Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

At Cardiff you will have the opportunity to pursue a challenging and stimulating combination of applied and academic study of accountancy and finance. Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of research and a significant number are qualified accountants with many years of professional experience. An opportunity for a professional placement in your third year will kick start your professional training and provide you with a competitive edge in the employment market. This accredited degree programme provides exemptions from certain examinations of all the major UK professional bodies.

Cardiff Business School also offers a degree Accounting with a European Language. Click on the links below to find out more:

• BSc Accounting with French (4 years)
• BSc Accounting with Spanish (4 years)
• BSc Accounting with German (4 years)

Key Facts

UCAS Code	N400
Duration	3 years
How to apply	www.cardiff.ac.uk/howtoapply
Accreditation	This course is recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Typical places available	The School admits 550 students each year to its undergraduate degree programmes
Typical applications received	3,500
Scholarships & Bursaries	www.cardiff.ac.uk/scholarships business.cardiff.ac.uk/degree-programmes/undergraduate/scholarships/
Fees	www.cardiff.ac.uk/fees
Typical A-level offer	AAB
Admissions Tutors	Dr Patrick Wylie
Tel Number	029 2087 5755
Email address	business-ug@cardiff.ac.uk
School website	business.cardiff.ac.uk

This university degree programme has been traditionally popular. Students are invariably attracted to the diverse and rewarding career opportunities that are opened up to those who gain good accountancy qualifications. A large number of our students progress to a career in accountancy with the accredited degree programme offered at Cardiff Business School.

The first year modules provide an introduction to financial and management accounting and finance together with a wide range of other business related subjects including economics, management, applied statistics and mathematics, law and marketing.

In the second and third year, students take a number of core modules that provide them with a sound theoretical knowledge and understanding of professional procedures together with an awareness of current developments in accounting. Students then choose from a range of options in specialised aspects of national or international accounting, law, and areas of management and marketing, to tailor their modules to suit their career aspirations.

A number of classes are taught by practising accountants currently working for global firms such as PwC, KPMG and Grant Thornton. Each year we organise a range of skills-based workshops in partnership with the large accounting firms and the professional accounting bodies.

Work placements:

ICAEW Undergraduate Placement Cardiff is one of only three universities in the UK which participates in the ICAEW Undergraduate Partnership Programme, UPP. Under the programme students enrolled on the BSc Accounting or the BSc Accounting and Finance degrees, who achieve a specified level of attainment in their first year, are eligible to apply for a year working in industry as part of their studies.

The UPP offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain a year’s work experience in a professional accountancy firm or similar business environment as part of their degree, which becomes a four year programme. This salaried placement, which will take place during the third year of study, will also be classed as the first year of a ICAEW training contract. This gives students the the opportunity to commence the ACA qualification, the premier professional accountancy qualification. Students will subsequently be able to qualify as a chartered accountant in two years post-graduation, rather than the customary three years.

The UPP provides students with an excellent opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain valuable work experience whilst studying for a degree. Eligible students will apply for the work placements which will be awarded through a competitive interview process.

Credit for prior learning

Studying for an accounting-related degree at Cardiff Business School offers the opportunity for exemptions or credit for prior learning from the professional examinations that are a requirement to qualify as an accountant. We are accredited by ICAEW, CIMA and ACCA as well as offering modules that will provide exemptions from other organisations such as ICAS, ICAI and CIPFA. We also support students studying for the Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business which is awarded by the ICAEW. This is a gateway to chartered accountancy (ACA) as well as being a standalone qualification.

