Integrated Academic and Professional Project

BMAN32320 Integrated Academic and Professional Project 40 Full year Undergraduate Level 3 Georgios Voulgaris Unit coordinator Alliance Manchester Business School 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 20.0 This unit acts as a capstone for final-year students on the BSc Business Accounting programme, bringing together academic learning and its application to current issues in accounting and related disciplines. Through a structured group project, an individual applied assignment, and an experiential analysis linked to their industrial placement, students will interrogate contemporary developments in accounting, audit, and related fields. The unit supports the development of analytical thinking, professional judgement, and written communication skills appropriate to graduate-level roles, while drawing on experiential learning gained through professional practice. This unit acts as a capstone for final-year students on the BSc Business Accounting programme, bringing together academic learning and its application to current issues in accounting and related disciplines. Through a structured group project, an individual applied assignment, and an experiential analysis linked to their industrial placement, students will interrogate contemporary developments in accounting, audit, and related fields. The unit supports the development of analytical thinking, professional judgement, and written communication skills appropriate to graduate-level roles, while drawing on experiential learning gained through professional practice.  The unit aims to:<ul><li>Provide students with the opportunity to explore and analyse real-world issues relevant to the accounting profession through group and individual assignments. Topics may include audit, financial reporting, management accounting, taxation, ethics, sustainability, regulation, technology, or any other current issue affecting professional practice.  </li><li>Enable students to demonstrate independent thinking and applied knowledge through engagement with secondary sources, analytical tools, and relevant academic frameworks.</li><li>Support the development of professional judgement and academic communication through an experiential, practice-informed approach.</li><li>Allow students to critically reflect on their professional placement experience and integrate it with their academic learning and future development. </li></ul> <ul><li>Analyse accounting and related professional issues using secondary data sources and academic literature.</li><li>Apply appropriate analytical methods to evaluate accounting issues in academic and professional contexts.</li><li>Critically reflect on the relationship between theoretical knowledge and professional practice.</li></ul> <ul><li>Evaluate arguments and evidence from a range of academic and professional sources.</li><li>Draw logical and well-supported conclusions from analysis based on academic and/or professional frameworks. </li></ul> <ul><li>Use databases, academic literature and professional materials effectively in written work</li><li>Produce written work tailored to academic and professional audiences</li></ul> <ul><li>Exercise professional judgement in analysing accounting issues and forming reasoned conclusions.</li><li>Make informed decisions by evaluating complex information in academic and professional contexts</li><li>Reflect on experiential learning during placement to inform academic development and future professional practice</li></ul> Other Students will develop their ability to apply theory to practice, structure analytical written work, and reflect critically on their experiential learning during placement. The unit supports graduate employability and ICAEW training aims by reinforcing applied analysis, professional communication, and reflective practice. As most students progress directly into roles at PwC, the unit also provides an opportunity to consolidate academic and professional competencies in preparation for the workplace. <ul><li>Current developments and debates in accounting, audit, and the broader professional context.</li><li>Analytical approaches to addressing problems in accounting and related disciplines.</li><li>Application of accounting standards, regulatory guidance, and ethical frameworks.</li><li>Use of secondary data and professional sources to support written analysis.</li><li>Academic writing, argument construction, and communication for professional audiences.</li><li>Experiential learning and reflective enquiry based on placement experience.</li><li>Independent project management and research planning skills.</li></ul> Group project workshopsStructured group and individual sessionsOnline support materials (analytical and writing skills)Reflective writing support (asynchronous) 0 Other 100% Group Report - Semester 1, 25% Group Presentation - Semester 1, 8% Individual Assignment - Semester 1, 42% Experiential Analysis Portfolio - Semester 2, 25%   Semester 1 - Written, online, within 15 working days Semester 2 - Oral, online, within 15 working days BMAN24672 BSc Business Accounting Placement 1 Pre-Requisite Compulsory BMAN32222 BSc Business Accounting Placement 2 Pre-Requisite Compulsory BMAN32282 BSc Business Accounting Placement 3 Co-Requisite Compulsory Programme Restrictions: This course unit is restricted to BSc Business Accounting.Optional Core [Optional as an alternative to BMAN31000B]Pre-requisites: BMAN24672 and BMAN32222Co-requisites: BMAN32282  N [Cottrell, S. (2019) The study skills handbook. Fifth Edition. Red Globe Press.  Peek, E., Healy, P. M. and Palepu, K. G. (2019) Business analysis and valuation, IFRS (5th) Edition, Cengage Learning EMEA.   Steer, T. (2018) The signs were there: The clues for investors that a company is heading for a fall, Profile Books Limited.  Bril, H., Kell, G. and Rasche, A. (2020) Sustainable Investing: A Path to a New Horizon. Routledge. Edmans, A. (2021). Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit–Updated and Revised. Cambridge University Press. Saunders, M.N.K. (2023) Research methods for business students . Ninth edition. Harlow, England :, Pearson. Bell, Judith, and Stephen Waters. Doing Your Research Project : A Guide for First-Time Researchers, McGraw-Hill Education, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.manchester.idm.oclc.org/lib/manchester/detail.action?docID=6212151 Bassot, B. (2024) The reflective journal . 4th edition. New York :, Bloomsbury Academic. Day, T. (2023) Success in academic writing . Third edition. London :, Bloomsbury Academic. Coghlan, D. (2016) Inside organizations : exploring organizational experiences . London, [England] :, SAGE. Lectures 18 Practical classes & workshops 5 Tutorials 7 0 370 Programme Restrictions: This course unit is restricted to BSc Business Accounting.Optional Core [Optional as an alternative to BMAN31000B]