Accounting and Finance MSc

Overview

Accounting and finance experts are always in demand, so if you've studied a business discipline at undergraduate level – and have an eye for detail and the drive to succeed in a challenging business environment – our MSc Accounting and Finance degree course is the way to take your ambitions further.

You'll learn the key principles and practices of accounting and finance and examine how they affect global business and sustainable wealth creation. You'll also get transferable skills, such as analytical and problem-solving techniques that will be invaluable in any business environment.

You'll graduate from the MSc Accounting and Finance degree course with the skills needed for a successful career in the accountancy and finance professions, ranging from management accounting to corporate finance, as well as all the skills required to excel in business.

What you'll experience

Work experience and career planning

We'll help you to identify voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.

When you complete this course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the accountancy and finance sectors.

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Careers and opportunities

When you graduate, you'll be exempt from all five Certificate Level papers of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Additionally, CIMA's 'Gateway' route gives MSc Accounting and Finance graduates the opportunity to sit one paper which combines their Management level papers P2, F2 and E2. If you complete this successfully, you'll also be exempt from all of CIMA's Operational level and Certificate level papers.

For the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), we currently have exemptions from Fundamentals Level papers F1 - F4.

When you graduate, you'll be in a strong position to pursue a career in:

• Audit
• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Corporate finance
• Financial planning
• Insurance
• Banking

Professional accreditations

In addition to CIMA and ACCA course accreditation, the university is also recognised as a Centre of Excellence for finance teaching by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). This means your degree has a recognised seal of approval that'll give you the edge over the competition when you're applying for jobs.

Entry requirements​

​Course costs

Tuition fees (2019 start)

UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:

• Full time: £10,200 (subject to annual increase)
• Part time: £3,400 (subject to annual increase)

International students:

• Full time: £14,700 (subject to annual increase)
• Part time: £4,900 (subject to annual increase)

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Additional course 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. 

​What you'll study

Each unit on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study units worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 units worth 30 credits and 1 unit worth 60 credits.

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 units may not run every year. If a unit doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative unit.

Learning support

As well as support by faculty teaching 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

Teaching​

Teaching methods on this course include:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• practical sessions
• student presentations
• case studies

How you'll spend your time

Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:

• September to December – teaching block 1
• January – assessment period 1
• January to mid-May – teaching block 2 (includes Easter break)
• Mid-May to early June – assessment period 2

Most teaching takes place during the day, on Thursdays, Fridays and very occasionally on Saturdays. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.

How you're assessed​

You'll be assessed through:

• exams
• coursework
• presentations

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.

Apply

Apply for this course using our online application form. 

International students

If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us or you can 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.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study with us, you also agree to our terms and conditions as well as the University’s policies, rules and regulations. You should read and consider these before you apply.