Year 1 – Requirements

Three compulsory double modules

• Applied Statistics and Mathematics in Economics and Business
• Introduction to Economics
• Legal Studies

One compulsory single module in the Autumn Semester

• Principles of Business Management

One compulsory double module in the Autumn Semester

• Introduction to Financial and Management Accounting

Three compulsory single modules in the Spring Semester

• Introduction to Finance
• Principles of Marketing & Strategy
• Fundamentals of Financial Reporting

Year 2 – Requirements

Five compulsory double modules

• Auditing and Assurance
• Management Accounting
• Business Finance
• Taxation
• Corporate Reporting

and one double module from

• Inferential Statistics, Statistical Modelling and Survey Methods
• Law of Commerce, Banking and Investment
• Managing Public Services
• Marketing and Strategy

Year 3 – Requirements

Three compulsory double modules

• Business Finance
• Advanced Corporate Reporting
• Management Accounting and Control

and three single modules per semester from

Group 1

In the autumn semester:

• Development of Accounting
• International Accounting
• Analysis of Financial Reporting Information

In the spring semester:

• Corporate Governance and Accountability
• Public Sector Accounting
• The Accounting Profession

Group 2

Dissertation, plus a choice of two modules per semester from:

In the autumn semester:

• Development of Accounting
• International Accounting
• Analysis of Financial Reporting Information

In the spring semester:

• Corporate Governance and Accountability
• Public Sector Accounting
• The Accounting Profession

Cardiff Business School’s teaching is research-led, combining academic rigour with practical relevance. Our faculty consists of world-leading academics who are at the forefront of knowledge within their field. They bring the lessons from their most recent research into the classroom, giving students access to the latest information and business thinking.

You will find that the phrase ’learning and teaching’ is commonly used in UK universities. This phrase emphasises the two-way nature of the process in which you will be taking part. You, we hope, will be doing the learning; we will be providing not only teaching, but also many other things which contribute to a good environment for learning, such as computer resources, a  well stocked library, suitable lecture rooms, and so on.

Unless both sides of the ‘learning and teaching’ equation are in place, satisfactory educational outcomes cannot take place. It follows that the responsibility is divided equally between staff and the University as a whole on the one hand, and students on the other. The Business School and University will provide good quality teaching and learning resources, and will be responsive to the needs and views of you, our students. For your part, you will need to put in the necessary amount of work both during and outside formal teaching sessions, and to make good use of the facilities provided. Only when both these aspects are present will you be able to reach your full potential in your chosen subject.

Methods of teaching:

Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and small group teaching (classes/seminars/workshops/tutorials). In the lecture, the lecturer will mainly be giving an overview of an aspect of the module content (as well as giving opportunities for the student to ask questions and be reflective), while in classes and workshops you will have an opportunity to practice techniques, discuss ideas, apply concepts and consolidate your understanding in the topic

Independent Study:

All modules will require a considerable element of independent study alongside the formal scheduled teaching. Independent study is designed so that you can expand on the knowledge given to you during lectures, seminars and tutorials. Independent study is an important component of Higher Education because it helps you to develop the ability for enquiry and critical evaluation, which in turn leads to you developing transferable skills, helps you to learn how to respond to change and it is key to ensuring that you have sufficient understanding of the subject you are studying. The amount of independent study you are expected to undertake will increase throughout the duration of your degree as your expertise also increases.

Office Hours:

All academic staff in the Business School have designated office hours when they are available to meet with students and these are posted on their office doors along with their contact details. Office hours provide an important source of contact with your lecturers and enable you to ask questions you may not wish to ask in a large class setting. This time can help you to clarify anything you have been taught that is unclear or can give you advice on further reading or preparation for assignments.

Personal Tutors

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the beginning of your studies. Normally, your Personal Tutor will teach on your own degree programme and you will keep the same Personal Tutor throughout your course.

Your Personal Tutor will be able to give you advice on academic issues, including module choice and assessment. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your Personal Tutor should always be your first point of contact; she/he will be able to put you in touch with the student support services provided by the University and the Students’ Union as appropriate. It is normally the Personal Tutor who writes references for job applications and therefore you should keep your personal tutor informed about how you are getting on. Students are required to meet with their personal tutors at three points during the year but you are also encouraged to get in touch with them at any other point if you need help or advice. 

Typical A-level Offer	AAB from any combination of A-levels, excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship
Typical WBQ Offer	Pass in the Core and grades AA from two A-levels
Typical Int Bacc Offer	35 points, including Maths and English (Standard level) with scores of 5
Other	Applications from those offering alternative qualifications are welcome. Please see detailed admissions and selection criteria for more information.

A list of commonly accepted alternative entry qualifications and admissions and selection criteria for this degree programme can be read here.