BA (Hons) Business and Accounting with Foundation Year

This module introduces you to the fast-moving world of digital business and how technology is transforming the way organisations operate, compete, and grow. You will explore key concepts such as digital transformation, innovation, and business models, and learn how digital capabilities like cloud computing, AI, and blockchain are reshaping industries. During the module you will gain insight into how businesses use digital tools to create value, improve customer experiences, and stay ahead of competitors. You will examine enterprise systems, information management, and understand how big data and business intelligence drive smarter decision-making. Legal, ethical, and regulatory issues will also be covered, helping you think critically about the risks and responsibilities of operating in a digital environment. This module blends theory with practical examples, giving you a strong foundation in digital business transformation, strategy and systems thinking. Whether you’re aiming for a career in business, marketing, technology, or entrepreneurship, you will leave with the skills and confidence to navigate the digital landscape and contribute to innovation in any organisation

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of accounting. It examines the conceptual foundations that underpin the discipline, while developing practical skills in double-entry bookkeeping, internal control, and business decision making. Students will learn to record and process business transactions, gaining the ability for business decision making. Through this module, students will build a solid understanding of the key principles and concepts of accounting and acquire hands-on experience in applying the accounting to real-world scenarios. In addition to technical skills, the module introduces the critical concepts of ethical and responsible behaviour when recording, analysing and communicating accounting information.

This module supports your transition into university by building the core skills and confidence needed for successful study. It encourages you to take early ownership of your personal and professional development, reflecting on your strengths, identifying areas for improvement, and engaging in Continuous Professional Development. You will assess your abilities, develop independent learning habits, and strengthen essential competencies. The module also introduces key foundations in numeracy, Excel, and ethics which are crucial knowledge for business, accounting and finance. Together, these elements prepare you for later modules and help equip you for your future career. The module is built around eight themes that students consistently highlight as central to a successful university experience: Ready to Study: Clear guidance on expectations, transitions, and workload planning. Academic Skills and Educational Gain: Development of foundational academic skills including time management, critical thinking, and digital fluency. Career Readiness and Professional Identity: Early exploration of career pathways, CV building, and professional behaviours. Personal Development and Belonging: Activities that foster confidence, inclusion, and identity within the university community. Social Engagement and Community Building: Opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and wider university life. Feedback and Reflective Practice: Structured opportunities to receive, apply, and reflect on feedback to support growth. Wellbeing and Student Support: Embedded access to holistic support services and strategies for success. Essential knowledge - Maths, Excel; applying mathematics and problem-solving within business, accounting & finance contexts and also introduces students to spreadsheet techniques using Microsoft Excel.

This module explores the customer journey from first contact to long-term loyalty, helping you build knowledge into how businesses attract, win and retain customers. You will examine the marketing strategies and tactics that organisations use to acquire new customers and the approaches that keep existing ones engaged and loyal. You will be encouraged to think critically about the customer acquisition paradox, exploring why companies often invest more in chasing new customers despite research showing it can cost up to seven times more than retaining existing ones. Through interactive workshops, case studies and discussions, you will explore real-world examples of how businesses build meaningful customer relationships, use data-driven insights to improve retention and design effective campaigns that convert prospects into advocates. By the end of the module, you will not only have developed practical skills in planning and executing customer acquisition and retention strategies but also have gained deeper knowledge of how these contribute to sustainable business success. This will provide you with a valuable foundation for roles in marketing, sales and customer relationship management. To support the diverse student community, the module draws on globally relevant case studies and examples from international markets, enabling you to see how customer acquisition and retention strategies operate across different cultural, economic and digital contexts. Whether you are aiming to work in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa or other global regions, the scenarios explored in class will help you connect the concepts to your own ambitions, professional background and future career pathway. This international perspective is designed to help you see yourself in the narrative of the module and consider how customer-focused strategies are applied in a wide range of industries and countries.

This module develops your understanding of how organisations design, manage, and improve operations and supply chains, while also introducing core principles of project management. You will learn key operational concepts such as process efficiency, capacity planning, lean management, and sourcing strategies. You will apply project planning tools, including Gantt charts, stakeholder analyses, critical path analysis, and risk registers, to plan and evaluate real or simulated projects. Through practical group activities, you will build teamwork, negotiation, and communication skills essential for managing performance and coordinating across functions. The module also encourages you to reflect on the professional behaviours required in project and operations environments, including accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. By the end of the module, you will be able to analyse operational challenges, propose improvements, and plan and manage projects that balance stakeholder expectations, sustainability considerations, and organisational goals.

This module builds on the foundational skills and reflective practices introduced in the Level 4 'Succeeding in HE’ module, supporting students to develop their professional skills and career readiness. It is designed to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and reflective practices essential for continuous professional growth in a dynamic and evolving workplace. Through a mix of practical experience and activities, this module will enable students to build their capabilities particularly in digital, technological areas that will aid their future employability within a business and accounting environment. The module emphasizes reflective practice as a tool for professional learning and encourages learners to critically evaluate their experiences and performance in real-world contexts. Specialist knowledge areas including Excel, digital accounting, and other technological skills such as coding and data analysis are considered in relation to potential career pathways, so that students can begin to align their personal skills and behaviours to maximise future employment opportunities. Formalised CPD planning (continuing professional development) will support students in taking ownership of their learning, helping to enhance professional practice and take meaningful steps towards employability and an attitude of lifelong learning.

This module explores how organisations communicate their performance through financial statements and sustainability reports. Students will examine key accounting and legal standards that shape corporate reporting and understand how these regulations influence the information companies disclose. The module aims to deepen understanding of the purpose and structure of major financial statements, as well as the increasing importance of sustainability reporting related to environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance. Students will gain practical skills in preparing compliant financial statements and analysing real corporate reports. These skills will improve their ability to assess a company’s financial health, performance, and sustainability efforts with confidence. The module also emphasizes the ethical responsibilities involved in reporting, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability for investors, regulators, and society. By the end of the module, students will be able to apply financial reporting standards, interpret financial data accurately, and understand how financial and sustainability information together influence corporate decision-making.

This module develops your ability to use management accounting information for strategic planning, decision-making, and performance management. You will explore how management accountants support organisations in achieving competitive advantage through data-driven insights, cost management, and control systems. The module covers key areas of the Strategic Management Accounting including strategic cost management, budgeting and divisional performance evaluation, and strategic decision models. You will learn to analyse, interpret, and communicate financial and non-financial information to influence strategic decisions and organisational behaviour. Through case studies, simulations, and practical analysis, you will apply techniques such as balanced scorecards, Budgeting, and value chain analysis. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to evaluate performance, manage costs, and contribute to sustainable strategic decisions.

This ultimate module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent study that blends learning from previous subjects. It is designed to showcase individual strengths and apply advanced knowledge to a practical business context. Students will create a professional business project that demonstrates their ability to address real-world challenges or opportunities. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem-solving, research planning, data analysis and professional communication skills. By completing this module, students will demonstrate autonomy, innovation and the ability to integrate theory with practice - key attributes for advancing in professional and managerial roles.