Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting (ACCA)

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Course structure

The Applied Skills level of study comprises six modules, with three modules running in each of the two semesters during the academic year.

Students studying on a full-time basis will study three modules in each semester with exam assessments at the end of each semester.

Students studying on a part-time basis will study three modules each year (two modules in one semester and one module in the other semester).

Modules

• Performance Management

  This module provides a foundation for the Advanced Performance Management module. You will develop knowledge and skills in applying management accounting techniques to quantitative and qualitative information for planning, decision-making, performance evaluation and control, alongside developing your understanding of how to manage the performance of a business.

• Audit and Assurance

  You will develop an understanding of both statutory auditing and non-statutory assurance assignments during this module. Your focus will be on applying the theory to practical situations and current issues facing auditors in the UK. Areas of study include audit framework and regulation; planning and risk assessment; internal control; audit evidence; review and reporting; and communication and technology skills.

• Financial Management

  In this module you will develop the knowledge and skills expected of a finance manager responsible for the finance function of a business, in relation to investment, financing and dividend policy decisions. The module prepares you for more specialist study in Advanced Financial Management. Content areas include financial management environment; working capital management; investment appraisal; business finance; and risk management.

• Corporate and Business Law

  This module will enhance your understanding of the general principles of business and company law, alongside helping you to develop an awareness of the relevance of law within a commercial context. Areas covered include essential elements of the legal system; the law of obligations; corporate fraudulent and criminal behaviour; and insolvency law.

• Financial Reporting (International)

  This module builds on your knowledge of the concepts of financial accounting. You will extend your knowledge to more advanced financial reporting for companies and groups, developing your skills in understanding and applying IFRS standards and the theoretical framework in preparing financial statements. You’ll also explore how to analyse and interpret those financial statements.

• Taxation

  This module introduces you to the principles of the UK tax system, covering the principles of personal and corporate taxation. Areas you will cover include the UK tax system and its administration; income tax and NIC liabilities; chargeable gains for individuals; inheritance tax; corporation tax; and VAT.

ACCA syllabus mapping

We have designed the university awards to run alongside the ACCA qualifications. The Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting follows the ACCA’s Applied Skills stage papers. Upon completion of this you will gain a diploma and become part-qualified.

You are then eligible to progress onto the Masters and the ACCA Strategic Professional stage syllabus.

You will follow the ACCA’s Applied Skills syllabus for the Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting qualification and on completion of the course will be able to apply to ACCA for exemptions from Applied Skills papers (formerly papers F4 to F9 inclusive).

Assessment involves both coursework and exams. We offer a high level of student support from a small and committed course team and aim to keep class sizes below 30 students.

If you would like to just receive tuition from the university for any of the ACCA Fundamental Skills or Professional papers and sit exams directly with the ACCA, please email SBL-office@brighton.ac.uk for more information. More details about individual papers are available from www.accaglobal.com.

Flexible study 

Our programme has multiple entry and exit points depending on how many ACCA papers you have passed or hold exemptions from. 

You can choose to take this course either full-time (two days per week over one year) or part-time (one day per week over two years). If you are looking for a more flexible approach, contact us to discuss options.

If you would like to just receive tuition from the university for any of the Applied Skills papers and sit exams directly with the ACCA, please email SBL-office@brighton.ac.uk for further information. More details about individual papers are available from the ACCA website.

Learning support

Our supportive learning environment includes an induction programme and specialist diagnostic tools to assess your learning strengths and needs. You will also be assigned an academic supervisor to support you in your masters project work.

Course leader

Ali Hepburn

Ali is the course leader on our ACCA Professional Accountancy programmes. Her teaching specialism is audit and assurance.

She is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, Business Finance Professional and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Before joining the University of Brighton in 2021, Ali worked in audit at PwC for 12 years.

In addition to audit, Ali’s interests include business ethics and equality, diversity and inclusion in the accounting sector.

Course fees

Registration to the ACCA is not included in the university tuition fees.

ACCA exam or exemption fees are applicable and will need to be paid directly to the ACCA. Contact the association for further details on 0141 5822000.

If you wish to receive just tuition for these papers with the aim of sitting your exams direct with the ACCA, contact us for fees at SBL-office@brighton.ac.uk.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2025–26.

Further tuition fees are payable for each year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees, including fee status, payment and refunds, in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

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