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Programme Specification

BSc Accounting (Major) with French

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 BSc Accounting (Major) with French Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Bachelor of Science
Programme Code ACC-BSC-MM UCAS Code N4R1 HECoS Code 100105 - Accounting - 66
100322 - French studies - 34
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Major Honours Length of Programme Full Time - 4 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 480
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 6

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

Accounting (2019)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Chartered Accountants Ireland

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 29-08-16

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 27-08-20

Association of Certified Chartered Accountants

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 19-02-16

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 10-03-21

Association of International Accountants

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 18-11-20

Regulation Information

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

None

Programme Specific Regulations

Stage 1
Students must successfully complete all taught modules before they can progress to Stage 2 of the programme.

Stage 2
A compulsory minimum 9 month work placement must be completed at the end of Stage 2. This is non-negotiable and must be with an approved employer in a host country where the target language is used. Students may only undertake a second placement year or study abroad year with the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Education.

Students will only be permitted to begin the work placement once they have successfully completed a minimum of 80 CATs points in Stage 2. Students are expected to complete all remaining modules in the August supplementary examining period.

Stage 3
Students will not be permitted to proceed to Stage 3 until they have satisfactorily completed the work placement requirements.

Students with protected characteristics

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The degree programme 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 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, showing openness, fairness, and equality of opportunity in relation to selection, learning, assessment, and support

Provide students with the opportunity to pursue appropriately demanding programmes of study focused on Accounting and its cognate disciplines of Economics, Finance and Law, at a breadth and depth appropriate to a first degree qualification.

Provide students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in Accounting or cognate subjects with the necessary study skills and subject knowledge.

Place accounting in its broader economic, organisational, social and political contexts.

Satisfy appropriate professional accreditation standards at the undergraduate level.

Develop the intellectual, personal, team and personal and transferable skills to enable students to develop as independent and reflective individuals and to prepare them for employment.


Cultivate in students a range of linguistic skills and a clear awareness of a foreign language and its application and cultural setting as a basis both for employment in the UK and overseas and for personal development.

Promote student learning in the French language, in a broad-based and structured curricula which reflect the cumulative nature of language study and integrate research and teaching.

Enable students to develop advanced linguistic skills, which are informed by general language awareness, specialist financial intercultural competence and high levels of critical thinking.

Further students' knowledge of the cultures and societies in which French is spoken, and thereby to foster a lifelong interest in the language and the French-speaking world.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

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

critically evaluate information

apply logic and reasoning

pursue independent enquiry

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Cognitive skills are developed across modules and between stages. A combination of teaching methods are used to enhance these skills. Students are encouraged to evaluate information and think independently throughout their course, in lectures, small group tutorials, and interactive learning sessions.

Methods of Assessment

A combination of assessment methods including assignments, presentations, class tests and examinations are used to evaluate cognitive skills. Students are awarded marks for their ability to demonstrate critical thinking and originality.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

communicate ideas in both written and presentational forms

use ICT software effectively

work both independently and in groups

manage their own time and workloads effectively

engage with employers and practitioners

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Transferable skills development permeates teaching and learning throughout the degree programme. The teaching and learning environment is supportive of the need to assist students in developing and enhancing their communication, IT, team working and employability skills.

Methods of Assessment

Students are asked to prepare and deliver presentations, and structure and write assignments, which encourages them to improve their oral and written communication skills. These formats also give students experience of using a range of software, and allows them to advance their technical abilities. Some assessments are group based, which helps develop an awareness of how to work as a team, whilst others are individual based, which promotes time management skills.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

appreciate the importance of internationalisation

engage with issues around ethics, responsibility and sustainability

understand the conceptual and applied aspects of accounting as an academic discipline, at a breadth and depth appropriate to a first degree meeting the requirements of the Accounting Benchmark Statement

Evaluate:
the main current technical language and practices of accounting in the areas of recognition, measurement and disclosure in financial statements; managerial accounting; auditing; taxation
the alternative theories of income measurement and associated recognition rules and valuation bases, the international context of accounting regulation and alternative managerial accounting approaches to planning, control and decision-making

the theories and empirical evidence related to the core aspects of accounting, including a familiarity with the latest research developments and issues

issues around ethical awareness in accounting

Understand:
Knowledge and understanding of the main
current technical language and practices of
accounting (e.g. measurement and disclosure in financial statements, managerial
accounting; financial accounting, auditing,
taxation and business / corporate law)

Discuss:
the theories and empirical evidence related to the core aspects of accounting, including a familiarity with the latest research developments and issues

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Ensuring that students acquire appropriate knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, techniques, theories etc on Accounting is at the heart of the teaching and learning strategies in this degree programme.

