Overview
A dynamic degree leading to a professional career in the fields of Accounting and/or Marketing.
Summary
Studying business at the Magee campus provides students with extensive choice. In this case Accounting may be taken as an equal main subject, with Marketing as the other equal main subject.
The flexible structure of this programme affords students the opportunity of choosing a pathway to suit their own personal interests and career aspirations. Graduates will have generic skills in particular management functions and specific skills in accounting and marketing. The accounting/marketing main/main combination is particularly suited for graduates wishing to go on to develop a career in business where these named disciplines are desirable.
The programme equips graduates for a management career in industry, commerce or the public sector. It also provides the entrepreneurial and innovation skills necessary for the creation of new business ventures and to stimulate the competitive impetus for managing and developing existing businesses. The accounting/marketing main/main subjects help develop supporting expertise of particular interest to the student.
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About this course
About
This course meets the needs of those wishing to pursue a career in business with an interest in accounting and marketing as specialist areas. The programme allows students to combine two of the principle subject areas from the business arena and to develop the skills and expertise necessary for an aspiring professional career in accounting or marketing. In addition it provides the basis for graduates wishing to take a postgraduate programme up to doctoral level.
The programme seeks to provide the key business knowledge and skills essential for a graduate, seeking a managerial career in general business or a specialist interest in accounting and/or marketing.
The development of relevant employability skills is at the core of the BSc Hons Accounting and Marketing degree and a variety of opportunities exist within the programme, and its modules, to develop such skills. These skills include creative thinking; project management; strategic planning; business start-up; problem-solving; and interpersonal skills, as well as specific accounting and marketing skills.
The Department of Global Business and Enterprise has strong ties with the major professional accountancy and taxation bodies. All accounting staff in the department are members of professional accountancy bodies including:
- Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
- The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA)
- The Irish Taxation Institute (ITI)
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Attendance
This course lasts three years without placement or four years if completing a placement year. This is a full-time course where you will normally complete three accounting modules and three marketing modules per year, with class contact time approximately three hours per week, per module. You will be expected to undertake independent study to supplement that contact of around ten hours per week per module. You will have nine to ten class contact hours per week on the Magee campus.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, practical workshops, case studies, problem-solving techniques, team projects, individual research oral presentations, non-book media, visiting lectures with industry practitioners and computer projects. These methods allow students to have a high degree of involvement and participation in learning, equipping participants with concepts, skills and experiences necessary for career and personal development.
Modules are assessed using a variety of methods including individual essays/reports, class tests, case studies, group projects, oral presentations and end of term examinations.
Content
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year one
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Year: 1
Status: C
The module establishes a strong foundation for students as they undertake the study of accounting. As such, the module identifies, develops and assesses a range of skills that are important within the context of double entry book-keeping, preparing financial statements, undertaking financial reporting and performing detailed analyses supporting aspects of the internal financial management of a business entity.
Introduction to Finance, Taxation and Ethics
Year: 1
Status: C
A knowledge of professional responsibility and ethics, finance and taxation are essential for students intending to pursue a career in Accounting and are an essential part of most financial and economic decision making. This module provides a foundation for future modules which will build upon the fundamentals covered in this module.
Principles of Management
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces the fundamental concepts of management and cognate topics, including the business environment, business ethics, motivation, problem solving and decision making, planning, human resource management, organisational structure, change and innovation, and operations and quality.
Students will acquire an understanding of the issues and challenges facing managers in both domestic and global environments.
Academic and Business Analytics Skills
Year: 1
Status: C
The module establishes a solid foundation for students as they make the transition to become effective learners at third level and beyond. As such, the module identifies, develops and assesses a range of skills that are important for academia and business. The module provides and introduction to the business analytical skills which are necessary to address challenges and opportunities in the current global business environment.
Principles of Economics
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of economics and provides an essential underpinning for more advanced study of economics and economic issues.
Principles of Marketing
Year: 1
Status: C
The module specifically provides students with understanding of the key principles and concepts of marketing to allow further learning of the strategic importance of the area in the future.
