The Flying Start Degree Programme at Nottingham University Business School Start your degreeStart your careerRealise your potential

BSc Accountancy (N410)

WelcomeThis short booklet will give you everything you need to know about the programme and what it can do for your career in business

University of Nottingham is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2015/16

Get your career off to a flying start 2

Who we are 4

All about PwC 6

Year by year 8

Why Nottingham? 10

Jubilee Campus 12

What you need to know 14

How to apply 16

University Park Campus

The Flying Start Degree Programme One

Get your career off to a flying startAn innovative degree for students who want to become accountants

What you getYou’ll get a traditional university experience as a full-time student for four years, making new friends, having new experiences and generally enjoying university life. But you’ll also benefit from paid work experience and training with PwC, the UK’s leading professional services organisation. PwC is one of the best places to start a career as a trainee accountant, as they audit more of the FTSE 100 than any of their direct competitors.

What it is If you want to go to university, and know you want to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, then the Flying Start degree programme could be your fastest way to get there. It’s a collaboration between Nottingham University Business School, ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) and PwC. It’s called the Flying Start degree programme because that’s what it does: it gives you a flying start towards becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. It will be challenging, with hard work and lots of responsibility, but it’s a great way to start your career in business.

The Flying Start Degree Programme Three

Where you could goThroughout your paid work placements with PwC, you’ll have the opportunity to put the theory you’ve been learning in the classroom into practice in the office. And, while you’re with PwC, if you impress, it could lead to a permanent job offer with them. In fact, wherever you take your career, it’ll give you a serious competitive edge.

What you’ll learn While you’re at the Business School you’ll learn technical and theoretical accounting skills, with lecturers who are experts in their field and experienced practising accountants. Built into the course is a series of paid work placements. This means you get to apply the technical theory you’ve learned in the workplace. You’ll be continually learning and developing through practical work experience over the four years.

“ If your aim is to excel in your chosen career, our mix of studying at a top university, paid work placements with PwC, and achieving the maximum accreditation from ICAEW whilst you are doing it, is a great choice.” Carolyn Isaaks, Programme Director

University Park Campus

You’ll be paid a competitive salary while you’re on work placement. For more information about the financial package for this degree, visit nottingham.ac.uk/flyingstart

Who we areThree inspirational organisations coming together to create something special

Nottingham University Business SchoolNottingham University Business School is part of an elite global group of business schools to be accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and is among the UK’s leading centres for management education. We believe it’s vital to equip you not only with business and management skills but also with enhanced creativity and effective problem- solving abilities.

“This programme is an important and exciting collaboration. We’re delighted to offer a truly integrated learning experience, which is enhanced by our unique global presence and perspective. Students will benefit from world-leading academic insights from the Business School, as well as leading-edge professional practice from time on placement with PwC and working in partnership with ICAEW.”Professor Alistair Bruce, Dean Nottingham University Business School

97* of the world’s 100 global leading brands employ ICAEW Chartered Accountants

*Includes parent companies Source: ICAEW member data at January 2016 Interbrand Best Global Brands 2015

The Flying Start Degree Programme Five

Our big focus is on innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable management, working with external organisations in teaching, research and thought leadership globally.

PwCWe believe your career is just that; yours. You choose it. You live it. You make it happen. To get the best from it, you need the best opportunities. That’s why opportunities are at the heart of a career with us. Opportunities to grow as an individual, to build lasting relationships and make an impact in a place where people, quality and value mean everything.

We have a vision of where we want to be as a professional services organisation, and we need the best of the next generation of talent, like you, to make it happen. You’ll be learning from the best in their field to understand the way we work with our clients. That’s why the Flying Start degree programme will help you start your career much earlier than you might think possible.

ICAEWWe are a world-leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports over 146,000 ICAEW Chartered Accountants worldwide.

We provide qualifications and professional development, share our knowledge, insight and technical expertise, and protect the quality and integrity of the accountancy and finance profession.

Our ICAEW Chartered Accountancy qualification, the ACA, is one of the most advanced learning and professional development programmes available. It has integrated components which give an in-depth understanding across accountancy, finance and business. Together we help build the technical knowledge, professional skills and practical experience to perform to the highest level.

