Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027

Module ACCT2161: Personal Taxation

Department: Accounting

ACCT2161: Personal Taxation

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2026/2027 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to N408
Tied to N409
Tied to N410
Tied to N311
Tied to N312
Tied to NN42
Tied to N204
Tied to N206
Tied to NN43
Tied to N302
Tied to N304

Prerequisites

  • ACCT1061 Financial Accounting

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • ACCT1121 Principles of Taxation

Aims

  • To provide an understanding of the operation and scope of UK taxation and of how to calculate different taxes relevant to individuals.
  • To enable students to prepare tax computations and provide tax advice to individuals in straightforward scenarios.

Content

  • The UK tax system and its administration
  • Ethics of tax advice
  • Personal income tax
  • National insurance contributions
  • Capital gains tax for individuals
  • Inheritance tax

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of this module, students should:
  • Have an understanding of the general objectives of tax, the influences upon the UK system of tax and the different types of tax in the UK that are relevant to individuals.
  • Have an appreciation of the ethical issues arising in the course of performing tax work and be able to identify the obligations the UK system of tax imposes on taxpayers and the implications for taxpayers of non-compliance.
  • Be familiar with various types of tax (see content).
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of this module, students should:
  • Be able to calculate and explain the amounts of income tax owed by or owed to individuals
  • Be able to calculate and explain the amount of national insurance payable by individuals and their employers
  • Be able to calculate and explain the capital gains tax payable by individuals
  • Be able to calculate and explain the inheritance tax liabilities of individuals
Key Skills:
  • Skills in data handling and synthesis
  • Problem solving, organisation and time management
  • Presenting information effectively
  • Verbal and written communication

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

  • Learning will be based on knowledge transfer from lectures, workshops and independent study. Lectures and workshop activities and discussions will provide technical awareness and application of topics in a comprehensive form.
  • Formative assessment will provide feedback to students regarding their progress on the module.
  • The summative timed invigilated examination addresses students’ understanding of the main tax concepts and technical treatments.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours Attendance Monitored
Lectures 10 1 per week 2 hours 20
Workshops 9 1 per week 2 hours 18 Yes
Preparation and Reading 162
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 2000 words 30%
On Campus Written Examination 2 hours 70%

Formative Assessment:

Practice Questions


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.