Programme Overview

Academic Level

Bachelor's Degree, Double Major, Top-up

Awarded by

University of Birmingham, UK

Programme type

Full-time, 2 years

Campus location

SIM Campus

Application Dates

Preparatory Course - Application has closed / Direct Entry - Now till 31 July 2023 (for local and int'l)

Estimated Fees
(incl. GST)*

S$35,510.40 to S$39,398.40

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* Exclude application fee, preparatory or bridging course fee, and other fees. Refer to the Fees & Financial Aid section for details.

Programme Outline

Awarded and developed by: University of Birmingham, UK

The world needs its accountants and finance professional

As financial markets integrate and business operations diversify, the need for adoption of common global accounting practices intensifies.

Why a Bachelor’s from University of Birmingham?

Degrees are of the same standings and standards as those awarded in the UK
Long tradition and established track record of teaching business and management
Established international reputation of the University and the Business School
Research led – cutting-edge research feeds directly into teaching
International syllabus with a focus on the issues of globalisation
Dedicated staff who provide continuous support for your studies
Join the alumni community of more than 300,000 graduates. From television and sport to research and government, the University has outstanding alumni across all sectors.

Graduates may obtain exemptions from the following professional bodies. Visit their websites for the latest requirements.

Prerequisite(s)

SIM Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance is available for non-accounting diploma holders

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Learning Outcomes

You will:

Have a firm technical grounding in accounting and finance, and as well as a wider appreciation of business issues within a global political, legal and social environment.
Bridge the gap between study and work lives through an optional Professional Development module.
Develop the skill sets and versatility needed for a career in different environments of the financial sector.

Further Studies & Career Prospects

Students are offered the opportunity to engage with work experience via a third year optional module, Professional Development. This module is designed to bridge the gap between their academic studies and the future professional life postgraduation. Student learning via work experience on the module will be assessed by the University.

Birmingham graduates are highly sought after by diverse employers for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, and team-working abilities. They can go on to become accountants, auditors, brokers, financial analysts, fund managers, investment researchers, tax specialists, traders, etc.

Graduates may further their studies to attain a postgraduate qualification from universities around the world.

To pursue a Master’s qualification with University of Birmingham, you will require at least an upper second class award. The University of Birmingham currently offers a suite of postgraduate taught programmes at SIM:

Master of Science

Financial Management
International Business
Management

For the full list of postgraduate programmes offered on the University’s UK home campus, please visit their website.

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Hear from our students

Ali Yaakub

Ali Yaakub’s initial goal may be to do sales in a bank upon graduation but the business management graduate from the University of Birmingham actually started his first job doing analytics in a bank. Taking a chance to try something new, Ali has since “found his groove” in the analytics field. Working in different financial and tech companies, and picking up skills along the way, Ali is now heading a team to build the business intelligence and analytics function in Tamara.

Read story

Why study at SIM x University of Birmingham

Fully taught by Birmingham academics

University of Birmingham (Birmingham) ranked 91st in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Top 5 frequently targeted university among UK’s top employers for graduate employment (The Graduate Market in 2022, High Fliers Research).

Gold rating for outstanding teaching and learning in the UK (Teaching Excellence Framework 2017-2020).

Learn more about University of Birmingham

Intake Dates

Sep 2023 intake

PROGRAMME DURATION

5 June 2023 - 31 August 2023 (Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance, if required)
18 September 2023 to 31 August 2025 (main)

APPLICATION PERIOD

Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance - Application has closed
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance: Now till 31 July 2023 (Local & Int'l applicants)

Date & period is subject to change by the University.

Academic Schedule
A typical schedule by the academic year is illustrated as follows:

Semester 1
Sep – Jan: Lectures and tutorials
Feb: End-of-semester exams

Semester 2
Mar – May: Lectures and tutorials
Jun: End-of-semester exams

Maximum candidature: 4 years
There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the programme within the candidature period.

Curriculum

Structure

A structured curriculum delivered over two years through classroom learning.
There are two semesters in a year and students are expected to undertake 120 credits of modules for each academic year.
Taught by Birmingham academics and local specialists who worked/are working in the accounting and finance profession.
View a list of lecturer's teaching modules
Weekly schedule: Monday to Friday over three time slots: 8:30am/12pm/3:30pm. Saturday classes may occasionally be scheduled if required.
Lessons are typically conducted 3 to 6 hours per day.

A 20-credit module has 60 hours of class contact delivered on a block teaching basis through lectures and tutorials.
Exemptions: Nil
Average teacher-student ratio – 1:80
Minimum class size to commence: 30 students
If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.
All classes are conducted on SIM campus, unless otherwise stated.

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Assessment & Attendance

Local and international students: 100% attendance rate
Year 2 progression to Year 3: Obtain 100 credits from Year 2
Modes of assessment: Varies module to module which can include written exams, coursework or a combination of both.
Coursework includes written assignments, in-class tests, presentations, projects, etc. Some coursework may be group-based.
Revision sessions with lecturers will be arranged during the study break before exams through various platforms including video conferences, online recordings etc.
Assessment schedule is subject to change by the University.

Requirements to Graduate

Overall result weightage calculation: 25% (Year 2) + 75% (Year 3)
To achieve Honours, students must obtain 200 out of 240 credits. 100 of these credits must be from each year of the programme.
A degree congregation presided by University of Birmingham is annually held in November on SIM campus. Alternatively, graduates may choose to attend the ceremony in December or July in the UK.
The awarded degree and degree certificate, is the same as that awarded in the UK, i.e. Bachelor of Science (Honours) Accounting and Finance.

