Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module ACCT3082: Dissertation in Accounting

Department: Accounting

ACCT3082: Dissertation in Accounting

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 3 40 Available in 2025/2026 None. Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

  • ACCT3071 Research Methods in Accounting

Excluded Combinations

  • 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

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 10 Weekly 1 hour 10 Yes
Tutorials 10 Weekly 1 hour 10
Supervision Sessions 6 20mins 2 Yes
Preparation and Reading 378
Total 400

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Dissertation 90% Dissertation 10000 words 100%
Poster 10% Poster 100%

Formative Assessment

Draft chapter


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.