programme approval record and certificate (parc) p 1 ... · post graduate certificate in business...

MSc Accounting and Finance Version 2 June 2018

PROGRAMME APPROVAL RECORD AND CERTIFICATE (PARC)

PART 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

Programme title MSc Accounting and Finance [12/24 month] MSc Accounting and Finance [18 month]

Award title Masters in Accounting and Finance

Awarding Body/Institution BPP University

Teaching Institution (if different)

N/A

Language of Study English

UCAS Code N/A

Programme Code

Course Aim (HESA) M00

JACS Code(s) and % N300 – 50%; N400 – 50%

HECoS Code(s) and %

School Business School

Accrediting Bodies (if any) ACCA

Collaborative Partners (if any) None

Interim/Exit Awards Post Graduate Certificate in Business and Digital Studies or Post Graduate Certificate in Business

UAP 23 May 2018

PASP Approval Date 05 July 2018

AC Approval date 05 July 2018

Validation Period of programme

September 2018 – September 2023

Date of cohort from which the PARC applies

September 2018

DELIVERY METHODS AND LOCATIONS1

Approved Locations Load and duration Mode

London Shepherd’s Bush FT – 12 months FT – 18 months PT – 24 months

Blended

Birmingham FT – 12 months FT – 18 months PT – 24 months

Blended

Manchester FT – 12 months FT – 18 months PT – 24 months

Blended

Online FT – 12 months FT – 18 months PT – 24 months

Distance Learning

1 Programmes do not always run in all modes and locations


AWARDS

Award Stage(s) Credits

Post Graduate Certificate in Business and Digital Studies or Post Graduate Certificate in Business

1 60

MSc Accounting and Finance 2 180

Key: FTA Full Time Accelerated FT Full Time PT Part Time Contiguous Face to Face delivery (plus materials and online support) Blended Mix of face to face and online delivery Distance Learning Online (but not excluding voluntary attendance at contiguous elements) Block Online but with required blocks of contiguous delivery


PART 2 - PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Module Title Status Stage Level Credits Assessment (weighting within module)

- Specify when components

Overall weighting towards classification

Stage 1

Strategic Business leader (SBL)

Compulsory 1 7 30 4 hour case study style examination sat, run and managed by ACCA - 50% pass mark required for MSc.

None, pass required for MSc

Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

Compulsory 1 7 30 3 hours and 15 minute examination sat, run and managed by ACCA - 50% pass mark required for MSc.


Business Project (BP)

Compulsory 1 7 30 7,000 word report on the research proposal outlined in the formative assessment – 50% pass mark.

50% of MSc or PG Certificate

Principles of Data Science (PDS)

Compulsory 1 7 15 3,500 word business style report, structured to communicate aspects of the data science initiative and, if appropriate, an Excel spreadsheet that address a modelling problem, with suitable results – 50% pass mark.


The Digital Leadership module is compulsory for students taking the 12 and 24 month route


Digital Leadership (DL)

Compulsory for 12 and 24 month route

1 7 15 3,500 word business style report.

This can be undertaken as a case study or using a relevant scenario in an organisation of your choice subject to the approval of the module leader – 50% pass mark.


The Professional Development in the 21st Century module is compulsory for students taking the 18 month route

Professional Development in the 21st Century (PD21)

Compulsory for 18 month route

1 7 15 Written assessment of 3,500 words in total, with two elements: 1. 2000 words -

Critical reflective learning project

1500 words - Personal career development plan – 50% pass mark.


Plus 2 Electives

Advanced Financial Management (AFM)

Elective 1 7 30 3 hours and 15 minute examination sat, run and managed by ACCA - 50% pass mark required for MSc.


Advanced Performance Management (APM)



Advanced Taxation (AT)

Elective 1 7 30 3 hours and 15 minute examination sat,



run and managed by ACCA - 50% pass mark required for MSc.

Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)



English Support for Accountancy (ESA) is a non-credit bearing module compulsory for students with English as a second language

English Support for Accountancy (ESA)

Compulsory for students with English as a second language

1 7 n/a Formative:

Written: A short problem / solution report on a topic relating to ethics in business.

Spoken: Participation in a seminar.

