Accounting

Students are employed in full-time work throughout their course of studies and combine course learning with work-based learning, modules are undertaken sequentially rather than in parallel.

Year 1

Developing knowledge and understanding of Management context and the Business Environment as well as engaging with core accounting and finance topics.

Year 2

Widening knowledge of and developing analysis skills within financial and management accounting. Developing knowledge of key areas of Corporate and Business Law relevant to accounting. Understanding and application of the impact of digital business on accounting.

Year 3

Applying knowledge and demonstrating critical analysis skills within core accounting areas such as Management Accounting, Tax and Audit and Assurance.

Year 4

ICAS Route: Critical analysis of contemporary accounting issues and advanced financial management. Study for the ICAS Test of Professional Skills exams - Financial Reporting, Assurance and Data and Risk and Technology.

ACCA Route: Advanced Study of Financial Management and critical appraisal of the role of Innovation in business. Study for the ACCA Exam – Strategic Business Reporting.

Year 5

ICAS Route: Study for the ICAS Test of Professional Skills exams – Business Taxation and Strategic Finance and Modelling.  Study for the Test of Professional Expertise Case Study exam.

ACCA Route: Study for the ACCA Exams - Advanced Performance Management, Audit and Assurance; Advanced Financial Management, Taxation.

Learning Methods

Our Graduate Apprenticeship courses are designed to meet the national frameworks developed by Skills Development Scotland, the subject frameworks of the QAA and the skill and knowledge areas identified as crucial by industry.

To be eligible for this course students must be recruited/employed by a partner employer of the university.

Activity Summary

This course is delivered through supported online study using our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), CampusMoodle. CampusMoodle offers the flexibility of where and when students choose to study and gives them full open access to tutors and other class members. Students will have the benefit of being part of a group of learners with the invaluable opportunity of participating in active, group-related learning within a supportive online community setting. The online campus provides course materials which include:

• Online activities
• Discussion forums - student and tutor led
• Up-to-date web technology for delivery methods
• User friendly material

There will be on-campus workshops scheduled during your course of study providing the opportunity to grow your professional network, share insights and experiences and engage with staff in the campus setting.

• Webinars: 40 students per group for up to 4 hours per week over 9 weeks per module 
• Tutorial: online activities for 3 hours per week per module
• Practical class or workshop: 40 students for 1 full day once or twice per module
• Independent study: 3 hours online or reading per week per module
• Ongoing work based learning with Workplace Mentor

Online delivery using VLE for Blackboard Collaborate sessions for up to 2 hours per week along with additional enhancement materials. 

Modules are 10 weeks in length running sequentially for 40 weeks (4 x modules per year) and do not adhere to the traditional term calendar.

Independent Study

Most independent study will be done with the employer in the workplace, however students have full access to library, labs, and support services.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Academic staff who teach on this course have worked in a range of professional backgrounds, are ‘business-connected’ and use professional networks and their academic research to ensure teaching is professionally relevant and cutting edge. Staff who teach on the technical accounting modules will also have a professional accounting qualification.

Our staff have either achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of lecturer practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning. In addition, many have featured in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Employers assign a Workplace Mentor whose role will be to oversee the work based learning undertaken by the student. In addition to mentoring support for students, supplementary support may be provided by the employer, for example when subject matter experts are brought in to provide specific business or technical expertise or through access to other departments within the organisation.  This ensures that the curriculum is fully covered as the student progresses in their studies.

During the first year of study as a Graduate Apprentice, access is provided to a dedicated Graduate Apprenticeship Success Coach to help make the most of all learning opportunities.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 3 written exams of 2 hours each
• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 1 portfolio

Year 2

• 2 written exams of 2 hours each
• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 1 portfolio

Year 3

• 3 written exams of 2 hours each
• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 1 portfolio

Year 4

• 4 or 5 written exams of variable length
• 1 or 2 written assignments, including essay
• 1 written assignment

As well as the summative assessment students will undertake a range of formative work based learning activities which will be contextualised within their own workplaces.

Feedback

We aim to provide feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

Students will be in full-time employment throughout the duration of the course, therefore extensive use is made of work-based learning.

Job Prospects

A Graduate Apprenticeship synchronises theoretical learning with practical experience. With each course tailored to the company, the Graduate Apprenticeship programme offers benefits to both the employee and the employer, meeting the long term development needs of both business and student.

Students achieving a professional accounting qualification such as ACCA or ICAS, alongside an Honours degree in Accounting, are equipped to work in all sectors within accounting and finance: Financial Accounting and Reporting, Management Accounting, General Management, Tax, Transaction Services, Insolvency, Business Consultancy.

Employment: All applicants must be employed full-time in a role related to the course of study, must have the right to live and work in Scotland and be working in Scotland. The employer must commit to providing a suitable workplace environment and to offering guidance and mentoring support to the apprentice. In addition, the company must be willing to partner with the university via a Collaboration Agreement to create a setting in which the student will be able to achieve the required experience and learning outcomes.

• SQA Higher:  BBBB

Alternative Qualifications

We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications or work experience which equip them with an equivalent starting point for the course. For those applicants who do not meet our Standard Course Entry Requirements, applications may be considered from those who possess one years’ relevant work experience and where the applicant has demonstrated the development of key skills evidenced through a detailed CV. Applications from students with non- standard qualifications (including Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, SVQs/NVQs and access programmes) or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

For Academic Year 2023/2024

• £1,820 per academic year

For Academic Year 2022/2023

• £1,820 per academic year

Additional Costs

The student's employer is responsible for paying the student registration fee with the professional accounting body (ICAS or ACCA) and to pay for any exam exemptions the student is entitled to after completion of stages 1-3 of the course. The amounts to be paid are within the control of the professional body and not RGU.

The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:

• The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
• Accommodation and living costs
• Printing
• Re-sit fees, fees for re-assessment opportunities in a repeat year

Graduate Apprenticeship courses include an on-campus induction, together with one or two on-campus day(s) per module, therefore employers supporting Graduate Apprenticeship students need to plan for this time away from the workplace together with any associated travel and accommodation costs.

Student Funding

Subject to meeting course entry and employer eligibility criteria, a number of fully-funded places are available for this course. 

Students should apply to SAAS to have their tuition fees paid:

As a paid employee, apprentices would not be eligible for other SAAS funding such as bursaries and student loans.  

Find out more information about funding and other frequently asked questions: