BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting & Finance) with Foundation Year

Business Management (Accounting & Finance)

BA (Hons) & Foundation Year

Summary

Study level
Part time
4 years+
Location
Online
Faculty of Business

What makes Arden University special?

Education
Education for everyone, everywhere
Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
Where to study
You decide how and where to study
We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
Support
Full support both online and on-site
We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
Employability
Strong focus on employability
You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

Are you looking to start a career in accounting and finance, but are unsure if a university degree is within your reach? Our accounting and finance degree with additional foundation year is ideal if need a bit more academic support as you begin your course, as well as for anyone who doesn’t meet the entry requirements for a standard degree course. In fact, this degree has been specially designed to provide with a full range skills that will help achieve your higher education goals, even if it’s been a while since you last studied. 

On your foundation year, you’ll study six course modules that each cover important skills that will give you the confidence to progress through your degree successfully. In year two, you’ll develop broad knowledge in key areas of business management, including managing people and an introduction to how modern organisations function. On the third and fourth years of your degree, you’ll learn how to use the key accounting and finance skills and technologies required to be successful in today’s workplace, as well as studying financial and cost accounting, risk management, business transformation, corporate governance, and more. 

This course has been created with input from leading organisations and industry professionals so that you are exposed to the most recent developments in accounting and finance practice. And because you’ll also graduate with a keen awareness of business areas such as operational planning, finance, and management theory, you’ll have gained important transferable skills that will give you a flexible, future-proof career ahead.

Studying Business at Arden
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Professional accreditation
This course is in the process of gaining accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

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Course details and modules

Accounting and finance professionals perform important roles in almost all sectors of business. They use their specialist knowledge to help organisations make critical decisions and devise strategies for increasing organisational success.

Using our business simulation software, you’ll be able to access a virtual business and run it as your own enterprise – managing activities such as accounting and finance, sales, finances, people, and product development. This will give you the chance to practice making critical decisions within a safe environment, helping you develop your ability to interpret commercial information and apply your learnings to generate a profit for your enterprise. 

You’ll also have access to our Digital Enterprise Hub throughout your course, which provides you with additional software and resources as well as real-world mentors and industry experts to draw knowledge from.

Toby Bradley

It’s a great way to study if you’re looking for flexibility. It was challenging to balance a full-time job with my degree but once I was in a routine, it was much easier to manage everything. Online learning has actually helped me become very good with time management and given me the ability to prioritise tasks.

Toby Bradley
BA (Hons) Business & Accountancy

Modules

You have 4-12 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4 to 6 years.

  • Modules for July 2023
    • Research Skills and Using Information
    • Developing Academic Skills
    • Using Numeracy, IT and Data
    • Values, Ethics and Working Collaboratively
    • Structure of Business
    • Technology in Organisations
  • Modules from September 2023 onwards
    • Preparing for University Success
    • Exploring the Business Environment
    • Advancing your Academic Skills
    • Becoming an Effective Leader
    • Planning for Your Future Success
    • Investigation & Innovation Project
  • Digital Skills & Professional Development (20 credits)
  • Contemporary Business Environment (20 credits)
  • Marketing Dynamics (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Business Finance (20 credits)
  • People Management (20 credits)
  • Technology & Innovation (20 credits)
  • Data Analytics & Management (20 credits)
  • Business Start-up (20 credits) 
  • Sales Management (20 credits)
  • Digital & Social Media Marketing (20 credits)
  • Financial Accounting (20 credits)  
  • Cost Accounting (20 credits) 
  • Business Transformation (20 credits)
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 credits)
  • Corporate Governance, Law & Ethics (20 credits)   
  • Independent Study (20 credits)   
  • Financial Management (20 credits)
  • Business Risk Management (20 credits)  

How do we assess you?

Assessments

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you don’t need to sit any exams on the BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and finance) with Foundation Year, and you won’t need to spend the summer at home writing a dissertation either. Your assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-word scenarios. This means you’ll be better prepared to apply the skills you’ve gained on the course to your professional role after graduation. 

As you work through your course modules you’ll have the chance to complete a range of useful assessment methods such as individual reports, case study analyses, group presentations, and personal independent assignments devised in consultation with your course module leader. Your assessments will have an emphasis upon personal discovery, digital technology, the application of theory to real world business, and management practice and innovative thinking. 

We encourage you to be innovative when carrying out your assignments and assessments. You can create podcasts, videos, infographics, consultancy reports, campaigns, posters, interviews, debate sessions, and more. This approach will help you develop skills you'll use in the real world, and most of all, is a fun and engaging way to demonstrate your knowledge and development.

Study options

This course is available to students as a fully online programme, which gives you the convenience of being able to study anywhere or worldwide.

