Why study this course?
Our Accounting and Financial Services top-up degree is for those who already have a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject. It allows you to top up your existing qualification to a full undergraduate degree.
You'll be taught by highly experienced academics and have access to an extensive network of industry contacts to help you excel in the world of accounting, finance and financial services.
More about this course
The Accounting and Financial Services Top-up BA will allow you to explore and expand your knowledge of accounting and financial services theory, as well as facilitating practical experience of using financial services software.
The top-up course includes the study of major subject areas in accounting and financial services, such as Advanced Management Accounting, Financial Management, Financial and Economic Modelling, Financial Instruments, Audit and Assurance Services and International Banking.
As a London Met students, you’ll have access to our Bloomberg room which will allow you to analyse facts and figures of the current market, and enable you to join the elite group of Bloomberg users around the world.
Using our Bloomberg room, you will have access to the same Bloomberg financial data that’s used on trading floors and in investment houses around the world. Having access to this data will help inform your decisions, aid research, assist you in analysing current market facts and figures, and enable you to join the elite group of Bloomberg users around the world. As well as building knowledge of Bloomberg, you will have opportunities to develop expertise in other packages such as Sage accounting software, EViews statistical package and IBM’s SPSS statistics software.
In recognition of the importance of industry insight, you will have opportunities to be taught by experts with industry experience and to hear from practitioners via guest lectures.
You’ll also develop transferable skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, helping you to prepare for a successful career in the accounting and financial services sectors.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through essays, presentations and closed book examinations.
Fees and key information
Apply nowEntry requirements
In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have one of the following:
240 credits from an Higher National Diploma (HND) or foundation degree or equivalent qualification in relevant subjects in the University or elsewhere including internationally.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).
English language requirements
To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa (previously Tier 4) you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements.
If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2023/24 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 3 modules include:
- This module currently runs:
- spring semester - Thursday afternoon
- spring semester - Thursday morning
This module focuses on the strategic aspects of management accounting. It will explore and critically evaluate a number of management accounting techniques encountered in levels 4 (Management Accounting Fundamentals or its equivalent) and level 5 (Management Accounting or its equivalent). In addition, it will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the theoretical models, analytical methods and practical issues of a number of techniques used by managers in planning, performance evaluation and long-term decision making in an ever-changing business environment. The module will also take a view on the role of management accountants in both profit seeking and not-for-profit organisations in the globalised world where businesses operate.
This Accounting module is very relevant for students who intend to follow a career in Management Accounting after their studies.
The module aims to develop students’ skills in the following areas:
Apply the skills learnt in Levels 4 and 5 in a strategic context that provides a sound foundation for higher studies.
Develop practical management accounting skills that are transferable into employment; work situations.
Develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the theoretical models, analytical methods and practical aspects of decision making in management accounting in competitive business environments.
Evaluate financial and non-financial evidence including arguments and assumptions in order to reach objective conclusions. - This module currently runs:
- spring semester - Thursday afternoon
Module aims:
1. To provide an understanding of the concept of audit and assurance incorporating the functions of audit in context to corporate governance which includes the ethics and professional conduct knowledge. This further includes internal and external audit review and reporting functions in context of the regulatory frameworks and professional and ethical dimensions of audit practice,
2. To critically appraise and evaluate the audit process which demonstrate how the auditors understands, regulate, obtain and accept the audit engagements consisting the entity and its environment appropriate techniques and judgments in relation to the performance and reporting of financial statement (including the risk of material misstatement – arising from fraud or other externalities or internalities) while performing audit and assurance services,
3. To develop advanced skills in forming judgements and opinions whilst exercising an appropriate degree of professional judgement and professional scepticism in audit and assurance engagements. This includes the description and evaluation of the internal controls, processes, techniques, audit tests. Further incorporating IT systems identification and communication process to control risk and the potential consequences to make effective recommendations. The description of the scope, role and the function of internal audit is also included.
4. Understanding the application of the international Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and the ability to distinguish between external and internal audit. This includes full evaluation of the internal controls using the appropriate audit software, test data and the data analytics tool; further identifying, describing the work and the evidence obtained by the auditors.
