This online supported BA Accounting distance learning course has been designed to provide you with the opportunity to gain a degree in Accounting and part of the prestigious professional qualification awarded by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

This innovative and unique course will give you a solid grounding in both technical accounting and non-technical skills, which when combined with the achievement of the two awards gives you a competitive advantage in the workplace.

Students on the BA Accounting (with CIMA Advanced Diploma) degree course study for a range of modules resulting in progression through the CIMA exam structure to Advanced Diploma Level as well as the assessment of modules specific to the BA degree.

Top-up option
For those students who already have the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting, we offer the opportunity to gain the BA degree through the Top-up option.

More information

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Cima Syllabus

Download a PDF of this course

BA Accounting with CIMA Advanced Diploma

Course modules are listed here. For those modules marked with an asterix (*), students will be examined solely through the University. For the remaining modules, students will be required to submit coursework to the University (in years 2 and 3) and to sit the professional exams set by the CIMA organisation (in all years).

• Details for those undertaking the top-up option.

Full-time students will undertake the modules listed in each stage within one calendar year (to make a total of three years).

Part-time students will undertake the modules listed in each stage within two calendar years (to make a total of six years). Part-time students will choose one or two modules from each semester, ensuring that three modules are taken in a calendar year. The remaining modules for the relevant stage will then be completed the following calendar year.

Stage 1

Semester 1

• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
• Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
• Fundamentals of Business Economics

Semester 2

• Professional and Academic Skills for Accountants *
• Fundamentals of Management Accounting
• Fundamentals of Ethics, Law and Corporate Governance**

Award: HE Certificate in Accounting and CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

Stage 2

Semester 1

• Auditing Theory *
• Auditing Practice *
• Enterprise Operations

Semester 2

• Financial Operations
• Performance Operations

Award: HE Diploma in Accounting and CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting

Stage 3

Semester 1

• Enterprise Management
• Performance Management

Semester 2

• Academic Literature Review *
• Financial Management
• Corporate Responsibility * **

Award: BA Accounting (with CIMA Advanced Diploma) and CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting

Top-up Option

Full-time: students undertaking the full-time option will study all of the modules in each semester to complete the stage in one year.

Part-time: students undertaking the part-time option will choose modules totalling thirty credits in each semester for year one and will study the remaining modules in year two.

The following schedule lists the modules you will study. All modules are examined by assessment set and marked by the University.

Semester 1

• Auditing Theory
• Auditing Practice
• Performance Concepts
• Financial Concepts
• Enterprise Concepts

Semester 2

• Corporate Responsibility **
• Practical Management Accounting
• Academic Literature Review

The modules are a combination of traditional teaching modules, assessment-led modules and a module offering an award of academic credit for work experience.

** This module is not yet available to view.

The BA Accounting (with CIMA Advanced Diploma) is an online degree course taught through CampusMoodle, the university Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which offers students flexibility of where and when they can study.

CampusMoodle offers full open access to tutors and other class members. Students have the benefit of being part of a group of learners with the invaluable opportunity to participate in active, group-related learning within a supportive online community setting. The online campus provides students with lectures and course materials and it also includes:

• Virtual tutorials
• Live chat
• Discussion forums - student and tutor led
• Up-to-date web technology for delivery methods
• User friendly material

All students are required to fully participate in their online learning experience and engage with the learning process. As online learners, students are part of a 'virtual cohort' and the communication and interaction amongst members of the cohort is a significant aspect of the learning process with a particular emphasis on group-related activities. However, a collaborative learning environment also requires that students become independent 'open learners' and take responsibility for when, where and how their learning occurs.

Once you have received an offer for the course and before enrolment, all successful applicants are offered the chance to log into our virtual learning environment, Campus Moodle. This gives you the opportunity to view course content, ask questions and find out more before you start the course. 

• IB Diploma: 26
• GCE A level: CCC
• SQA Higher: BBCC
• ILC Higher: BBC1C1

Alternative Qualifications

We will also consider students from different backgrounds and/or with other experiences. Candidates for whom English is not their first language must be able to demonstrate a suitable level in written and spoken English. This is demonstrated by providing an IELTS certificate (minimum score of 6.0 required) or equivalent.

Entry into stage 2 and other exemptions

Students with AAT level 4 (Level 8 - Scotland) will be considered for direct entry into Stage 2 of the degree course on an individual basis. HNC and HND students, and students with other relevant prior qualifications, should contact the Course Leader to discuss possible exemptions.

Top-up Option

The entry requirement for this Top-up course are for applicants to have successfully completed the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.

Funding Opportunities

• English students can apply for loan funding through Student Finance England if they are studying the full-time or the part-time route.
• Scottish students can apply for the part time fee grant or the part time fee waiver if they are studying the part-time route.
• All students are eligible to pay their fees on an instalment basis according to the University payment system.

For further information please contact us or visit Student Finance.

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

Applicants should apply using Apply Online

Further details are available from the Course Leader:

Amanda Meyer
Aberdeen Business School
Robert Gordon University
Garthdee Road
Aberdeen AB10 7QE

Tel: +44 (0)1224 263208
Email: BAAccCima@rgu.ac.uk

Traditionally, entrants to the Accounting profession have entered with one qualification and gained another during their working career. The BA Accounting (with CIMA Advanced Diploma) degree course uniquely allows students to study for two qualifications at the same time - thereby enabling graduates to enter the sector with a competitive advantage.

The profession is a highly regarded one, both in the UK and overseas - and both awards are very well known within the Industry. Opportunities for future careers exist within local, national and international companies in the areas of management accounting and financial accounting and also in commercial roles requiring financial analysis skills. The University supports career development and offers online and offline advice, services and resources through the Careers Advisory Service.

In addition to a professional career, there are academic opportunities for graduates of the BA Accounting (with CIMA Advanced Diploma) degree to study for further academic qualifications. This includes our new, validated MSc Strategic Accounting (with CIMA) - available for entry from September 2012.

This course offers students the chance to study for a Masters as well as the remaining examinable content of the CIMA qualification. Graduates from the BA Accounting (with CIMA Advanced Diploma) degree course will be eligible to entry for this course.

The Cima Syllabus diagram demonstrates where the CIMA Advanced Diploma award and the remaining examinable content sits along the path to full membership of CIMA.