Course Catalogue

The specific aims of the Accounting and Finance degree programme are to enable the student to:
1. Undertake a rigorous study of the theories and techniques related to accounting and financial management,
2. Acquire and develop the practical skills that are essential within an accounting and financial environment,
3. Define a course of study in accounting, finance and related subject areas that reflects their particular interests,
4. Develop the personal and key skills that will improve their ability to work effectively on their own and within teams, and to be able to meet the challenges of working in a changing environment,
5. Prepare either for a career in accounting, finance and related business disciplines or for further relevant
academic study.
6. Engage with the development of employability skills by completing a self-awareness statement.

Acquisition of knowledge is through lectures, workshops, seminars and online VLE content. Within workshops and seminars the use of individual exercises, group based work, case study work and IT based work is utilised. The use of online VLE content is used to further reinforce knowledge and understanding. Throughout the programme, students are encouraged to undertake independent reading both to supplement and consolidate what is being taught and to broaden their individual knowledge and understanding. The use of online VLE content is used to further reinforce knowledge and understanding and consolidate learning. Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen written examinations and assessed courseworks. There is a mix of courseworks across the programme which include: reports, portfolio, presentations, IT-based coursework and in-class tests. Throughout the programme teaching involves group discussions, case study work and scenario based work which are specifically designed to encourage students to think critically, to consider alternative points of view and to apply knowledge. Unseen written examinations and courseworks are designed to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their intellectual skills. These assessments will also allow students to demonstrate their individual wider reading and research application. The acquisition of practical skills will be developed within individual modules via workshop, seminar and online VLE activities. Transferrable skills will be developed throughout the programme. The programme will provide students the opportunity to develop a range of skills and attributes appropriate for a career within accounting and finance. Transferrable skills will be assessed through a number of modules. The nature of the discipline will mean that students will have to deal with complex information within assessments. This information will often be numerical in nature with students applying the correct problem solving techniques to achieve the learning outcome. Oral presentations will also play an integral role across a number of modules. Formative assessment will be used to encourage students "to think on their feet" and evaluate performance. Summative assessments will further develop and enhance skills in research and IT application.

Work-related learning (WRL) comprises four elements: 1. Learning about oneself 2. Learning and practising skills 3. Experiencing the world of work 4. Experiencing and learning how to manage oneself in a range of situations These are addressed within the programme by both the continuing development of graduate skills that are embedded within the programme, by campus-based WRL and by offering opportunities for off-campus WRL. The programme also delivers campus-based WRL through several modules. For example, at Level 4, 4103LBSAF Academic & Professional Awareness will expose students to skill development appropriate within accounting and finance and will provide students with opportunities to network with employers/professional accounting bodies. At Level 5 the 5103LBSAF Data Analysis for Accounting and Finance module will provide students with practical skills that are expected within the profession and the 5104LBSAF Developing Employability module provides students with opportunities to practice 'real-world' work related recruitment practice. At Level 6 module 6103LBSAF Contemporary Issues in Accounting and Finance will provide students with opportunities to identify and evaluate new and innovative topics within the industry and 6107LBSAF Financial Modelling and Valuation will provide students with the opportunity to prepare and present a pitch book. This is industry practice when advising client organisations. Students on the programme also have the opportunity to experience the world of work (off-campus WRL) via the Accounting and Finance Optional Sandwich Placement Year. Students who take the option of the placement year in a full-time job in industry for a minimum of 48 weeks in an accounting/finance role. They enter in to a learning agreement between themselves, their employer and LBS concerning their personal and professional skill development. Students complete regular learning logs which are assessed by both their LBS and workplace supervisors.