BA (Hons) Accountancy with foundation year

Course Overview

Accountancy has its roots in the dawn of civilization, evolving from the need to track goods and resources into a vital profession in today’s global economy. Accountants play a crucial role in planning, forecasting, budgeting, taxation, and decision-making, making them essential for success in both business and commerce.

The University of Bolton’s BA (Hons) in Accountancy with Foundation Year is designed to provide you with a solid academic and vocational foundation for a successful career in accountancy. The foundation year offers comprehensive training in the core principles of accounting, preparing you for the rigors of degree-level study.

As you advance through the program, our dedicated and experienced faculty will guide you through the latest accounting practices and theories, focusing on key areas such as management accounting and financial accounting and reporting. In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to select from a variety of optional modules, including topics like taxation and auditing.

In addition to building your professional accounting knowledge, we emphasize the development of lifelong learning skills. Our goal is to empower you to reflect on your progress, articulate your experiences, and take ownership of your skill development, maximizing your potential for future success.

Highlights

Our Accounting and Finance courses are ranked third in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2022.
The Complete University Guide 2022 recognizes our Accounting and Finance courses as first in the UK for student satisfaction.
The program is accredited by prestigious bodies, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS).
We offer an extensive range of exemptions from professional accountancy examinations, including those from ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, CIMA, and CIPFA, allowing graduates to enter advanced stages of their professional development programs.
Graduates are also eligible for exemptions from the Association of International Accountants (AIA) papers and can apply for associate membership with the AIA and the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA).
We are an ICAEW accredited Higher Education Partner in Learning (HEPiL) and maintain strong connections with AIA, IFA, and CPA Australia.
Many graduates continue their studies in the ACCA Applied Skills and ACCA Strategic Professional Level examinations at Bolton. The University is an ACCA Gold approved learning partner, consistently exceeding the global pass rate targets set by the professional body.

Highlights

Our Accounting and Finance courses are ranked third in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2022.
The Complete University Guide 2022 recognizes our Accounting and Finance courses as first in the UK for student satisfaction.
The program is accredited by prestigious bodies, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS).
We offer an extensive range of exemptions from professional accountancy examinations, including those from ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, CIMA, and CIPFA, allowing graduates to enter advanced stages of their professional development programs.
Graduates are also eligible for exemptions from the Association of International Accountants (AIA) papers and can apply for associate membership with the AIA and the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA).
We are an ICAEW accredited Higher Education Partner in Learning (HEPiL) and maintain strong connections with AIA, IFA, and CPA Australia.
Many graduates continue their studies in the ACCA Applied Skills and ACCA Strategic Professional Level examinations at Bolton. The University is an ACCA Gold approved learning partner, consistently exceeding the global pass rate targets set by the professional body.

Key Features

Experienced Tutors: Our instructors are qualified accountants with extensive experience in both the profession and teaching at undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional levels.
Practical Learning: We encourage the use of mathematical and statistical techniques to tackle business and accountancy-related challenges. Learning through case studies provides a solid foundation in real-world business situations.
Personalized Support: Our small group and tutorial-based teaching format ensures that you receive excellent support from our dedicated faculty.
Industry Insights: We regularly invite guest speakers who hold senior roles in the industry to share their experiences and insights, enhancing your learning with valuable real-world perspectives.
Strong Industry Connections: We benefit from robust support from local employers and the Bolton Society of Chartered Accountants, maximizing opportunities for industry engagement.
Degree Options: We offer two full-time undergraduate Accountancy degrees. The three-year BA (Hons) Accountancy is for students achieving 104 UCAS points (e.g., BCC at A-level). Our four-year BA (Hons) Accountancy with Foundation Year is ideal for those needing extra preparatory study and support before transitioning to degree-level learning.
Vibrant Location: Studying with us allows you to enjoy Bolton’s diverse range of shops, bars, restaurants, and leisure facilities. Manchester, known for its multicultural vibrancy, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Additionally, the North West of England offers stunning countryside, coastline, and rich heritage, making Bolton an excellent base for exploring some of the UK’s finest cultural and outdoor activities.

