Overview
Our Accounting and Finance with foundation year programme has been specially designed to give you the introductory and foundational knowledge to confidently progress to degree-level study.
The course is delivered in a supportive learning environment with a focus on student and professional success. Our curriculum has been designed with future practice in mind, and students have the opportunity to pursue an optional placement in industry during their degree to gain relevant work experience and develop their employability skills.
You’ll learn how to use data for decision making, taxation and managerial accounting, as well as finance in a digital world. You will be able to tailor the course to suit your interests and future ambitions through a range of option modules in your final year.
Why Accountancy and Finance at LSBU?
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- 89% of students on this course think that teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2024)
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- We are ranked 3rd in London for Accounting and Finance, among modern London competitors, by the Complete University Guide (2021),
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- Professional certification: become a part-qualified accountant with exemptions from ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW.
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- Software skills: you’ll learn industry-standard software including Bloomberg, SAGE, FAME, Nvivo and SPSS.
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- Our teaching team brings a wealth of experience to the classroom, from researchers to professional chartered accountants.
| ModeFull-time | Duration4 year (With Placement) | Start dateSeptember | Application codeN40F | Application method UCAS |
| ModeFull-time | Duration4 year (With Placement) | Start dateSeptember | Application codeN40F | Application method UCAS |
| ModeFull-time | Duration4 year (With Placement) | Start dateJanuary | Application codeN40F | Application method UCAS |
Course Accreditations
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ACCA
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CIMA
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AIA
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ICAEW
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IFA
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Want to start your course this September? call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.
In order to be considered for entry to the course(s) applicants will be required to have the following qualifications:
- A Level DD or:
- BTEC National Diploma MPP or:
- Access to HE qualifications with Pass or:
- Equivalent Level 3 qualifications worth 64 UCAS points.
- Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including English and Maths, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).
- We welcome equivalent qualifications from around the world.
We welcome equivalent qualifications from around the world.
English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
Advanced entry
If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.
United Kingdom
£9250
Tuition fees for home students
International
£15900
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
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Full-time
full-time
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 1FC00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 1FS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 1FS01 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 2FC00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 2FS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 2FS01 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 3FC00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 3FS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 3
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 3FS01 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 4FC00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 4FS00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600 BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) (FT) - Year 4
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £15900 AOS/LSBU code: 5873 Session code: 4FS01 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £37000 International: £63600
For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.
Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.
See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).
Possible fee changes
The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.
The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.
Scholarships
We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.
International students
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
Home
| Mode Full-time | Duration 4 year (With Placement) | Start date September | Application code N40F | Application method UCAS |
| Mode Full-time | Duration 4 year (With Placement) | Start date September | Application code N40F | Application method UCAS |
| Mode Full-time | Duration 4 year (With Placement) | Start date January | Application code N40F | Application method UCAS |
Accommodation
Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.
Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.
Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
Finance
You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.
Prepare to start
Applicant events
After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
This course covers a broad range of areas including financial accounting fundamentals, concepts of management and principles of marketing. Take a look at the detail below.
Year 1
- Apps and Applications This module will introduce students to software that can be used in the academic and business environment to support their IT confidence, enhance their IT proficiency and work together in online spaces. The students will develop practical skills enabling them to use software to communicate effectively and collect, manipulate and present information. Further, students should develop a confidence with learning and using new software, preparing them for the changing business environment, and the increasing use of virtual spaces and emerging software.
- Academic Development Academic writing is the foundation upon which student success is built. This module will explore the contextual nature of communication, comparing the features of spoken language with the written word. Further, it will explain the key steps that students will need to undertake to complete a persuasive piece of academic writing, providing students with guidance on how to express opinions and form logical academic arguments underpinned by research.
- Business Communication and Culture This module supports students in their personal and academic development as they transition into business education, ensuring familiarisation with academic processes and resources, and through the development of sustainable communication and effective coaching skills. Furthermore it facilitates the student’s self-development, through the exploration of their core values and beliefs, enabling them to develop their social and cultural capital through individual and group work, networking, social activity, and exposure to the current business environment and the good coaching practice within organisational culture.