5. The demonstration of employability and technological skills. Explanation of the subsequent events, going concern principle that can inform the auditors about the conclusion of their audit work providing true reflection of the auditor’s report, presentation, written representations and the final review and report.
This module aims to enable students to complete a research focused dissertation on a chosen topic or issue appropriate to their undergraduate degree. Students are required to reflect on relevant research questions, theoretical concepts/hypotheses, prior literature, ethical approaches, research methodologies and data analyses in an independent and disciplined manner. Students are expected to develop an in-depth understanding of their chosen research topics, research methods/approaches and the ability to appropriately seek out data samples required for research in a selected topic. The module aims to develop analytical, critical thinking, referencing and time management skills in independently undertaking and reporting on a research project.
- This module currently runs:
- autumn semester - Wednesday morning
This module aims to provide students with a knowledge of the trading of the major exchange-traded and over-the-counter traded financial products and develop an understanding of their use as investment vehicles, hedging tools, engineered products, arbitrage mechanisms, and speculative instruments.
The module discusses the characteristics, pricing and valuation of the fundamental instruments, terminologies and contract specifications for the trading of those financial instruments in both cash markets and derivative markets. The module evaluates the relationship between cash instruments and financial instruments, identifies the risk exposure on investments and explores the use of financial derivatives for risk hedging.
Students will also develop skills for data collection and analysis which may include the use of Bloomberg and MS Excel spreadsheets.
A blended teaching and learning approach includes the use of websites, videos, guest talks from industry and support for employability enhancing classroom activities.
The financial market Lab Bloomberg may be used to deliver teaching sessions. - This module currently runs:
- autumn semester - Thursday afternoon
- autumn semester - Thursday morning
The module is designed to develop students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the use of financial management. It will also explore the theoretical models, analytical methods and practical aspects of corporate investment and financial decisions making in a competitive business environment and a dynamic capital market.
The principal aims of this module are to:
- Apply knowledge, understanding and skills learnt at levels 4 and 5 to appreciate the wider picture - essentially taking a strategic standpoint and thereby providing an appropriate foundation for higher studies;
- Evaluate financial and non-financial evidence including arguments and assumptions in order to reach objective conclusions;
- Display the accountant’s need to remain innovative and play a pivotal part in the management of change in organisations, which is increasingly becoming a corporate requirement;
- Develop students’ skills, in particular, those relating to the analysis and presentation of data; critical thinking, writing and problem-solving.
- To determine the interconnections between investment decisions, financing decisions and distribution decisions in the form of dividends.
The module also aims to help students in the development of the following skills:
. analysis and presentation of data;
. critical thinking, writing and problem-solving;
. study skills such as critical reflection, time management and self-awareness. - This module currently runs:
- autumn semester - Thursday morning
- autumn semester - Monday afternoon
The module develops the students’ understanding of financial and economic modelling using the foundations of econometrics and financial data analysis introduced within the teaching at earlier levels. It provides an in-depth understanding of a wide variety of financial and economic models and their implications by using statistical and econometric software such as EViews. The knowledge and skills embedded within the module are designed to assist students in their efforts to design, undertake and evaluate empirical studies within the field of banking, finance and economics.
- This module currently runs:
- spring semester - Tuesday afternoon
- spring semester - Thursday morning
The module aims to provide an in-depth understanding of theoretical and applied issues in relation to the activities of international banks. The module focuses on main theories of banking and provides an overview of the crucial operations in the context of international banking. It also seeks to provide students with a critical awareness of different approaches of assessing bank risk and performance and how they are used in practice by shareholders, investors and financial and banking experts.
Additional costs
Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.
Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.
How to apply
If you're a UK applicant wanting to study full-time starting in September, you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified. If you're an international applicant wanting to study full-time, you can choose to apply via UCAS or directly to the University.
If you're applying for part-time study, you should apply directly to the University. If you require a Student visa, please be aware that you will not be able to study as a part-time student at undergraduate level.
If you're applying for a degree starting in January/February, you can apply directly to the University.
When to apply
The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) accepts applications for full-time courses starting in September from one year before the start of the course. Our UCAS institution code is L68.
If you will be applying direct to the University you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only be able to consider your application if there are places available on the course.
To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.
To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.
