Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module ACCT3082: Dissertation in Accounting

Department: Accounting

ACCT3082: Dissertation in Accounting

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to N408
Tied to N409
Tied to N410
Tied to NN43
Tied to N302
Tied to N304
Tied to NN42
Tied to N204
Tied to N206

Prerequisites

    Corequisites

    • ACCT3071 Research Methods in Accounting

    Excluded Combination of Modules

    • ACCT3052 Dissertation in Accounting & Finance

    Aims

    • The dissertation should be a substantial piece of work that provides a detailed and critical examination of a particular topic. Empirical research is encouraged where appropriate to the topic but is not compulsory. The dissertation can also be based upon an area of interest encountered during work experience through an internship, placement or similar.
    • It aims to provide students with an opportunity to undertake a substantial research project on an approved topic of interest, and to present their findings and conclusions in an extended and coherent piece of work.
    • It aims to develop students' abilities to plan and manage their own learning.
    • It aims to facilitate students' development of research skills and provide the opportunity to apply their knowledge to an appropriate topic associated with their degree pathway.

    Content

    • The content of the dissertation will be decided in consultation with an appropriate member of staff, should be of relevance to their degree pathway, and is subject to approval.

    Learning Outcomes

    Subject-specific Knowledge:
    • To have acquired extended knowledge of a relevant topic of interest.
    Subject-specific Skills:
    • By the end of the module students are expected:
    • To have acquired skills of independent research and project management;
    • To be able to demonstrate an ability to present and analyse data in a clear and appropriate manner;
    • To be able to demonstrate an ability to present arguments and conclusions in an extended and coherent form.
    Key Skills:
    • Written communication
    • Planning, organising and working to deadlines
    • Problem solving and analysis
    • Initiative
    • Computer literacy
    • Intellectual challenge

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • Learning is facilitated by lectures, drop-in tutorials, supervisor consultations and support for private study.
    • Students will have individual consultation sessions with a named supervisor throughout the term.
    • Formative assessment is by means of dissertation milestones.
    • Summative assessment is through the production of a dissertation of 10000 words.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 10 Weekly 1 hour 10
    Tutorials 10 Weekly 1 hour 10
    Supervision Sessions 6 20mins 2
    Preparation and Reading 378
    Total 400

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Dissertation Component Weighting: 90%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Dissertation 10000 words 100%
    Component: Poster Component Weighting: 10%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Poster 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Draft chapter


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University