- Problem-solving for business This module introduces students to the basic concepts of business research. Students will apply introductory research skills to a real-world problem in the shape of a local project, which will require students to undertake primary and secondary research into an issue facing a local organisation such as a community service, local charity or small business. The students will select a project as a team and then discuss the research problems with the tutor before starting the project. The students will evaluate outcomes of the research undertaken and provide recommendations for tfhe business. The aim of this module is to expose students to the research process so, in instances where companies pull out, students can complete their research using secondary data and addressing the issues they faced in their methodology section. The students will also conduct a short programme of coaching.
- Data-handing for Business and Marketing This module teaches the fundamental statistical and mathematical tools that are the principles of decision-making. From a data perspective, the course provides an idea of infrastructures and types of data. It will provide students with the skills to derive insights from a pool of data for decision making. This will create the appropriate ground for modules on BA Business Management and BA Marketing Extended Degrees. For example, one can get the principles to manage financial data, the business model of e-companies and the fundamentals to process secondary data.
- Introduction to Accounting
Year 2
- Finance and the Economy You’ll be introduced to a range of economic and financial topics and shows how these can be applied to understand the world around us. You’ll develop your understanding of the external environment businesses face, and aspects of finance relevant to the business context. The module aims to develop your understanding of the context in which modern business operates. Thus, enabling you to appreciate and apply simple economic concepts to facilitate business decision making in an increasingly dynamic and resource constrained global business environment. It further aims to equip you with the understanding of financial tools and markets and the knowledge to make financial decisions for your personal or professional lives.
- The LSBU Discovery Project You'll utilise business project frameworks, problem solving skills and ideas generation techniques that will support you through the key stages required to complete a business project from concept to delivery. Throughout the stages of your project, and by incorporating a facilitated coaching process, you will be supported to develop key skills vital to successful leadership and management.
- Elements of Financial Accounting This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of the regulatory framework of accounting together with the qualitative characteristics of useful accounting information. It will also develop knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and methods used in the recording of financial data and preparation and presentation of financial statements. This module aims to build up your knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts relating to financial accounting and, in so doing, to develop your technical proficiency in the preparation and interpretation of financial statements.
- Management and Organisations You’ll be introduced to concepts of management in organisations, giving you an appreciation of the complexities of organisations, which affect employee the behaviour within them. You’ll learn about human resource management strategies to manage people in organisations, as well as key management, organisational behaviour and people management theories and practices.
- Data for Decision Making In this module, you'll examine a range of ways of handling, analysing and presenting quantitative information. The underlying theme is to look at data in a variety of forms, to determine the ‘story’ that this data is telling, and to use that ‘story’ to justify decisions. This module will equip students with the quantitative skills necessary for them to be able to understand and analyse the information contained in numerical data, and to use this analysis to make business decisions.
- Managerial Accounting You will learn about the basics of management accounting and how to apply your knowledge in various contexts. It will enable you to understand how to use a variety of management accounting techniques in supporting the management processes of planning, controlling and decision-making within organisations. It will cover cost accounting principles, conventions and practices as applied to the ascertainment of costs and the analysis, interpretation and presentation of cost information.
Year 3
- Managing Business Performance
This module will introduce advanced aspects of management accounting particularly to do with performance management within organisations that operate within competitive environments. The module will help you understand the use of quantitative and qualitative information as well as cost, quality and process management systems used by organisations to measure and manage performance and implement optimal strategies in a changing and competitive environment. - Taxation Practice
This module introduces you to the UK taxation system. This includes the study of various different kinds of taxes, how these taxes are calculated and how HMRC works. The main taxes covered will be income tax for individuals (both employment income and income from self-employment), corporation tax, simple group structures, and value added tax. You will learn to not only calculate tax liabilities for these taxes but also to plan tax affairs to efficiently manage the taxes of individuals and companies. You will also learn the basic compliance requirements for both individuals and companies. - Professional and Digital Skills
This module provides comprehensive insights into graduate employability and your career development as an Accounting & Finance. It teaches you essential techniques of self-awareness building, career exploration, job search, succeeding in recruitment and selection processes and teamwork, enabling you to secure employment and thrive in the world of work. In addition, you will covers specific skills of particular relevance to Accounting & Finance students, with particular hands-on Excel and accounting software skills, and also knowledge of technological innovations such as Blockchain, cryptocurrency, and others. The module is taught as a mix of lectures, practitioner guest lectures, hands-on skills seminars and computer lab sessions. The portfolio assignment consists of two reflective pieces, encouraging you to embark on your own exploration and learning journey, relating the content covered in this module to and own individual career ambitions. - Legal Environment of Business
The module will introduce you to the general principles of Business and Corporate Law as well as ethical behaviour and implication for accountants. It also introduces you to the English Legal System and examines the general principles of English Law, which have a major impact in the business and legal environment in which accountants operate. - Financial Accounting and Reporting This module will build upon the Level 4 module, Financial Accounting and will introduce you to the conceptual and regulatory framework of financial reporting as well as ethical behaviour and implication for accountants. The module will enable you to prepare, interpret and analysis financial statements for single entity and business combination in accordance with IAS and IFRS. Students who successfully complete the module should have a solid base from which to continue onto the Level 6 module, Corporate Reporting.
