Book for Beds 2024 - Accounting, Finance and Law

SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTING, FINANCE AND LAW

Welcoming students who are studying:

BA (Hons) Accounting

BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance

BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance

WELCOME TO ACCOUNTING, FINANCE AND LAW

I am delighted that you will be joining the School of Accounting, Finance and Law which is part of the University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS). We are a supportive and close-knit community and place great emphasis on supporting your academic development, building your confidence and preparing you for the world of work.

This booklet provides you with important information that will help you prepare for your course and your first few weeks and months at University. Have a read through, and if you have any questions, get in touch with a member of the team.

I look forward to welcoming you to the University.

Andrew Ekuban Head of School

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PORTFOLIO LEAD

Hello, my name is Dr Seyefar Clement and I am excited that you will be joining us this academic year.

Your course team includes your course leader, unit coordinators, tutors and a Personal Academic Tutor who are all here to support you. They have weekly office hours so if you need academic support, you can arrange to meet them in their offices on campus or online. We will be with you every step of the way as you begin your academic journey.

We are based in the Accounting, Finance and Economics office in room H105 in Block H in the Vicarage Street Building. Make sure you click on the virtual tour and campus details on page 9 to see where we are!

Dr Seyefar Clement

Portfolio Lead, Accounting, Finance and Economics

HELLO FROM THE STUDENTS’ UNION (SU)

A big welcome to the University of Bedfordshire!

When you join the University you automatically become a member of our SU community for FREE! We are here to help every student get the most out of their university experience. We offer advice, support and the opportunity for you to have your voice heard. We want to ensure that you have fun, try new things, deepen your passions for hobbies and interests and meet wonderful new friends.

Beds SU has offices in Luton and Bedford where you will also find venues and a whole host of weekly events for students.

There will be plenty of events for you to enjoy during Welcome Week – keep an eye on our website for more or follow us on social media. We can’t wait to meet you.

Chidera, Amina, Ryan and Chidinma

Your current Beds SU Executive Team

Beds SU (Luton and Bedford) bedssu.co.uk

help@bedssu.co.uk

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS

If you would like to arrange an appointment with your course leader, please contact the relevant person:

BA (Hons) Accounting Lovewell Chiti (Room H105), lovewell.chiti@beds.ac.uk

BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance

Dr Hamza El Kaddouri (Room H105), hamza.elkaddouri@beds.ac.uk

BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance

Zahera Mohammad (Room H105), zahera.mohammad@beds.ac.uk

Get to know your Academic Success Tutor – Academic Success Tutors (AST) support foundation and first year students with study skills; one-to-one support; individual learning plans; assignment support; academic reflection; confidence building; goal setting and more. Your AST will visit you in class during your first few weeks at the University.

The AST for your course is: Julita Borysiak (Room H105), julita.borysiak@beds.ac.uk

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING

WELCOME WEEK

We believe your university experience helps to create a strong sense of community. That is why taking part in your Welcome Week programme is so important.

Not only will you have the opportunity to talk to your academics about the different aspects of studying and what to expect over the coming weeks, but it is also the ideal time to get to know your academic team and fellow students.

During Welcome Week, you will be invited to different sessions which cover a variety of topics and activities.

Settling into university life – address your hopes, fears and expectations.

Understanding your course structure – find out more about your learning experience, how we teach and how we assess your work.

Getting to know one another – take part in a social activity and make new friends.

Taking part in question time – put your questions to academics and current students.

Discovering your campus – find key locations and services including your lecture theatres, the Library, Student Support Services, the Students’ Union, where to eat and much more.

Details about the different activities and where they will be held will be added to your Faculty Academic Welcome pages closer to the time, so don’t forget to check it before you arrive on campus!

Our colleagues in the student support and learning resources teams will also host sessions for all new students. These are designed to help you become familiar with all the essential services you will use throughout your time with us.

Of course, Welcome Week wouldn’t be Welcome Week without the Freshers’ Fair, which is run by the University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union. They will host plenty of events and activities, so keep an eye on their website and follow them on social media to find out more (see page 5).

CHECKLIST YOUR

Remember to reply to your offers!

If you have received decisions from all the universities you applied to before 16 May, the UCAS deadline for replies is Thursday 6 June. Reply to your offers by signing into your UCAS application.

Registering for your course

Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to ensure you don’t miss it!

Everything you need for moving to university

If you’re moving home, here’s a handy checklist from UCAS to make sure you pack everything you need.

PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST WEEK

We want you to have the best possible start during your first week. To help you prepare, here are some useful links:

SOMETHING TO WATCH

• Find out more about Accounting , Finance and Economics through one of our course pages and watch our students share their experiences.

• Enjoy an amazing virtual tour of our campus.

SOMETHING TO READ

• Read the latest research and insights from the ACCA – the professional body which accredits and supports accountants around the world.

• Keep updated with the latest accountancy and financial news via the Accountancy Age website

ABOUT THE CAMPUS

Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.

• Luton campus

SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT

Once you enrol as a student, you will have access to a range of discounts nationally, locally and on campus.

• Get the latest student discounts with TOTUM, the National Union of Students discount card and app.

• Check out the latest offers from the University of Bedfordshire SU

• Find out if you are eligible for scholarships, bursaries and other discounts

SOMETHING TO DO

• In Bedfordshire

• Let Luton surprise you

• Love Bedford

ACCESSING YOUR TIMETABLE

Your personal timetable will be available on the website once you have fully registered with the University as a student. You can also access your timetable via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17 for more on how to download our award-winning app).

