Educational aims
This diploma aims to provide you with intermediate knowledge and understanding of the main principles and concepts in financial accounting, management accounting and finance/financial management. The programme acts both as a qualification which you can register for and as an exit qualification for the accounting and finance degree which is designed to develop an understanding of the accounting and finance practices and their implications in society and to develop the skills necessary to pursue a career in accounting, finance and other related areas of business and management.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this qualification, you’ll have knowledge and understanding of:
- the essential contexts within which an accounting and finance professional operates and the challenges they face.
- a range of concepts, theories, methods, tools and techniques of accounting and finance including in relation to other related subjects such as business management, law and governance.
- a range of practices adopted in accounting and finance including technical language, recording and summarising transactions, preparation of financial statements, performance management and decision making.
- the core current debates and emergent issues related to accounting and finance including associated uncertainties and limitations.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- identify and gather useful data from a wide range of sources in relation to problem solving within accounting and finance.
- prepare and analyse data in accounting and finance deploying established techniques of analysis and enquiry.
- interpret information and evidence in decision making processes
- make and support arguments combining concepts, theories and approaches with evidence.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- demonstrate an awareness of governance and ethical issues related to the accounting and finance profession.
- demonstrate the ability to self-manage as a professional in accounting and finance where the criteria for decisions and the scope of the task are generally well defined.
- reflect on feedback received and provide others with constructive feedback
- identify some of the skills required in different contexts within accounting and finance as a reflective learner.
Key skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- select and apply principles, quantitative and qualitative methods, tools and techniques to problems and issues
- identify and evaluate alternative strategies and approaches
- work with others using a range of digital practices.
- communicate and present quantitative and qualitative information using a range of contemporary communication technologies.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods
The key teaching vehicles are distance learning materials which comprise a range of compulsory readings and examples as well as other materials such as audio/visual materials, and specially prepared study guides directing your reading and illustrating key teaching points. These vehicles are presented mainly in electronic (web) format.
Your learning of the materials is supported by a tutor who maintains contact with you individually, conducts periodic group tutorials and facilitates online learning via various forums. This tutor is your first and main point of contact, answering your queries, grading and commenting on your work and facilitating group learning.
You are provided with opportunities to enhance your learning by engaging with fellow students and other members of the module team via online tutorials and forums. Some modules may provide additional online sessions for example library sessions led by library staff and module wide briefings.
Online tutorials will usually occur prior to the submission of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessments (EMAs) or exams and will be an opportunity to ensure you have consolidated your knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials and acquired general and legal study skills to enable you to complete the assessment.
Assessment of the knowledge and understanding of the components of the programme is achieved through a combination of continuous assessment and exams. The continuous assessment element consists of a series of TMAs – usually one or two for each 30-credit module. These are also central to the teaching of the module since they enable tutors to identify and comment on your knowledge and understanding. Your learning is further assessed through interactive computer-marked assignments and either examinations or EMAs. Exams are particularly important in an accounting and finance diploma, therefore most modules end with an exam. It is likely that your exams will be digitally invigilated. Your module results will be determined by your performance on both the assignments and the examinations.