Finance, Accounting and Risk
The Department of Finance, Accounting and Risk (FAR) provides a distinctive portfolio of industry-focused courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study delivered on campus and by distance learning. We bring together academics with interests and expertise in the areas of finance, banking, risk, resilience, econometrics, quantitative risk modelling, corporate and international finance, big data analytics, accounting, ethics, governance and responsible leadership.
Our courses are recognised by industry and offer a distinctive learning experience by providing a combination of theoretical underpinning with practical, real-life experience. Our learning and teaching strategy ensures all students have the opportunity to progress through their chosen course experiencing wider industry engagement, enhancing graduate career prospects through ‘real-world’ learning on their course. The accountancy team consists of 80% qualified accountants who have worked either in practice or industry. Our degrees are professionally accredited, which in turn drives elements of the curriculum, learning outcomes and assessment instruments. GCU is the only university in the UK to offer a BA (Hons) Risk Management which also provides an opportunity to take a full-year work placement during level 3. In addition to degree courses, we offer continued professional development, workshops, short courses and applied research to industry.
Staff have close working relationships and strong links to industry which enables a number of student opportunities including external business placements, guest speakers, industry-sponsored student prizes, accreditation and free membership of leading professional bodies which are appropriate to the sector students enter upon graduation. This prepares our graduates by providing them with industry-relevant abilities, business acumen and well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. Our alumni have secured employment in organisations including Vodafone, Morgan Stanley, Bank of England, Turner & Townsend, Barclays Bank, Mott McDonald, EY, Network Rail, KPMG, AIG Insurance, HSBC, Grant Thornton and RSM.
Our staff collaborate with international universities and organisations in Europe, Africa, and the USA, for example the Central Bank of Nigeria; Nexim Bank Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, University of North Carolina and Lagos Nigeria; University of Malta; Uni Research Rokken Centre, Bergen, Norway. Our partnerships enhance the student experience through multicultural teaching, learning and practice. Our degrees have academic partnerships with universities in HKU Space in Hong Kong and Jinan.
Research
Our courses are underpinned by cross-disciplinary research and consultancy projects, which adds value to the student experience.
Accreditations and partnerships
The BA (Hons) Accountancy is accredited by the main UK professional accountancy bodies, including ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA and CIPFA. The BA (Hons) Finance, Investment and Risk is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). The Risk Management course is accredited by the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) and Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
GCU is the academic partner for the Business Excellence Programme delivered by AIRMIC.
Degree and professional courses
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