None

Students who successfully complete the two compulsory modules plus two of the elective modules (120 credits) can be awarded Affiliate status of the ACCA by the ACCA.

Students who successfully complete BP, PDS and DL may be awarded a Post Graduate Certificate in Business and Digital Studies

Students who successfully complete BP, PDS and PD21 may be awarded a Post Graduate Certificate in Business

Additional Information (e.g. derogations, delivery partners)

A derogation is sought from MoPPs Part H: Examinations and Assessments, Section 2: Assessment Rules: Undergraduate Awards to allow students to progress with more than 30 outstanding credits prior to results being known. Students will complete assessments with ACCA for stages 1 and 2 and waiting for ACCA results to be published would cause unacceptable delay in the student journey.

Programme Regulations2

MSc Accounting and Finance

1. Authority

2 The mandatory Conditions for Admission are approved during programme validation. Admissions criteria are set at the discretion of Deans of Schools and may be raised from time to time. Please check the programme page on the website for current requirements.


These regulations are made under the University’s General Academic Regulations and are

validated with the programme leading to the MSc Accounting and Finance

2. Conflict with the General Academic Regulations

Except to the extent that the Academic Council has specifically approved derogation, in the event

of a conflict between these regulations and the University’s General Academic Regulations the

latter shall prevail.

3. Conditions for Admission

To be admitted to the programme candidates must have:

Membership of the ACCA and have passed, or have exemptions for, the foundation

level ACCA assessments.

4. Conditions of Acceptance

An offer of a place on the programme is subject to the terms and conditions stated in the

documentation accompanying the offer, these regulations and the General Academic Regulations,

as in force at the time of interpretation. The acceptance of the offer is taken as agreement to

these regulations.

5. Changing Modules or Specialisations

Subject to the approval of the Director of Programmes, a candidate may be permitted to change

from one module or specialisation to another at an appropriate point in the programme/This is

not available for this programme.

6. Conditions for Progression

Conditions for progression are complicated by the fact that ACCA exam results are not available to

us until after the start of the following term. In reading these conditions for progression, please

refer to the programme structure diagrams at the start of the handbook.

Basic Principles

Students have a maximum of three attempts at an individual module assessment.

A student should take at least two full terms of teaching of the module within the

three attempts.

There are two main progression points on the programme. After the 1st term set of

ACCA papers and then after the 3rd term where students either retake the 1st set of

ACCA papers or have their 1st attempt at the 2nd set of ACCA papers.

Progression is also monitored after any resits results are released related to term 1

and term 3 modules

If a student meets the criteria of a Marginal Fail then they are entitled to a free two

day recap course and entry for the next sitting of ACCA exams.

To be considered a Marginal Fail, the requirements are both 80% timely attendance

and 35% achievement in formative and summative assessment for ACCA assessed

modules


If a student fails but does not achieve a marginal fail, they must retake the module

tuition in full at the first available opportunity.

Resubmission of coursework assessed BPP University modules is permitted if it is the

first failed attempt and the mark achieved is above 40%.

1. 12 month full-time programme

Progression Points

The example dates below assumes a September start student. The only change for a March start is

the 1st progression point starts July rather than January, but otherwise follows the same logic.

First progression Point – Mid January – First term results

Failed term 1 module and meet Marginal Fail criteria – Take resit course and exams

at the end of term 2.

Failed term 1 module and do NOT meet Marginal Fail criteria – Retake term 1

teaching in Term 3 replacing one or both of term 3 modules depending on how many

modules outstanding.

Resit & Result Review – Mid April – PDS result and term 1 resit results

Pass resit – Progress as per normal schedule.

Fail resit – Complete term 3 modules and set up to repeat failed modules after term 4,

effectively creating a term 5.

Failed PDS – Resubmission if above 40%, otherwise course repeated in term 4.

Second Progression Point – Mid July – Term 3 results and Term 1 repeat course results

Failed term 3 modules and meet Marginal Fail criteria – Take resit course and exams at

the end of term 4. Student would have to start term 5 on the same module that they take

the resit in whilst awaiting the result. If they fail resit then they would complete the rest

of term 5 in that module towards what will be their third attempt.