Modules

The modules offered are pre-determined by the University.

Audit*
Corporate Finance
Financial Reporting
Business Law*
Management Accounting
Taxation: Principles and Planning*

Advanced Corporate Finance
Advanced Financial Accounting Practice and Theory
Advanced Management Accounting and Control
Extended Essay

Optional Module (choose 2)

Business Analytics
Financial Statement Analysis
Professional Development

Module Synopses

Notes:
* Taught by local specialists
The modules listed here and on the University’s website may occasionally be subject to change. For example, as you will appreciate, key members of staff may leave the University, and this might necessitate a review of the modules that are offered. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you make other choices.

Admission Criteria

Accepted Entry Qualifications

Diploma in Accounting awarded by SIM; or
Accounting related diplomas from local polytechnics; or
Non-accounting related diplomas with successful completion of a three-month SIM Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance.
All other qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must obtain an average Grade B and may be required for interview before admission.

All admissions (direct & non-direct entries) are based on merit and are subject to the final approval of the University.

Accounting diplomas that may be eligible for advanced standing into the two-year programme include:

SIM Diploma in Accounting
Nanyang Polytechnic: Diploma in Accountancy and Finance (renamed from Diploma in Accountancy and Taxation wef 2004)
Ngee Ann Polytechnic: Diploma in Accountancy
Singapore Polytechnic: Diploma in Accountancy
Temasek Polytechnic: Diploma in Accounting and Finance

Subject to the University’s review, applicants with relevant business diplomas may not be required to take the SIM Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance. For example: SIM Diploma in Banking and Finance / International Business / Management Studies.

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English Language Requirements

Minimum C6 pass in English as First Language at GCE ‘O’ Level; or
IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 6.0 in each band); or
Successful completion of a recognised approved diploma, where the language of instruction was English.

Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance

Developed and awarded by SIM, Singapore.

Applicants with non-accounting diplomas or with suitable qualifications will be required to complete and pass a three-month Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance for entry into the degree programme.

The preparatory course, comprising three modules, will cover foundation concepts which prepares students for undergraduate study with University of Birmingham.

Business Finance
Financial Accounting
Management Accounting

View preparatory module synopses (PDF 125 KB)

Structure

2023 intake: 5 June 2023 to 31 August 2023
Mode of delivery: Blended learning, a combination of face-to-face lectures and e-learning components
Assessments: Either by written exams, coursework^ or a combination of both

Written exams are typically held at the end of the preparatory course in May/June. These exams may take place on weekday mornings and there are no re-sits.

Class duration: Typically 3 to 6 hours on weekdays. Some lessons may also take place on Saturdays if required.
Average teacher-student ratio – 1:30
View a list of lecturers’ teaching modules (PDF 71KB)
Minimum class size to commence – 25

If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.

Maximum candidature: 3 months. There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the programme within the candidature period
Attendance requirement:
- Local students – at least 75% rate
- International students – at last 90% rate

Certification

A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successfully passing the Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance.

^Coursework may include in-class tests, assignments, online quizzes etc.

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Fees and Financial Aid

All fees are inclusive of prevailing GST and payable before course/term commencement (exclude textbooks). Valid for 2023 intake.

Payment to SIM can be made through SIMConnect using Credit Card (Visa or Master), PayNow, eNETS, OCBC Interest-free Instalment Plan (min. S$500) and cheques.

Programme Fees 

Preparatory Course in Accounting and Finance (if applicable)
S$2,106.00 (3 modules)

* Fees are inclusive of 8% GST and are payable in full before course commencement. Fees will be subject to revised GST of 9% effective on 1 Jan 2024. Fees do not include textbook.

Bachelor’s Programme*

Local students:

Per 20 credits: S$2,959.20
Total programme fees: S$35,510.40

International students:

Per 20 credits: S$3,283.20
Total programme fees: S$39,398.40

* Fees are inclusive of 8% GST and are payable in four instalments based on the number of module credits undertaken in a term. Fees will be subject to revised GST of 9% effective on 1 Jan 2024. Fees are payable before term commencement and do not include textbooks.

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Mandatory One-time Fees

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST.

Student Development Fee

A one-time payment applicable to all students embarking on a full-time Diploma or Undergraduate programme at SIM. This fee goes towards activities that will help in students’ personal growth and equip them with functional skills that enhance their employability.

Payable with the programme fees’ first instalment.

S$253.80

International Student Induction Fee

A one-time fee payable by new full-time international students. This fee covers pre-arrival and arrival support, including activities to enhance the international student learning experience.

As applicable, payable with the programme fees’ first instalment.

S$432.00

Application Fee

Payable for each application form that is submitted. Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee will be refunded fully only if the intake does not commence. Unpaid applications will not be processed.

Local applicants: S$97.20

International applicants: S$486.00 (not inclusive of all fees related to Student’s Pass application)

Scholarships & Bursaries

SIM GE Bursary

The SIM GE Bursary aims to provide financial assistance to needy students studying at SIM GE. This award is given based on our eligibility criteria, as well as the assessed level of neediness of the applicants

Learn more

SIM GE Bursary

SIM GE Scholarship

The SIM GE Scholarship is given to students with exemplary academic results or achievements in sports and arts. It is applicable to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and international students.

Learn more

SIM GE Scholarship

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Bachelor of Science (Honours) Accounting and Finance (Top-up)

Programme Overview

Academic Level

Awarded by

Programme type

Campus location

Application Dates

Estimated Fees
(incl. GST)*