Year 1
Compulsory modules

Intro to Accounting I

You’ll be introduced to the nature, purpose and conceptual foundations of accounting, including both financial and management accounting. You’ll also prepare and interpret management accounting information for planning, decision making and control in a variety of business scenarios.
This module will enable you to work productively as part of a diverse team to develop skills in intercultural understanding. You’ll also gain the skills needed to collect, classify and record financial information, and you’ll also be able to present this data in the form of accounts for small businesses and companies.

Macroeconomics I

In this module, you will learn about the fundamentals of macroeconomics. You will cover key areas such as consumption, investment, savings, taxation, and the foreign sector. You will gain an understanding of how these variables relate to each other and how they impact the economy. Throughout the module, you will use real-world situations to illustrate the relevance of macroeconomics to your life as a student. You will develop the skills necessary to analyse and evaluate government policies on economic issues, identify the strengths and weaknesses of market economies, and prepare an argument and analysis of a particular macroeconomic event or change.

By the end of this module, you should have a solid understanding of macroeconomic theory and its real-world applications. You will be able to analyse and evaluate economic policies and their impact on the economy, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of market economies as a mechanism of resource allocation.

Microeconomics I

This module on microeconomic analysis will introduce you to economic models and analytical methods of reasoning. Through diagrammatic and mathematical models, you'll explore consumer and producer behaviour and learn to recognise relationships between economic variables. You will learn to recognise relationships between economic variables and present these relationships diagrammatically, as well as interpret market data and apply it to real-world scenarios.

By the end of the module, you will have a comprehensive understanding of microeconomic principles and be able to apply these principles to real-world situations, as well as evaluate economic policies using the analytical tools and models that you have learned. In addition to developing your academic literacy and research literacy skills, you'll grow skills in self-management, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Mathematics for Economics and Finance

This module will provide you with foundational mathematical techniques that are essential in the fields of economics and business. You will learn how to perform algebraic operations, solve systems of equations, and work with quadratic functions. Additionally, you will acquire the ability to differentiate multivariable functions and to analyse functional relationships using mathematical tools.

Through this module, you will develop problem-solving skills, self-management, communication, and learning abilities. By the end of this module, you will have gained proficiency in the application of mathematical techniques and a deeper understanding of how they are used in finance and optimization within the context of economics, finance, and business.

Introduction to Accounting II

This module develops your earlier introductory study to accounting by deepening your specialist knowledge of financial and management accounting. You’ll develop skills in technical and practical areas, preparing you for future examination-based assessments, both for academic or professional qualifications.

Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll understand the aspects of basic business and corporate law, while also gaining the ability to prepare management accounting information in areas such as costing, budgeting and control.

Statistics for Economics, Finance and Business

This module will help you build an essential foundation in quantitative techniques for the study of business, management and economics.
You’ll get to use statistical software that can be used for business economics analysis. You study how quantitative techniques can be combined with theory to enhance the explanatory power of business economics.

You’ll get to use Excel as your main calculative software tool, building your quantitative skills, so you can estimate your own statistical results using real data. You’ll also learn how to interpret your data results and present them.

Optional modules

Business Accounting Systems

On this module, you’ll gain practical experience of using business accounting systems, and be introduced to enterprise software. You’ll also analyse accounting systems and evaluate them from the perspective of fitness for purpose, suitability of controls, and value to the user.

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop desirable transferable skills, which will be useful for employment involving business accounting systems that also includes a level of personal responsibility.

Work, Employment and Globalisation

To give you an understanding of the complex and dynamic challenges of contemporary global labour markets, you’ll explore contemporary issues about work, employment and global labour markets throughout this module. And you’ll investigate the changing nature and organisation of work, inequalities at work, migration and labour mobility, identity at work, and the digital economy. These issues will be examined using a variety of institutional, organisational and individual theoretical perspectives.

From exploring post-industrial work and society within different institutional contexts, you’ll gain a key understanding of issues of diversity and inclusion at work, while gaining the intellectual skills required to critically research and review literature.

