International Finance and Accounting BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Two computer screens showing data graphs and coding

Study an ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW accredited degree course with employability skills at the heart of its modules.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
5 years part-time (UK only)

Course code

NN3L

Start date

September 2024
January 2025 - condensed

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

This course may appeal to you if you're interested in becoming a chartered accountant, working at a financial organisation or working in the finance department of any business or public-sector body.

The course gives you opportunities to:

Build an understanding of the international finance sector through specialist modules, such as financial reporting, auditing, tax, financial management, business law and financial investment.
Develop professional and managerial skills from as early as your first year.
Gain exemption from certain ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW exams¹.
Examine international case studies to gain a global perspective on finance management.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

Icon of human figure in front of whiteboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

This highly practical course is designed to make the most of the bustling financial district surrounding the campus. Our lecturers work hard to organise guest lectures, field trips and opportunities for networking with employers².
You’ll be taught by tutors with superb international experience, who will draw on their research and backgrounds in industry to enhance your learning.
You will learn how to use the industry-standard software and databases that are available on campus.
There may be opportunities to complete internships, consultancy projects and simulations².

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

This course is accredited¹ by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the 2023/24 intake. If the accreditation of this course and/or the modules changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

This course is accredited¹ by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the 2023/24 intake. If the accreditation of this course and/or the modules changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

This course is accredited¹ by Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for the 2023/24 intake. If the accreditation of this course and/or the modules changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Exemptions

Please note that this course offers certain exemptions from professional ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW exams, upon successful completion of the course and subject to certain criteria, application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional fees. Please visit the relevant websites for further information.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA);

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA);

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW);

What you'll study

Your first year will introduce you to how money and value fit into business processes. You’ll explore the impact of business on wider society, looking at economics and legal and regulatory frameworks. In your first accountancy modules, you should also take your first steps in learning how to ‘account’ for money. From as early as year one, you should begin developing your professional and managerial skills.

Modules

Introduction to Economics - 20 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the core concepts of economics. The module considers microeconomics, whereby economic decisions are made at the individual level, and macroeconomics, a branch of economics where decision making occurs at the economy level. In microeconomics, you will be encouraged to use the fundamental model of demand and supply to explore how the economy works. You should also gain a better understanding of elasticity, market structures and market failures, as well as the economic environment and its policy implications.

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Academic Skills - 20 credits

This module aims to introduce and develop the skills you will need for success on your course and in your potential professional career. These include some of the essential underlying personal and information handling skills, numerical techniques and basic mathematical and statistical foundations required by all students studying in a business school. The module also aims to develop your critical awareness of your developmental needs.

Compulsory

Introduction to Financial Accounting - 20 credits

Corporate and Business Law - 20 credits

Business and Technology - 20 credits

This module aims to develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of the role of managers in an effective, efficient, safe and secure accounting environment, in the modern digital world. This includes the coordination of work activities, the maintenance of an effective accounting system, people management, personal effectiveness, health and safety and security issues within the workplace.

Compulsory

Introduction to Management Accounting - 20 credits

In your second year, you will have the opportunity to study the core subjects in greater detail and will learn to analyse, critically evaluate and present key information. Key study themes include how accounting informs, supports and measures business strategy, including balancing investment with risk. You will examine the ethical and regulatory frameworks governing finance, including taxation, and take part in hands-on exercises to explore how money is moved and traded around the world.

Modules

Financial Reporting and Analysis - 20 credits

This module builds on the financial accounting fundamentals developed in year one, and aims to introduce the international regulatory framework which governs the production of published financial statements of companies. It also aims to enable you to interpret these financial statements and become aware of their inherent limitations, as well as introducing accounting for simple groups of companies.

Compulsory

International Business Strategy - 20 credits

The module aims to help you understand various strategic tools to evaluate corporate performance. You will explore the way key business decisions are influenced by, and in turn influence, the financial status of the organisation. Empirical case studies will be introduced and utilised during seminars, for you to explore business strategies in a global context. Different theoretical approaches will be taught to enhance your understanding and learning outcomes.

