Accounting and Finance MSc
MSc Accounting and Finance
MSc Accounting and Finance
Overview
If you studied a business subject at undergraduate level and now want to pursue a career in accounting or finance, this accredited Master’s course is a great first step to specialise in accountancy or get into finance in general.
You'll be introduced to financial and accounting topics at the start of your studies, before exploring how businesses work financially. You'll learn about markets, trades and shares, and use our industry-standard Bloomberg suite to monitor and interpret the same data that professionals use in the real world.
You'll explore human behaviour in relation to finance and learn to use numbers to plan business strategy.
With practical projects and coursework to apply your learning, you'll develop your analytical and problem-solving skills throughout your studies. You'll access career support and networking opportunities with businesses and fellow students to ensure you graduate ready for your career in industry.
To become an accountant you'll need to study an accredited qualification. If you studied a different business-related subject at undergraduate level, this accounting and finance Master's degree is a chance to become an accountant and graduate with exam exemptions from both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), which will kickstart your accountancy career and prepare you for the industry.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Accreditation
Course highlights
- Use our industry-standard Bloomberg terminals to monitor and analyse financial market data movements and trades
- Study a CIMA and ACCA accredited degree
- Learn to write and interpret financial statements, and to monitor, control and plan for an organisation's ongoing success
- Understand accounting and finance from both strategic and management perspective
- Explore business planning and strategic management accounting, as well as corporate financial management and corporate governance
- Learn from staff with experience in industry
The University has helped me understand the accountancy and finance industry better. The thing that I consider to be unique about MSc Accounting and Finance is that the course is accredited which increases my employability. I have the chance to work on Bloomberg, which is a financial software, and get a certificate for my learning.
What you'll study on this MSc Accounting and Finance degree course
Full-time
All modules on this MSc Accounting and Finance course are core.
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Understand and critically differentiate the psychological, institutional and agency theory ideas underlying behavioural finance
- Integrate key empirical research on the explanatory and predictive power of the models of behavioural finance and subject this literature to detailed critical analysis
- Assess and apply behavioural finance to the solution of practical problems
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate business objectives and assess key stages involved in business planning
- Critically analyse business problems and apply appropriate planning, control and decision making techniques
- Systematically develop a computer based information system for control purposes
- Critically appreciate the framework within which decisions are made with regard to planning and commitment of physical and financial resources in pursuit of business objectives
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Assess and evaluate technical skills relating to basic business valuations, as well as a critical evaluation of selected recent empirical research relating to valuations
- Appraise theoretical expositions of the main issues in business valuation, critically analyse business valuations, including methodologies and techniques
- To be able to select and apply appropriate valuation methodologies to calculate and expound a business valuation
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Assess and evaluate technical skills relating to basic corporate finance, as well as a critical evaluation of selected recent empirical research relating to Corporate Finance
- Critique and support understanding of the objectives of the corporation, including ethical perspectives, and the problems of the separation of ownership and control in relation to Corporate finance theory
- Assess and evaluate technical skills relating to investment appraisal under conditions of capital rationing, risk and uncertainty, with considerations for cash flow implications in corporate decision making
- Apply and critically evaluate the alternatives open to corporations in raising finance, capital structure and dividend policy and considerations for corporate restructuring in the form of mergers and acquisitions
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate current issues and practices in the areas of corporate governance, ethics and control, using the latest international corporate governance practices, and propose ways in which sustainable value for business can be established
- Analyse the effectiveness of corporate governance practices' in a real-life case study
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Compose accounting statements from a trial balance in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
- Critically evaluate the importance and uses of corporate reporting information, including aspects of the Accounting regulations
- Evaluate and interpret information contained in financial accounts and evaluate the limitations thereto
- Plan, assess and critique a set of consolidated financial statements
- Critically evaluate the arguments surrounding the importance of taxation and recent taxation issues
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the key theoretical and ethical issues relating to investments and corporate financial management, and their practical applications and limitations
- Synthesise the various theoretical issues into a cohesive structure which will enable students to conceptualise and apply their understanding of theoretical issues across a range of practical finance problems
- Integrate key empirical research on the explanatory and predictive power of the models of modern portfolio theory and subject this literature to detailed critical analysis
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To introduce to the student the fundamental concepts which can be used to understand and improve the process of decision making
- Use appropriate statistical methods to analyse a variety of financial decisions
- Use appropriate methods to analyse a variety of financial decisions
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse accounting information and propose solutions to business problems, and apply appropriate decision making, planning and control techniques
- Critically appreciate the relationship between, strategy, management and strategic management accounting and set the latter in the context of the historical development of management accounting in general
- Evaluate the current trends with regard to the development of selected strategic management accounting techniques
- Identify and utilise various management accounting tools and techniques in a strategic context
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Clarify, specify and justify the aims of an independent research project
- Review, assess and draw on relevant previous research, including, where appropriate, that which advances our understanding about the role, dynamics and impact of corporations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value
- Draw appropriate conclusions and recommendations from research outcomes, supported by relevant evidence and arguments
- Communicate the aims, review of previous research, critical analysis of research methodology, arguments and conclusions and recommendations of the research project in a clearly written and structured document
- Be able to complete an independent research project under supervision taking the advice from the supervisor effectively
Part-time
All modules on this MSc Accounting and Finance course are core.
