Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
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Course summary
- Build a strong understanding of forensic accounting and fraud examination.
- Set yourself apart from other accounting graduates by developing a niche skill set.
- Gain skills relevant to more general accountancy roles.
- Develop skills and knowledge within areas such as accountancy, risk, law, and ethics.
- Learn how data analytics can identify fraudulent behaviours.
- Discover the world of cyber crime.
- Gain competence in many other transferable skills.
This course is designed for students who want to become forensic accountants or fraud examiners. It is also suitable for students with an interest in accounting more generally but with an investigative and legal flavour.
Student View
Sheffield Business School accreditation
Sheffield Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing us in the top 5% of business schools globally.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
You will study six modules each academic year which all incorporate our student-centred and activity-based approach to learning. Your learning takes place both within structured teaching sessions and during guided and independent study undertaken by you, including collaborative group work.
To support your guided, independent study, you are provided with learning resources and reference materials to enhance your study programme.
Your learning will develop through
- live interactive seminars and workshops
- self-study and collaborative work
- placement opportunities
- delivering presentations
- informative lectures
Course leaders and tutors
Joanne Winfield
Senior LecturerLecturer in the Financial Accounting and Management Accounting subject group at Sheffield Business School
Applied learning
The modules you will study are all designed around real careers. The use of case studies, the evaluation of real-world examples and the opportunity to engage with industry professionals will ensure you develop relevant graduate skills such as critical thinking, analytical skills, teamworking and time management.
Specialist employability modules at each level of your course will allow you to gain an excellent understanding of the career opportunities available to you. You will receive personal guidance when searching and applying for roles.
Live projects
During your final year, you will be part of a consultancy project team where you will work on a live project with a real-world client. This experience will give you the chance to be innovative and creative and give you the opportunity to experience working with and presenting to clients.
Work Placements
We will support and encourage you to complete an optional one-year work placement during your third year of study. This gives you the practical experience to help you to prepare for your future career.
Past forensic accounting students have had placements with employers such as PwC, GE Capital, NHS and BOC.
Future careers
This course equips you for a career as
- a forensic accountant
- a fraud examiner
- a professionally qualified accountant
- other graduate level roles which do not have a specific degree requirement
Our aim is prepare you for roles as diverse as working within the Big 4 accounting firms, government departments, and large corporations as well as roles within small and medium-sized enterprises. Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- PwC
- Deloitte
- GE Capital
- HMRC
- NHS
- Lloyds Banking Group
- BHP Chartered Accountants
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA), CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales (ICAEW). For further information relating to professional bodies and exemptions, please see the course description section of this page.
We are also a member of the Anti-Fraud Education Partnership with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
The course gives second year students the opportunity to obtain industry-recognised qualifications in SAGE (accounting software) and Microsoft Excel.
Your student membership fees for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners for your second and final years of study are paid by the University, giving you full access to their resources.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112
This must include at least 64 points from 2 A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- BBC at A Level
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
We also expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in and awareness of accounting or some level of practical experience.
GCSE
- English language or literature at grade C
- Maths at grade D or 3
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.
If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Business Economics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Exam |
| Module: Developing Professional And Academic Skills | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Financial Accounting | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Financial Analysis For Business | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Law, Corporate Governance And Ethics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Management Accounting | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Applied Professional Skills | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Concepts Of Evidence And Expert Witness | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Cyber Crime | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Financial Accounting And Reporting | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Financial Risk Management | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Fraud Analytics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Audit And Assurance | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Consultancy Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Corporate Reporting | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Forensic Accounting Techniques | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Forensic And Fraud Examination | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Principles Of Taxation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Exam |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Accounting, banking and finance courses (PDF, 219.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