Compulsory

Corporate Financial Management - 20 credits

The overall aims of this module are to make you aware of the scope and nature of the corporate finance function, to understand the source of capital, cost of capital and its possible return, as well as related risk. At the end of the module, you should be able to assess situations, collect data, and analyse the historical performance of a corporation, to work out appropriate logical solutions.

Compulsory

Performance Management - 20 credits

This module investigates how relevant accounting techniques can assist managers to control the performance of their businesses. Management accounting is presented as a service function; a means to an end rather than an end itself. The module aims to help you understand the various accounting performance evaluation techniques and teaches you to apply these to business situations, while remaining aware of their limitations.

Compulsory

Principles of Taxation - 20 credits

The aims of this module are to enable you to develop knowledge and understanding in the core areas of tax, as it relates to business. You will learn how to prepare simple tax computations for individuals and companies. You will also develop an understanding of the UK tax system, application of the principles of UK taxation to individuals and businesses and the ability to work with tax calculations and present that information to relevant individuals and organisations.

Compulsory

Financial Markets and Regulation - 20 credits

This module aims to introduce you to the various roles of financial institutions and markets, together with their regulation and ethics. You will explore the structure of financial markets such as a primary market, a secondary market, and a money market, as well as the main financial risks. Furthermore, this module is expected to provide you with a theoretical framework, which can be used to assess the rationale for financial regulation in general.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

UK Work Placement– 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

You’ll go into year three either straight after successfully completing year two, or after you have successfully completed your year in industry or study abroad (subject to successfully securing a place). In your final year, you’ll be encouraged to take a more high-level approach to finance. You’ll also have the chance to strengthen your research skills as you prepare for your final major project, which you will choose from a range of options.

Modules

Research Methods and Business Data Analytics - 20 credits

This module aims to prepare students to be successful in your final-term internship project, report or dissertation, as well as in your future finance, accounting and business-related research assignments. You will learn what makes a successful research project, with particular emphasis on how to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. It also intends to expand your competencies in key areas, including the development of pertinent research questions and objectives, the selection of appropriate statistical tools, and further development of your analytical and independent reflective learning skills.

Compulsory

International Corporate Reporting - 20 credits

This module builds on the financial accounting and reporting techniques covered in the second year 'Financial Reporting and Analysis' module. Its detailed aims are to ensure you understand and are able to apply the main provisions of international accounting standards, and that you are able to prepare financial statements for various business combinations.

Compulsory

Financial Investment and Risk - 20 credits

This module intends to provide you with an understanding of the principles of financial investment, including the potential return and related risks. It aims to equip you with financial skills through the use of Excel-based introductory financial modelling, capital budgeting and portfolio management.

Compulsory

Optional Modules

Choose one from the following modules (subject to availability):

Venture Capital & Private Equity - 20 credits

This module aims to provide you with a systematic and in-depth understanding of the workings of Venture Capital (VC) funds, Leveraged Buy Out (LBO) funds and the Private Equity (PE) industry. It will explain the origins, history and development of PE and VC, their participants, structure, and the different types of transactions. You will have the chance to gain knowledge of the business planning process, fundraising process, investment process and different methods of creating value. The latest trends, current developments and issues in the industry will be covered.

Audit and Assurance in Practice - 20 credits

This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of external and internal auditing and assurance in the context of both the UK and international regulatory frameworks. It provides you with an understanding of the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding auditing.

Optional

Final Project

Choose from one of these final projects:

Dissertation AFE - 40 credits

The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a significant piece of written work on a topic appropriate to their field of study.You will undertake a substantive piece of research, where they will use their knowledge and experience to focus on a specialist area.

Internship Project AFE² - 40 credits

This project will provide you with an opportunity to undertake an internship and accompanying piece of research, which will contribute to your research skills development and extend their experience in the fields of Accounting, Finance or Economics. The project will need to be based on a topic relevant to the internship employer context and approved by your supervisor.

Simulation AFE - 20 credits

The Simulation module is an action-based learning module, in which you have the opportunity to act as professionals in the fields of accounting, finance and economics, in a simulated business environment. You will be required to make business decisions which you will see the results of in real time, in a highly competitive environment, over several rounds of simulation.