Martine Crawford

This course was the best decision I have ever made. It's given me a chance to have a career in a subject I love, and it’s given me more confidence in myself and my ability to succeed.

Martine Crawford
BA (Hons) Business (Marketing)

Part time online learning

How does it work? 

Studyin the BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and Finance) with Foundation Year online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location. 

Our online students study their degree through iLearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud.  iLearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us. iLearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy. 

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning. 

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have: 

  • At least 3 x GCSEs OR 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent – if your qualifications are older than 3 years we would also ask to see a professional CV.
  • Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference if they do not meet the qualification requirements. 
  • We also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year. To view the course details, please click here

English proficiency

  • IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
  • Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Course fees and funding

Faculty of Business Online Learning Offer

For a limited time only, UK applicants can save £2,000 on the cost of BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and Finance) with Foundation Year. To qualify, you need to enrol to start studying with us on our July or October 2023 start dates. Eligible students who take advantage of this offer will have their fee per level reduced to £6,435. Terms and conditions apply.

Find your country

Use the dropdown above to find course fees and funding information for your country. If you can’t find information for your country in the dropdown, visit our International support page.

Meet the faculty

Professor Dilshad Sheikh

Here at Arden University we strive to provide a fresh and unique approach to your business and management education. With ideas and experiences taken from employers and thought leaders across the world, we give you the opportunity to put proven business skills and techniques into practice during your studies. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.

Professor Dilshad Sheikh
Dean of the Faculty of Business

Career prospects

Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your accounting and finance degree, or maybe you want to keep your career options open for now? Either way, don’t worry if you’re still a little unclear about what the future holds. Our accounting and finance bachelor’s course with foundation year will give you a range of in-demand and transferable skills that will help you understand how modern organisations work. This gives you the freedom to take your time deciding where in the business ecosystem you’ll fit best, be it as an entrepreneur, manager, or if you’re an experienced professional looking for a career change.

What will this course do for me?

As well as developing important soft skills, up-to-date knowledge of business functions, and career planning abilities, you’ll also be encouraged to develop a Personal Development Plan as you work through your degree. With support from our lecturers, this will help you track your progress and identify areas where you excel. 

On the course, your assessments will be linked to real-world workplace issues and practices. Added to the benefits of our enterprise simulation software and Digital Business Hub, you’ll graduate with hands-on experience in problem solving and identifying areas for business growth – all highly desirable skills for today’s employers. 

This course will also give you the chance to: 

  • Comprehend and appreciate the importance of the key skills, technologies, and competencies required to be successful in the finance and accounting sector. 
  • Identify and evaluate the roles and contributions of the key business and finance functions applicable to contemporary organisations. 
  • Produce and evaluate relevant and robust solutions to meet the challenges located in modern accounting and finance practice. 
  • Apply and evaluate accounting theories and accounting principles to a range of business contexts, challenges, and situations. 
  • Develop your research and analytical skills. 

What can I do after Arden University?

Your foundation degree in accounting and finance will open up a wide range of career opportunities across industries. As you study with us you’ll have access to our dedicated career services portal, where you can access additional 'bolt-on' e-learning courses, employer presentations, and search for jobs worldwide. Of course, your course lecturers are always on-hand to provide advice and guidance when it come to your professional future. Just a few of the possible roles you might want to consider after graduation could include:

  • Business Analyst
  • Business Development Executive
  • Buying Assistant
  • Accounting Technician
  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Company Secretary
  • Stockbroker

Industry skills

  

This course is currently in the process of gaining accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and is aligned with available certificates from Amazon and Salesforce which you will be able to pursue independently as you study.   

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) provides continuing professional development services, funds academic research, develops thought leadership, and monitors professional standards in the accountancy sector.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) membership.

Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.

This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

This course awards a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. The institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect you with like-minded professionals across diverse sectors. 

The CMI is the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status – the gold standard in management. They are also active in business policy-making across the globe and ensure that their more than 140,000 members are represented in policy decision-making. 

You will have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of exclusive resources, mentoring services, and networking events.

Upon completion of one of Arden University’s CMI-accredited courses, you will be automatically awarded CMI Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) status. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey - with a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.

Aligned to Salesforce and AWS Educate (Amazon)

During the course you’ll learn about some of the most prominent cloud-based tools used in business currently, allowing you to independently acquire certification from Salesforce and Amazon to add to your degree qualification. This will give you concrete evidence of skills in leading software packages, green-stamped by two of the world’s most respected business service providers. Certification from Salesforce and Amazon will help you perform at the cutting edge of your industry by understanding how to process real time data and insights to create more meaningful relationships with your customers. You’ll also gain important transferable skills that you’ll be able to apply to similar software packages that you may work with in the future.

Business Graduates Association (BGA)

The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.

As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.