Business Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year

• Access our Financial Markets Lab and gain hands-on experience using the same information and technology relied on by financial professionals all over the world
• Combine skills in accounting and finance with knowledge of leadership, strategy and governance
• Build your problem-solving skills with projects for real organisations
• Work with experts who are shaping contemporary business and finance thinking
• After successful completion of BA (Hons) Business Accounting and Finance, you’ll be eligible to apply for all 11 of the maximum exemptions offered by the CIMA

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Accounting – your questions answered

In the below video, Senior Lecturer, Darren Byrne, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Accounting at the University of Derby.

A professional perspective

A high-performing business professional has to meet high expectations. Our new BA (Hons) Business Accounting and Finance gives you the versatility, flexibility and broad knowledge base to meet those expectations. You’ll mix a strong grounding in financial and management accounting with business strategy and the capacity to lead an organisation. It’s a powerful combination marking you out for rapid advancement in any branch of contemporary business - anywhere in the world.

You’ll be working towards professional accountancy qualifications with industry bodies like the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), one of the world’s largest accounting bodies, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) as part of your course.

After successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to apply for all 11 of the maximum exemptions offered by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). You will also gain many other exemptions from professional bodies ACCA and ICAEW.

During your undergraduate studies, you can register with CIMA, giving you access to a range of benefits whilst on your degree. This added support combined with your CIMA syllabus exemptions will all help fast track your career once you graduate.

You’ll also gain hands-on experience with the latest professional data and information services, including Bloomberg and specialist accounting software.

Keeping it real

Experience counts; with a year-long industry placement or summer internship on offer, there’s every opportunity for you to build your skills, networks and professional profile.

We’ll ensure you can adapt and achieve success in the face of business change. You’ll practise your skills by solving real problems for real organisations. You’ll undertake consultancy projects for local employers so you grasp exactly what business life involves. The skills mastered on these projects help prove your capabilities to employers

You will benefit from our links with the business community. Employers are keen to work with us to provide great opportunities for our students here at Derby.

Understanding the challenges 

A recent example included a visit by our final year Business, Accounting and Finance Students to Bolsover District Council to learn about the association and importance of their work. Students spent the day exploring the departments forming the government-based organisation and the stakeholder challenges faced whilst decision-making.  The trip provided insight on the leadership style and organisations environment, duties and challenges; it was a great opportunity for the students to experience the work that Bolsover District Council do for the community. Following the trip, students explained how interesting it was to explore the government sector and other public services in detail.  One student stated that the trip has inspired them to work in the public sector to help the community.

Forward thinking

Professionally qualified and industry experienced, our teaching team will keep you up-to-date with the latest developments shaping the modern business world. They’re passionate about their subjects and influential in their research. You’ll learn from academics who are leading the way in fields like strategic management accounting, financial control, small business management and accounting ethics.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you're assessed

During your foundation year you will be assessed mainly by coursework, and with some in-class tests.

For the rest of your degree a range of assessment methods are used. In the first stage we use a range of computer-based assessments to help you gauge your own level of learning. These assessments give you feedback on how you do so that it helps your learning in a constructive way. In other modules there are essays and reports to submit. At the second and third stages you will be assessed mainly by examinations, but also by essays, business reports, projects and presentations.

Who you will meet

Darren Byrne is the Programme Leader, His areas of focus include management theory, professional consultancy projects, corporate governance and strategic business leadership. His research interests are in business and accounting ethics and developments in accounting curriculum.

This degree is the ideal foundation whether you’re seeking a senior position in industry and commerce, applying for a coveted graduate training programme or setting your sights on postgraduate studies.

Your employability is central to everything we do. Throughout, you’ll work with a personal tutor on maximising your professional development and career prospects.

By the end of your studies, you’ll be well on your way to full professional accountancy qualifications. But you’ll be able to offer an employer much more in terms of leadership, strategy and problem-solving skills.

Typical roles graduates will be aiming at are: accountant, compliance manager, credit controller, finance analyst, finance manager, management accountant.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

*This is the fee for the Foundation Year. Subsequent fees are £9,535 per year.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Business Accounting and Finance BA (Hons)
• Accounting and Finance BA (Hons)
• Business Management BA (Hons)

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.