Progress your accounting career. This programme creates the opportunity to study on a part-time basis in accounting and professional services.
The BSc Hons Accounting with Management creates the opportunity to progress your studies within the growing areas of accounting and professional services.
Graduating with this degree keeps all your options to the various employment opportunities open, whilst still maintaining a high level of financial and management acumen.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
This course provides you with flexibility both, in your choice of modules to match your interests and career aspirations, and in the length of time over which the course can be completed. Accreditation from previous relevant programmes of study may allow you to progress more rapidly to the final level of the course. The Course Committee encourages interest from mature students who have shown an aptitude for the advanced study of accounting and management.
The course is academically rigorous and includes a variety of different disciplines which place accounting in a wider business and management context. You will develop analytical and problem solving skills, through the study of the theory and practice of accounting and management. Resultingly, you will become more confident with the challenges of a changing accounting and management environment. Opportunities to acquire these skills are provided through independent research, group learning situations, practical application, in class-based activities, computer lab work, and skills workshops.
Upon success in the course, you will have the opportunity to continue your studies at postgraduate level or to pursue further professional accounting qualifications.
The programme is delivered over an academic year (September - June) part-time, through lectures, seminars and independent study. When possible, all part-time modules on this course will be delivered in the evening but there is flexibility to take modules during the day with the full-time students..
Learning and Teaching Methods may include: lectures, tutorials, seminars, case studies, experiential learning, guest speakers, practitioner master classes, workshops, directed and independent study, computer assisted learning including contemporary interactive learning technology to help enhance your learning.
Assessment Methods may include:examinations, class tests, completion of worksheets, reflective logs, portfolios, critiques, reports, subject-specific essays and oral presentations, using both individual and group projects, and interactive technology.
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:
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, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses 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. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. 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 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 assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
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, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. 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. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
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.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Over 80% of our teaching staff hold Fellowship of Advance HE (previously Higher Education Academy).
The majority of our accounting lecturers have professional qualifications and previous experience in professional practice and/or commercial business.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) 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 and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - 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 2022-2023.
The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.
High quality apartment living in Belfast city centre adjacent to the university campus.
Find out more - information about accommodation
At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
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.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
Introductory accounting provides the student with an understanding of the concepts underpinning financial reporting for sole traders and partnerships.
Year: 1
Status: C
Principles of Financial Accounting provides the student with an introduction to the concepts underpinning corporate financial reporting for single companies and simple groups of companies. This provides students with the foundations required for further study in Financial Accounting module.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides students with an introduction to the principles of management accounting. It examines the role of the management accountant within an organisation and how management accounting information contributes to making judgements and decisions. The module focuses primarily on the theory and practice of cost accounting and introduces students to various cost accounting concepts, techniques and processes. It provides a firm foundation for further study in the area of management accounting.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides students with an opportunity to consider, reflect on, and develop key skills that will provide a strong basis for successful study in higher education and in their future professional life. It provides opportunities to consider personal strengths and learning styles, and develop strategies to maximise their learning potential.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides the student with a solid understanding of information management principles, applications and value in modern organisations. Particular attention is awarded to technological tools and business process improvement techniques. The opportunity to construct a simple data analytics dashboard system is provided. On completion of the module students will be equipped with the skills necessary to join the workforce having an appreciation of the own personal information management skills and an understanding of the roles/skills required in a sustainable learning organisation.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts and applications of economics as they affect individuals, firms and governments, as well as the policy decisions taken in industry, commerce, and local government. An emphasis will be placed on the application of economics to the world around us.
Year: 2
Status: C
Having completed this module the student will be able to: understand the role of the management accountant and how this contributes to the achievement of organisational objectives; understand the role of modern management accounting practices which enable organisations to develop and assess performance; and apply appropriate management decision tools to a specified range of scenarios.
