Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting and Finance

at University of Bedfordshire - Luton Campus United Kingdom

The MBA is a flagship generalist management qualification designed to meet the needs of early career individuals and is structured to support your aspirations for fast track career progression through the development of leadership and strategic management skills and a contemporary understanding of business.

The course adopts a practice-led curriculum and aims to develop an advanced knowledge of organisations and their effective management in the dynamic competitive global context, and the ability to creatively apply this knowledge and understanding to complex issues to systematically and innovatively enhance strategic business and management practice.

This offers a challenging learning opportunity to encourage the integration of theory and practice supported by experienced academics with substantial management experience.

Through practice events you will work with academics and professors of practice on live consultancy projects with leading employers in organisations across private, public and not-for-profit sectors to support your personal and professional development as a creative and innovative leader with the knowledge and skills needed in the global, knowledge-based economy.

You will develop the attributes and skills expected of post-graduates, as recognised by professional and industry bodies such as the Chartered Management Institute and the Confederation of British Industry, including team-working, negotiation skills, leadership, confidence and the ability to apply critical and creative thinking to complex and unclear problems to develop innovative solutions.

This degree aims to enhance your professional prospects by developing your capability to apply the latest thinking relating to organisational development and change in the competitive global context. Successful completion of the MBA highlights your potential to have a real impact on the transformation of the organisation you join.

Increasing expectations of ‘anytime, anywhere’ access to network facilities (whether from desktop, laptop, smart phone or tablet) means a constant demand for new networking protocols and technologies to keep up with the needs of a technologically reliant society.

This course is designed to give you knowledge of both wired and wireless technology to enable you to enter a career in this fast-paced industry.

Why choose this course?

• Study with staff active in networking and security research on a course with a balance of focus on wired and wireless technologies, working with a 64-node cluster, and other state-of-the-art equipment including virtualised environments as you advance your knowledge of both theoretical and practical challenges related to grid-computing
• Explore areas including network systems, computer security, networking administration and management, wireless networking, distributed parallel architectures, advanced security countermeasures, professional project management and emerging technologies
• Develop skills related to distributed networks (such as distributed and parallel architectures), ideal if you aim to pursue a career in networking, either in management or network set-up
• Gain in-depth skills in network management and administration (allowing you to work as a Network Manager) including essential security aspects, grid-computing and fault tolerance
• Benefit from developing expertise including components of professional qualifications such as CompTIA Linux+ and EC-Council CEH - equipping you for a career as a Network Engineer/Architect, in IT Support, as a Systems Analyst or Systems/Network Designer or in further study on an MSc by Research, MPhil or PhD.

This popular course offers you the opportunity to develop the skills you need to become an Art and Design professional in a supportive community environment. You will work with live briefs, public projects and industry partners including Luton Culture, Departure Lounge Gallery, The Hat Factory and MK Gallery.

Offering a balance of theory and practice, our BA (Hons) Art and Design ensures you develop a range of visual and creative skills while you gain insights into critical theory, the importance of context and contemporary professional practice. If you are unsure of your specialist field, it gives you the opportunity to experience several creative pathways including Art and Design practices; community arts; curating; arts management; arts advocacy; and further study towards a career working in art and design education.

You develop essential skills and knowledge in a variety of 2D, 3D, digital and time-based practices, and engage in critical aesthetic and conceptual debates. You explore visual, social, cultural, environmental and political diversity, expressed through your developing Art and Design practice.

You will become proficient in presenting work to professional standards, including project production, and will develop the skills needed to build relationships in the creative community including networking, exhibiting, and marketing.

Why choose this course?

• All course tutors are practising, internationally exhibiting artists
• You study both traditional disciplines such as drawing, painting and printmaking along with the latest techniques in photography, video and digital media
• You learn through practical workshop sessions, sustained practice in the studio and one-to-one tutorials as well as work-related opportunities
• You work independently, developing your ideas through to outcomes, showing you can select and use materials, processes and environments; research and analyse those ideas and outcomes; and make connections to wider contexts
• Learning is linked to ‘real world’ experience to prepare you for a career across a number of fields
• You are able to consider issues arising from the creative practitioner's relationship with audiences, clients, markets, environments, users, consumers, and/or participants
• Develop personal and practice-based skills such as management, communication and multi-agency working
• You can take the degree over four years with a placement year in industry (see below), which allows you to sample a field of practice, build your CV and make future contacts
• If you are returning to learning or need a launchpad into a degree course, you can opt for Art and Design with a Foundation Year (see below)
• You gain a qualification that will enhance your prospects of a fulfilling and exciting career in a wide range of creative industries. Our graduates have become practising artists and designers, teachers, arts administrators and art managers; they have also continued their studies, both locally and internationally

This inter-disciplinary course combines international relations, gender and peacekeeping with cultural studies, and addresses the need for intercultural expertise in all global situations.

