Accounting and Finance
with a Foundation Year
Learn and develop the skills that drive all businesses worldwide.
Learn and develop the skills that drive all businesses worldwide.
Think you've found the right course? We still have spots available through Clearing. Apply now to secure your place and join our dynamic and welcoming community at Kent this September.
Apply nowIf you’re a problem solver who loves numbers, this Accounting and Finance BSc is the course for you.
The course is accredited by five professional accounting bodies, allowing you to gain exemptions from their exams and kickstart your career if you want to become a chartered accountant, or gain an edge if you see yourself working in the fields of finance.
Develop the data handling skills that employers are looking for by working on real-time business data in our Bloomberg Finance Lab. You’ll learn from our expert academics and industry professionals through lectures, seminars, and practical sessions.
The foundation year is for students whose school-leaving qualifications are below the level required. It offers one year of full-time study prior to the start of your BSc course.
Hear from our successful alumni, Melina, who after graduating in 2022 is now completing her ACA training at Deloitte.
Study at a ‘Triple Crown’ business school accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.
Gain real-world skills and professional knowledge with a paid year in industry.
of Accounting and Finance students are in work and/or study within 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21)
At Kent, you’re more than your grades. We look at each student’s circumstances as a whole before deciding whether to make an offer to study here. We also take this flexible approach when we receive your exam results.
Check our Clearing vacancy list or call us now +44 (0)1227 768896 to find out if we have a course that’s right for you. See our Clearing website for more details on how Clearing works at Kent.
This module listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
The Foundation Year aims to extend access to university education to students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds and age groups and prepares these students for our three or four-year degrees.
After successful completion of the foundation year, you can transfer on to the three or four-year Accounting and Finance courses. Please refer to the BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Accounting and Finance with a Year Abroad or BSc Accounting and Finance with a Year in Industry programme for more information about specific modules.
Stage 1 is a compulsory introductory year, designed to provide you with a strong foundational understanding of key concepts and ideas in accounting and finance. You’ll gain insight into key areas like economics and management. You’ll study core areas like financial markets, managerial accounting, and financial accounting while building up your numerical and statistical skills to prepare you for the rest of your degree.
There’s great variety in the modules, and I think this must help give you a more open choice of careers.Viththiya Nagendram
Stage 2 allows you to continue developing your understanding of financial systems and core areas of accounting in greater context. You’ll learn about the world of international financial reporting, expand your awareness of business and employment law and study personal taxation.
Finance is at the centre of everyone's decisions. In a world of tricky economic conditions and volatile financial markets, how can companies and investors apply the main principles of finance when undertaking investment and funding decisions?
You'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate various financial decisions, such as raising capital in financial markets or from financial institutions, investing in real assets or financial assets, and selling and trading securities.
You'll become proficient in using the Bloomberg terminal to gain a better understanding of financial market operations and you'll learn how companies and investors use this information and the main principles of finance to take funding and investment decisions to deliver profits and sustainable growth.
Management accounts act as a constant for businesses in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment, making them crucial for success and valuable to organisations. You'll apply management accounting tools and techniques to assist managers in making profit planning decisions, controlling company performance, and evaluating long-term investments to grow. Through developing skills in how to become a business partner, analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills you’ll be ready to analyse economic results, identify growth opportunities and advise managers on how to drive sustainable performance across their organisation.
Nearly all listed companies in the European Union and the United Kingdom have to prepare consolidated financial statements that comply with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). You'll develop knowledge and skills in understanding and applying IFRS and the theoretical framework in the preparation of financial statements of entities, including groups and how to analyse major elements of those financial statements. You'll also be able to identify trends and potential obstacles to financial reporting while being able to track financial performance in real time. These skills are what managers are looking for from finance professionals, giving you an edge in a competitive career market.
The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on how businesses fulfil their legal obligations to customers, suppliers and their workforce. As well as exploring how businesses are structured and the duties on directors and partners it also considers the legal obligations individuals and organisations have over those to whom they have a duty of care. The module further covers the main laws governing the employment of staff and contractors. By applying the law to real-world business situations students are able to fine-tune their problem solving skills, and their ability to construct well-reasoned and persuasive arguments.
Indicative topics are:
The English Legal System, Legal Process, Dispute Resolution and the impact of European Union Law in the UK;
Law of Negligence – including general principles and negligent misstatement;
Law of Business Organisations - classification of business organisations; main principles applying to general and limited liability partnerships and registered companies, and directors' duties;
Employment Law - the general scope of the legal obligations owed by employers to employees, including the employment contract, discrimination and dismissal.
Why do we need taxes and why does the subject of taxation always seem to spark debate? Governments use taxes to generate revenue to fund public services and infrastructure, as well as influencing our lifestyle choices. Learning about personal taxation is important for understanding legal obligations, making informed financial decisions and advancing professional opportunities. You'll learn to evaluate financial risks while complying with regulatory requirements and enhance your career prospects in accounting and finance.
Strategic Management aims to provide an understanding of strategic analysis, strategic decision-making and strategic processes within and between organisations. The module content combines approaches to strategic management, concepts and frameworks, and issues in strategic management. In particular, the themes covered include: internal and external environment analysis, strategic options, selection and evaluation, organisational structure and culture, the role of knowledge, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, not-for profit and social enterprises, corporate social responsibility, international strategies, strategic change and building a cohesive strategy. Case studies, which are used throughout the module, provide a vehicle for exploring the relationship between theory and practice in organisations and analysing the implications for strategic direction.
Develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to stand out in a competitive labour market. The focus is on understanding the graduate labour market and securing work experience through placements, internships and the University's award-winning Employability Points scheme. You'll learn how to compete and stand out when applying for graduate opportunities. You'll practice all stages of the recruitment process, from the application to psychometric tests, virtual job interviews, assessment centres and more. Secure the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Your final year has a greater focus on developing your specialist knowledge of capstone accounting and finance areas with an array of optional modules to tailor the course to your interests. Choose to do modules in auditing, taxation, managerial and financial accounting that will maximise your exemptions from our professional bodies or develop your competencies in other areas like risk management or corporate finance that might better suit your career goals.
Our enthusiastic team of international teaching staff are all experts in their field of study and are regularly published in leading journals worldwide. They guide and support your learning, bringing their subject to life and drawing you into the conversation through lectures, seminars, presentations and computer-based simulations.
Your progress is assessed through a mix of coursework – including reports, essays and presentations - and exams. Undergraduate students can expect around 8 contact hours per week, depending on year of study and optional module choices made. The remainder of the working week consists of self-guided study.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.
Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programme specification.
Our Accounting and Finance graduates move into a range of careers within the world of business. Many go on to become chartered, certified or management accountants working at top accounting firms, including the ‘Big 4’, as well as other local, national and international firms.
Recent graduates have taken up positions with a wide range of companies, including:
The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
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