Failed term 3 modules and do not meet Marginal Fail criteria – Retake the course in

Term 5 in conjunction with any remaining modules outstanding from term 1.

Failed term 1 modules again – Two full terms completed and two failed attempts.

Progression meeting required as student as had the required two terms tuition and could

either take resit exams at the end of term 4, or full course again in term 5.

Resit & Result Review – Mid October – DL & BRP results and resit results for term 3 and

1 modules

Third fail at term 1 module – Withdrawn

Failed term 3 resit – As per above, continue with term 5

Failed DPS second attempt – No resubmission allowed so repeat again from January

either blended or online.


Failed DL and/or BRP – Resubmit if eligible, otherwise repeat from January.

1. 24 month part-time programme

The progression rules and timetable are the same as the above outline for the second year of the

programme. In the first year there is not the same pressure at the second progression point for

students with pass assurance. These students can take the resit, in the appropriate paper, whilst

starting to study for a different module, and if necessary the resit module could be studied for a

full term at the next available date.

2. 18 month full-time programme with Work Placement

In order to progress onto the Work Placement that starts 10 months into the programme students

need to have:

Passed the two first term ACCA modules at the first sitting or in a resit attempt

Passed the two 15 credit modules in term 2

Passed or Awaiting results from the ACCA examinations at the end of term 3

7. Reassessment of Failed Assessment(s)

a) A student who fails an assessment should resit that assessment at the next assessment

opportunity.

b) Where an assessment is divided into more than one component, a student who fails one

or more assessment component(s) will only be reassessed in the failed assessment

component(s).

c) A student shall be permitted three attempts at each assessment component; one first sit

and two resits. Further attempts may only be permitted in accordance with the

regulations on appeals and the rules on concessions.

d) Where a student resits and passes an assessment component the component mark shall

be capped at the pass mark of 50%. The capped mark shall be aggregated with the original

mark(s) of the other component(s) and the aggregated mark shall appear on the

transcript.

8. Conditions for the Granting of Awards

a) No students shall be entitled to enrol for an award other than the MSc Accounting

and Finance

b) A student, who completes an approved programme of study, as described in the

Diagram of Outcomes Leading to Award and Programme Learning Outcomes, shall be

awarded a MSc Accounting and Finance.

c) Those students who choose to exit the Programme without completing it may

nevertheless be entitled to exit with an award of a:

Post Graduate Certificate in Business and Digital Studies or

Post Graduate Certificate in Business


d) Candidates will be awarded a MSc Accounting and Finance or Exit award of Post

Graduate Certificate according to the procedures set down in the Manual of

Procedures Part H, Section 1.

9. Condonation

Condonation may only be granted where a student meets the eligibility criteria for condonation.

Please refer to Part H Section 1 of the Manual of Policies and Procedures for detailed guidance.

10. Classification of Award {not required if aligned with the GARs and MoPPs}

The following classification will be adopted for the overall award:

Distinction : 70% and above

Merit : 60% - 70%

Pass : 50% - 60%

11. Confidentiality

A student’s assessment results shall be confidential to the student, however the terms and

conditions of the programme will allow results to be shared with the UKVI for the purpose of

monitoring student progress for visa compliance purposes.


PART 3 - PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

Programme aims

The aim of the MSc Accounting and Finance is to develop postgraduate level 7 skills in the context of an academically rigorous programme of financial education. The programme includes a range of topic areas to prepare graduates for a career in Accounting and Finance in a digital age.

The emphasis throughout will be on the development of skills, competencies and knowledge in a

practical context, passing professional examinations, whilst ensuring appropriate academic and

technical areas are covered.

In particular, the modules on this programme aim to:

Develop critical evaluation skills in students, in order to be able to assess accounting concepts and principles and their application.

Enable students to demonstrate analytical and interpretation skills in order to be able to apply their knowledge in a range of contexts and appreciate risks.

Synthesise knowledge of financial management techniques in order to apply them to issues affecting investment and financing in a range of contexts.

Develop in student’s critical evaluation skills to be able to appreciate the organisational context of the accountant.

Enable a conceptual understanding of the ethical responsibilities of professional accountants and the ability to reflect on best practice in context.

Develop the ability to conduct research into business and management issues which require data analysis and interpretation.