University Park Campus

All about PwCA paid work placement that will transform your future

PwC’s More London Office

PwC has topped The Times Top 100 Graduate Employer of Choice for Accounting for 17 consecutive years

The Flying Start Degree Programme Seven

The Flying Start degree programme is one of the best ways to develop your understanding of business and accounting, as it’s made up of two parts: study and work experience.

Paid work placementsYour paid work placements are spread across years 2, 3 and 4. They’re built into your academic year, so the summer is yours to enjoy. Every step of the way you’ll be supported by a network of staff from both the Business School and PwC. You’ll earn a competitive salary, and may have some of your living costs supplemented as well as paying reduced university fees.

You’ll join one of PwC’s Assurance teams, where you could be working on external audits. Because you’ll be working on real client work, PwC will spend some time putting you through their own technical training. The expert guidance, strategy and advice they offer their clients are all down to the people who work there. So they take their development very seriously. After all, it’s their collective skills and knowledge that are the strength behind PwC’s success.You’ll complete all three of your paid work placements with PwC in years 2, 3 and 4 and you’re likely to be based in an office with a number of other students from the programme, so you’ll build very strong networks and make lasting friendships as part of a wider group. You’ll work with some truly inspiring people, learn from them and, in turn, share your own insights – all contributing to the growth and success of your career and the organisation as a whole.

Job offerIt’s important you’re flexible about the office you’ll be working in, because, if you do well across the three work placements, you could get a job offer to work there full-time – and start straight after your final university summer holidays. You’ll be fast-tracked onto PwC’s graduate training programme two years ahead of graduates coming from other degrees. Having responsibility early on will be hard work and may feel challenging at times, but it’s incredibly rewarding if you put the time and effort in, particularly if you secure a job offer with them. Not only that, you’ll be able to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant around 13 months after you join as a graduate, as your practical experience will be recognised by the ICAEW and will speed up your ICAEW professional membership.

100% of graduates who completed this type of programme with PwC received a job offer at the end.

Start your career with PwC.

Take the opportunity of a lifetime

All about the degree programmeFour years of world-class teaching and support

“ There’s plenty of support with the transition from being at school to being a university student.”

Amar Bains, year 2 student

Year by year

The Flying Start Degree Programme Nine

First yearEnjoy student life and start your studies

Continual support and guidance

You’ll find out before Christmas which PwC office you’ll work in for the next three years.

Second yearEarly September you’ll be studying at the Business School

September to December you’ll be working on placement with PwC

January to May you’ll be back at the Business School.

Third yearEarly September you’ll be studying at the Business School

September to December will see you on work placement with PwC

Back to the Business School to continue your studies from January to May.

Fourth yearYou’ll start your year at the Business School, studying from September to December

From January to May, you’ll complete your final work placement with PwC

You’ll receive your degree results in June and you’ll find out if you’ve got a job offer from PwC – in time for your July graduation.

Jubilee Campus Library

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UNIVERSITY WORKKEY:

Why Nottingham?One of the world’s great universities in a great university city

82 FTSE 100 companies have at least one ICAEW Chartered Accountant on their Board

Source: ICAEW member data and FTSE 350 data at December 2015

The Flying Start Degree Programme Eleven

Nottingham is regarded as one of the UK’s most desirable places to study, offering all the buzz of city living while retaining its strong sense of community. It’s one of the UK’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities and both the University’s Jubilee Campus and University Park Campus are close to the city centre. As the commercial and cultural capital of the East Midlands, Nottingham is home to blue-chip companies and has a flourishing arts scene.

The bustling city centre is renowned for its nightlife, with more than 300 bars and pubs, restaurants, theatres, concert halls, and cinemas. Shopping in Nottingham is excellent and the city boasts more sports facilities per head of population than anywhere else in Europe.The Students’ Union has more than 250 societies and 75 sports clubs, and runs a magazine, cinema and award-winning radio station, University Radio Nottingham (URN). Karnival, the SU-run charity, is one of the largest and most successful fund raising organisations in Europe, regularly raising over £1m annually.

“Without doubt I had an amazing time at Nottingham... the city is a great place to live with lots of focus on the student population meaning lots of things to do in your spare time, so life is never dull.”Tim Godfrey, PwC, Nottingham University Business School Alumnus Nottingham city at night

Jubilee CampusAn architectural landmark and a centre of excellence

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016 stated: “Nottingham promises an outstanding student experience and a distinct approach to internationalisation.”

