Oxford Brookes Business School (OBBS) has reviewed its academic programs and the higher education environment. As a result, the school has decided to discontinue the BSc Applied Accounting program after May 2026. However, students can still submit their work in May and November of each year until that time. Students who complete the program will continue to be invited to graduation ceremonies. If you plan to submit in 2023, 2024, or 2025, there will be no changes.

Frequently asked questions

What is happening to the BSc Applied Accounting?

Oxford Brookes Business School (OBBS) will not offer the BSc Applied Accounting after May

2026. Until then everything will carry on as usual with submission windows in May and November each year. If you intend to submit in 2023, 2024 or 2025 there is no change and there is no need to contact us.

Why has OBU closed the programme?

Oxford Brookes Business School (OBBS) has undertaken a strategic review of the higher education landscape and its programmes. OBBS will not offer the BSc Applied Accounting after

May 2026.

 

I joined ACCA because of the BSc in Applied Accounting. Can I still participate?

To participate in the BSC Applied Accounting, you need to submit a Research and Analysis Project (RAP) by May 2026. This is the last opportunity for a first attempt at the RAP. When you submit a RAP you must meet the eligibility criteria.

What are the eligibility criteria (entry requirements) for the programme?

There are no changes to the eligibility criteria. To be eligible to submit Research and

Analysis Project you will need to:

• Have passed the three ACCA Applied Skills examinations in Financial Reporting (was

F7), Audit and Assurance (was F8) and Financial Management (was F9)

• Have passed, or gained exemption from, the other six papers at the Knowledge Level

and Skills Level. Note that conditional exemptions do not qualify you to submit

the RAP.

• Have completed the ACCA Ethics and Professional Skills module (or the previous

Professional Ethics module)

• Be up-to-date with the payment of your ACCA subscription fees.

Demonstrate currency of knowledge by either

• passing your RAP within 10 years of the earliest date of your first ACCA

examination pass, or the date of your first ACCA exemption being granted

or

• if you have passed 3 ACCA (Applied Skills or Strategic Professional) examinations

in the 5 years before submission of your RAP.

or

• being a full member of ACCA of good standing (have returned a CPD record) and

who have taken their ACCA papers or received exemptions under the ACCA

syllabuses in place after 2000.

What if I can’t meet these eligibility criteria in time to submit in May 2026?

If you are unable to meet the eligibility criteria, you cannot submit a RAP. We considered how long students usually took to meet the eligibility criteria when we decided that the last submission opportunity was May 2026.

Details of ACCA’s forthcoming examination sessions are available here

 

What if I have previously submitted a RAP and failed?

You only have three attempts at the RAP. The final submission window will be May 2026. There will be a further opportunity to resubmit (only for those who submitted and failed in May 2026) in the period September – December 2026. As May 2026 is the final submission window you may want to target an earlier submission window. At the point you resubmit, you must meet the eligibility criteria. See above for eligibility criteria.

What happens if I fail when I submit it in May 2026?

If the May 2026 submission was your first attempt, you will be offered additional support and a resubmission opportunity later in that year.

If you have resubmitted in May 2026, and failed a second time, you will be offered additional support and a resubmission opportunity later in that year.

The programme will close by the end of 2026.

 

What if I have been referred to an Academic Conduct Officer?

The ACO will contact you to ask you about your RAP submission. You must respond to the ACO promptly. Once the investigation is complete, you will be either exonerated or you will receive a penalty.

If you are exonerated, your original mark stands. This means you may have passed or failed the RAP. If you have failed, you may want to resubmit and you need to do this by May 2026.

If you have received a penalty, you will be required to resubmit, following the guidance of the ACO. This resubmission needs to be made by May 2026.

May 2026 is the last opportunity you may want to target an earlier submission period, just in case you are not successful.

Do I still need to work with a mentor?

Yes. There are no changes to the requirements of the Research and Analysis Project.

Information Pack is available here

What support is available to help me prepare the RAP?

The programme team have created a range of YouTube videos to support you when preparing a

RAP. These are regularly updated.

What if I have exceptional circumstances?

The exceptional circumstances policy remains in place for all submission windows. This offers

students an extension of up to three weeks.

In May 2026, the exceptional circumstances policy will not allow an extension of a submission

period. May 2026 is the final opportunity for a first-time submission. You may want to target an

earlier submission period.

Will my degree be still valid?

Yes, the award of the BSc Applied Accounting remains valid once the programme has closed.

Will I be able to get copies of the documents certified?

Yes, Oxford Brookes University will still provide services, such as certified transcripts, to graduates of the programme. Details will be available on the Oxford Brookes University web pages.

Will you reduce the submission fee?

The fee will not be reduced. The fee is set for each academic year and the current submission fee can be found in the Information Pack.

What are you doing to let students know about this change?

We are working closely with ACCA to tell students about this change. Students will receive regular reminders from ACCA.

Oxford Brookes University will send reminders to students who have failed the RAP. They may want to consider a resubmission. When submitting your RAP, you must still meet the eligibility criteria.

Will graduates still be invited to graduation ceremonies?

Yes, all graduates of the programme will be offered the opportunity to attend a graduation

ceremony.