Raising Individual Financial Awareness

In this module, you'll gain a foundational education in financial literacy and learn about personal finance issues. You'll explore the basics of saving, investment, and property, as well as income tax, National Insurance, pensions, and wills. In addition, you'll discover the role of financial institutions like the Inland Revenue, Banks, Building Societies, and the Stock Exchange. Furthermore, you'll develop skills to gather and analyse personal financial data, recommend appropriate solutions, and select strategies to manage your finance and fiscal requirements.

This module empowers you with the knowledge and skills to operate within the finance and tax framework. On successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to make informed financial decisions, manage your finances and make recommendations that align with your personal circumstances.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Financial Accounting and Reporting

Using a UK and international framework, you’ll explore contemporary financial reporting and accounting. In particular, you’ll study International Financial Reporting Standards, and apply it to a variety of accounting and finance issues, and other reporting data.

Upon successfully completing this module, you’ll have developed analytical skills needed for IT tools and digital media. You’ll also be able to use reports to appraise the financial performance, financial situation and cash position of companies.

Macroeconomics II

In this module, you will delve deeper into macroeconomic theory and policy by examining national economies and international linkages. You will analyse long and short-run macroeconomic models, fiscal and monetary policies, exchange rate policies, government debt, and currency unions. Through theoretical analysis and examination of recent economic events, you will develop a critical understanding of macroeconomic hypotheses and competing approaches. You will also enhance your problem-solving, critical thinking, and data analysis skills to apply theoretical understanding and empirical knowledge to macroeconomic policy debates.

By completing this module, you will gain critical self-awareness by assessing the impact of macroeconomic shocks and economic policies in determining key economic variables. The carefully curated learning framework will enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Microeconomics II

This intermediate module enriches the understanding of microeconomic theory built in previous modules. It covers individual consumer preferences, market demand analysis, production costs, pricing behaviour of firms, and asymmetric information. You'll apply economic theory to real-world scenarios, including issues of price and income subsidies, taxation, insurance, and asset markets. The module utilises a graphical approach to help you develop a basic understanding of general equilibrium theory. You'll learn to distinguish between issues of equity and efficiency in product markets, gaining a deeper understanding of economic policies' societal impact.

Through this module, you'll also develop self-management, learning, communication, and problem-solving skills essential to success in academic and professional settings.

Exploring and Enhancing Employability

This module will help you develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll need for making your career decisions and managing your future career development. You’ll also cover

 transitions into graduate employment
 self-employment
 further study
 professional training courses

in the UK or overseas.

You’ll be supported to take an informed and critical view of the world of work and think about your future role and responsibilities, not only to yourself but also to others. You’ll also learn about the University Careers Service and OBBS WAVES team. You’ll have the opportunity to go into placements, internships, volunteering and other extracurricular activities offered by the University.

Management Accounting

This module enriches and consolidates accounting knowledge learned in previous levels of study. You will learn advanced management accounting techniques, incorporating contemporary methodologies. You will be expected to apply these techniques to real-world scenarios and critically analyse their efficacy. You will compare and contrast varying budget-setting approaches and examine the intricate relationship between budgetary control systems and human conduct. Moreover, you will evaluate and apply performance management systems and appraisal techniques to facilitate both short-term and long-term decision-making. Additionally, you will explore diverse costing methods, assessing their differences and similarities. Finally, you will learn how to meticulously analyse and effectively communicate management accounting information to business management.

Placement Search and Preparation (only compulsory if you take the optional Year 3 work placement)

This module is designed to provide practical guidance and support in undertaking a placement search, preparing for the placement experience, and succeeding in the modern workplace. Throughout the module, you will develop critical self-awareness and personal literacy skills, enabling you to self-reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and target your placement search effectively. Additionally, you will also explore methods of effective and targeted placement search, increasing your chances of securing a placement.

In summary, this module is an essential component of your employability journey. By integrating with co-curricular activities, the module provides a holistic approach to employability, ensuring that students have a broad range of skills and experiences to draw upon in their future careers.