Optional

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

The course is crafted very well regarding the subjects; you get to learn almost every single aspect of accounting and you are even introduced to law! I feel like almost everything we have been learning is going to be used in the future, and after studying for three years you will definitely feel like you have been learning things, rather than just 'going' to university.
Gabija Dubickaite, International Finance and Accounting BA graduate, quoted in 2021

How you'll learn

This course uses a mixture of asynchronous and synchronous teaching. Asynchronous teaching is where you watch pre-recorded lessons or do different activities to help you understand the content in more depth. Synchronous teaching is your opportunity to join a group of fellow students and, with the help of your lecturers, apply any knowledge you learned from practical exercises.

Part-time study

The course can also be offered on a part-time basis. Part-time teaching arrangements vary, as they are tailored for each course, each year. Please contact enrolment.london@coventry.ac.uk for more information about studying this course part-time.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.

Teaching contact hours

You will typically receive around 13 hours of contact teaching per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group sessions, and online classes. You will also be expected to spend around 42 hours per week conducting self-directed study.

The university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/24 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

The course follows the university’s assessment strategy and includes a variety of types of assessments. Assessment methods include formal examinations, coursework, reports, essays, group work and presentations. The sequence of assessments within and across modules, semesters and years allows you to gain the necessary skills to succeed and build on what you have previously learned.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

This course is designed to be taught from a global perspective, which is of major importance because economies are interconnected and financial services organisations either trade internationally, or are impacted by what happens in the wider world.

The course offers a range of opportunities for international travel². You could go on a field trip to visit institutions in another country or take a sandwich year to work or study overseas. You could also arrange an overseas internship in your final term².

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	120
A level	BBB
GCSE	Minimum 5 GCSEs at 4 / C or above including English and Mathematics
BTEC	DDM
IB Diploma	27 points
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Accounting and Finance will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 (or an equivalent language test).

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,250 per year	Request fee information
EU	£9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£16,800 per year	Not available

If you choose to do a work placement², you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee³ of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Fees and Finance page.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Additional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

We have a range of facilities⁴ available to support our students in putting the theories you are taught into practice.

Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you.

Bloomberg Trading Floor

Our Trading Floor has been created to reflect the environment where traders work on the London Stock Exchange. It contains Bloomberg Terminals, which provide access to real-time global financial data, which students learn how to use through teaching and simulated projects.

female delivering a presentation holding a laptop

Standard & Poor Market Intelligence Suite (S&P)

The S&P Suite contains some of the same software used by Wall Street. Its databases and tools can help you track performance, identify investment ideas, and keep up with industry news and insights.

recruitment session two ladies and one man

The Talent Team

Need employability support? Our dedicated Talent Team are on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

Careers and opportunities

On graduating you should:

Be familiar with problem-solving and decision-making, and should have an understanding of how to balance risk and investment.
Be prepared to sit additional ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW exams, if desired.
Be equipped for a career beyond accounting. The financial acumen, business skills and global outlook you’ll have begun to develop could be a superb foundation for a career in any professional or management role.

On graduating, you should be ready to take the first steps into a high-flying accounting, finance or business career.

You’ll have had the opportunity to gain a wide range of softer skills, such as teamwork and communication, which will be highly transferable across all industries and employers.

Where our graduates work

Graduates of this course have gone on to become chartered accountants and work in big four accounting firms such as PwC, Deloitte and KPMG. We also have alumni working in investment banking and in finance departments in a range of companies, spanning many industries.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University London with the Professional Accounting MSc, Global Finance MSc or Global Financial Services MBA.

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees, if you decide to progress from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

The course is rich in financial and accounting knowledge, touching on current events and situations in the international world of finance. Although I already had some experience in accounting, the course has really helped to build up my confidence and I feel ready for the job market. The rooms at the campus have the latest technology (Bloomberg Terminals), which is useful for those who want to have a career in the financial market.
Elie Fofana, International Finance and Accounting BA (Hons) graduate, quoted in 2021

How to apply

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 024 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form.

International students

International codes:
LONU053

Full-time and part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree, view our International Hub.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2023/2024 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2024/25 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.