Postgraduate Programme Specification
PgCert Accounting and 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 | PgCert Accounting and Finance | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Postgraduate Certificate | |||||||||||
| Programme Code | ACC-PC-AF | UCAS Code | HECoS Code |
100105 - Accounting - 50 100107 - Finance - 50 |
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ATAS Clearance Required |
No |
Health Check Required |
No |
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Portfolio Required |
-- |
Interview Required |
-- |
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| Mode of Study | Full Time | |||||||||||||
| Type of Programme | Postgraduate | Length of Programme |
Full Time - 1 Academic Year |
Total Credits for Programme | 60 | |||||||||
| Exit Awards available | No | |||||||||||||
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
Queen's Business School |
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Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 7 |
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Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
N/A |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
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Association of Certified Chartered Accountants |
Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 25-05-22 |
Regulation Information
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Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations |
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Programme Specific Regulations There will be no direct admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Accounting & Finance. All candidates will apply and be admitted, subject to meeting entry requirements, to the MSc Accounting & Finance. |
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Students with protected characteristics |
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Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) No |
Educational Aims Of Programme
The Postgraduate Certificate 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 SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. Methods of Assessment Coursework consists of individual and group work across modules. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Note: A minimum of 60 CATS points across any of the listed modules is required for the postgraduate certificate.