By Robbie Bailey
Hi guys!
I thought I would tell you about my experiences during my first year here at Sheffield and the modules that you can expect to study if you choose to study at our Management School.
As Accounting and Financial Management students you will, of course, study various modules in accountancy. For me, this consisted of two separate modules: Introduction to Financial Accounting and Introduction to Management Accounting. These modules aim to give first year students an understanding in the differences between financial and management accountancy. Financial accounting covers things like financial reports and the accounting regulations that must be followed in practice. These reports and the financial performances of businesses are the basis for the decision making processes which are covered in the Management Accounting module studied during the first year of this degree.
The ‘Financial Management’ part of this degree is covered by a range of modules that are studied alongside the core accountancy modules. These include: Introduction to Financial Management and Analysis for Decision Making. Introduction to Financial Management covers the basics of various topics involved in money management and includes more mathematical material. Topics covered include risk and return, financial derivatives and interest rates. I have really enjoyed studying this module this year as I have a strong mathematical background and Financial Management has provided me with a great opportunity to learn how to use my skills within a specialised financial environment.
The Analysis for Decision Making module studied during the first year here in Sheffield is the most mathematical of all the first year modules. It is effectively a continuation of a level mathematics, particularly Statistics. However, do not worry if you have not studied any maths at a level! Students are separated into those who have a level (Analysis for decision making A) and those who don’t (Analysis for decision making B). Both groups study the same material; however, those in the B group have one extra hour of contact time per week. This module covers topics such as probability, investment appraisal and normal distribution. Those of you who, like myself, have studied a level statistics modules, will enjoy this module as you will find that the skills you have learnt prior to studying here in Sheffield are easily transferable. The Management School here at Sheffield also provides Microsoft Excel workshops during this module and these are spread throughout the year. These workshops provide a sound understanding of the functions of Excel and the skills learnt in these workshops will be crucial during the later years of this degree and in future life.
During my first year at Sheffield I have also studied various other modules on topics surrounding finance and management. First years are required to study a module of Business Economics as well as additional management school modules in Self-Management and Organizational Behaviour. All these modules provide students with a great all round understanding of the financial world and cover a whole variety of subjects. The broad range of study is helpful when students must select their own module choices in later years.
Personally, I have really enjoyed my first year here in Sheffield and the first year of studying for the Accounting and Financial Management degree. Sheffield University and the Management School are truly world-leading and this high standard can be seen throughout all the aspects of the education provided here. The staff provide an excellent learning environment and the various forms of assessment used throughout the year have allowed my studies to remain enjoyable and challenging.