ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

A FEW MONTHS AFTER GRADUATING I STARTED WORKING AS A GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT FOR ARM. THEY CREATE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS AT THE HEART OF ALMOST EVERY ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND WAS RECENTLY DESCRIBED BY FORBES AS “ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES ON EARTH”. MY TIME AT STAFFS HAS GREATLY HELPED ME TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM THEORY TO REALITY. IT EQUIPPED ME WITH A BROAD SKILL-SET & THE KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO BE PROFICIENT IN A WIDE RANGE OF FINANCIAL AREAS. AS I EMBARK ON MY CIMA STUDIES I KNOW I HAVE A GREAT FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON.

MAKE YOUR MARK IN

BUSINESS

Jonathan Smith BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

They say money makes the world go round, and it’s true that people all around the world have used money as a measure of value for thousands of years.

a Financial Analyst, to charity, council or governmental roles. Wherever there is money, there is a need for people who understand the best ways to record and manage it.

But someone needs to keep track of it all. For businesses of any kind, recording transactions, managing balances and investing surplus are essential tasks at the heart of their success.

Led by industry-experienced lecturers, our degrees are designed to give you a deep understanding of accountancy practices, commerce, industry and finance. We’ll cultivate the kinds of qualities that employers are looking for, such as organisational and time management skills, as well as the kind of adaptability you need to respond quickly and effectively. You’ll also be developing communication, numeracy and analytical skills.

Good accounting and financial management keep businesses under control, and ensure they can grow. For the people at the top to make decisions, they need accurate upto-date information. So without accounting and finance, the world certainly wouldn’t go round. In the accounting and finance sector there are many diverse roles in which you could pursue a career. From working as a Finance Director in a business, to looking beyond the numbers as a Management Accountant, or gathering data as

There is accounting and finance at the heart of every business and organisation. So wherever you want to go in the world, our Accounting and Finance degrees are the ideal first step to get there.

UCAS code: NN41

BA (Hons) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE UCAS code: NN43

BA (Hons) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE WITH FOUNDATION YEAR UCAS code: N400

BA (Hons) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE (TWO-YEAR FAST-TRACK) UCAS code: NN34

Alison Maguire Academic Group Leader

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CONTENTS:

BA (Hons) ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs? Our Brilliant People Your Future is Here Choose More Open Days Application Process

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HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.

KEY FACTS GET ACCREDITED

As a graduate you’ll be eligible for exemptions from some of the professional bodies’ exams, such as ACCA and CIMA, so you can achieve professional accounting qualifications earlier than non-accounting graduates.

FAST-TRACK YOUR DEGREE

We are one of only a few institutions in the UK to offer a two-year BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree. By combining this fast-track course with one of our masters courses, such as the MSc Accounting and Finance, you can complete your undergraduate and postgraduate studies in just three years, saving you time and money.

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WORK-READY, WORLD-READY

We’ll equip you with everything you need to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ – a world-ready professional, with just the kind of knowledge, attributes and expertise that employers are looking for.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

Our courses have been recognised in the Guardian League Table 2017 as providing excellent student satisfaction for teaching and feedback. In fact our courses are ranked 8th out of all the universities listed for the satisfaction our students express about the feedback we give. This result shows how determined our dedicated and approachable academic team are to supporting every student every step of the way.

TOP MARKS FROM OUR STUDENTS

What’s more…91% of students that study Accounting and Finance with us are extremely satisfied with the quality of their course (National Student Survey 2015).

HERE FOR YOU

And out of 113 Universities, our Accounting and Finance degrees have been ranked 3rd for providing good advice to students in respect to their study choices. We’re also 5th for providing a well-organised and smoothly run course, and 6th for helping students contact academic staff for support (National Student Survey 2015).

TECHNOLOGY

SUPERB SUPPORT

PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

INSPIRED TEACHING

You’ll learn to use the latest and most widely used SAGE accounting software in readiness for your placement year, and learn how to analyse financial data using the same information platform used by leading decision makers in business, finance and government. So there will be plenty of opportunities to develop all the skills employers are looking for.

To help you get the necessary realworld experience, we provide a range of placement opportunities on all our undergraduate courses, with lots of support in finding the right one available from our Careers Network. A dedicated Placement Officer and Placement Supervisor are on hand to help guide and support you throughout your placement year.

At Staffordshire University you’ll always feel supported. Our friendly and approachable lecturers are on hand to help and advise you every step of the way, and your personal tutor will be available for additional guidance. Small group teaching means we can get to know you better and give you higher levels of support than normal.