Year: 2
Status: C
Understanding the diverse career options within Accounting and Finance is essential if students are to understand and develop the skills and attributes that employers across different markets are seeking. This module aims to engage students in their own employability development as well as aid their understanding of what recruiting employers look for and in particular why they look for specific attributes.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module introduces the student to the conceptual and theoretical fundamentals of business risk management combined with the processes surrounding risk management in both the private and public sector organisations. It identifies the skills that a professional services accountant must have and how best to utilise those skills in today's challenging business environment.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module introduces students to basic legal structures, principles and concepts relevant to business and the business environment in the United Kingdom (with a particular emphasis on Northern Ireland). It also enables them to acquire certain skills, such as those of instant recall, analysis, argumentation and articulation, which will prove useful in their work as business professionals.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module introduces students to finance decision making for individuals and small to medium sized national companies. Within the personal finance part of the course students will study the financial lifecycle, the financial plan and the main personal finance decisions (debt, savings, investments, insurance, mortgages and pensions). Within the business finance element of the module students will study the role of business finance, ethics in financial decision making, the influence of the environment on financial decision-making, the time value of money, capital investment appraisal, working capital management and sources of short and medium-term finance, and cost of capital.
Year: 3
Status: C
Financial accounting provides the student with an understanding of the concepts underpinning corporate financial reporting for single companies and groups of companies. The role of financial accounting regulation, particularly International Financial Reporting Standards is examined and students are provided with the skills to apply these to practical examples.
Year: 3
Status: C
The module informs and equips students to effectively respond to the governance challenges organisations face today. The module aims to investigate the key components for securing the highest standards of effective corporate governance.
Status: O
Year: 3
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 business environment.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module is concerned with exploring why differences in structure and design exist across organisations. It considers ways of describing, analysing, classifying and differentiating organisations and the factors that cause this differentiation.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module explores the changing nature of HRM and people management and development in organisation. The impact of changes within the economy, in demographics, in legislation and advances in technology will be considered. Taking a broadly employee life-cycle approach the module covers the core functional areas of HRM to include recruitment and selection; equality, diversity and inclusion; learning and development in organisations; performance management; pay and reward; the employment relationship and employee engagement; and employee health and well-being: the topics are presented via a HRM lens but the importance of their understanding for aspiring line managers is emphasised.
Year: 4
Status: C
An important role of management accounting is to present accounting information to facilitate decision making, planning, control and performance measurement. The module will develop further the students' appreciation of management accounting. This will involve the in-depth study and critical appraisal of advanced practices and theories of the discipline.
Year: 4
Status: C
Corporate Financial Reporting provides the student with an understanding of both accounting theory and the practical application of international financial reporting standards.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
Public sector accounting analyses organisational structures and management control in central government, local authorities and National Health Service. This module will introduce students to the financial accounting and management accounting techniques and methods within public sector. The module also provides an insight into the nature of recent managerial and accounting reforms within public sector organisations.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
A knowledge of taxation is essential to students intending to pursue a career in accounting and is an essential part of most financial and economic decision making. This module provides a fundamental undertaking of the main aspects of the UK tax system covering personal, business taxation, corporation tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax as well as an understanding of the administration of the self-assessment system.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
This module examines some of the fundamental concepts underpinning managerial finance, including agency theory, EMH, theories on capital structure and dividend policy. The module focuses on financial management decision-making in large companies that interact with the capital markets and have an international presence.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
The module introduces the concept of strategic business planning. With the dynamic business environment and the requirement for enterprise development to be linked to strategic management architecture, there is a need to enhance the level of understanding and competency in business planning.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
This module allows students to combine their understanding of accounting, finance and governance structures, with the evidence gathering, investigative techniques, and report writing skills necessary to be a forensic accountant.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
Total Quality Management is a holistic approach to managing organisations, which focuses on continual improvement in all areas, achieved by the active involvement and participation of all employees. At its core are the processes involving customer/supplier chains, supported by the 'hard' elements of Teams, Systems, and Tools, interwoven with the 'soft' elements of Culture, Commitment, and Communication, all combined into an effective whole.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
This module should assist students in the analysis of contemporary developments affecting the role of supply chain management and should enable them to develop and manage supply chain strategies to meet corporate objectives. Topics to be covered include the evolution of purchasing and supply management; supply chain strategies and achieving strategic fit; supply chain drivers; e-commerce and the supply chain; outsourcing; supply chain relationships and supply chain dynamics.
