University of Bolton, Deane Road, Bolton. BL3 5AB
“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.”
Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.”
Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
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University of Bolton, why we are the right choice
Location - Bolton, Greater Manchester
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process. Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by April 2024 after which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.
The University of Bolton's Level 7 ACCA Strategic Professional (Accountancy Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship) allows you to invest in your professional staff by combining university education, work-based learning and ongoing professional development towards an ACCA qualification. While working as a valuable part of your team, apprentices develop the core knowledge, skills and behaviours required for successful leadership positions in accountancy and financial management.
Award:
AdvDip(CPD)
Mode of Study:
Part-time
Duration:
39 months
Location:
University of Bolton
Start date:
To be confirmed
The ACCA Strategic Professional (Accountancy Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship) has been designed by employers in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and higher education providers to develop the future leaders of organisations. This programme has been fully mapped to the apprenticeship standard (ST0001) and offers the best combination of theory and practice. Studying with the Greater Manchester Business School at the University of Bolton complements learning in the workplace, supporting apprentices to develop the core knowledge, skills and behaviours required for successful leadership positions in accountancy and financial management.
Learning focuses on your workplace environment – your apprentices will spend the majority of their time gaining on-the-job knowledge and experience. They will also complete at least six hours per week of off-the-job learning, including studying at the University. Our flexible programme recognises the wide range of business and accounting practice environments and the specific challenges they pose. We'll work with you to devise individual learning agreements for each of your apprentices, ensuring they fulfil the core and essential criteria of ACCA, as well as developing additional skills and knowledge valuable for your organisation.
This apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to offer structured training, an internationally recognised qualification in accountancy and financial management, and professional ACCA status, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Integrating study into the normal working week allows apprentices to put their new skills and understanding into practice without delay, benefitting your organisation immediately.
If you're looking for professional training in this subject area but don't work for an employer that offers apprenticeships, you can join the programme on a self-funding basis, please contact us for more details.
This programme is accredited by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), one of the leading professional bodies for accountants globally.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
ACCA is ideal if you’re looking to become a chartered accountant in business or work in an accountancy, audit or tax firm. Organisations are looking for accountancy professionals who can understand the financial needs of the organisation, and who can evaluate and propose business solutions. The ACCA qualification is designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills that you’ll need.
Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.
For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices, please e-mail apprentices@bolton.ac.uk.
Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our Apprenticeship web page for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it will be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
There may be some additional or optional costs associated with this course. These will be published after approval of the programme.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
Programme structure
The typical duration of this programme is three years plus EPA with approximately 500 hours of tuition, however, there are multiple entry points allowing apprentices with recognised prior learning to join the programme to complete their studies and training towards the ACCA qualification.
Apprentices study with the university one day per week during term time, which provides the opportunity to use the facilities and meet with programme staff. Outside of term time apprentices undertake independent study and develop their knowledge and skills through practical application in the workplace.
Assessment takes place through coursework and exam and apprentices will then need to pass through the Gateway to take the End Point Assessment (EPA) in order to achieve their qualification.
With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met.
Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or furthers apprentices’ development into new areas.
Teaching and assessment
The programme places emphasis on encouraging the group to explore different perspectives from their diverse backgrounds and varied experiences. Approaches to teaching vary depending on the module, but will be practice-led and research-informed, introducing apprentices to concepts and issues from specific subject areas.
Each module has 45 hours of scheduled tuition over 15 weeks towards either June or December external examinations with the ACCA. In addition, there is a significant number of scheduled tuition on the Strategic Business Leader module, which forms part of the EPA.
All classes will be on-campus and through face/to face teaching.
A range of summative assessment methods are used throughout the programme. These are related to module aims and learning outcomes, and include coursework content reviews and mock exams.
Upon completion of the qualification apprentices must complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) comprised of a portfolio of workplace evidence, demonstration of practice and professional discussion.
Applied Knowledge Modules
The Applied Knowledge papers provides students with a broad introduction to the world of finance and develop your essential understanding and techniques in accounting. These exams are:
Applied Skills Modules
The Applied Skills papers build on existing knowledge and understanding and develop strong, broad and practical finance skills required of future strategic professional accountant in any sector or industry. These papers are:
Strategic Professional Modules The Strategic Professional papers prepare students for future leadership positions. They develop the strategic vision using your unique blend of technical, ethical and professional skills. And you can specialise in areas that best suit your career ambitions. Students must complete both Essentials exams and choose two of the Options. These papers are:
Essentials
Options
Ethics and Professional Skills Module
Students are required to complete the ACCA Ethics and Professional Skills module which develops in students the complete range of skills that employers tell us they need. By introducing students to the full spectrum of advanced ethical and professional skills and exposing them to realistic business situations, our students are ready to shine with current employers and be really credible in the workplace.
Assessment methods
100% external examinations taken with the ACCA.
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
The academic staff detailed above teach across a range of courses in this subject area and may not teach on this course specifically.
N.Nalbandh@bolton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1204 903582
C.Bridge@bolton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1204 903019
apprentices@bolton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1204 903940