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate business objectives and assess key stages involved in business planning
- Critically analyse business problems and apply appropriate planning, control and decision making techniques
- Systematically develop a computer based information system for control purposes
- Critically appreciate the framework within which decisions are made with regard to planning and commitment of physical and financial resources in pursuit of business objectives
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Assess and evaluate technical skills relating to basic corporate finance, as well as a critical evaluation of selected recent empirical research relating to Corporate Finance
- Critique and support understanding of the objectives of the corporation, including ethical perspectives, and the problems of the separation of ownership and control in relation to Corporate finance theory
- Assess and evaluate technical skills relating to investment appraisal under conditions of capital rationing, risk and uncertainty, with considerations for cash flow implications in corporate decision making
- Apply and critically evaluate the alternatives open to corporations in raising finance, capital structure and dividend policy and considerations for corporate restructuring in the form of mergers and acquisitions
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate current issues and practices in the areas of corporate governance, ethics and control, using the latest international corporate governance practices, and propose ways in which sustainable value for business can be established
- Analyse the effectiveness of corporate governance practices' in a real-life case study
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Compose accounting statements from a trial balance in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
- Critically evaluate the importance and uses of corporate reporting information, including aspects of the Accounting regulations
- Evaluate and interpret information contained in financial accounts and evaluate the limitations thereto
- Plan, assess and critique a set of consolidated financial statements
- Critically evaluate the arguments surrounding the importance of taxation and recent taxation issues
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically analyse accounting information and propose solutions to business problems, and apply appropriate decision making, planning and control techniques
- Critically appreciate the relationship between, strategy, management and strategic management accounting and set the latter in the context of the historical development of management accounting in general
- Evaluate the current trends with regard to the development of selected strategic management accounting techniques
- Identify and utilise various management accounting tools and techniques in a strategic context
All modules on this MSc Accounting and Finance course are core.
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Understand and critically differentiate the psychological, institutional and agency theory ideas underlying behavioural finance
- Integrate key empirical research on the explanatory and predictive power of the models of behavioural finance and subject this literature to detailed critical analysis
- Assess and apply behavioural finance to the solution of practical problems
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Assess and evaluate technical skills relating to basic business valuations, as well as a critical evaluation of selected recent empirical research relating to valuations
- Appraise theoretical expositions of the main issues in business valuation, critically analyse business valuations, including methodologies and techniques
- To be able to select and apply appropriate valuation methodologies to calculate and expound a business valuation
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the key theoretical and ethical issues relating to investments and corporate financial management, and their practical applications and limitations
- Synthesise the various theoretical issues into a cohesive structure which will enable students to conceptualise and apply their understanding of theoretical issues across a range of practical finance problems
- Integrate key empirical research on the explanatory and predictive power of the models of modern portfolio theory and subject this literature to detailed critical analysis
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- To introduce to the student the fundamental concepts which can be used to understand and improve the process of decision making
- Use appropriate statistical methods to analyse a variety of financial decisions
- Use appropriate methods to analyse a variety of financial decisions
All modules on this MSc Accounting and Finance course are core.
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Clarify, specify and justify the aims of an independent research project
- Review, assess and draw on relevant previous research, including, where appropriate, that which advances our understanding about the role, dynamics and impact of corporations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value
- Draw appropriate conclusions and recommendations from research outcomes, supported by relevant evidence and arguments
- Communicate the aims, review of previous research, critical analysis of research methodology, arguments and conclusions and recommendations of the research project in a clearly written and structured document
- Be able to complete an independent research project under supervision taking the advice from the supervisor effectively
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Careers and opportunities
This accounting and finance masters degree will prepare you for a range of careers in industry.
To become an accountant you need to study an accredited qualification. If you studied a business subject at undergraduate level and now want to pursue a career in accounting or finance, this masters course is a great first step to specialise in accountancy or get into finance in general.
As this course is accredited by CIMA you'll be exempt from all five Certificate Level CIMA papers when you graduate. You'll also have the opportunity to sit one paper which combines your Management level papers P2, F2 and E2, thanks to CIMA's 'Gateway' route. If you complete this successfully you'll be exempt from all of CIMA's Operational level and Certificate level papers.
As this course is accredited by ACCA, when you graduate you'll be exempt from Fundamentals Level papers F1 - F4.
Graduates from this course have gone on to roles in:
- financial management
- investment analytics
- cost accountancy
- auditing and assurance
- accounting
- general business
- entrepreneurship
- finance
- other professional services
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
It is our expectation that all international students will join us here on campus in Portsmouth.
Course structure
If you study this course full-time, you’ll study 4 modules in teaching block 1, and 5 modules in teaching block 2. You’ll work on your dissertation project across both teaching blocks.
You should plan to attend scheduled activities every weekday during term time.
If you study this course part-time, you'll study 5 modules in your first year, 4 modules in your second year, and work on your dissertation project in your final year.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- practical sessions
- student presentations
- case studies
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- assignments
- group work
- course work
Full details of assessment can be found in the modules in the 'What you'll study' section.
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Dr Tarek AbdelFattah
I completed my PhD in Accounting and Finance at Durham University in 2009. I have extensive practical experience in training and consultancy in the field of accounting and auditing.
I designed and delivered Professional training courses and consultations for private and governmental organizations in the MENA region.
Lena Itangata
I am a qualified Chartered Management Accountant and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
I have extensive banking and accounting sector experience, including 10 years working internationally with Barclays.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Facilities and specialist equipment
Bloomberg Suite
Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2022 start)
- Full time: £10,900
- Part time: £3,630 per year
- Full time: £18,300
- Part time: £6,100 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
September 2022 / January 2023 start
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification and/or equivalent professional experience
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, view the equivalent entry requirements we accept for your country.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Standard applications
Start this course in September 2022
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2021, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
- Subject area
- Accounting, Economics and Finance