Key Features

Experienced Tutors: Our instructors are qualified accountants with extensive experience in both the profession and teaching at undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional levels.
Practical Learning: We encourage the use of mathematical and statistical techniques to tackle business and accountancy-related challenges. Learning through case studies provides a solid foundation in real-world business situations.
Personalized Support: Our small group and tutorial-based teaching format ensures that you receive excellent support from our dedicated faculty.
Industry Insights: We regularly invite guest speakers who hold senior roles in the industry to share their experiences and insights, enhancing your learning with valuable real-world perspectives.
Strong Industry Connections: We benefit from robust support from local employers and the Bolton Society of Chartered Accountants, maximizing opportunities for industry engagement.
Degree Options: We offer two full-time undergraduate Accountancy degrees. The three-year BA (Hons) Accountancy is for students achieving 104 UCAS points (e.g., BCC at A-level). Our four-year BA (Hons) Accountancy with Foundation Year is ideal for those needing extra preparatory study and support before transitioning to degree-level learning.
Vibrant Location: Studying with us allows you to enjoy Bolton’s diverse range of shops, bars, restaurants, and leisure facilities. Manchester, known for its multicultural vibrancy, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Additionally, the North West of England offers stunning countryside, coastline, and rich heritage, making Bolton an excellent base for exploring some of the UK’s finest cultural and outdoor activities.

Entry Requirements

UCAS Points: You need a minimum of 48 UCAS points to apply. We accept a wide range of qualifications that contribute to these points, including A-levels, BTECs, and T-levels. For more details, please refer to our guide on the UCAS Tariff. We can also consider non-tariffable qualifications for most courses.
Level 3 Subjects: Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3.
GCSEs: You should have five GCSEs at grade C or above (or grade 4 to 9, or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
Interview and Portfolio: You may be required to attend an interview and/or submit a portfolio of work as part of the application process.
English Language Proficiency: If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a variety of other English language qualifications—please visit our English Language Requirements page for more information.

Career Opportunities

The University of Bolton’s BA (Hons) Accountancy with Foundation Year degree provides a comprehensive understanding of accountancy practices, commerce, industry, and finance.

Throughout your studies, you’ll acquire a range of technical and transferable skills that are highly valued by employers across various sectors. You will develop commercial awareness, understand how businesses operate, and enhance your numerical and quantitative abilities within a business context.

As a graduate, you’ll be equipped to solve problems, analyze data and statistics, and present information effectively, both verbally and in writing. You’ll also possess strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

What Can I Do With This Qualification?

After graduation, you can enter the workforce as a trainee company accountant or internal auditor, or join a professional practice to train as an auditor or tax consultant.

With a BA (Hons) Accountancy with Foundation Year, you’ll have opportunities in various sectors, including:

Banking, Investment, and Insurance
Retail and Sales
IT, Recruitment, and Human Resources
Management Consultancy
Government Agencies (e.g., HM Revenue and Customs)

Many of our graduates go on to qualify as professional accountants through organizations like CIMA, ACCA, ICAS, or ICAEW.

You can also explore graduate schemes, which are long-term employment contracts with major multinational accounting firms such as Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and EY. These firms conduct extensive recruitment campaigns and assessments to attract top graduates and often have high entry requirements.

Alternative Career Options

Your qualification can serve as a gateway to various other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience or postgraduate study and include:

Purchasing
Tax and Pensions Advice
Law
Teaching, Education, and Training
Transport and Logistics
Stock and Shares Analysis
Charity Work
Loss Adjusting
Credit and Investment Analysis
Claims Inspection
Advertising, Marketing, and PR
Investment Banking
Insurance
Statistics and Market Research

This degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in various fields.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.