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.
In this section
BCC
Overall BTEC Level 3 QCF Extended Diploma with profile DDM in a relevant subject.
OR
BTEC Level 3 RQF National Extended Diploma with profile DMM in a relevant subject.
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard (provided subject requirements are met). Examples of combinations include:
A levels with BTEC Level 3 QCF Subsidiary Diploma or BTEC RQF National Extended Certificate
A level with BTEC Level 3 QCF Diploma or BTEC Level 3 RQF National Diploma.
For further information on the entry requirements for this course please contact the administrator as listed in Contact details.
104 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of four subjects at Higher level and one subject at Ordinary level. The overall profile must include English and Mathematics minimum H6 at Higher Level or Grade O4 at Ordinary Level.
Overall Access overall Access profile of 60% to include NICATs Maths.
GCSE Profile to include Mathematics with a minimum grade C/4.
GCSE Profile to include English Language with a minimum grade C/4
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.
Applicants without formal academic qualifications may be admitted if they can demonstrate their ability to complete the programme through accreditation of prior experiential learning.
Students enter this course in year A (level four). However applicants who provide evidence of previous relevant successful study may be considered for entry to year B (level five) of the course.
Transfer will normally be admitted with exemptions. There is a facility for transfer to other undergraduate degree courses depending upon the nature of the subject matter of the other degrees and academic achievement.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
There is a considerable demand for accountants and managers in business, industry and the public services. This degree will provide you with an excellent basis for pursuing a professional qualification with one of the accountancy and management 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.
Accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales (ICAEW) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
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.
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI Cost | GB Cost | International Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | £4,710 | £9,249.60 | £15,840 |
| 60 | £2,355 | £4,624.80 | £7,920 |
| 30 | £1,177.50 | £2,312.40 | £3,960 |
| 20 | £785 | £1,541.60 | £2,640 |
NB: A standard full-time undergraduate degree is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
*Please note our on campus part-time postgraduate courses are not open to international (non-EU) students.
The programme shares a number of modular prizes with the full-time BSc Hons Accounting (Pathways) programme.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. 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 Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
“Having studied at many other institutions at home and abroad and experienced a variety of higher educational offerings and environments, returning to study part-time at Ulster University proved to be an excellent choice. Both personally and academically, the University has provided excellent standards of education throughout my course and has been an amazing experience for many reasons. The staff and supported learning network are second to none, including the accessibility of a multitude of study resources and learning materials, as well as the easy availability of added study support and guidance directly from teaching staff. The state-of-the-art library and other wide-ranging facilities & amenities across the campus, the diverse network of alumni and the variety of learning activities and opportunities available, all provide a thoroughly enriching environment for encouraging academic excellence.”
Robert McErlane (Final year student 2023, Finance Business Partner at National Museums NI)
“I was nervous about enrolling back into studying after so long away from it, but at Ulster University I had nothing to worry about at all. Working full-time and having a family, the part-time BSc Accounting with Management degree provided me the opportunity to complete my studies in a manageable way. The course was extremely interesting and enjoyable. It provided me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to further develop and progress my career. The lecturers were incredibly helpful, approachable and understanding throughout, and made my journey and learning experience both enjoyable and interesting. My time at Ulster University was amazing. I met fantastic people, friends and lecturers, and I would have no hesitation in recommending the BSc Hons Accounting with Management programme.”
Fiona Rooney (Graduated in July 2022 with a First Class Honours, Pinnacle Growth Group)
