Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)

UCAS code: A268

Here's what Wrexham University says about its Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year) course.

Our BSc Accounting and Finance degree will equip you with the practical skills, professional recognition, and real-world experience that employers demand. Whether you aspire to become a chartered accountant, financial analyst, business advisor or an entrepreneur, this course offers the essential foundation and flexibility to shape your future.

You will:

• Gain professional recognition with exemptions from key exams of ACCA, CPA Australia, and AIA, accelerating your journey to full qualification

• Earn a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management from the Chartered Management Institute (worth over £1,300) at no extra cost*, providing a valuable professional qualification recognised by employers

• Access exclusive learning resources as part of our status as an ICAEW Partner in Learning (PiL) - giving you a competitive edge in your studies and career

• Study in a supportive, student-focused environment with small class sizes, ensuring personalised guidance and mentoring

• Master industry-standard software through our partnership with Sage, preparing you for the digital finance workplace

• Learn within Wrexham University’s Active Learning Framework (ALF), combining flexible online and face-to-face teaching to suit different learning styles

• Benefit from our Business Graduates Association (BGA) Bronze Membership, unlocking consultative services and the BGA eLearning hub

• Experience the financial world first-hand with field visits to institutions like the London Stock Exchange

• Learn from expert lecturers who are professionally qualified in accounting or finance and bring real-world insights into the classroom

Key course features

• The course’s curriculum is aligned with key professional bodies, helping you work towards exemptions and recognition that accelerate your career

• This degree is designed to support a wide range of career ambitions, equipping you with the technical expertise, strategic insight, and practical experience needed to thrive in today’s dynamic financial landscape

• From day one, you will engage with the core principles that drive financial decision-making and business strategy

• Our first-year Accounting and Finance course modules will build your confidence in financial thinking, analytical techniques, and commercial awareness - giving you a strong platform for progression

• In your second year, you will tackle more advanced topics including financial reporting, management accounting, corporate finance, and UK taxation. You will learn how to interpret complex data, apply regulatory frameworks, and make strategic decisions that impact business performance

• By your final year, you will be ready to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges. You will explore financial markets, auditing practices, and advanced reporting standards, culminating in a consultancy project that blends theory with practice. This hands-on experience develops your professional judgement and strategic insight - essential qualities for success in today’s competitive global environment

Year 1: Foundation Year The Foundation Year prepares students for higher education and professional development through core skills training and subject exploration. Studying alongside peers from across the Faculty of Social and Life Sciences provides varied perspectives and early networking opportunities.

Key modules include:

Study Skills for Success – Builds academic and time management skills.

Business Environment – Introduces business structures, functions, and the factors that impact performance.

A Day in the Life – Explores career paths linked to your degree and initiates a graduate portfolio.

Numeracy (if required) – Strengthens mathematical skills for degree-level study.

Professional Communication in the Workplace – Develops effective workplace communication.

Fundamentals of Business and Finance – Covers business operations and the role of finance.

Students also engage with academic staff and events from their chosen degree pathway.

Year 2 (Level 4) This year establishes core knowledge in accounting, finance, and economics to build analytical and decision-making skills.

Modules:

Principles of Economics – Introduces micro and macroeconomic principles and their influence on business.

Accounting for Business – Covers double-entry bookkeeping, financial statements, and sources of finance.

Introduction to Management Accounting – Focuses on budgeting, cost behaviour, and financial analysis for planning and control.

Financial Analytics – Teaches basic statistical techniques, spreadsheet tools, and coding for financial data interpretation.

Year 3 (Level 5) This stage deepens your understanding of financial reporting, law, taxation, and corporate finance, building on your foundational knowledge.

Modules:

Corporate Finance and Valuation – Covers investment appraisal, financing decisions, valuation models, and performance analysis.

Financial Reporting and Business Law – Introduces IFRS, financial statement preparation, and key legal principles in business.

Management Accounting – Examines advanced techniques including variance analysis, strategic control, and non-financial performance measures.

Taxation – Explores the UK tax system, compliance, planning, and legal/ethical issues in taxation.

Year 4 (Level 6) In the final year, students apply their knowledge to complex scenarios, preparing for professional roles or further study.

Modules:

Advanced Financial Reporting – Focuses on consolidated accounts, IFRS application, and sustainability in financial reporting.

Audit and Assurance – Covers audit principles, risk, internal controls, ethics, and assurance techniques.

Consultancy Project – A research-led project solving a real business challenge, including client engagement and strategic recommendations.

Financial Markets – Examines global markets, trading mechanisms, behavioural finance, and ESG considerations.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

During our Accounting and Finance degree, you will learn through a mix of face-to-face and online classes, seminars, short, recorded lectures, and guided reading. Teaching is interactive, with case studies, quizzes, group discussions, and input from experienced lecturers and guest speakers. You can also book one-to-one support with tutors via Microsoft Teams to help with assignments and module content.

You will be assessed in ways that reflect real-world skills and professional standards. This includes exams, essays, presentations, portfolios, group projects, and practical tasks. All assessments follow Wrexham University’s academic regulations and are designed to support your development and future employability.

Teaching and Learning

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments.

Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.