Program Overview

---

BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Ranked 6th in the UK Guardian League Table 2025 - Subject Ranking Accounting & Finance
• 95% of students surveyed said academic support on this course was good or very good (National Student Survey 2024)
• Winner of 'Outstanding Course Team' at the JMSU Student Experience Awards 2023, voted for by LJMU students
• Professionally accredited by four of the main accountancy bodies in England and Wales
• Tutors trained at top accounting firms such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton
• Excellent business links with companies as diverse as Airbus, Matalan, Cummins, Volkswagen Group and NHS
• Options to work a year in industry or study abroad
• Opportunities to secure exemptions from UK professional accountancy qualifications once you graduate
• Shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 Business School of the Year

About your course

The BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance at Liverpool John Moores University offers you the chance to secure professional accreditation from the four main accountancy bodies in England and Wales.

It also gives you a head start on the path to gaining a professional accountancy qualification, as it allows a number of exemptions from UK professional accountancy exams.

One of the benefits of the course is the option of taking a year out to complete a salaried placement in industry in the UK or overseas. However, if you prefer not to take a whole year out from your studies, you will have other opportunities for work-related learning.

Students on this programme also have the opportunity to spend one or two semesters in their second year on the identical LJMU degree programme at our partner college in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, keeping the professional body recognition of their studies at LJMU.

Liverpool Business School also has partnerships with business schools at universities and colleges across Europe, in the USA and in China. Students can choose to spend an additional year of study at one of our partner universities between the second and third years. All study abroad opportunities are in English. There are also many supported opportunities to study at partner universities during summer vacations and Liverpool Business School provides places on language skills courses.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the interest and ability to study for a degree, but do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Accounting and Finance honours degree programme yet.

Once you pass the Foundation Year (level 3) you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

• Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Foundation Year

• Business Foundations & Operations (30 credits)
• Introduction to Marketing (30 credits)
• Financial Accounting Techniques (30 credits)
• Ethical Leadership & Professional Development (30 credits)

Year 1

• Introduction to Financial Accounting (20 credits)
• Business Mathematics & Statistics (20 credits)
• Introduction to Economics (20 credits)
• Academic & Professional Awareness (20 credits)
• Introduction to Financial Reporting & Corporate Governance (20 credits)
• Management & Cost Accounting (20 credits)

Year 2

• Financial Accounting (20 credits)
• Management Accounting for Decision Making (20 credits)
• Financial Management (20 credits)
• Data Analysis for Accounting and Finance (20 credits)
• Developing Employability (20 credits)
• Law for Accounting and Finance (20 credits)

Year 3

• Advanced Financial Accounting (20 credits)
• Strategic Management Accounting (20 credits)
• Corporate Finance (20 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in Accounting and Finance (20 credits)

Optional modules

• Sandwich Year - Accounting and Finance (120 credits)
• Study Year Abroad - Accounting and Finance (120 credits)
• Taxation (20 credits)
• Auditing & Assurance (20 credits)
• Personal Finance (20 credits)
• Financial Modelling and Valuation (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

The BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance is professionally accredited by four of the main accountancy bodies in England and Wales: the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The number of exemptions you secure will depend on the professional route you decide to pursue (CIMA, ICAEW, CIPFA or ACCA) and the option modules you study in the final year of the programme.

Professional accreditation reflects LJMU's commitment to continually updating our syllabuses in line with professional requirements and will help ensure that you are given a head start to becoming a fully qualified accountant after graduation.

Graduates from the programme who can show their competence in the workplace are also eligible for full membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians (ATT). Competencies in the workplace can be obtained by completing the sandwich year or, alternatively, after you have graduated and spent a year in related employment.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars and you can expect to have a minimum of 12 hours contact time during each teaching week. Plus you'll be expected to complete independent study and group work and participate in online activities and discussions using our virtual learning environment, Canvas.

A skills module at level 4 (Academic & Professional Awareness) and at level 5 (Developing Employability) provide a mechanism through which the necessary personal development, placement and employment search and support activities are provided.

Work-related Learning

Early in level 5 you can decide whether to undertake a paid 48-week work placement in the UK or overseas. You would do this placement between level 5 and 6.

Placements give you experience of what it's like to work in the finance sector as well as giving you a chance to put your learning into practice, develop personal skills and enhance your employability. Not only that, but the experience helps you develop personal skills, enhances your CV and gives you a years break from academic study.

Liverpool Business School's Placement Support Unit will help you find suitable vacancies and support you during the application process and whilst on placement.

Previous Accounting and Finance students have completed placements with organisations as diverse as the NHS, Disney and Unilever. You will have the option of taking a year out to complete a paid 48-week placement in industry in the UK or overseas.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

The Liverpool Business School is a supportive environment in which to study and the 'student-centred approach' of your tutors will ensure that you are given the support and guidance you need.

When you start your studies, you will be assigned a personal tutor. They will set up one-to-one tutorials with you to discuss a piece of coursework or to work with you on your personal development plan.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Assignments are designed to help you put financial theory into practice and demonstrate to future employers that you have the practical skills required to work successfully in your chosen field after graduation.