The international dimension to various issues are included in modules throughout the course, and concerns around ethics, responsibility and sustainability are embedded when discussing topics.

Specialised classes in French for Business and Accounting enable students to function within the context of a target audience.

Methods of Assessment

A combination of assessment methods are use to enhance knowledge and understanding including: tutorial portfolio system where students are required to submit work on a weekly basis; group presentations; case studies, both structured and unstructured; group assignments; individual assignments; class tests and end of semester examinations.

With respect to the Language component at all stages, relatively small language groups, enable the development of grammatical accuracy, range of vocabulary and idiom, and fluency. Language exercises include comprehension, resume, essay, prose and translation, and students complete a series of written exercises per semester. Oral classes develop spoken-language skills through the study of topics relating to contemporary France, often with a comparative focus. Assessment is by means of regular oral tests.

A placement year in France allows students to develop their linguistic ability and their knowledge of the French-speaking world, and to develop intercultural awareness.
Relevant discussion of the international and ethical aspects to any subject is also regarded as a positive.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

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

understand how accounting informs and is informed by the organisational, economic, social and political contexts in which it operates

record and summarise transactions and other economic events

prepare financial statements for incorporated and un-incorporated entities

analyse the operations of business in the areas of decision analysis, performance measurement and management control

prepare financial analyses and projections, for example, analysis of financial ratios, discounted cash flow analysis, budgeting and the assessment of financial risks

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of
accounting related literature in the areas studied (for example, audit ethics, accountability and sustainability reporting) and the ability
to evaluate critically such theories and
evidence.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

A combination of teaching and learning methods are used to enhance subject-specific skills. These include: traditional lectures; interactive small group tutorials; weekly workshops

Students are actively encouraged to make use of a variety of resources for independent study, particularly in the target language, class preparation and assignments: the French press, radio, television, video films and documentaries, as well as the internet.

Methods of Assessment

A combination of assessment methods are used to test the development and enhancement of subject-specific skills. These include: tutorial portfolio system; group presentations; case studies, both structured and unstructured; group assignments; individual assignments; class tests and end of semester examinations.

With respect to the language component, a wide variety of language exercises are used in written- and spoken-language classes (presentations, debate, resume, essay, comprehension, grammar tests, prose, translation) and a range of language skills are developed and assessed. These include: knowledge and understanding of vocabulary, and of the structures and registers of language, translation skills, the structuring and development of arguments in French; fluency and idiom; summary and synthesising skills; planning and composing oral presentations/exposes. Grammatical knowledge is under continuous review, and explanation, description and analysis of grammar forms an important part of language classes. Specialist language classes develop a detailed knowledge of commercial French and the environment in which it is used. The use of French as the primary medium of instruction and assessment also develops students’ communicative and receptive skills.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Economy, Society, and Public Policy 1 ECO1015 1 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 30% 0% 70%
Introductory Financial Accounting ACC1001 1 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 5% 0% 95%
Beginners French Studies (Post GCSE Level) FRH1121 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N -- YES 45% 20% 35%
Intermediate French FRH1111 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N -- YES 45% 20% 35%
Introductory Management Accounting ACC1003 1 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
Accounting Information Systems ACC1004 1 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 30% 0% 70%
French 1 FRH1101 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N -- YES 45% 20% 35%
French 2 FRH2101 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 45% 20% 35%
Placement Preparation Module MGT2020 2 0 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 0% 100% 0%
Introduction to Legal Study and Basic Contract Law ACC2001 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
Management Accounting ACC2005 2 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
Financial Accounting ACC2004 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
Financial Decision Making FIN2006 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
QMS Placement Year Accounting with a Language ACC3333 3 120 YES YES 40 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
French 3 FRH3101 4 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 45% 20% 35%
Law of Business Organisations ACC3024 4 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
Advanced Financial Accounting ACC3010 4 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
Advanced Management Accounting ACC3011 4 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%
Taxation ACC3012 4 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 25% 0% 75%

Notes

The Language module option depends on the student's previous study in French
FRH1101 is for those with A-Level French
FRH1111is for those with AS-level French Grade B or equivalent
FRH1121is for those who have GCSE Grade B or equivalent in any modern language