A dynamic degree leading to a professional career in the fields of Accounting and/or Marketing.
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.
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 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:
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
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.
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.
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 near the start date and may be subject to 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 of attendance will often 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 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 Masters 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 via one method or a combination e.g. examination and coursework . 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 four learning outcomes, and no more than two 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 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 Masters 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 Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.
The Department of Global Business and Enterprise has strong ties with the major professional accountancy and taxation bodies including:
All accounting staff in the department are members of professional accountancy bodies with a number of lecturers also having obtained additional qualifications in areas such as taxation and financial services. Many staff have trained and worked in the Big Four professional services firms as well as having experience advising within small and medium sized practices and in industry.
All lecturing staff within the Department of Global Business and Enterprise are Fellows/Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.
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 (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
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) by Advanced 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 2021-2022.
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
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.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module is designed to equip students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts of management and cognate topics, including the business environment, business ethics, motivation, problem solving and decision making, planning, organisational structure, leadership, 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.
Year: 1
Status: C
The transition to university can be challenging for students as endeavour to meet many expectations. This module is designed to facilitate that transition and to the set students on a solid path to success as a student, a graduate and a citizen. The module is designed to be both developmental and supportive to students entering first year so that they can better understand and develop their academic, personal, and professional potential.
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.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
Digital technologies for accounting and finance have advanced rapidly. Digital accounting has a major impact on how organisations collect, process, control and analyse accounting and financial data. This module offers students an opportunity to evaluate different digital accounting software packages for the purpose of ensuring they meet an organisation's needs.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This module provides a student with an introduction to the discipline of managerial finance and an understanding of key financial decisions, and their implications, commonly considered by organisations. The module is concerned with the integrative nature of corporate decisions related to financial, economic and investment performance of a business relevant to corporate financial management. The module enables students to understand the key principles of financial management affecting business operations and undertake investment appraisal.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This module provides students with an overview of the UK financial system. The module develops students' knowledge and understanding of key financial institutions, markets, securities and investments.
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.
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.
Year: 2
Status: C
Increasingly employers are looking for graduates who cannot only demonstrate their academic capabilities, but perhaps more importantly, who can demonstrate their professional credibility. In response to employer expectations and the graduate skills gaps, this module will serve to support the student's personal and professional development and facilitate their journey towards career readiness.
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: 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.
Status: O
Year: 2
This module is optional
Managerial Finance in an international context, Foreign Direct Investment, Foreign Currency Management, Business Valuation Issues, Interest Rate Risk Management, Corporate Restructuring, Takeovers, Dividend Policy, Market Based Accounting Research, Business mathematics. Issues in personal finance, financial planning, financial life cycle, personal financial investment and ethics.
Status: O
Year: 2
This module is optional
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.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module explores the complexity of forces that underpin the global 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 global marketing environment.
Status: O
Year: 3
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.
Status: O
Year: 3
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.
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 the audit of economic sustainable profit and non profit organisations.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
Sustainability reporting is critical for businesses to measure performance and to meet stakeholders demands for broader information on a business's environmental, social, and governance activities. Capturing, recording, measuring and communicating sustainability information is essential in a dynamic business environment. Good corporate governance leads to high quality sustainability reporting. This module develops the students' appreciation of sustainability reporting and the corporate governance that leads it.
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.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
The Diploma in International Academic Studies complements and extends the student's programme of study and provides the opportunity for each student to pursue specific learning objectives by studying in a different cultural and educational environment. It is a key facilitator in support global and cultural awareness and creating graduates who are ready to embrace international career opportunities more effectively.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module develops the skills and knowledge required to enable strategic decision making for the management of digital channels, and the knowledge to understand the customer journey and the desired customer experience.
Year: 4
Status: C
Customer loyalty, customer experience and customer insight are core to achieving optimum satisfaction and retention. This module will provide students with an understanding of how to gain and interpret the customer insights required to make strategic business decisions. Students will develop their knowledge around customers complex needs and wants, crucial to business success today.
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
Grades CCC
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
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade C
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite)
Award profile of MM plus A Level Grade C
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of M plus A Level Grades CC
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate (2016 Suite)
Award profile of M plus A Level Grades CC
96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Grades CCCCC
English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.
Grades DDD
English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.
Overall profile is minimum 24 points (including 12 at higher level)
Overall profile of 55% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)
To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.
Overall profile of 45 credits at merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.
For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, (or equivalent).
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Maths.
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.
Acceptable alternative qualifications include:
Pass HND with overall Merit to include 15 distinctions in level 5 credits.
Pass HNC with overall Merit to include 45 distinctions in level 4 credits.
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University.
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.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
Graduates are well placed for an accounting, marketing or 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.
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.
Accredited by Chartered Accountants Ireland for the purpose of exemption from some professional exams.
Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions 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.
2024/25 Fees
Fees for entry in 2024/25 have not yet been set. See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2023/24 entry.
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.
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.
