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Postgraduate Programme Specification

PgDip Accounting & Finance

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title PgDip Accounting & Finance Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Postgraduate Diploma
Programme Code ACC-PD-AF UCAS Code HECoS Code 100105 - Accounting - 50
100107 - Finance - 50

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Total Credits for Programme 120
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Queen's Business School

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Accreditations (PSRB)

Association of Certified Chartered Accountants

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 25-05-22

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting & Finance is based on the University wide modular framework. The class of diploma awarded to the student (Fail, Pass, Commendation and Distinction) is based on his or her performance in eight modules.
Module marks are combined over the first and second semesters and are used to produce an aggregate mark. Marking is based on University agreed marking scale.
Students who obtain an overall mark of 50% or more across taught modules worth 60 CATS points, but who fail any module at the second attempt, shall be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate only.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting & Finance aims to:

Foster a stimulating and supportive learning environment which promotes intellectual, professional and personal development

Encourage critical thinking, independent enquiry, and an international outlook

Develop the skills necessary to undertake independent research and continuing professional development

Develop students' skills base, leadership capacity and connections with practice in ways which will enhance their ability to make valuable contributions to the economy and society

Promote engagement with issues of ethics, responsibility and sustainability, and maintain respect for social and cultural differences and openness, fairness, and equality of opportunity in relation to selection, learning, assessment, and support

Equip students for careers in financial institutions, management consulting, industry, or government bodies at middle management level

Develop capacities of critical evaluation of literature, contemporary theories, methods and techniques in accounting, finance and investment, and strengthen their ability to communicate, orally and in writing, on topics in accounting and finance;

Prepare students for PhD studies in Accounting & Finance

Qualify for exemptions (Papers AB, MA, FA, LW, PM FR and FM) for the ACCA professional examinations

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Problem solve

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across first, second and third semester modules. Numerical and statistical components of modules focus on problem solving, logical reasoning and data analysis.

Methods of Assessment

Summative and formative is present in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work, final examinations and/or class tests.

Reason logically

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Logic and reasoning permeate all modules.

Methods of Assessment

Summative and formative is present in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work, final examinations and/or class tests.

Conduct independent enquiry

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation is fostered through the Research Methods module.

Methods of Assessment

Summative and formative is present in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work, final examinations and/or class tests.

Critically evaluate and interpret

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Critical evaluation and interpretation are encapsulated in all modules.

Methods of Assessment

Summative and formative is present in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work, final examinations and/or class tests.

Self-assess and reflect

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self-assessment and reflection are developed through formative feedback particularly on small group presentations.

Methods of Assessment

Summative and formative is present in the form of course homework, oral presentations, project work, final examinations and/or class tests.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Organise and manage their time

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and coursework are timed to ensure sufficient and manageable time is given to students.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework requires students to complete tasks within deadlines.

Synthesise and evaluate information/data from a variety of sources including from databases, books, journal articles and the internet

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Relevant transferable skills permeate teaching and learning in all modules.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework requires students to gather information from a range of sources and select and assimilate relevant information.

The dissertation or the critical literature review include skills of reading and summarising academic articles

Work both independently and in groups

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Independent learning is fostered across all modules, through traditional lectures and tutorials, and discussions with industry experts/practitioners.

Small group teaching sessions and group coursework enhance group working skills.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework consists of individual and group work across modules.

Make effective use of information technology including relevant subject-specific packages

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The use of common office and/or statistical software is essential in all modules.

Methods of Assessment

Typically assessed as an element of continuous assessment across modules.

Communicate ideas in both written and presentational forms

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Relevant technical skills are given through traditional lectures and tutorials, which provide a basis for communication of accounting and financial information.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be able to analyse financial statements, apply investment strategies and understand the role of accounting and performance measurement in for-profit, public and not-for-profit organisations.

Assessment of coursework requires students to use a range of media (e.g. worked solutions, essays, PowerPoint presentations, statistical-based project work) to demonstrate learning. Students will also acquire the ability to write projects and longer more structured critical essays e.g. a dissertation or critical literature review.

Confidently engage with the world of practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Technical, analytical and communication skills across modules - through traditional lectures and tutorials, group work and use of software packages - provide a basis for engagement with practice.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed across modules by varying methods such as examinations, class tests and group work.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Appreciate diversity and be capable of placing issues within their local and international contexts

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning on local and international contexts of accounting and finance.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Engage with issues around ethics, responsibility and sustainability

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience in the Ethics ad Governance module.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Appreciate the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of accounting and finance

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience on both theoretical and practice-oriented topics.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Conduct financial statement analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience on both theoretical and practice-oriented topics.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Apply investment management decision making

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience on both theoretical and practice-oriented topics.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Utilise methods of analysis used to evaluate accounting and financial issues

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience on both theoretical and practice-oriented topics.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Understand role of performance management and governance in organisations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience on both theoretical and practice-oriented topics.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Evaluate basic financial and derivative instruments

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience on both theoretical and practice-oriented topics.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Construct arguments and exercise problem solving skills in the context of theories of accounting and finance

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills are built across modules and throughout the duration of the programme through interactive teaching sessions, traditional lecture sessions, independent reading and application of theory to practice, together with worked class examples.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Apply computer-based/statistical packages to analyse and evaluate relevant data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practical computer-based work is part of modules across Semester One and Semester Two.

Methods of Assessment

Summative and formative assessment using software applications to promote subject-specific understanding, logic, accurate calculation. Timely feedback is provided.

Read and evaluate accounting and finance related academic literature

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures and tutorials develop reading and evaluation skills ae developed across all modules, culminating in a dissertation or critical literature review in Semester Three.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework, final examination/class test and dissertation/critical literature review.

Apply core theories and reasoning in accounting and finance to a selection of applied fields

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Traditional lectures, small group interactive sessions and problem-solving classes are all used to guide the students’ learning experience on theoretical aspects of accounting and finance.

Methods of Assessment

End-of-semester unseen examinations, class tests, individual and group projects, take-home tests and individual and/or group oral presentations.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Management Accounting & Control ACC7003 7 15 -- YES 15 weeks N YES -- 40% 0% 60%
Financial Management ACC7004 7 15 YES -- 15 weeks N YES -- 40% 0% 60%
Case Studies in Accounting and Financial Management ACC7008 7 15 YES -- 15 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Business Technologies and Analytics ACC7011 7 15 YES -- 15 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Research Methods and Techniques ACC7002 7 15 -- YES 15 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
International Financial Accounting and Reporting ACC7001 7 15 YES -- 15 weeks N YES -- 40% 0% 60%
Derivatives FIN9007 7 15 -- YES 15 weeks N -- YES 40% 0% 60%
Money and Banking FIN9003 7 15 -- YES 15 weeks N -- YES 40% 0% 60%
Accounting and Performance Management in Public-Sector and Not-For-Profit Organisations ACC9002 7 15 -- YES 15 weeks N YES -- 30% 10% 60%
International Finance FIN9004 7 15 -- YES 15 weeks N -- YES 40% 0% 60%

Notes

No notes found.