Your marks and feedback will be available within 15 working days of submitting a piece of work. That's because we believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to develop further.

89% say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for Accounting and Finance (Full time) at Liverpool John Moores University, over two years

95% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Accounting and Finance (Full time) at Liverpool John Moores University, over two years

100% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for Accounting and Finance (Full time) at Liverpool John Moores University, over two years

Where you will study

The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, a cafe and a roof terrace with far reaching views of the cityscape and welsh hills. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies, and is open seven days a week.

Career paths

A degree in Accounting and Finance opens up a huge range of potential careers because the success or failure of an organisation is ultimately determined by its financial performance.

Liverpool Business School has historically had an excellent employment record with graduates securing graduate-level positions with leading employers in public and private sectors. These include Everton Football Club, Kellogg company, Santander and Deloitte.

Most of our Accounting and Finance graduates complete three-year training contracts with professional accountancy firms or private/public sector organisations while studying part time for their remaining professional accountancy exams. Many contracts enable you to specialise in areas such as audit/assurance, tax, corporate finance, and business advice/consulting.

Outside accountancy, graduates have forged successful careers within retail and investment banks, financial services, finance companies, building societies and so on. However, if you do want to work in investment analysis and financial services, we advise you to qualify as a professional accountant first. This respected qualification gives you a solid platform from which to build your career, and once you qualify, there will be plenty of opportunities to move between different roles and industries in the UK and abroad. Recent graduates have found roles within organisations such as Lloyds TSB, Barclays, MBNA, The Bank of New York, Ulster Bank and WGZ Bank.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Foundation first year: £5,760
• Second and subsequent years: £9,535
• Placement year: £1,905

International

• Full-time per year: £17,750
• Placement year: £3,910

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: DDD (72)

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

GCSEs and equivalents

Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:

• Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
• Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/ English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

• Minimum number of A Levels required: 2
• Is general studies acceptable? Yes
• Average A Level offer: DDD
• Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20

BTECs

• National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• National Diploma subjects / grades required: DM if studied on its own or to the total of 72 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: MMP if studied on its own or to the total of 72 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications

Access awards

• Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Further information: At least 24 Merits and 21 Passes, or any other combination that equates to 72 UCAS Tariff points in a relevant subject

International Baccalaureate

• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Additional information: 24 IB Diploma Points

Irish awards

• Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Grades / subjects required: 72 UCAS Tariff points with a maximum 20 UCAS Tariff points from Ordinary Level

Welsh awards

• Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

T levels

• T Level requirements: 72 UCAS points in a related subject

Alternative qualifications considered

​Applicants with Accountancy qualifications will be considered as follows:

Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT): Holders of AAT NVQ/SVQ Level 3 Intermediate/ 'Advanced Certificate in Accounting' will be eligible for entry to Level 4 of the programme.

Holders of AAT NVQ/SVQ Level 4 Technician/'Diploma in Accounting' will be considered for 40 RPL credits against relevant Level 4 Accounting modules on the BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance programme.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA): Holders of the CIMA Advanced Diploma (Managerial level complete; comprising 11 of the 15 CIMA professional exam papers (as of )) will be considered for direct entry to level 6 of the programme.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA):Applicants who have successfully completed the 'Skills' level (comprising 9 of the total of 14 ACCA professional exam papers (as of 2008-9)) will be considered for direct entry to level 6 of the programme. Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to submit an essay and/or attend an interview, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience.

International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here

We are looking for students with the potential to understand and critically evaluate the theory, concepts and principles that underpin the practical techniques of business. Demonstrate their understanding by communicating effectively, both orally and in their written work. Possess the self-discipline to manage their time and tasks effectively throughout their time here at LJMU to make a difference.

Your university life

From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.

Related Links

• Accommodation
• Your future awaits
• Living in Liverpool
• Your campus
• Go Abroad
• Sports, societies and lifestyle

Talk to our students

Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.

See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you're making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

Related Links

• Read Student Crowd reviews
• Ask questions on The Student Room forum

News and views

Browse through the latest news and stories from the university

Connect with us

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Spotify

Study

• Undergraduate students
• Postgraduate students
• International students
• Degree Apprenticeships
• Continuing Professional Development
• Applicants

About LJMU

• Your Student Experience
• Staff profiles
• Liverpool
• Our vision and values
• LJMU achievements and impact
• Celebrating LJMU's history
• Vacancies at LJMU

Get in touch

• Contact LJMU
• How to find us
• Press Office

Legal

• Accessibility statement
• Copyright notice
• Disclaimer
• Freedom of Information
• Governance and charitable status
• Modern Slavery Statement
• Privacy notice and cookies
• Cookie Preferences

Cookie settings

Some essential features of our website won't work without cookies. Please check your cookie settings below and deselect any you wish to opt out of:

• Essential cookies
• Marketing cookies
• Analytics cookies
• Personalisation cookies

Learn more about our cookies

Accept all Reject all Save preferences