Question

What is the course structure of Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at UCC ?

Answer 1

About Programme: 

In almost every organisation, whether private or public sector, the work of accountants is very useful to provide accountability over their stewardship. Additionally, as a nation, there is shortage of qualified accounting personnel. Graduates from this programme will feed in as accounting personnel and managers in both private sector and public sector organisations. 

The philosophy of this programme is therefore to provide business education aimed at developing accounting personnel and managers with the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities in the prudent management of funds. It is also aimed at developing individuals who are capable of demonstrating analytical and critical thinking skills.

Entry Requirements: 

Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, West African Senior School Certificate Examination and General Business Certificate Examination:

Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination  (SSSCE) Candidates must obtain passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects, including Core English Language and Core Mathematics, Integrated Science or Social Studies. Also, candidates must have passes in any three elective subjects including Financial Accounting. The applicant’s aggregate should not exceed 24.   West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination Candidates must obtain passes (A1-C6) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects including Core English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science, or Social Studies.  Also, candidates must have passes in any three elective subjects including Financial Accounting. The applicant’s aggregate should not exceed 36.   General Business Certificate Exams Candidates with credit passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus three (3) relevant elective subjects would be eligible for admission into level 100.

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level Candidates: Passes in three (3) subjects (at least, one of the passes should be Grade D or better), Also the applicant must have had credit passes (Grade 6) in five GCE Ordinary Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject (for non-science students).   Higher National Diploma Candidates Applicant must have graduated with a good HND certificate (i.e. at least 2nd Class Lower Division). In addition, the applicant must have acquired a 2-year post-HND qualification working experience. Candidates with Higher National Diploma (HND) in business related programmes may be admitted to Level 300.  Other HND holders with at least Second Class may be admitted to Level 200. Other Diploma qualifications from elsewhere assessed to be equivalent to HND may be similarly considered.   Advanced Business Certificate Examination (ABCE) Candidates Candidates with full Diploma Certificate in ABCE must have had credit passes in five (5) subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science or Social Studies in the General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE) or SSSCE or WASSCE. ABCE candidates may be considered for admission at level 200 of a degree programme.   Mature Candidates The applicant must be at least 25 years old, and show proof of age with birth certificate or any legitimate documentary proof of date of birth which is at least 25 years old at the time of application. For admission, applicant must pass Mature Students' Entrance Examinations conducted by the University of Cape Coast in English Language, Mathematics and an Aptitude Test.              Professional Certificate Holders Candidates with Part I of the following Professional Accountancy Bodies: Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ghana), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and Chartered Financial Analysts may be admitted.   Foreign Qualification All foreign qualifications would be referred to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for determination of equivalence and eligibility for admission to the programme.

Answer 2

Career Opportunities: 

The overall goal of the programme is to provide business education aimed at developing accounting personnel and managers with the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities in the prudent management of funds in the private and public sectors of the economy.

Components of the programme

This is a four-year degree programme, made up of course work and a project work. The first year of the programme would focus on University-wide courses. The second year courses focus largely on Faculty-wide and departmental courses. The major finance courses (electives courses) starts from Level 300.

Students offering Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) would undergo two (2) months industrial attachment during two separate long vacations (Level 200 and 300). The purpose is to expose the students to real work situations to enable them better appreciate the principles and concepts taught in the lecture room.

Objectives of the Programme 

Having completed the programme, the graduate will:

1. be equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities required for the prudent management of funds; 

2. be able to prepare and present financial reports in accordance with the relevant Accounting Standards (i.e. International Financial Reporting Standards), and in line with the institutional, legal  and regulatory framework in Ghana; 

3. be provided with opportunities for career development and advancement in the field of accountancy; 

4. gain global significance and work efficiently and effectively in any part of the globe; and 

5. develop entrepreneurial spirits coupled with confidence, innovativeness, creativity and a hunger for success in their chosen discipline.

Programme Structure

Level 100

First Semester

CMS 107: Communicative Skills I

3 Credit(s)

Engaging in academic work at the university is challenging. This course is aimed at equipping fresh students to make the transition from pre-university level to the university level. It assists them in engaging and succeeding in complex academic tasks in speaking, listening, reading and writing. It also provides an introduction to university studies by equipping students with skills that will help them to engage in academic discourse with confidence and fluency.

ILT 101: Information Literacy

1 Credit(s)

The rationale of the course is to equip students with skills that will enable them access and retrieve information in the traditional, hybrid and digital libraries. Students will be able to use ICT efficiently and effectively when they have basic knowledge of computers. The course content include: Types of libraries, library resources and their uses, the role the library plays in the academic community, introduction to computers, the internet.

Second Semester

CMS 108: Communicative Skills II

3 Credit(s)

This is a follow-up course on the first semester one. It takes students through writing correct sentences, devoid of ambiguity, through the paragraph and its appropriate development to the fully-developed essay. The course also emphasizes the importance and the processes of editing written work.