- Finance in a Digital World In this module, you will develop an understanding of the basic principles of contemporary finance and investment. It seeks to provide an elementary knowledge of the subject, simultaneously highlighting the essential links between accounting & finance concepts and practical financial management in a digital world. Through this, you will have a firm foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of financial decision-making in a digitised marketplace.
Year 4 (optional placement year)
When you complete a placement year, you'll be awarded a differentiated degree entitled BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Placement). The assessment of the placement is designed to support and accredit your experience by formalising your personal development outcomes, and by contextualising your prior learning. The production of evidence to a relevant professional body, which includes a minimum of two workplace visits over the year, will provide you with a supportive structure to work in. Regular online contact with tutors, peer-contact and placement support will be maintained throughout the year. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
Year 5
- Contemporary Audit: Principles & Practice
This module introduces you to the concept of the auditing, assurance and internal audit function. It will examine the relationship between the statutory audit process, corporate governance, ethics and professional conduct. You will be given a firm foundation in the planning, risk assessment, audit testing and providing an audit opinion to a business entity. The main theme of this module is to explore the practical aspects of the auditing process and how this is applied to various business entities and how the audit process can assist businesses with their strategic business decision-making. The module will also consider the contemporary aspects of auditing such as social and environmental audit. - Corporate Reporting
This module builds upon the knowledge and skills gained in earlier financial reporting/accounting modules. It covers the preparation and analysis of financial statements for individual reporting entities and groups. The module also addresses key financial reporting standards including those relating to leases, revenue recognition, non-current assets, financial instruments borrowing costs and related parties and addresses theoretical issues such as earnings management and regulation of corporate reporting. - Financial Decision Making
This module is about managing the finance function in a business enterprise by making value-maximising financial decisions. Financial value is a function of cash, time and opportunity cost – all key factors that financial managers need to consider when allocating scarce resources to competing uses. Since value maximisation requires the optimum balance of return and risk, the management of risk will be an important theme of the module. You will be provided with a firm foundation in the theoretical as well as practical aspects of financial decision-making.
Plus 1 option from:
- Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting
This module covers advanced aspects of accounting for business combinations and introduces you to some of the complex areas of financial reporting such as accounting for financial instruments, employee benefits, share options and integrated reporting. The module exposes you to the ethical and professional issues an accountant may face in practice and develops an understanding of how to deal with such issues. The module also exposes you to research on the usefulness of accounting information to investors and the use of accounting ratios to predict corporate distress. - Advanced Taxation
This module builds on the taxation principles and concepts introduced in the ‘Taxation Practice’ module. The module is optional and is suitable for those who want to further their knowledge of UK taxation system. The module is of applied nature and provides in-depth knowledge of the main income tax categories namely income tax for individuals, corporation taxes, capital gains tax for individuals, inheritance and trusts taxes, and value added taxes (VAT). - Corporate Finance and Risk Management
The module aims to build on already existing knowledge of the fundamental theory and practice of finance, and provide you with the more advanced technical expertise required to apply these in the context of strategic financial decision making and risk management from the perspective of senior financial executives or consultants. It will also be useful for students seeking a firm grounding in advanced corporate and international finance as a basis for further study or research in the subject area. - Global Finance and Technology
This module introduces you to the concept of International Finance and the role of exchange rates and their determination in financial markets. The module covers theories of exchange rate determination and the difference between fixed and floating exchange rate systems. It further offers an excursion into modern financial topics such as cryptocurrencies, Fintech and automation in the banking sector as key drivers in the finance industry. You will be exposed to the regulatory challenges, which come with financial innovation. The module will feature guest speakers from the industry to introduce students to various financial software platforms. - Organisational Risk and Controls
Accounting & finance professionals have to be in a position to strategically develop a business and show an awareness of the various risk factors which can have an impact on this development. In addition, accounting & finance professionals have to evaluate the strategic position of the business against the external environment and the availability of internal resources, to identify feasible strategic options particularly in relation to risk management processes. - Strategic Leadership and Governance
