2012/13 Accounting

The Department of Accounting offers a range of academic and vocational programmes within the accounting and business sectors, which are expected to continue to provide expanding job opportunities. The BSc (Hons) Accounting Part Time degree provides a solid foundation from which to continue studies for professional accountancy examinations.

The programme is continually reviewed and updated to meet the needs of employers and the professional accountancy bodies and ensures you can avail of as many exemptions from the professional accounting exams as possible. The teaching and learning approach on this programme will ensure that you develop highly competent written and oral communication skills and other important transferable skills to optimise employment opportunities. For this reason and the high employment rates associated with the programme, it attracts large numbers of applications from high calibre students.

The traditional two ‘A’ levels are not normally a prerequisite for participation in this course. If you are a mature applicant who lacks formal academic qualifications, you may be admitted to the course if you can satisfy the Course Committee of your ability to complete the course satisfactorily. Exemptions may be granted from parts of the course where you already hold a higher academic or professional qualification providing evidence of relevant previous studies.

Year 1
Semester 1
Accounting 1
Study Skills in HE
Introduction to Personal Finance
Quantitative Analysis
Business Economics

Year 1
Semester 2
Accounting 2
Costing
Quantitative Analysis
Business Economics

Year 2
Semester 1
Financial Accounting
Management Accounting
Career Planning & Personal Development

Year 2
Semester 2
Taxation 1
Managerial Finance
Company Law
Business Law

Final Year
Semester 1
Advanced Management Accounting
Audit and Assurance
Option 1

Semester 2
Advanced Financial Accounting
Issues in Corporate Governance
Option 2

The course has been accredited by all UK and Ireland professional accounting bodies (Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA and CIMA). Students may gain exemption from professional exemptions depending on the modules selected for study and the final module mark obtained.

Students enter this programme in year one – Level four. However applicants who provide evidence of previous relevant successful study may be considered for entry to level five of the programme. Transfer will normally be admitted with exemptions.

There is facility for transfer to other undergraduate degree programmes depending upon the nature of the subject matter of the other degrees and academic achievement.

There is a considerable demand for Accountants in business, industry and the public service. This degree will provide you with an excellent basis for pursuing a professional qualification with one of the accountancy bodies. A qualified accountant may take up a position as a Practitioner providing audit, accountancy and taxation services to a variety of businesses and individuals; a Financial or Management Accountant in a large commercial enterprise or within central or local Government; a Taxation Specialist; a Management Consultant or an Educationalist.

The degree may, depending on classification obtained, permit further study at postgraduate level.

The teaching methods employed will depend upon the nature of the subject being taught, the overall aims of the module and the balance between theory and practice. In general, however, class structure and teaching methods will emphasise the real business and professional situations because this programme is concerned not only with the acquisition of theory but also with its evaluation and application in practice. Flexibility in the teaching methods employed is imperative so that individual tutors can adapt and change to match the needs of students, employers and professional bodies in a dynamic business environment.

The student learning experience is supported by a variety of teaching / assessment methods, including lectures, seminars, report writing, problem-solving techniques, case studies, videos, team projects, individual research, oral presentations, and meetings with professional practitioners and computer projects. This combination allows students to have a high degree of involvement and participation in the learning process, equipping participants with concepts, skills and experiences necessary for further career and personal development.

Assessment
Most modules will normally be assessed by a combination of coursework and/or written examination. The weighting between coursework and examinations may vary between modules. Some modules are 100% coursework.

Department of Accounting
Email: accounting@ulster.ac.uk
Telephone +44 (0)28 9036 6906

1. How many hours is the course?
Each year would have a different amount of time allocated to the modules being studied.. On top of this you would be expected to spend approximately 10 additional independent study time per module.

2. What exemptions do I get from the course?
The exemptions vary between each professional accounting body and must be applied for individually by each student.

3. Is there a Masters available after the course?
Yes, there is a Postgraduate Diploma / Masters in Advanced Accounting which is unique to the Department of Accounting in Ulster. As this course is dedicated to Chartered Accountants Ireland you have to have all the CAP1 exemptions in place before enrolment.

4. What career options are available after graduation?
There is a considerable demand for accountants in business, industry and the public service. This degree provides graduates with an excellent basis for pursuing professional qualifications with one of the accountancy bodies. A qualified accountant may take up a position as a public practitioner providing audit, accountancy and taxation services to a variety of businesses and individuals; a financial or management accountant in a large commercial enterprise or within central or local government; a taxation specialist; a management consultant or an educationalist. Alternatively, graduates may proceed directly to a management career in business or in the public sector, or proceed to postgraduate study in accounting or a related area.

5. What modules are best for what careers?
For maximisation of exemptions you must choose certain options while studying for the degree. Your course director will advise each student individually of the exemptions gaining modules for CAI, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA and CPA.

6. Approximate size of class.
Class sizes will vary. All students will be together in the lecture. This can be as many as 200 in some lectures where another course will be taking the same module. Seminar classes will also vary. In year one, you will have small group seminars of 15 to help the transition process and to interact with your peer group.

7. Will extra help be given if required?
Each student will be appointed an individual studies advisor who will be the first point of contact should the student be experiencing academic difficulties. The Student Achievement and Retention Officer will also be available should the student seek help for other issues.

8. What modules entail group work?
The teaching plan for each module will specify the assessment strategy for that module. It is an integral part of the learning experience that each student demonstrates ability to work individually and also in groups.

9. Does second year count towards your classification?
Yes. 25% of year 2 marks will count towards your end classification.

10. How do I find a Lecturers email address?
Each lecture’s email address is available via the web. Go to the homepage and follow the staff links.

11. How do I become a class representative?
Each course has class representatives normally made up of volunteers from each seminar group. In week 1 the course director will ask for such volunteers and names of these students will be forwarded to the Student’ Union which will organise training.

12. Can I change modules?
Option modules can be changed via a Student Module Amendment form which is obtained from the Faculty main office located at 3G02.

13. What is the procedure if we fail a module?
All students, except those in year three, will be allowed three attempts to pass the module. Progression to a higher level will not be permitted should the module failed be a pre-requisite for a higher level module.

14. What do you do when you are absent?
The Student Achievement and Retention Officer should be contacted immediately.

15. Can you re-sit a module exam if I don’t get a high mark?
No. Once a module is deemed passed by the course committee no retaking to achieve a higher mark is permitted.

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Accountants Ireland
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Faculty webpage
• Further Information
• Other Links
• Programme Specification