Optional modules

Choose 2 Optional modules from those below:

Corporate Finance

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of finance and to the finance function in a company or corporation. This will enable you to understand the sorts of decisions that are taken by financial managers along with their rationales. The content includes an explanation of the role of finance in business and the objectives of the finance function. You will examine also the decisions affecting capital structure and the cost of capital.

History of Economic Thought

This module provides an introduction to the historical development of economic ideas. In so doing it is designed to illuminate both the influence of such ideas within a variety of social and political contexts and against the background of debates in economic policy. It aims to demonstrate the variety of approaches which can be taken to the study of economic phenomena and the traditions to which they give rise.

Upon successful completion of this module you will be able to appreciate the relationship between developments in economic thought and within general society, critically evaluate the ideas of economic thinkers and appreciate the diversity of paradigms which have influenced the development of economic doctrine over time.

International Trade

You’ll be introduced to international trade and economic integration. And you’ll use partial equilibrium tools of economic analyses to analyse trade policy options and assess the welfare implications of these policies. Throughout this module, you’ll also explore the institutional arrangements of various trading blocks through reviewing multilateral and global institutions.

Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to understand the economic rationale of international trade, and the stages of economic integration, including their relevance to international negotiations. You’ll also gain problem-solving and IT skills.

International Finance

You’ll study the main forces that are shaping the international financial environment. You’ll also look at the techniques and strategies used by organisations to respond to the international financial environment when making key financial decisions.

You’ll look at:

 capital flows
 exchange rate determination
 risk management in an international context
 international investment decisions and
 the financing of international activities.

To develop your understanding of global finance and give you insight into global financial decisions that are made in today’s world.

Applied Econometrics

This module provides an introduction to the interpretation and analysis of economic data through the application of appropriate statistical and econometric methodologies. You will gain practice in applying theory and develop your skills of statistical and econometric analysis through the completion of problem sets. Practising quantitative techniques in seminars is essential in helping you to identify your learning needs and to encourage you to become critically self-aware of your relative strengths and weaknesses in relation to the acquisition of quantitative skills, a fundamental attribute of graduates in economics and finance.

On completion of the module you will have an understanding of hypothesis testing and statistical inference; the ability to conduct essential statistical analyses of data; and an understanding of regression analyses.

Introduction to Auditing Theory and Practice

This module introduces you to the entire statutory audit process from planning and risk assessment, gathering audit evidence and finishing with review and reporting. You will develop your understanding of key concepts in auditing and underpins later study of auditing in the final year. You’ll learn the process of how an audit is undertaken in the ‘professional auditing world’ through simulation activities using case studies.

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to explain the concepts of audit and assurance and functions of audit including ethics, and identify, evaluate and test the internal controls and plan an audit of financial statements accordingly.

Research in Accounting

This module underpins your final year compulsory modules. On this module you’ll acquire a solid grounding in your research methods and approaches within the accounting and finance discipline.
You’ll develop knowledge and skills across a number of key aspects of research practice and research investigation. Giving you the ability to work independently and successfully on your final year investigative, critically oriented assessments.

Independent Study

This is your opportunity for independent study on an approved topic. It will relate to your programme learning outcomes. You’ll select and discuss a relevant topic area with your Programme Lead/Subject Co-ordinator. Your independent study may involve:

 action based learning
 be based solely on desk research
 limited primary research
 group work.

And will be self directed. Through any group work you may have a specific role and responsibilities.

Year 3 (optional placement)

Optional modules

Optional Work Placement Year (includes a Placement Search and Preparation module in your second year)

You can spend your third year on a work placement, which is a great opportunity to enhance your CV, preparing you for future employment. You will gain commercial and practical experience, and many students are offered graduate positions by their placement employer. Students from Accounting and Economics have enjoyed exciting and intellectually challenging positions at organisations such as Deloitte, EY, GT, Metro Bank, Investec Bank, Marriott Hotels, Chelsea Football Club, Apple and Bosch. During your placement there is a fee which is paid to the university. It covers the cost of your placement tutor, and the support we provide whilst looking for a placement position and during your placement role. Whilst on your placement you will still be classed as a student. You will be paid a financially sustainable salary which will vary depending on your role, company and location.