Our teaching staff are members of the Higher Education Academy and come from both academic and professional backgrounds. They’ll be sharing with you their extensive real-world work experience in sectors such as banking, manufacturing, public sector, audit and consultancy.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

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WHY STAFFS? LINKS WITH BUSINESS

We provide a regular programme of guest speakers drawn from our strong links with businesses, and many of our students go on to gain placements within these organisations. These include Davis Group, JCB, Bet365, Toyota, Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, Moore Stephens UK, Vodafone, Baker Tilley, NHS, County and District Councils, and Fruit of the Loom. You’ll also be encouraged to participate in our selection of careers and networking activities, including Global Entrepreneurship Week, to help develop your employability skills.

SKILLS EMPLOYERS ARE SEARCHING FOR

At each stage of your studies you’ll undertake modules specifically designed to develop and practice the kind of skills that are most valued by employers. You’ll be able to explore the different kinds of careers available to accounting graduates – you may also wish to take advantage of our own fully functioning accountancy firm and gain hands-on experience of what it’s like to work in

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practice. And with some of the best student support in the country we’ll make sure you have everything you need to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ and fulfil your potential.

GIVING YOUR CAREER MOMENTUM

Looking beyond your first job, we’ll give you the advice you need to develop your career in what is likely to be a dynamic and exciting working environment. Our graduates have gone on to find work in accounting, investment banking, asset management and insurance, as well as areas such as education and the public sector.

INNOVATIVE TEACHING

We like to keep our teaching as fresh and varied as possible, so you’ll experience a combination of lectures, guest speakers, tutorials, workshops, seminars and technology supported learning to complement and enhance more traditional, face-to-face learning. We’ll develop your knowledge and skills through case-studies, role-plays, simulations, presentations, projects (work-based

SPEND A YEAR IN INDUSTRY

Professional work placements can give you an enjoyable - yet indispensable - first-hand experience of the kind of work you want to do. We’ll help you get a taste for the job function, organisation and industry you have in mind, so you have a deeper understanding of how business really works before you enter the job market as a graduate.

and academic), reflective personal development plans and technology supported activities. And you’ll be guided along the way with a teaching support network of module tutors, personal tutors, award leaders, academic and business managers, and dedicated and involved support staff. With their help you’ll be: • Engaging with complex, challenging problems and real world issues • Proactively using available resources - technical, digital and paper-based - to address problems, construct solutions and identify new topics for research • Engaging in constructive reflection on learning and new ideas • Communicating and sharing with others in teams and collaborative activities • Demonstrating a sense of community through active involvement with individuals and groups from differing backgrounds, communities and value systems

Competition is fierce, and by combining your degree with a year of relevant employment experience in a full time salaried placement, you’ll have a tangible competitive advantage. Work placements take place between year two and three of your degree, and previous students have taken placements with organisations including Toyota, NHS, Staffordshire County Council and Bet365. We also have dedicated 48-week work placement opportunities for our students within the finance department of the university. We’re one of the largest employers in the region, and we also offer further short-term opportunities for our students to find out more about what goes on in our finance department.

ASSESSMENT BUILT AROUND YOU

Throughout your studies you’ll be assessed in lots of different ways, each one chosen to reflect and develop the kind of skills you’ll need in business. These include report presentation through a variety of media, casestudy analysis and feedback, reflective portfolios, research based assignments, examinations (both written and computer based), group activities, and technology supported presentations. To help develop your confidence and prepare you for each assessment, we’ll build in a timely feedback programme giving you meaningful feedback at each stage. To do this we create formative assessment and feedback, so you can reflect and evaluate your contribution and development. Each different award module may make use of multiple choice tests, quizzes, class presentations, exercises, case study discussions, workshop activities, self-assessment tests and class tests, to create this feedback process as you go.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE

Fion studied the first year of the BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance at one of the Business School’s partner institutions, Disted College, Penang, Malaysia. She showed a keen interest in completing her studies with us here in Staffordshire and subsequently commenced studying the second year of her degree, with the Business School, in September 2013.

Karl’s energy and enthusiasm for student employability has been recognised, not only by his colleagues, but also and most importantly by our students. In addition to leading both the Employability and Study Skills & Professional Skills modules, which our BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance and BA (Hons) Accounting and Business students study during their first and second years respectively, Karl is also Course Leader of the twoyear fast-track BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance degree.

Throughout her course of study Fion has been an excellent student and graduated in July 2015 with a first class honours degree…with a spectacular overall average mark of 83%... the top performing student in her cohort!

Karl himself graduated from the two-year fast-track course back in 2010 having achieved a yet to be beaten fast-track record of high first class grades in all modules and receiving the Hays Accountancy Prize for the Top Performing Student.

Whilst Fion had travelled to other countries before, she had never visited the UK. In conversation with Helen Buttery, BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance Senior Lecturer, Fion explained that she thought the UK might be something like Downton Abbey as she had been watching this in Malaysia! She soon settled in, however, made great friends, found everyone really friendly and thoroughly enjoyed studying here in Stoke. She added that Staffordshire University provides a very conducive environment for students to study and all the staff are really helpful. Her favourite thing about being located in Stoke is that it is central and therefore very easy to travel and explore all parts of the UK…which she did of course.

