A career in accounting, financial services or related sectors requires a high level of understanding of the theory and practice of accounting and finance.

This course gives you a broad-based understanding of the core subject areas with an emphasis on empirical research methods and accounting and finance practice.

A wide range of modules allows you to specialise. During the course you have the opportunity to build on and apply your growing knowledge and expertise by completing a dissertation on a topic linked to the wide ranging research interests of faculty. This, coupled with the support you get from our staff, ensures a first-class learning experience.

Whether you want to further your professional career, or go on to study for a PhD, this course gives you the qualification you need to succeed.

Course recognition

The course meets the ESRC guidelines for Masters degrees and has ESRC recognition as a postgraduate training year in preparation for a PhD.

It also holds the award of partnership status from the CFA Institute, the global association for investment professionals.

Recent recruiters include:

Recent recruiters include: Bank of East Asia, Barclays, Brammer UK, Deloitte, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Lenovo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Chartered Bank

Course structure

(All taught course units are 15 credits)

Semester 1

• Essentials of Finance
• Financial Reporting Theory
• Introduction to Quantitative Methods

One elective unit from:

• Accounting in an International Context
• Foundations of Finance Theory
• Portfolio Investment

Semester 2

• Advanced Management Accounting
• Corporate Finance

Either

• Research Methods and Methodologyin Accounting (for students doing an Accounting dissertation)

Or

• Advanced Empirical Finance (for students doing a Finance dissertation)

One elective unit from:

• Financial Statement Analysis
• Financial Econometrics
• International Finance
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Economic and Financial Aspects
• The Analysis of Business Structures

Summer research period

Research dissertation (60 credits)

The dissertation is an integral part of the course. It gives you the opportunity to apply what you have learned in the taught part of the course.

It normally consists of a piece of empirical work, involving qualitative research methods or traditional statistical methods.

Examples of recent accounting dissertation project topics include:

• Audit practice, regulation and professionalisation
• Management control systems in organisations
• Field-based qualitative research on management accounting innovation and change
• Performance reporting by UK listed firms under IFRS
• Audit markets in emerging economies
• The effect of corporate governance (board and audit committee characteristics) on audit quality

Home/EU £19,000
Overseas £22,000

Rolling admission - please apply as early as possible.

Entry requirements

Please note: there is a non-refundable application fee of £60.
First or upper second class honours (2:1) degree from a UK university or the overseas equivalent, in accounting and/or finance.

Application details

We’re delighted that you are considering applying for one of our postgraduate courses. Please view the most up-to-date admission information on the MBS website and follow the How to Apply guide to submit an online application. Our guide is designed to make the application process as straightforward as possible for you, and to ensure that your application is correct and submitted in plenty of time. All courses start on 21 September 2015.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you are required to take an English language test to prove your level of proficiency.