Year two
Financial Accounting I
Year: 2
Status: C
The form and content of published financial statements; profit and loss account; balance sheet; cash flow statements; introduction to group accounts; analysis and interpretation of financial statements; regulatory framework of accounting.
Management Accounting I
Year: 2
Status: C
An important role of management accounting is to present accounting information to assist managers to plan, make decisions and measure performance. Key elements of practice in the discipline include approaches to costing, use of management accounting information, absorption costing, marginal costing, breakeven analysis, decision making, budgeting, standard costing, variance analysis, investment appraisal, statistical approaches, activity based costing and ethical issues.
Professional Skills Development
Year: 2
Status: C
This module is designed to provide students with the necessary tool kit to lead their own professional credibility, during and after their under graduate study. It will provide an interactive and experiential learning environment for students whereby they can learn about the kind of business leader they want to become and how to achieve this
Business Law
Year: 2
Status: C
The module deals with the main principles of the law of contract and law of tort as well as providing explanations of the legal structures within which businesses operate. These legal formats of business organizations are critically explored as are the methods whereby businesses are managed and analysed and how the external environment, in terms of legal regulation, impacts on the operation of businesses. The topics under examination provide a solid framework for understanding of the legal basis in which businesses operate and enable students to undertake further study of related Business and accounting subjects.
Consumer Behaviour
Year: 2
Status: C
In the course of this module, students will develop an understanding of, and the ability to use, the core theories and techniques underpinning Consumer Behaviour; stemming from the economic and philosophical constructs of consumer behaviour, through to contemporary consumer research techniques.
Marketing Management
Year: 2
Status: C
In the course of this module, students will develop an understanding of, and the ability to use, the core theories and techniques underpinning Marketing Management; stemming from the management techniques and philosophies that underpin the subject, through to their application to contemporary marketing management issues.
Year three
Diploma in International Academic Studies
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
The Diploma in International Academic Studies aims to develop students on a personal and professional level. Skills developed include CV writing, interview skills, knowledge of study and career choices, career management strategies, understanding of employability skills and cultural development.
Diploma in Professional Practice
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.
Year four
International marketing
Year: 4
Status: C
This module explores the complexity of forces that underpin the international marketing decisions made by organisations. In particular, it aims to understand the impact of these forces on the activities of organisations, and the nature of the decisions that organisations must take if they are to survive and prosper in a dynamic international marketing environment. The module will focus on the regional, national and international contexts and provide students with practical and academic knowledge where they will have an opportunity to showcase their ability to interpret, synthesise, apply and evaluate knowledge and understanding.
Digital Strategy and Communications
Year: 4
Status: C
The module aims to explore a range of contemporary issues facing organisations operating in a digital world. Teaching provided will allow students to fully appreciate the impact and influence of the dynamic digital landscape.
Marketing Metrics
Year: 4
Status: C
This module is designed to provide students with an appreciation of analytical tools and metrics available to evaluate the performance of specific marketing activities.
Taxation Policy and Practice
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module provides insight into the theory, concepts, procedures and practices of UK taxation with particular focus on income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and VAT.
Management Accounting II
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module traces the development of management accounting theory and practice in the context of change in the modern business environment. The module examines the social, technological and international challenges to management accounting.
Financial Accounting II
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
The nature and purpose of accounting theory; the role of accounting regulation including the development of the latest accounting standards; contemporary issues in accounting; recent and future trends in financial reporting; accounting for transactions in financial statements and group financial statements.
Audit and Assurance
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module introduces the student to the conceptual and theoretical fundamentals of auditing combined with the practical application of auditing principles and the issues encountered in a financial reporting and audit environment. It identifies the skills that a professional auditor must have and how best to utilise those skills in today's challenging commercial environment.
Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
A level
Grades CCC
Applied General Qualifications
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DMM
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite)
Award profile of MMM
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of other BTEC/OCR and A Levels. These and other entry equivalences can be viewed in the online prospectus at http://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/entrance-requirements/equivalence
Irish Leaving Certificate
96 UCAS tariff points to include 5 subjects (minimum 4 at Higher Level). The overall profile must include English and Maths at O4/H6 or above.
