BSc Business Accounting with Industrial/Professional Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

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Why study Business Accounting at Alliance MBS?

BSc Business Accounting with Industrial/Professional Experience is a collaboration between The University of Manchester, PwC, and the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).

It combines academic study, integrated professional work placements, and progress towards the ICAEW Chartered Accountancy qualification, the ACA.

Special features

The course's unique structure enables you to put classroom theory into commercial practice during your work placement in PwC's Audit department and then relate your practical experience back to your studies.

Throughout your time on the course, you will be supported by a network of dedicated staff at Alliance MBS, PwC and the ICAEW. In addition, you receive further support including:

  • three paid work placements at a competitive starting salary;
  • accommodation on work placement where needed;
  • core learning material free of charge;
  • technical skills training during your work placement.

Teaching and learning

You will normally study four or five course units per semester.

Each week there are usually two hours of lectures for each course unit and a one-hour workshop in alternate weeks, although this varies slightly.

You are expected to double this in private study.

Group work and group or individual presentations will form a regular part of your assignments.

Coursework and assessment

Essays, multiple choice tests, project reports and presentations, in-class tests, and weekly assignments constitute the coursework component of assessment, although the nature and proportion of coursework varies across course units.

The remainder of assessment is by unseen examination.

In your final year you will complete a research-based project.

We aim to strike a balance between examinations and assessed coursework as well as providing opportunities for feedback on progress through non-assessed work.

Course unit details

BSc Business Accounting is a collaboration between The University of Manchester, PwC, and ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).

This is a unique and innovative course that combines academic study, integrated professional work placements, and accelerated progress towards ICAEW Chartered Accountancy status.

The degree course structure enables you to benefit from research-led academic teaching and practical professional accountancy experience during your paid placements with PwC.

Along the way you will qualify for accreditation for all the Certificate and Professional stage papers in ICAEW's Associate Chartered Accountant qualification.

Course content for year 1

This is a full year at university so you can enjoy student life, gain a solid understanding of the principles of accounting, and start to develop professional skills. During this year you will liaise with PwC to decide on the location for your placement from year two onwards.

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Financial Reporting BMAN10501 10 Mandatory
Introductory Management Accounting BMAN10512 10 Mandatory
Financial Decision Making M BMAN10522M 10 Mandatory
Quantitative Methods for Accounting and Finance BMAN10750 20 Mandatory
Auditing & Professional Accounting Practice I BMAN10760 20 Mandatory
Law for Accountants BMAN11110 20 Mandatory
Principles of Taxation BMAN11171 10 Mandatory
Microeconomics 1 ECON10221 10 Mandatory
Macroeconomics 1 ECON10252 10 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

Your second year is a combination of study and work placement. You will study from September until March, after which you will work at PwC with real clients, applying the knowledge you have gained on the programme.

You will study 80 credits of course units in your second year. Your 18-week placement at PwC from April to July will account for the remaining 40 credits. (120 credits in total).

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Financial Statement Analysis BMAN20081 10 Mandatory
Financial Reporting and Accountability BMAN21020B 20 Mandatory
Foundations of Finance C BMAN23000C 20 Mandatory
Principles of Taxation BMAN24111 10 Mandatory
Business Strategy BMAN24641 10 Mandatory
Tax Compliance BMAN24740 10 Mandatory

Course content for year 3

This is a further year that combines study and work placement. You will study from September until March, when you leave to take on more challenging roles at PwC and undertake more complex projects. Your studies in this year will help you complete further ICAEW accreditations.

Course content for year 4

In your final year you will have a block of study in the first term and the third placement will start in January. This final placement provides the opportunity to develop professional, planning, and management skills.

You will work on a research project whilst on placement, and submit this after your placement ends.

Course units for year 4

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Intermediate Managment Accounting BMAN21040B 20 Mandatory
Financial Derivatives BMAN30091 10 Mandatory
Financial Analysis of Corporate Performance BMAN31000B 40 Mandatory
Advanced Financial Reporting BMAN32190 20 Mandatory
Business Planning Tax BMAN32210 20 Mandatory
Share Prices and Accounting Information BMAN30071 10 Optional
Accountability and Auditing BMAN30131 10 Optional
Corporate Governance in Context BMAN30211 10 Optional
Human Resource Strategy and Practice BMAN31901 20 Optional
People Management and Change BMAN32091 10 Optional

Facilities

Resources

John Rylands University Library is renowned as one of the most extensive libraries in the world.

This is complemented by our specialist business and management Eddie Davies Library which provides a dedicated service to Alliance Manchester Business School undergraduates.

There is increasing provision of information via various web-based services and much of your reading material will be available through e-journals.

These and other standard computing services, such as access to the internet and word processing, are available through computer clusters across campus in departmental buildings, libraries and halls of residence.

Many buildings in and around the campus are also equipped with free Wi-Fi access.

Personal development plans

PDPs are aimed at helping you develop awareness of generic transferable and subject-specific skills, improve independent learning and provide a record of your academic learning and achievement.

Academic advisors

All new Alliance Manchester Business School students are allocated an academic advisor who you will meet in regular sessions as part of a first-year course unit.

Where possible, you will keep the same academic advisor throughout your time here.

Your advisor will support you throughout your studies on matters of an academic nature, from providing feedback on a practice essay in preparation for your 'formal' assessment at the end of each semester to discussing your PDP or writing you a reference.

We also have a dedicated undergraduate assessment and student support centre within the School, who will be your first point of contact for any ill health or other personal problems which are affecting your work.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk