Accounting & Finance

Key facts
Location: Canterbury
Award: BA (Hons)
Type: Full-time
Options: A year working in industry or studying in Europe.
Further information
Download: Subject leaflet
Online: Department

Accountants are probably best known for checking the validity of company accounts – auditing – but they also devise and operate financial systems, conduct investment analysis, advise on business start-ups, company takeovers and company rescue schemes, and handle individuals’ and corporations’ tax affairs.

At Kent Business School, we have designed the Accounting & Finance degrees to ensure they respond to the needs and expectations of the modern accountancy profession. We offer the opportunity to spend a year on work placement, to study abroad, or to combine accounting with related subjects. Our supportive and flexible approach to teaching gives you the confidence and skills you need to follow the path that most interests you.

Our graduates move into a whole range of careers including professional training in public practice (chartered accountancy) or in industry, commerce or the public sector, or financial services or general management.

Degree programmes

Single honours
Did you know…

Kent was rated 3rd in the UK for Finance and Accounting in the National Student Survey 2008.

  • Accounting & Finance (N400)
  • Accounting & Finance with a Year in Industry (N404)
  • Accounting & Finance with Computing (N4G4)
European programmes
  • Accounting & Finance with French Business Studies (N4N1)
  • Accounting & Finance with German (N402)

For other single honours programmes, including European options, see the Honours Degree Quick Reference Guide on p332.

Joint honours

Accounting & Finance and…

  • Business Administration (NN42)
  • Computing (GN44)
  • Economics (LN14)
  • Law (NM41)
  • Management Science (NN24)
  • Mathematics (GN14)

Core modules

Stage 1
Core modules

You take two 15-credit and two 30-credit core modules.

  • Computing for Business and Accounting
  • Financial Accounting 1
  • Quantitative Methods for Business and Accounting
  • Either Economics Mode A or Economics Mode B

Joint honours students take different core modules according to the degree programme.

Options

Business Law

or 30 credits from the following list:

  • Biological and General Psychology
  • British Government and Politics
  • Introduction to Social Psychology
  • Modern languages
  • Sociology
  • Thinking about Politics.
Stage 2/3
Core modules

Single/multidisciplinary honours

  • Financial Accounting 2
  • Management Accounting 1
  • Principles of Finance
  • Strategic Management

Some programmes also specify other core modules, according to the subject, for example, degrees including a language involve compulsory language modules. Again, joint honours students take different core modules according to the degree programme. Options Including, but not limited to:

  • Auditing
  • Business Finance
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Futures and Options Markets
  • Management Accounting 2
  • Social Responsibility Accounting.

And other modules according to the programme subject

Year out

Students on the European options spend a year studying at our partner universities in France or Germany between Stages 2 and 3. The Year in Industry is also between Stages 2 and 3 – we have a placement officer who can give advice and guidance.

Teaching and assessment

Usually you spend eight hours in lectures and four hours in seminars each week. Some modules have a number of workshops or sessions in computer laboratories. Most of your modules involve individual study using Library resources.

Most modules have an end-of-year examination which contributes either 70% or 80% to the final module mark: your coursework provides the remaining marks. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your final degree class (together with your marks from your year abroad or year in industry if applicable).

Entry requirements

Passing the Foundation Programme for International Students guarantees you entry onto the first year of these degree programmes.

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Offer levels

A/AS level 320 points (3.5 A level equivalents) including either BB at A level or BB in GCE double A level, IB 35 points (16 at Higher)

Pass Foundation Programme for International Students

Required subjects

GCSE Mathematics grade B

N4N1, N403: A level French grade B or GCSE French grade B

N402: A level German grade B

Careers

Professional recognition

Full or partial exemption from the preliminary stage of professional accountancy examinations provided you choose the appropriate modules. Single honours degrees offer further exemptions from the examinations of some accountancy bodies. Subject leaflet Order a leaflet or download a pdf

Our recent graduates went into accountancy training with firms such as KPMG, Ernst and Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers, other financial services with banks or private companies, or other types of management such as recruitment or marketing.