Bachelor of Science in Accounting

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this programme is to equip students with knowledge and skills in order for them to carry out accounting roles in the areas of financial reporting, financial management, auditing, management accounting, taxation and consultancy effectively. The programme also aims to facilitate the development of academic, research, project management and entrepreneurial competences of candidates who have completed the penultimate or intermediate levels of  professional accountancy qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA and ZiCA to enhance their capacity to provide research-based solutions to organizational challenges.

AIM

The aim of this programme is to equip students with knowledge and skills in order for them to carry out accounting roles in the areas of financial reporting, financial management, auditing, management accounting, taxation and consultancy effectively.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of the programme, candidates should be able to:

• demonstrate a thorough grounding in the fundamental theories, concepts, principles and practices of accountancy;
• demonstrate the critical abilities of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and judgement as applied to financial reporting, financial management, auditing, management accounting and taxation;
• evaluate the financial and business performance of organisations, including group companies;
• carry out statutory audits and audit related assignments;
• prepare and analyse forecast financial information such as business plans and prospective financial statements;
• apply project management principles in managing financial resources in project environments;
• formulate, implement, and evaluate organisational strategies;
• apply innovation and entrepreneurship acumen in starting and running businesses; and
• carry out research to help in solving specific challenges faced by organisations.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

To qualify for admission to the BSAC degree programme an applicant must have any of the
following qualifications:

1. Five credits at ‘O’ Level including English and Mathematics.
2. Part or full qualifications in either ACCA, CIMA, CA Zambia, ZiCA or any other
   recognised professional accountancy qualification.
3. Any relevant three year accountancy diploma from a reputable college or university.
4. At least three ‘A’ level passes including Mathematics or equivalent.

EXEMPTIONS

• A student who has, prior to admission to the BSAC , attended, whether at ZCAS University or elsewhere, courses of instruction and passed examinations equivalent in standard to courses and examinations which form part of the programme of study may, subject to approval, be exempted from attendance of classes and examinations in those courses. Automatic exemptions will apply to candidates in possession of specific professional qualifications, while for all other candidates, exemptions will be granted on a case by case basis.
• Direct entry students take BSAC111 Academic Writing while those awarded exemptions on grounds of professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, ZiCA and CA Zambia get exempted from BSAC121 Introduction to Law.

DURATION OF STUDY

The course of study for the award of the BSAC degree shall be completed in a period of:

1. Not less than four and not more than six academic years in the case of full time students;
2. Not less than five and not more than seven academic years in the case of evening, part
   time and distance education students;
3. Not less than one and not more than seven years for students awarded exemptions on
   grounds of prior learning.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Each year of study will be divided into two semesters and full-time students are expected to take four courses in each semester while evening and distance education students are expected to take three or four courses and part-time students up to three courses.    The course structure is as shown in Tables 1 to 4 below.

FEES

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ZCAS University Current Fees

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ZCAS University bank details

STUDENT PROGRESSION

FULL TIME STUDENTS

• A full-time student shall register for and take four courses in any semester of the academic year; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• A full time student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
• A full time student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
• A full time student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed course at the first available opportunity.
• A full time student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
• A full time student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
• A full time student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
• Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in Year 1 and Year 2 only.

EVENING STUDENTS

• An evening student shall register for and take three or four courses each semester; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• An evening student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level courses.
• An evening student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to the next level courses; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
• An evening student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed courses at the first available opportunity.
• An evening student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
• An evening student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
• An evening student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
• Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in Year 1 and Year 2 only.

DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS

• A distance education student shall register for and take a minimum of three courses and a maximum of four courses each semester; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• A distance education student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level courses.
• A distance education student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to next level courses; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
• A distance education student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed courses at the first available opportunity.
• A distance education student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
• A distance education student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
• A distance education student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
• Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in Year 1 and Year 2 only.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

In all the courses listed, except BSAC432 Dissertation, the distribution of marks shall be as follows:

Continuous assessment                                                                                 40%   

1 test                                                                                      30%

1 assignment                                                                          10%

Final examination                                                                                         60%

Total                                                                                                               100%

GRADING

In the grading of final examination results, the following scale will apply:

Pass grades

A+                   Distinction (86% and above)

A                     Distinction (76% – 85%)

B+                   Meritorious (66% – 75%)

B                     Very Satisfactory (56% – 65%)

C+                   Definite Pass (46% – 55%)

C                     Bare Pass (40% – 45%)

S                      Satisfactory, pass in a practical course

Fail grades

D                     Fail (39% and below)

U                     Unsatisfactory, fail in a practical course

NE                   No examination taken

WD                 Was withdrawn from the course with unsatisfactory academic progress – recorded where a student has not completed the required level of course work after a warning from the Dean of the School.

LT                   Left the course during the semester without permission

DQ                  Was disqualified in a course by Senate

DR                   Was de-registered for failure to pay fees

RS                   To re-sit the course examination only – recorded where a student is allowed by Senate to re-sit the final semester examination in the course, and to carry over the previous course work assessment.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEGREE

• In calculating the class of the degree, the following points shall be applied to the grades obtained.
  
  2. A+ 5 points
  3. A                    0 points
  4. B+ 5 points
  5. B 0 point
  6. C+ 5 point
  7. C  0 point
• The degree class of the BSAC is based on all grades obtained in the last two years (i.e. 16 courses); provided that for students awarded exemptions in recognition of prior learning, the points for classification of the degree shall be prorated based on the number of courses passed on the BSAC programme. No points are awarded where a course has been repeated.
• The points for classification of the degree in respect of students who pass all the third and fourth year courses shall be as follows:

Distinction                                                      28 – 40 points

Merit                                                               20 – 27.5 points

Credit                                                              12 – 19.5 points

Pass                                                                 0 – 11.5 points

• The points for classification of the degree in respect of students who get exemptions in all year one to year three courses (i.e. holders of the full ACCA and CA Zambia qualifications) and therefore only need to pass eight courses shall be as follows:

Distinction                                                      14 – 20 points

Merit                                                               10 – 13.5 points

Credit                                                              6 – 9.5 points

Pass                                                                 0 – 5.5 points

ZCAS University offers this programme in full-time, part-time and distance education. You can apply now by clicking the button below!