Irish Leaving Certificate UCAS Equivalency
Tariff point chart
Scottish Highers
The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is CCCCC.
A minimum of grade C in Math and English is required at Intermediate Level if not studying at Higher Level.
Scottish Advanced Highers
The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is DDD.
A minimum of grade C in Math and English is required at Intermediate Level if not studying at Higher Level.
International Baccalaureate
Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 24 points (12 at higher level).
Access to Higher Education (HE)
Successful completion of an Ulster University validated Access route with an overall mark of 55%
60 credit GB Access Course: Overall profile of 45 credits at Merit
GCSE
You must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass in English Language and Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).
Essential Skills Level 2 Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
Essential Skills Level 2 Numeracy will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Maths.
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Additional Entry Requirements
HNC (total of 120 credits) with an overall MERITto include 45 level 4 credits at Distinction.
HND (total of 120 credits) with overall MERITto include 15 level 5 credits at Distinction.
Ulster Foundation Degree with an overall average of 40% in level 5 modules.
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University. http://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/entrance-requirements/equivalence
Exemptions and transferability
Most students enter into Year 1. Applicants who can provide evidence of previous relevant study, awarded in accordance with the Credit Accumulation Transfer System (CATS), may be considered for exemption from particular modules or for entry to later years.
Careers & opportunities
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
- Alan Newell Estate Agent
- BBC
- E&I Engineering
- Seagate
- Swifts Supervalu
- The European Parliament
- Foras na Gaeilge
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
- General Manager
- Graduate Management Trainee
- Graduate Marketing Management Trainee
- Junior Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Trainee Accountant
Career options
Graduates are well placed for a management career in the business arena or to take advantage of the increased opportunities in the public sector. Depending on the accounting and/or marketing choice of business specialism, graduates will have generic skills in management functions, particularly accounting, finance and project management, and specific specialist skills in accounting and marketing. Graduates may also proceed to postgraduate study or research in related areas. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to develop their personal skills and abilities in order to maximise their career potential.
Work placement / study abroad
In year three you will have the option of a paid placement year in a range of local and international locations. This will provide a link between the subjects you have studied and their application in a real-world setting. Satisfactory completion of the placement year will lead to the award of the Diploma in Professional Practice. You have also the option to study abroad for a year; satisfactory completion of a study abroad year will lead to the award of the Diploma in International Academic Studies.
Professional recognition
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.
Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.
Accredited by Chartered Accountants Ireland for the purpose of exemption from some professional exams.
Fees and funding
Scholarships, awards and prizes
Student achievements on the BSc Hons Accounting with Specialisms are recognised by a number of prizes and awards. Sponsors of the prizes and awards include EY, PwC, CIMA, 8over8 Ltd, Bank of Ireland, MLMG, J.G. Carlin & Co. and Shaun McAteer and Co Ltd. Some of these awards offer students valuable practical work experience in the accounting, finance and business world.
Additional mandatory costs
Tuition fees and costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges), and normal living are a part of university life.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses we make every effort to highlight them. These may include residential visits, field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering) inoculations, security checks, computer equipment, uniforms, professional memberships etc.
We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free wifi is also available on each of the campuses.
There will be some additional costs to being a student which cannot be itemised and these will be different for each student. You may choose to purchase your own textbooks and course materials or prefer your own computer and software. Printing and binding may also be required. There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines. Additional costs vary from course to course.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs as well as tuition fees.
Please contact the course team for more information.
Disclaimer
- The University endeavours to deliver courses and programmes of study in accordance with the description set out in this prospectus. The University’s prospectus is produced at the earliest possible date in order to provide maximum assistance to individuals considering applying for a course of study offered by the University. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in the prospectus is accurate but it is possible that some changes will occur between the date of printing and the start of the academic year to which it relates. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
- Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
- If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
- The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
- The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