Karl McCormack BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance Two-year Fast-track Course Leader

Fion has now returned to Malaysia to undertake a course studying Government Service Tax before she moves into employment.

I chose to study BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance at Staffordshire University mainly because I wanted to better myself. I had reached the age when I felt it was time to make something of my life, after looking through various courses from different universities I made my decision to study at Staffordshire University. After completing the course I can honestly say it has helped me achieve what I set out to do ... change my life. The experience itself was a mixture of enjoyment and satisfaction throughout the whole time and I can honestly say it played a vital part in securing my job and reaping the rewards in terms of progression. I was lucky enough to take part in a work placement year which my first and second year of study had prepared me well for and when I came back for my final year, the year’s work placement played a pivotal role in securing the grade I received. Staffordshire University instils the necessary skills needed to succeed in the work place and if any students have the opportunity to do the work placement year during their course, I would strongly recommend it.

Fion Lee Ying BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

April undertook a year long placement with professional services firm; RSM Tenon. She now works for Baker Tilley as an Audit Assistant and is studying the ICAEW Chartered Accountant qualification, the ACA, is one of the most advanced learning and professional development programmes available. It is valued around the world in business, practice and the public sector.

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THE COURSE COMBINES BOTH ELEMENTS OF ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS, ENABLING ME TO ENHANCE MY CV WHILE

Ryan Smith BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance

DISCOVERING WHERE MY FUTURE WOULD LIE April Warrier, BA (Hons) Accounting & Business

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YOUR FUTURE IS HERE!

AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. WE’VE SPENT MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES. In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the creation of our amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re continually focused on providing the best campus for our students. Our vision throughout has always been to deliver a vibrant, dynamic campus with brilliant teaching and learning facilities, convenient public transport links and social areas at its heart. With that in mind, from September 2016 our new campuses launch, having

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seen £40 million invested into innovative teaching and learning spaces that encourage collaborative working and knowledge sharing. Specialist laboratories and studios, as well as updated social spaces, ensure you experience a balanced university life. Introducing The Beacon building – a brand new facility for all students to enjoy. A three storey, silver, metal clad building based at the heart of the University’s creative site. This modern and multi-functional space includes teaching areas, flexible, multi-sized space for lectures, IT labs, seminar spaces, and a new public café. Our Halls of Residence are also newly refurbished with brand new facilities, social spaces and outside areas ensuring our accommodation really is a home from home. Features include USB plugs, instant hot water boilers, outdoor pizza oven and Bluetooth kitchen speakers through to comfy sofas. Don’t just take our word for it, come and visit us at an Open Day to experience how you can benefit from a new student centred campus bursting with pride.

WE’RE READY AND WAITING TO WELCOME YOU TO A WHOLE NEW CAMPUS EXPERIENCE IN 2016. WE WANT TO ENSURE WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND EXCELLENT RANGE OF COURSES –

WELCOME TO YOUR FUTURE!

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

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CHOOSE

MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • • • • • •

We’ve spent £40million upgrading our facilities and continue to invest in our city campus We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access by road or rail to Manchester, Birmingham and London Two shops, five coffee shops, seven eateries and two bars all on campus at student friendly prices Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team Stay fit and well with our on-campus NHS Healthcare centre Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK

MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE

MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY

• Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our newly refurbished gym with a special student rate membership • Over 100 clubs and societies to join including Skydiving, Cosplay and Hockey • We are only a short walk to the City Centre and boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, concerts and drama at the Sugar Mill, Regent and New Vic Theatres • Do something different and learn to ski at the dry slope ski centre or have a splashing time at Waterworld

• • • • • •

Guaranteed work experience for all undergraduate students giving you the edge over the competition Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24-hour library Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free Keep connected with free campus-wide Wi-Fi and 1Tb of cloud storage Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games

So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.

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Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

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APPLICATION PROCESS NOT RECEIVED THE OFFER YOU WANTED?

Apply for up to 5 courses by

UCAS JANUARY DEADLINE

CHANGED YOUR MIND?

GOT YOUR RESULTS?

RECEIVED

OFFERS?

There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.

University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around. That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out. Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you. We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop. You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk. Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.

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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here.

APPLY VIA

UCAS EXTRA

Late Feb – early July. Gives you another chance to apply.

NOT MET THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR OFFER?

CONDITIONAL OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL OFFER

SELECT FIRM ACCEPTANCE & INSURANCE ACCEPTANCE

MET THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR OFFER?

ENROLMENT WELCOME TO STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY

Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.

DON’T PANIC CALL US...

CLEARING

The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.

LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT

www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS

MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?

Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July. Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing

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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.

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