Transition from school to university
The transition from school to university isn’t as big as you think. I went to college to study for my A-Levels, which were very independent. Completing A-levels gives you much more independence than doing GCSEs, and University gives you even more independence and freedom from school/college.
The workload is not overwhelming at all and can be less than it was at college. This is because the course doesn’t have many contact hours. I usually have about 12 hours a week due to the course being semesterised. This means we only have three modules in the first term, then exams on those particular modules. The same thing happens in the second term. This means that the workload is very manageable, and even though you might need to spend a few hours a week on independent study, it’s not as hard as you may think when you get into a routine.
Favourite aspects of the course
My favourite aspect of the course is how vast the modules are. This means you can learn about the different elements of a business, from audit to tax to corporate governance. This knowledge is extremely helpful when deciding what to do after you graduate. It gives you a feel for the different aspects of accounting and allows you to understand what you’re best at and what you enjoy most.
How we’re assessed
Due to the BSc Accounting course being semesterised, we have exams at the beginning of January on the modules studied in the first term and then exams in May on the modules we study in the second term. This is a massive help, in my opinion, because it means that you don’t have as many modules to learn at one time, so you can focus on particular modules and then have the exams while the content is still fresh in your mind.
The exams are usually in person and can be worth 100% of the module. Although this can sound quite daunting, it means you don’t have to stress about having coursework and any deadlines. The lecturers also ensure we’re well equipped for the exams and give us lots of practice questions and helpful advice on how to do well in the exam.
Department facilities
Durham University’s new business school building has just opened on the Waterside. All students can access it during working hours, but only business students can access it outside of these hours. This is great for business students because it means you can go there when it’s a bit quieter to study.
The building is very modern and in an amazing location. It has many great study spaces, and your lecturers will be located here during their contact hours. The building also has areas where you can just sit and relax and a café to keep you fuelled during your studies.
Current work projects
The biggest project for me this year is my dissertation. It’s based on the barriers women face on a board of directors. The great thing about your dissertation is you have so much freedom to choose a topic you’re interested in and take a deeper look into it. I also have a corporate governance module this year, which is connected to my dissertation, which helps even further!
Preparing for life after graduation
A degree in accounting helps greatly prepare you for life after you graduate – even if you don’t want to become a qualified accountant. There are so many areas of business you could pursue with an accounting degree. We also get exemptions for certain modules, meaning that if you do want to get your chartership after university, you may be able to have exemptions, so you need to complete fewer professional qualifications when you finish.
Discover more
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