Develop the ability to select and apply appropriate accounting and financial management techniques to facilitate organisational business planning, decision-making and control.

Develop the ability to communicate analysis of accounting and financial information and recommendations to a variety of different audiences in a variety of written formats.

Develop and extend critical and reflective abilities which can be used in a range of problem-solving situations.

Foster in students the ability to make sound judgements in the absence of empirical data.

Foster in students the professional attitudes and the exercise of personal responsibility necessary for practice as a professional accountant.

If necessary to develop students written English through support modules.

This qualification achieves the above by providing grounding in the knowledge of core concepts, principles and key skills associated with the curriculum areas of accounting and finance.

Programme outcomes: knowledge and understanding; skills and other attributes

Knowledge and Understanding

Ref A. Students should be able to demonstrate a:

K1 Systematic understanding of relevant accounting and financial concepts and theories applicable in the global professional context

K2 Knowledge of the complexities of contemporary accounting and finance decisions in an organisational context

K3 Critical appreciation of the ethical and cultural dimensions of professions in order to effectively inform sustainable business.


K4 Comprehensive understanding of contemporary techniques used for decision making.

Cognitive Skills

Ref B. Students should be able to:

C1 Rigorously evaluate a range of complex finance and accounting situations for the purpose of decisions in a range of business environments and sectors.

C2 Synthesise information from diverse sources to critically evaluate research and advanced scholarship in accounting and finance then where appropriate challenge existing methodologies

C3 Critically evaluate business needs in a variety of business contexts that demonstrate an appreciation of the complex interdependencies within a global control and governance environment

C4 Acquire the skills necessary to become recognised as a provider of specialist financial advice that contributes to improving organisational performance.

Professional Skills and Attitudes

Ref C. Students should be able to:

P1 Undertake quantitative and statistical research and analysis of a high quality in order to solve problems and make decisions in complex situations.

P2 Select from a range of alternative financial techniques and approaches in order to design and implement solutions for specific problems or contexts

P3 Apply financial techniques to inform decisions and support development of business performance.

General Transferable Skills

Ref D. Students should be able to:

T1 Make sound business decisions and provide advice and recommendations in a range of contexts based on financial and operational data

T2 Clearly demonstrate the appropriate ethical standards of behaviour required by professionals

These Learning Outcomes reflect those that will be achieved for the MSc Accounting and Finance. Exceptionally, if a student exits the programme, before they have successfully completed their professional exams, but have completed the other modules, then they may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

The delivery of the MSc Accounting and Finance programme is as follows:

Teaching Day – Classes start at 9.00am and finish at 4.00pm each day. Generally, an hour is taken for lunch and short breaks are set during the morning and afternoon sessions. Each module taken will generally require one day’s attendance per week, although there are slight variations dependent on the modules.

Contact Hours – The broad guidelines are that there is 2 hours of contact for each credit in a module. These can vary depending on how technical the module is and how much practical exercises are required.


Overall hours – It is expected that students will need to study independently for at least three hours for each contact hour spent in a classroom being taught.

Term structure – For modules assessed by an end of term examination the structure is based around nine weeks of learning new knowledge and four weeks of practice and reflection on this knowledge. For written coursework assessed modules the structure of the term is built round a series of 3 hour lectures and seminars.

Teaching and Learning Strategy:

Classroom based learning – Facilitated by BPP Faculty (including face to face lectures, seminars, group and individual work as well as opportunities for engagement and support at an individual level).

E-learning – Delivered by BPP Faculty and available via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Enhancement of knowledge through the use of live case studies and business simulation “games”.

Self-managed, independent learning (guided by BPP faculty in order to help consolidate learning activities).

Online live provision for students on the online programme - Online lectures will be delivered on the main subject areas covering the key concepts and principles of the discipline/field of study and these will be discussed in the classroom. The emphasis of the lectures is on the acquisition of knowledge, with the application skills developed in class. The accounting and finance professions is heavily regulated and it is right that there is a strong emphasis on students’ comprehension of the key practice- based, regulatory and legal frameworks that govern this field. Without such thorough understanding students would not be able to progress as competent professionals.

programme approval record and certificate (parc) p 1 ... · post graduate certificate in business...

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