Business School chosen to develop the first MOOC to be sponsored and accredited by ACCA

The global body for professional accountants will work with FutureLearn’s world-renowned university partners to make cutting-edge learning content in the fields of accountancy, finance and business, available to FutureLearn’s international learner base, online, free of charge. The first MOOC to launch as a result of this collaboration will be called Discovering Business in Society, developed by academics at the University of Exeter Business School. Launching on FutureLearn in September 2014, the course is aimed at anyone interested in learning the principles of business, including prospective undergraduate students, working professionals without a background in business and people interested in entering the finance profession and seeking a route to ACCA membership. Learners can sign up for the course now, on the FutureLearn website.

The course will receive professional accreditation from ACCA, granting exemption from paper F1 (Accountant in Business) of the ACCA Qualification. This will provide those learners who fully participate and pass the associated exam with the opportunity to continue on a journey to ACCA membership and a rewarding career in finance.

Professor Robin Mason, Dean of the University of Exeter Business School said, “The Business School is one of the UK’s leading institutions and brings together inspirational and internationally-respected business teachers from around the world. With two-thirds of our research rated as world-leading or of an internationally excellent standard, we are perfectly placed to deliver a course that is both engaging and informed by cutting edge thinking. We are used to embracing new ways of learning: we are one of the few universities to be chosen to deliver the KPMG School Leavers programme. We are very much looking forward to joining together with the ACCA and FutureLearn to be a part of this new and exciting opportunity.”

Simon Nelson, Chief Executive of FutureLearn, said, “Our free online courses provide a valuable means of supplementing professional knowledge, and also reaching learners with career options they might not previously have considered. I’m pleased to welcome the ACCA as a world-renowned and trusted source of knowledge in business and finance; together we can provide essential knowledge to working accountants, and inspire the next generation of finance professionals.”

Helen Brand OBE, Chief Executive of the ACCA, said, “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with FutureLearn, and the  University of Exeter – from where I graduated. We’ll be working together to provide access to MOOCs for people who wish to obtain foundation knowledge in finance and business. This could be the start of professional training towards a prestigious and respected global qualification. But it doesn’t stop there – MOOCs can also be used by our members to meet their needs for continuing professional development throughout their careers.

“As the global body for professional accountants, we have led innovation in the profession, starting computer based exams way back in 1998. Access to the accountancy profession is important to ACCA; one of our core values is that of opportunity – enabling those with ability to become a finance professional, with or without a degree. Using the online technology that is now part of all our everyday lives means that this partnership is opportunity in action.”