Remember, it is important that you attend all timetabled classes and course inductions.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Academic Calendar

Academic information

Guide to referencing

Student Information Desk (SiD)

Student Support

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY IN

YOUR FIRST YEAR

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDYING YOUR SUBJECT

Our teaching model includes significant time for sharing and discussing ideas in a supportive group. That is why you are expected to attend classes, actively engage in lectures, seminars, and workshops and become involved in our community of learning by taking part in extracurricular activities organised by the School.

Don’t forget to allow time to complete your preparatory reading, which will be set by your academics. This will help you be fully prepared for your next class.

We will support you throughout your learning experience to develop your academic skills and professional competencies to future-proof your academic ambitions and professional careers.

You will study these four units in your first year:

Beginning Your Professional Business Journey

Applied Numeracy for Business

Introduction to Accounting and Business Technology

Introduction to Economics and Finance.

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:

• have an immediate relevance to practice

• draw on expertise by experience

• foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach.

A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks including workplace assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and can help increase your confidence.

RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS

These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:

Case studies

Essays

Exams and in-class tests

Leaflets and posters

Oral presentations

Reflective Journals

Skills documents – practice-based learning.

Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.

UP TO DATE HOW YOU CAN KEEP

We use an online noticeboard called ‘Padlet’ to help our students keep up to date with everything that’s happening.

This is linked via the Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online (BREO for short), our virtual learning environment. Here you will find a range of online tools to support you during your studies, from information about your teaching team and links to live online sessions, to lecture slides and assessment information.

We will post a variety of information about your course on our course padlets, so we advise all our students to log in to BREO every day. You can only access BREO once you have registered with us as a student. However, you can access your subject padlet now. Feel free to take a look and become familiar with the exciting events, trips and discussions happening in your subject area:

Accounting, Finance and Economics

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub

Visit the Library

Begin@Beds Start your student journey

Thrive@Beds My Beds Life

Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service

Student Support

QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED

Who do I contact if I struggle to attend classes or submit work?

We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit lead. For independent advice or for ongoing attendance issues you can contact studentengagement@beds.ac.uk. You can apply for an extension on your assignment by emailing mitigation@beds.ac.uk. You can find out more on our website

Who can help me with my assessments?

If you need support with your assignments you can contact our Study Hub which offers free professional support to help you develop a wide range of relevant and valuable academic skills. You can find out more on our website

What support is available for students with a learning difference or disability?

Our Disabilities team supports students with a range of disabilities including sensory and physical impairments, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia and arthritis. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. You can email disability@beds.ac.uk for further information and advice.

Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?

Yes, the Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk

All our students and staff can sign up for a free gym membership. This membership will also give you free Get Active sessions.

What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?

The University has a range of services offering specialist help. You can email mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or ongoing mental health support needs. To access our counselling services, email counselling@beds.ac.uk

Is there any support to help me manage my finances?

Our dedicated Student Money Advice team offers confidential financial advice, information and support. They can advise you on a range of funding options such as grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships, as well as guiding you on the best way to manage your finances. You can contact them by emailing studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

MyBedsLife

Our award-winning app MyBedsLife gives you access to everything the University has to offer. You can have a look around the app before you enrol on your course to get an idea of how it works. Once you’re a student, it will give you access to your emails, timetable, MyPrint balance, support services and much more. Plus you’ll get notifications to ensure you are always up to date.

SUPPORT STUDENT

Throughout your degree, you will have access to our Student Support teams, offering you practical and confidential advice and support.

Careers and Employability

Our Careers and Employability Service offers advice and support with everything from drafting the perfect CV and preparing for interviews to volunteering and graduate placements. You can access a range of online tools to help you in your career development and job search.

Community and faith

All students are welcome to join our exciting programme of activities or access our confidential, personal support – as well as a range of social activities and events. Visit us at the Tree House Centre at our Luton and Bedford campuses or find out more on the website

Student Voice

Help us to enhance your student experience by using your student voice to celebrate the positives, make suggestions for change and let us know when and where we can do things better. Find out how you can get involved

Cost of Living Hub

Our Cost of Living Hub brings together the latest information, support and guidance for students affected by the rising cost of living. You can access the Hub via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17) or our website

Support+

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Student Engagement

Mitigation

Mental Wellbeing

Disability Support

Student Money Advice

Student Support

We offer a wide range of support for students with varying needs and experiences including those with caring responsibilities; those facing homelessness; students who are estranged from their families; and much more. Find out how we can support you during your studies.

Support and Report

Respect, tolerance and inclusion are core values of our academic community. Support and Report is a confidential, centralised point of contact for all our students and staff to share concerns about offensive, threatening or anti-social behaviour, on or off campus. Find out more

THOUGHTS FINAL

Always remember, our team is here for you!

We know there’s a lot to take in when you start university. We’ll support you throughout, especially at the beginning. We are confident that you’ll love our friendly campus and everything the University of Bedfordshire has to offer.

Your degree and qualification gives you access to a broad range of careers in different industries and sectors. You could work as an accountant, auditor, tax specialist, economist, financial analyst or banker.

The focus is on getting you ready for the workplace – recent graduates are employed with ‘The Big 4’ accounting firms (PWC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG) and a wide range of business organisations.

You will use industry-specific applications such as Reuters, Sage and econometrics tools such as STATA, plus the chance to work on real-life scenarios and case studies.

HERE’S WHY YOU WILL LOVE STUDYING ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE AT BEDFORDSHIRE

You will be taught by experts in their field who have both academic and professional industry experience.

If you complete either of the accredited accounting courses you will be eligible for exemptions from the first nine papers of the ACCA professional exams; seven out of 15 of the CIMA exams; AIA’s Professional level 1 paper; and full exemption from AAT exams.

Learning facilities include a trading room which offers live ‘stock market’ data that allows students to work in a realistic, safe and supportive environment.

The accounting courses are accredited by world-renowned professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Association of International Accountants (AIA).