The Flying Start Degree Programme Thirteen

Jubilee Campus, where you will spend most of your time...

With over 42,000 students from more than 150 countries, two overseas campuses and strong relationships with institutions and organisations around the world, Nottingham will help you develop your international perspective and connect you to a global network of fellow students, ideas, and opportunities.Opened in 1999 by Her Majesty the Queen, the award winning Jubilee Campus is approximately one mile from the University Park Campus. It’s an architectural landmark and has been praised for its innovative design and environmentally-friendly technology that offers its students a superb environment for study.

Built on a former industrial site close to Nottingham city centre, Jubilee Campus has impeccable green credentials and is a leader in sustainable development. An important feature of the campus is the series of lakes, which are home to a variety of wildlife, receive all surface water, and provide all heating and cooling for the buildings through submerged heat-exchange units. As well as the Business School, Jubilee Campus includes restaurants, cafés, student services centre and a sports centre. A new scheme designed by Ken Shuttleworth, designer of the iconic Swiss Re building in London, includes an Innovation Park and the UK’s tallest free-standing work of public art, ‘Aspire’. A free, regular shuttle bus runs between Jubilee and University Park campuses and there is a walking and cycling link.

Jubilee Campus

What you need to know10 reasons for choosing this degree programme

A world class degree:

You’ll be gaining a BSc Honours degree in Accountancy from one of the UK’s top business schools, as well as enjoying a traditional university experience.

Paid work experience:

While your friends are looking for internships during the summer, you’ll have your holidays free to do with as you want – knowing you have paid work placements with one of the world’s leading professional services organisations lined up.

Work with PwC:

PwC has been voted employer of choice by students in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey for 12 consecutive years, and voted the UK’s Accountancy Employer of Choice for 17 years. There’s no better place to learn your trade as an accountant.

Job offer:

The vast majority of finalists on this type of programme with PwC have received a job offer at the end.

Support network:

You’ll have support from the Business School’s Student Support Officer and their Skills and Development Manager, and from a Flying Start degree Programme Manager at PwC.

£

The Flying Start Degree Programme Fifteen

Extracurricular activities:

The Business School is keen for students to engage in extracurricular activities and run Community Engagement and Professional Development Programmes as well as working closely with student societies, such as Enactus and Nottingham Business Management and Leadership Society, to facilitate this.

Business network:

PwC has over 195,000 people across 157 countries, so the relationships you build will be invaluable in your future accounting career.

Globally recognised qualification:

ICAEW is a world-leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports over 146,000 chartered accountants worldwide.

Career progression:

If you get a job offer, you’ll join PwC two years ahead of their traditional graduates, and you’ll become a fully qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant with the salary to match, just over a year after graduation.

Industry-wide recognition:

Wherever you take your career you’ll still have one of the best CVs of all your peers – work experience and professional training that will open doors.

How to apply Four clear steps to securing your place

The UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) ranked University of Nottingham among the UK’s top ten by research power

ApplyApply for the programme through UCAS, quoting the code N410.

You’ll need AAB grades at A-level or equivalent (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies), plus a grade B in GCSE Maths and a grade C or above in two further GCSEs.

Do your researchIt’s vital you know your facts before you apply. You’ll be supported and encouraged every step of the way on the programme, but you’ll also be thoroughly challenged: you’ll need to be independently-minded and hard-working.

The Flying Start Degree Programme Seventeen

OfferYou’ll be notified if you’ve been offered a place on the programme within three working days of the Assessment Day.

You’ll then need to accept the offer via UCAS.

Take the opportunity of a lifetime

Assessment DayOur Assessment Days are run jointly by the University and PwC. We’ll use your personal statement as well as your grades to decide whether you’ll be invited to this stage.

On the day you’ll take part in a group exercise and an individual interview.

You’ll be able to look around, and speak to students and staff from the University and PwC.

To find out more:

pwc.com/uk/flyingstartnottingham.ac.uk/flyingstarticaew.com/careers

Or contact Nottingham University Business School:Tel: +44 (0)115 846 7599Email: bsug@nottingham.ac.uk

Information correct at time of printing – April 2016.

Photography: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and University of Nottingham.

This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, its members, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.

© 2016 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.

In this document, “PwC” refers to the UK member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network.

Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see pwc.com/structure for further details.