University of Bedfordshire Business School
School of Accounting, Finance and Law
Welcome to the Accounting, Finance and Economics portfolio at the University of Bedfordshire.
I am delighted that you will be joining us in September and I hope you are looking forward to studying with us.
The University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS) is a supportive and close-knit community where we 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 for 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 in September.
Andrew Ekuban Head of School
Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Student Support beds.ac.uk/studentsupport
BedsSU (Students’ Union) bedssu.co.uk
help@bedssu.co.uk
Welcome from the Portfolio Lead
Hello, my name is Dr Seyefar Clement and I am the Portfolio Lead. We are excited that you will be joining us this academic year.
The first week in the Academic Calendar is Welcome Week where you will be introduced to your course, course team and fellow students.
You will have a coordinator, unit coordinator, tutors and a personal academic tutor (PAT) who are all here to support you. Course teams have weekly office hours so you can book an appointment if you need to chat to them. We will be with you every step of the way as you begin your academic journey.
Dr Seyefar Clement Portfolio LeadCourse Coordinators
We are based in Block H which is in the Vicarage Street Building (take a look at the campus tour on page 12 to see where we are). If you would like to arrange an appointment, please email 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 H216), zahera.mohammad@beds.ac.uk
Welcome Week gets underway on Monday 18 September
Our academic induction follows four key sessions which happen at the same time for all Business School students.
We start the week with an online session to say hello, (this will be at lunchtime on Tuesday 19 September for an hour). This is also an opportunity to hear from Faculty Executive Group members. On Thursday and Friday, we host four sessions designed to help you get ready for your studies. You will meet and work with your course team and meet other members of the faculty. You should attend the following sessions which will run for the full day:
Session 1
Meet your course team – get to know members of the teaching team and understand how your course operates
Thursday
Session 2
Take part in the Big Business Challenge – meet faculty executive members and some of the employers we work with, who will host a fun team challenge
Friday
Session 1
Meet your personal academic tutor (PAT) – get to know them and find out how they can support you throughout your studies
Session 2
Prepare for your first week of study – learn how to access our systems and resources so you can have the best possible start
All the details about the different activities and where they will be held are included on our Faculty Academic Welcome pages. Check this page closer to the time for any changes to the sessions. But be assured that the sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday so you can start planning your week now.
Our colleagues in the student support and learning resources teams will also host sessions for all new starters. 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’ Fayre, 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 p.5).
We use an online noticeboard called Padlet to help our students keep up to date with everything that’s happening. This is linked from BREO, our virtual learning environment, and each subject cluster has its own individual space.
You can only access BREO once you are registered with us as a student. However, the Padlet noticeboard for Accounting, Finance and Economics students can be accessed now via this link
Feel free to take a look and become more familiar with the exciting events, trips and discussions happening in your subject area.
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.
These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:
Essays
Leaflets and posters
Case studies
Presentations
Exams and in-class tests
Skills documents – practice based learning
Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.
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!
• Enjoy an amazing virtual tour of our campus
• Read the latest research and insights from the ACCA – the professional body which accredits and supports accountants around the world
• Keep up to date with the latest accountancy and financial news via the Accountancy Age website
• Hear from one of our students Maxwell Oppong about his experience of studying Accounting and Finance
• Our Accounting, Finance and Economics students Jaweriah, Tendai and Brice talk about their visit to the London Stock Exchange Group for intensive learning sessions on international equity capital markets
• Our BA (Hons) Accounting alumni Kudzie Chinya talks about his journey after graduation
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
• Eating and drinking on-campus
To find out how to access your timetable go to beds.ac.uk/timetable
Academic information
Guide to referencing
Study Hub
You are expected to attend classes and actively engage in lectures, seminars workshops and other activities. We also expect you to be involved in our community of learning and take part in extracurricular activities that are organised by the School. We will support you throughout your learning experience to develop your academic and professional skills to futureproof your current and future academic and professional life.
Once you are a fully registered student with the University, your timetable will be available via our website
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
What is expected of me during the course?
Students are expected to undertake the set preparatory reading, attend all seminar sessions and lectures and be actively engaged in their seminars and tutorials.
Are students involved in the decision making relating to the portfolio?
Yes, students can express their views through the Portfolio Executive Committee (PEC). PEC meetings give student representatives the opportunity to engage directly with staff and feed into decisions about educational provision and support throughout the academic year.
What happens if I miss class due to illness or have difficulties with childcare or travel?
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
Who can help me with my assessments?
The academic team is always available to guide you with the theory based content and you can book a one-to-one tutorial with your unit lead. If you need more time to complete an assignment, please contact the Student Engagement and Mitigation team (SEAM) who deal with assessment extensions. Their email is: mitigation@beds.ac.uk. You can find our Mitigation Policy and form 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.
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
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
We focus on getting students ready for the workplace – recent graduates are employed with ‘The Big 4’ accounting firms (PWC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG).
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. Some students adjust to university life more readily than others, and it can take time to feel at home, but this is normal and you’ll soon make friends. Remember, many of your fellow students will be feeling the same.
We are confident that you’ll love our friendly campus and everything the University of Bedfordshire has to offer.
Our strong links with local employers means you can engage with potential employers and build your professional networks.
You will be taught by experts in their field who have both academic and professional industry experience.
Our courses are accredited by world-renowned professional accounting 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).
Our learning facilities include a trading room which offers live ‘stock market’ data that allows students to work in a realistic, safe and supportive environment.
We are recognised for our economic, societal and educational impact, delivering degrees across four continents and through 14 educational partnerships developed over a 15-year period.
Our practical approach to teaching, where you learn by doing, means you will use industry-specific applications such as Reuters and accounting software on real-life scenarios and case studies.
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 a banker.
Our students are from diverse cultures and backgrounds which means you can learn about different cultures and have the opportunity to build international networks.
Our professional accreditations provide you with a shortened route to becoming a fully qualified finance professional with the opportunity to quickly improve your career and salary prospects once you qualify.
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Luton
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Hitchin Road
Luton
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