Flying Start programme wins at 2024 PQ Awards
Newcastle University Business School took home "Public Sector College of the Year" at the awards, which recognise excellence and achievement within the accounting industry.
26 April 2024
We’re thrilled to announce that Newcastle University Business School has won the Public Sector College of the Year award at the 21st PQ Magazine awards which were held in London on Monday 22 April.
The PQ awards are national awards, celebrating successes within the accountancy sector. The global guestlist on the evening consisted of attendees from the UK and all over the world, including countries such as Qatar, Australia, and Pakistan.
The award recognised the School’s efforts in addressing gender diversity within the Business Accounting and Finance (Flying Start) degree and Accounting and Finance programmes.
Over 20 years of giving students a flying start
The Business Accounting and Finance degree programme has been running for over 20 years and is the most established course of its kind. The programme is designed so students can put classroom theory into commercial practice, combining academic study and paid professional work placements in PwC’s Audit practice. Students can be a fully qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant just over a year after graduating from this first-of-its-kind degree. In 2021, 100% of graduates successfully secured positions with PwC.
Women in Business and Accounting
The Women in Business project, with involvement from Joanne Parker, Dr Kirsty Munro, and Helen Currie, ensures females are represented in typically male-dominated subjects. Positive impacts are already being reflected in the female representation within the student cohort and teaching staff on both programmes. There are also opportunities for students on the programmes to gain insights into business careers and seek inspiration from female role models within the accounting and finance sector.
Winning the award
Tracey Wilson, Subject Group Head of Accounting and Finance said: “The award is testament to our commitment to diversity within our accounting programmes. Women are typically underrepresented in accounting and finance, and the ‘Women in Business and Accounting’ initiative was set up to address this.
"I am incredibly proud of our achievements to date and the support we have received from our students. This award reflects our hard work and commitment to driving positive change.
"We will continue to push boundaries, challenge norms, and promote gender diversity in our programmes. Together, we can look forward to a more inclusive and equitable future.”
You can learn more about our Accounting and Finance programmes and how to apply, by visiting the subject page.