Course content

You will study accountancy with a specialism in finance, exploring the design and use of accounting and financial systems and how they are affected by individuals, organisations, markets and society. Core financial and management accounting modules will be supported with the opportunity to study specialist topics such as taxation, corporate governance and audit. Finance modules are designed to introduce and explore the theories leading to the design of financial institutions, the services they provide and the products they sell. Observational and analytical skills will be developed and practiced throughout your study. 

ACCREDITATIONS

Our accounting awards are accredited with accountancy professional bodies including ACCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) and CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy).  This means that you will gain exemption from some of their exam papers as you have already covered the content.

STRENGTHENING YOUR EMPLOYABILITY

Work Placement Year

The Work Placement Year is a great opportunity to gain industry standard experience between Year 2 and Year 3, before returning for your final year of study. This mix of theory and practical experience allows an understanding of the workplace in your chosen sector/industry. You will receive support from our Student Placement Officer and Careers and Employability team throughout your placement search which you will be responsible for securing. This year aims to set you apart from the crowd and increase your employment opportunities. Take a look at some of our student experiences and frequently asked questions.

Visa restrictions apply. Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake. For more information about visa's please click here.

Entrepreneurship Year

Eligible for UK students only, this module allows you to showcase your innovative abilities and ideas to develop your business aspirations. Whether you’ve always wanted to create your own start up or are inspired by your studies, this module will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills as well as graduate attributes. The module will take place between Year 2 and Year 3, therefore you will be unable to opt for the Work Placement Year or International Year if you choose this option. You can find more information, here.

International Year

Broaden your horizons at one of our partner universities by studying an International Year between Year 2 and Year 3. You will have the opportunity to spend the two semesters of the international year at one partner university or one semester at one university and the second semester at another. On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with a degree title ‘with International Year’. You can find more information here.

Keele Business School offers a range of different teaching styles such as lectures, tutorials and workshops.  Sessions are informed and enriched by research, daily news and events as well as professional content.

Teaching and Assessment

You will be assessed using a range of methods appropriate to the subject studied.  These will include computer based assessments, traditional paper based examinations, essays, research assignments, and a portfolio of tasks.  If you choose to take a Work Placement Year, Entrepreneurship Year or International Year then a project submission will be required to evidence your experience.

Staff

Our staff in Keele Business School are active researchers in core areas such as accounting, finance, economics, marketing and management.  Their academic work will inform your learning, incorporating recent theories and current themes to open discussion in your subject area.  We also have qualified accountants within our teaching team who have years of practical experience to inform and excite their subjects.  There are professional support staff on hand to answer any queries you may have during your undergraduate studies at Keele.

Related courses

• Accounting and Business Management 
• Economics and Finance
• Business Management and Finance
• Management with integrated Masters

Facilities

Keele Business School

Keele Business School is located in a state-of-the-art, multi-million pound facility complete with 220-seat lecture theatre, a ‘think lab’ study space, data laboratory, cafe and business lounge. Home to our accounting, business management, economics, finance, HRM, international business, management and marketing programmes, Keele Business School is the first to be located on a Science Park.

As well as new teaching spaces, our building is unique in that it is also home to the Smart Innovation Hub, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which includes space and support programmes for innovation-led businesses, providing opportunities for students and staff to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and business owners, gaining invaluable networks and experience.

Our computer laboratories are equipped with industry-leading software such as Bloomberg, STATA, Thomson Reuters and Sage Accounting Software, providing you with an opportunity to gain valuable practical IT experience. You may also be able to complement this practical experience, by opting for a placement year, an international year or an entrepreneurship year, between your second and third year of study. 

Keele Bloomberg Finance Lab

At Keele Business School we have a dedicated computer laboratory, the Bloomberg Finance Lab, which provides access to the Bloomberg Professional Service, also known as the Terminal. The Bloomberg Professional Service is a widely used platform of economic, financial and business information in the financial industry, government and beyond. KBS students have free access to the Bloomberg Professional Service, which is integrated into the teaching of a number of modules in economics, finance, accounting and business management. Students can also use the terminals in their own time to obtain data and information to use in their essays and projects.

The Bloomberg Terminal provides privileged access to economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations. It has become a standard tool for traders, market analysts, financial institutions, and researchers. Practical knowledge of how to use the Terminal is a very much sought after skill by employers in the financial industry including retail and investment banking, audit, accountancy, insurance and actuarial science.

In the event of social distancing restrictions, students may have remote access to the Bloomberg Terminal via the internet.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

Focused core study with a range of relevant option subjects will provide you with the opportunity to graduate with a degree to support a career in a range of accounting, finance or other business areas.  Simulation tasks and exams will have taught you to work to deadlines and under pressure.  Assignment and research work will teach you to explore new areas and embrace new information, whilst engagement with computer based assessment, group work and presentations will have developed valuable skills for the workplace. 

Previous employers

• AECOM UK
• BAE Systems
• Barbon Insurance Group
• Barclays
• Deloitte LLP
• Barratt Developments
• Cape PLC
• Chartered Accountants
• Interserve

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Chartered Accountant
• Chartered Certified Accountant
• Chartered Public Finance Accountant
• Chartered Management Accountant
• Accounting Technician
• Finance Trader
• Retail Manager
• Tax Adviser
• Management Consultant
• Banker
• Pensions Consultant
• Insurance Broker

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.