BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting & Finance) (Top-Up) ​

Business Management (Accounting & Finance) (Top-Up) ​

BA (Hons)

Summary

Study level
Part time
1 year+
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

The perfect choice for anyone who’s already completed a HND in business or an equivalent qualification, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills that provide the perfect platform for a career in professional accounting and finance through six carefully selected degree modules.

On the course, you’ll learn how to use the key accounting and finance skills and technologies required to be successful in today’s workplace, as financial risk management, business transformation, corporate governance, and more. You’ll also develop your understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of a range of key accounting and finance functions, including an awareness of the legal and ethical environment in which domestics and international organisations now operate.

This course has been launched with input from world-leading organisations and researchers so that you are exposed to the most relevant advancements in accounting and finance. That means you’ll be able to show future employers that you have the knowledge required to fill current skills gaps in the field. 

This course is subject to validation

Find out more about Business at Arden
Video • 2 mins

Quick tools

Explore your modules
Explore your brochure
Download the course brochure to take a look at your course modules and syllabus content.
Download brochure
Fast track your career with Arden
Speak to an advisor
Want to speak to one of our subject experts? Our advisors are ready to answer your questions! Click below to get started.
Show me how
Award
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by three leading professional organisations in accountancy, the ACCA, CIMA, and ICAEW. It is also approved by the CFA.

Learn more

Course details and modules

During your studies you’ll gain a wider understanding of accounting and finance functions, operations, and technologies. You’ll also develop new personal and professionals attributes in dedicated skills-related modules to help build your soft skills and decision-making abilities. Learning research and data analysis techniques using academic and industry focused texts, articles, and reports, you’ll gain a better understanding of contemporary accounting and finance, management, and overall business functions, with the ability to analyse practical case studies drawn from a range of international organisations. 

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, product development, operations, and your supply chain. 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 Arden Enterprise Incubator throughout your course, which provides you with additional software and resources as well as real-world mentors and industry experts to draw knowledge from. The Arden Enterprise Incubator also gives you the chance to engage in social learning with your classmates, developing your collaborative skills and providing the opportunity for networking with fellow professionals. 

Adrian Williams

"I was already in the working world and running two businesses. Not to mention I also have a young family, so the freedom online learning offered, and the cost effectiveness of the course, was a big draw for me."

Adrian Williams
BA Business (Human Resource Management)

Modules

You have 1-3 years to complete this top up degree course, which means you can study at a pace that works best for you.

  • 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), 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 compete 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 currently available to students as a fully online degree course, which gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere worldwide.

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

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and Finance) (Top-Up) 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 online library (which when used along with our supplementary library, Perlego, gives you access to almost half a million books and journals – yours for free while you study 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.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and finance) (Top-Up) course, you must have:

  • A pass or above in GSCE mathematics (or equivalent) to entry requirements.
  • A HND in Business or equivalent, provided that your prior learning is consistent with Level 5 of the functional areas of business such as finance, marketing, operations management, human resource management, etc.

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.

Course fees and funding

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

Our courses in finance and accounting have been designed with the highest industry standards and forward-thinking practices in mind. We create our modules to reflect professional body standards as well as the critical techniques and skills used today in finance and accounting positions around the globe. 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 top up 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. Your accounting and finance bachelor’s course 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 the BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and finance) (Top-Up) 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. 

The BA (Hons) Business Management (Accounting and finance) (Top-Up) 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 top up 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

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a powerful global presence within the accountancy profession, inspiring its members and students towards greater success and prosperity.

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.

The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE)

This course awards the IOEE Professional Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) is the first learning institute dedicated to developing and recognising enterprise and entrepreneurial skills. Arden University has been recognised as an IOEE Academy and our courses are accredited. This demonstrates our commitment to enterprise and equipping students with the skills needed to set up and run their own business, work in a small enterprise, or bring entrepreneurial skills to a larger organisation.  

Aligned to Salesforce and AWS Educate (Amazon) 

During the course you will 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. Certification from Salesforce and Amazon will help you understand how to process real time data and insights to create more meaningful relationships with your customers. 

Business Graduates Association (BGA) 

Arden University’s Faculty of Business is an esteemed member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA).

Career development resources

Once you’ve enrolled with Arden, our careers centre is easily accessible directly from inside our online platform, ilearn. The careers centre is here to help you discover the areas of your academic and professional life that you find most meaningful and rewarding, and then apply this to your career pathway. 
Just a few of the career tools you’ll find in the careers centre include:

  • CV360, which analyses your CV and provides instant feedback for improvement
  • Interview360, helping you practise your interview technique in a stress-free environment and tackle some of the most common interview questions - as many times as you need to
  • Aptitude tests to help your improve your critical thinking, numeric, and logical reasoning skills
  • 100s of interactive courses focused on giving you the skills and confidence you need to excel in your professional life. 
  • My Jobs, where you can search employment vacancies, browse employer profiles by location and, or connect with other employees on LinkedIn.
enterprise incubator

Arden Enterprise Incubator

As an Arden University student, you’ll have access to the Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI) online platform to support you in the area of entrepreneurship. Whether students are exploring the idea of setting up their own company or need help and guidance launching or growing an existing business, the AEI provides everything students need to kick start their entrepreneurial journey, as well as to support and empower them along the way.

The AEI has a wealth of resources available including monthly master classes, boot camps, podcasts, blogs, external events, and mentorship. Mentors include Arden University lecturers and industry experts so our students receive the very best support and expertise.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

  • Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
  • Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
  • Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.