Focusing on employability, you will understand the growth of NGOs, the importance of the UN, globalisation of industry and multi-cultural communities made up of economic migrants and refugees.

This integrated course prepares you to work within a wide range of economic, technological, demographic and social justice concerns.

There are six entry points through the year. This allows you to start when it is most suitable.

Why choose this course?

• Study at a pace that suits your work-life balance – choose a one year full-time course, or extend your learning part-time.
• Explore options in public relations, intercultural communication and international marketing
• Gain real insight into peacekeeping and security though studying with experienced academics and practitioners including a Clinical Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies with experience in peacekeeping as a military officer
• Benefit from a course that combines core international relations units, gender and peacekeeping with cultural studies, focusing on the importance of intercultural competence in international situations.
• Develop the skills needed to work internationally and engage in international issues in political, economic or business areas as both politics and culture integrate to shape economic, technological, demographic and social justice concerns.
• Learn using our employability practice-based approach incorporating real business to develop your strengths and skills in this area.

This course offers you the opportunity to develop a particular strength in the management of international business issues. You will focus on strategic areas of management, international business, intercultural competencies, brand management, and financial management, all framed by the lens of developing patterns of world trade and the global marketplace.

You will develop the skills required to adopt appropriate strategic responses to different market environments through the study of and working with an organisation. You will also understand and experience at first hand the impact of contextual forces on international organisations, including the management functions of business such as corporate and brand reputation, corporate governance and ethical, economic and environmental change issues.

You will develop your knowledge of the financing of organisations including the sources, uses and management of finance and the use of accounting for managerial and financial reporting. You will also study and experience the management and development of people in organisations within a cross-cultural context, the use of relevant communications within the global economy.

You will appreciate how cultural differences affect both buying behaviour and marketing approaches. As well as specific knowledge relating to international business, you will develop enhanced personal and interpersonal skills through work experience in a professional placement. These include critical thinking, team working, problem solving, numeracy and quantitative skills, self-management and negotiation skills.

The placement will provide the basis for the delivery of the Business Placement Dissertation and comprise one block of study on Campus preparing for the project in the organisation followed by four blocks of study in the organisation and a final block back in the University to complete the write up. The project will be fully academically supervised throughout the six blocks of study.

As the various elements of the mass media converge, it is increasingly appropriate to develop a broader understanding of how different aspects of the media interconnect. This course examines key issues of media and communication, introducing principles of cultural theories and media research methods.

For this course you must complete a series of units that address the central issues and concepts informing the study of the media in a culturally diverse environment as the nowadays society.

The course offers units dealing with fundamental principles and topics of the subject area (e.g. Current research in mass communications; Media institutions, structure and policies; and Research Methods in the area of media); and a core unit focuses on international development.

The course includes a final self-directed independent study project, in the form of a dissertation based on a research project. It is this project work that provides you with the opportunity to tailor the course to your own interests (subject to staff supervisory expertise).

You can start your studies in October and complete the course in 12 months. Alternatively start the course in February and complete it over 15 months

Why choose this course?

• Study the theories, which underpin the practice of media and communication, and discuss theoretical aspects of media through a range of case studies.
• Apply knowledge of the media and its cultural forms to the analysis of contemporary issues
• Employ skills in critical analysis, research, and communication as well as an array of generic and creative skills to propose solutions to contemporary issues in mass communications
• Develop and employ strong academic skills in research and critical thinking, problem-solving and analysis.
• Apply knowledge of cultural and media processes to the examination of policy and ethical issues, whether in the public domain or in other aspects of democratic participation and citizenship.
• Acquire skills needed to continue your studies and progress into MPhil and PhD.

Radio is as popular as ever and has evolved excitingly to keep pace with digital technology. This degree opens up many opportunities for graduates in both broadcast radio and in the creation of audio content for other platforms, such as podcasts and websites.

As well as delivering a range of practical broadcasting and journalistic skills, the course gives you a grounding in media theory and history; a thorough understanding of how the medium works; and what goes into creating great content. You will graduate as a professional ready to work in broadcast media or within the wider field of audio-content creation.