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

Accounting Synoptic

The Accounting Synoptic module is designed to help you develop critical thinking and analytical skills to investigate contemporary accounting practices and issues. Through independent research and analysis, you will review various accounting techniques and concepts introduced in prerequisite modules. This will enable you to evaluate their practical applicability and to identify limitations that can impact their effectiveness in a broader social and economic context. By conducting case study analysis, you’ll apply relevant analytical techniques to a broad range of data, you will gain practical skills that you can use in various accounting roles.

This module will equip you with valuable skills that are highly sought after by employers in the accounting field. Whether you aspire to become an auditor, financial analyst, or management accountant, the Accounting Synoptic module will prepare you to approach accounting issues with a critical mindset and practical applicability.

Perspectives on Global Economics

Contemporary Issues in Economics

This module adopts a political economy approach and focuses on selected controversial economic issues such as economic growth, inequality, pricing mechanism and resource allocation, unemployment, economics of information, and mechanism designs, and so on. It examines each issue by comparing and contrasting the philosophy and methods of the neo-classical approach with alternative approaches.

Business Aspects of Management Accounting

This module is uniquely designed to encourage you to critically evaluate a business from a management accounting perspective. You’ll learn to apply and critique advanced management accounting techniques. While gaining a critical appreciation of management accountants, and their strategic approach, you’ll also analyse their changing role in the modern business environment.

The module will equip you with the skills to apply the techniques studied, and provide you with a critical understanding of the theoretical aspects of strategic management accounting.

Financial Accounting Theory

Through looking at the practice of financial accounting and reporting, this module enables you to take a critical look at accounting practices in contemporary society. You’ll assess the actual role of accounting in organisations, while contrasting this with its theoretical role.
On successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to demonstrate the capacity to apply international standards and practices, and understand the function of accounting in a range of contexts.

Optional modules

Choose 2 Optional modules from those below:

Advanced Financial Management

This module extends the basic theory of corporate finance covered in previous years by developing more complex approaches to financial management which can guide decision-making in the face of risk and uncertainty. It also examines corporate decisions concerning capital structure and the choice between internal and external finance and sets these decisions in the context of developments in a range of financial markets. Your learning outcomes include being able to apply investment appraisal techniques to conditions of risk and uncertainty, assess the impact of cost capital for businesses and understand the key principles and techniques of risk management.

Business Taxation

Econometrics

The module provides you with the econometric skills needed to be able to successfully investigate economic and financial relationships by using appropriate econometric methodologies. Examples based on both economic and financial data are used to illustrate the application of the methodologies taught.

Economic Growth

This module uses economic theory to analyse the structure and forces behind economic growth and development. You will learn standard theory of economic growth and use those theories to analyse the process of economic growth across countries. You will familiarize yourself with a set of important issues that are central to macroeconomics; develop some dynamic economics knowledge useful in macroeconomics as well as in a number of other sub-disciplines. By the end of the module you will gain tools to analyse the economy with a long-run perspective that is normally overlooked in the other macroeconomic modules
Economic Policy

This module focuses on selected important economic policy issues and relevant economic tools of analysis, with a balance between macro- and microeconomics. You will develop key skills and knowledge in the economics of public policy, which are a necessary requirement for a career as an academic economist or as an analyst in a wide range of national and international policy-making institutions.

Environmental Economics

Independent Study

Sustainable Investing

Learning and teaching

Your learning experience on this course will be varied and challenging. We combine face-to-face teaching and e-learning activities, including:

 lectures
 workshops
 seminar discussions
 group presentations
 analysis of numerical data
 case study analysis
 discussions of topical material (such as newspaper articles, videos and websites)
 computer-based exercises.

The e-learning component includes:

 quizzes and diagnostic assessments
 online discussion groups.

Throughout the course you will have close contact with your tutors and academic adviser.

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