrait

Mrs Vivienne Prudden

Senior Teaching Fellow

Vivienne.Prudden@port.ac.uk

Accounting and Financial Management

Faculty of Business and Law

Read more

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.

Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:

  • timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 15 hours a week
  • independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 20 hours a week

You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.

The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.

You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.

They can help with:

  • academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
  • reflective writing skills
  • critical thinking skills
  • delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.

As well as support from faculty 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

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

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.

Meet Jesse

Hear from Nigerian graduate Jesse Targema-Takema about his journey to Portsmouth, his experience studying, and life now as an Investment Banking Analyst in London. Find out how the University supported him throughout his degree. 

[Jesse Targema-Takema - BA (Hons) Accounting with Finance, 2020]

Jesse: I was just very interested in business in general. And as they say, accounting is the language of business, so I thought marry my love for business with accounting. 

So I've got two older sisters that actually graduated from Portsmouth. It was definitely very different to to living in Nigeria so It was quite nice to have them here because it was nice to settle in a lot quicker than I would have if I didn't have them here. They really spoke about the great community here at Portsmouth. 

I personally thought the lecturers were very good. I thought they were very supportive, really looked out for your best interests. They had a lot of industry experience and so they were able to bring it that into the classroom. In a lot of ways it guided my decision in terms of what sort of career and what sorts of things I wanted to do. So I thought that was fantastic. 

It was actually my third year when I started to panic about next steps because I came here as an international student. So it was a case of "Do I go back to Nigeria to work? Do I stay in England to work?" I applied for a few jobs and the support provided by the University was invaluable. The career service, I thought they were absolutely brilliant and so I was able to secure a job at Lloyds Banking Group. I did that for two years, and as I got to learn more about what I wanted to do long term, I thought investment banking was something best suited me well in terms of my personality and the technical skill set. So I currently working in investment banking in London. 

I would say the best thing about Portsmouth is the opportunities. The opportunities provided by the University to go on a placement year and the support they provided for that. To bringing people to talk about their careers and you get the opportunity to learn from them. Honestly the parties were great as well at Portsmouth. So the opportunity to go out to the pub and to the bars, which is also fantastic as well. 

When when you build relationships at university, they're relationships that last a lifetime. Overarchingly, I think the biggest thing to come out of Portsmouth for me is the relationships I built and just having friends I know I can rely on, I can lean on and we can always have a good time together. So inevitably this had a massive, massive impact on me. 

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU residents – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

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 show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

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.

If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £2,875  a year (subject to annual increase)

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – N4N3
  • our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

 

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.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in 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.