You study a combination of units that, together, provide a broad range of professional knowledge and skills including Radio Skills, Reporting and Writing, Understanding Media and Preparing for the Audio Workplace. You can also specialise with optional units in your second and third years.

Throughout your study, you have access to Radio LaB, the University’s own community radio station, offering opportunities for presenting, producing or working on promotions and special events.

Why choose this course?

• It gives the practical and academic skills needed to produce creative audio and broadcast radio content
• Through Radio LaB, you can broadcast on FM across Luton and surrounding areas as well as worldwide online, building up your experience and CV
• In your final year, you work independently on a special project of your choosing
• It opens up wider work opportunities in technical and managerial broadcasting roles, providing a broad knowledge of industry practice and regulation
• It develops your range of operational skills, particularly in relation to programme planning and content development. These skills are transferable if you decide to pursue other media-related career paths
• Take the degree over four years and include a Professional Practice Year in industry where you gain experience, build your CV and make contacts for the future

This professionally accredited course provides a direct route to a professional qualification in accounting, opening up a rewarding career in accountancy or in an accounting role in business.

The course gives you a comprehensive knowledge of the main ideas, concepts and principles of accounting and finance, as well as the skills to apply your knowledge to individuals, businesses, institutions and governments.

Using the latest technology, you begin by studying business practice and the business environment in which accountants operate before proceeding to corporate and business law; data analysis; and the advanced study of management accounting, taxation, financial management and auditing.

The course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Association of International Accountants (AIA).

Why choose this course?

• ACCA awards exemptions from its F1 to F9 papers for students successfully completing relevant course units – the maximum ACCA exemptions available at undergraduate level
• Graduates successfully completing relevant course units are also eligible for exemptions from the AIA’s Foundation level and Professional level 1 papers
• A professional qualification in accountancy is a gateway to a range of careers in accounting, finance and banking at professional accounting firms; small and large private-sector companies; and not-for-profit organisations
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below) when you can gain experience and make contacts for the future
• If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the undergraduate degree

Combining practical design skills with creative problem-solving and reflective insight, this inspirational course offers a thorough grounding in contemporary and evolving forms of visual communication across a wide range of platforms, from digital to print, moving image to illustration.

Our degree course explores all contexts where graphic design is found such as digital content; interface design; web and social media; editorial design; print and publishing; moving image; visual identity; typography; and graphic illustration.

Working in creative teams, you learn about materials and methods in a cluster which includes Illustration, Animation, and Advertising and Branding Design. You also study studio practice; collaborative enterprise; context and meaning; and professional practice. This winning combination allows you to develop practical design skills as well as the ability to work collaboratively and show entrepreneurship.

We foster a reflective, outward-looking approach to design challenges; for example, by exploring the ways digital media has created new possibilities for producing, distributing and publishing graphic design work. We also believe a sense of responsibility is essential for a contemporary designer so ethics, sustainability and inclusion are fundamental themes running through the course’s context and debate.

Why choose this course?

• Study in small, lively and committed groups, in spacious, well-equipped studios
• Gain a solid knowledge of the cultural, critical and creative contexts of contemporary practice including how social media has transformed the role of the graphic designer
• Work on live briefs, submit for national competitions and participate in collaborative projects with leading design practitioners
• Learn the team skills required for exhibition curation and group collaborations
• Understand the standards you’ll need to reach to enter the world of professional employment
• Take the course over four years and benefit from a fee-free year in industry (see below), gaining experience and making contacts for the future
• If you need a step-up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry into the degree course on completion

The MSc Automotive Engineering for Electric Vehicles is about educating and training senior vehicle developers and offering them in-depth technical training for R&D of next generation low carbon or non-carbon vehicles.

The course focuses on new and emerging sustainable automotive technologies, such as hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.

Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art design and advanced development and simulation tools, to vehicle development, design, calibration and optimisation.

By closely collaborating with local automotive and motorsport companies, you will contribute to real world solutions to vehicle R&D.

The Automotive Engineering Lab suite includes a range of experimental facilities, such as an engine test bed with full instrumentation, two advanced automotive engine demonstrators, various test rigs for vehicle aerodynamics, materials and engineering structure, machining workshop, etc. 3D printers and a CAE lab.

These form an important part of the course, allowing the exploration of many practical aspects of automotive engineering, and to further development of hands-on skills.

Why choose this course?

• State-of-the-art equipment for electric vehicles
• Access to a wide range of engineering facilities within the University’s STEM building
• Interdisciplinary consideration of alternative energy systems