Im considering a Top Up degree. Most last just one year. I'm almost finished with ACCA and I have to option to obtain a B.A. Bus. Admin from the University of Hertfordshire in one year. The cost is minimal and so is the study time. 1 yr of Saturday classes and exams every 4 months. Can anyone please tell me of the added value or lack of pursing this option ?
A somewhat long answer to your question: The value of a degree is that it gives you more possibilities in general. Most likely the degree will be in accounting as well, but that is fine since most ads ask for a business related degree. If i remember correctly acca also have a agreement with oxford brooks for a similar program, but do not know the requirements. Please also check out for other possibilities, Distance Learning | Online Study | MBA Degree Courses from UK University - RDI | Home They have top up degree as well in the business field. Also check out a rival accountancy program, CIMA - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants They have recently started a special program for acca graduates, which takes a relatively short time to complete. This would give you a double whammy, by being qualified under two programmes and cima has a masters program in place for cima qualified persons. Now to your question: Added value: More credibility In future you will have direct access to master programs worldwide Employers outside your field don't know acca but give high value to bachelors degree earned while working Promotions are easier to get because you meet the educational requirements ( I went back to school to get a BBA in order to qualify for promotions) The list for added value can be endless, so here is my advice: Go ahead and do it, you will never regret it and if you want to change careers, you have just made your life easier. I can not think of a reason why not to pursue this option, since money and time do not seem to be a problem.
I can't answer your question. But I earned one of my UK qualification in aero engineering from the UoH at the Hatfield campus some years. A great school.
If you're potentially interested in further study in North America, then one of the values of topping up is that if you ever want to consider postgraduate study in the U.S. or Canada you'll already have fulfilled the requirement for a fourth year of undergraduate study.
I've decided to go for it, but that will be in 2013 (provided the world doesn't end in 2012 LOL). rdL50 I certainly understand your point on employers from different fields thinking that ACCA provides just pure accounting ( very untrue btw ). As a result I believe the BA will give me the image of being a bit more balanced i.e. business-knowledgeable. Steve I didn't even think of US/Canadian schools for PG as I was thinking of doing a Msc Finance 4 yrs from now at EBS (Heriot-Watt). This is mainly because of price and the exemptions due to the partnership between EBS and ACCA. But still I'm glad to know I have more options available. Who knows, maybe I'll be living/working in US/Canada later on... rdl50, I can't find the CIMA special programme you mentioned anywhere... Thanks a lot guys.