Effective design and implementation of organisational strategy depends on intelligent leadership and good governance. Underpinning this are the shared values of the leaders within an organisation. In a context of important technological and geopolitical change, this module explores the principles of sound strategy. And it emphasises the role of styles of leadership and forms of governance in achieving strategic direction. An important theme is the place of integrity and responsibility in a challenging and risk-laden business environment. You will be provided with a firm foundation in core theoretical ideas. You will also, through case studies and an applied coursework, be helped to develop the practical skills of strategy creation and implementation. - Volunteering
This module allows you to gain valuable volunteering experience while studying for an undergraduate degree. Volunteering adds significant value to your transferable skills and career development, it can also boost wellbeing and personal fulfilment in terms of social impact. Your are encouraged to access support from the Student Commercial Experience team, they will be able to signpost and highlight any opportunities both within the University, or offered by members of its professional network. However, responsibility for securing the volunteering opportunity ultimately lies with yourself, developing employability and job resourcing skills as part of the module offer. - Accounting and Finance Research Project
This final year module allows students to consolidate their learning during their degree by completing an independent small-scale research project, with an accounting or finance focus. This module is also excellent preparation if you plan to continue on to postgraduate study.
Careers
Employability Service
We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Our integrated foundation year provides you with a solid foundation in academic skills and business-related disciplines; instilling knowledge and practical skills that will prepare you for an LSBU Business School degree which can add value to any company or organisation. You will specifically develop practical and research skills in the Problem Solving for Business module but all modules will require you to engage in practical tasks which will enhance your employability.
LSBU Business School has established links with a number of organisations including:
- The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)
- The Institute of Directors (IoD)
- The National Audit Office (NAO)
- The National Health Service (NHS)
- The PQ Magazine
- The Small Business Charter
- Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrations (ICSA)
- The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
- Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD)
LSBU Business School is an esteemed member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), an international membership and quality assurance body of world-leading and high-potential Business Schools who share a commitment for responsible management practices and lifelong learning, and are looking to provide positive impact on their students, communities, and the economy as a whole. BGA is the sister brand to the Association of MBAs (AMBA), the world's impartial authority on postgraduate management education.
As a BGA member institution, students of LSBU Business School are able to access BGA's individual membership, which offers a range of tools and resources designed to support the professional and personal development of business students and graduates, free of charge. This includes CV building services, a job search function, skill assessments, thought-leadership, partner discounts and much more.
Teaching and Assessment
The academic team is made up of a range of lecturers from research, industry and charity backgrounds with subject specialisms in Economics, Enterprise, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Mathematics.
Where possible, guest speakers from business and academia will bring specialisms and real world contextualisation. Interactive seminars and workshops will support the lectures and have a strong focus on small group activities and application of knowledge to business case studies and real life. Examples of activities students will engage with during seminars are: question practice and case study analysis to reinforce and contextualise key lecture topics, debate and discussion. Processes and techniques are demonstrated during lectures and are then developed and applied to questions and exercises during seminars to reinforce learning.
Examples of the range of assessment types are: Business Reports, Case Study Analysis, Closed Book Exam, Multiple choice test, Individual Reflections, Essays, E-poster, Social Media Presence Development, Individual Portfolio, Excel Assignment, Coaching Diary, and Group Presentation.
Personal Tutoring
Personal tutoring and pastoral care will be provided through a dedicated team of personal tutors. As part of the Academic Development, students will meet in groups to discuss and identify their own individual SMART objectives related to the current course of study and career objectives. From this they will then work alongside their Personal Tutor to develop the Personal Development Plan for the coming semester and to be developed in all modules and finalised in the Problem Solving for Business module.
At the end of Semester 1 / beginning of Semester 2 students will meet to review their semester one results and develop their plan. In Semester 2 the personal development will focus on extra curricula opportunities for students to increase student engagement. The division will work closely with support services and societies and the student to ensure opportunities for personal development are supported.
