MA Accounting and Finance

This course is designed for students interested in following a career in the accounting profession, investment analysis, or portfolio management.

The programme is designed to deliver financial expertise with particular emphasis in understanding the discipline of accounting and finance. Both theoretical foundations and practical applications are provided in each of these areas. The programme is structured so that students specialise through courses with choices including empirical finance, corporate finance, financial ethics, etc.

Students have the opportunity to study abroad usually during their third (junior honours) year. The Business School has over 13 Erasmus exchanges with partner universities in Europe and over 20 international dedicated Business School exchanges (USA, Canada, Australia, Asia, Japan and Australia). Students can also apply for an exchange through the University exchange programme.

The programme is similar to the structure of the existing MA Honours in Business Studies and Accounting but is a specialist degree. It is a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of key areas in Accounting and Finance and it is designed for graduates interested in following a career with accounting firms, regulatory bodies requiring an in depth understanding of accounting and finance investment and security analysis, corporate finance and corporate restructuring accounting and finance within public sector.

What you'll study

Year one

In your first year you will study:

Accountancy 1A, an introduction to financial accounting
Accountancy 1B, an introduction to management accounting

You will also study courses from Business Studies, Law or Economics according to your joint honours degree.

Year two

In Year two you will study Accountancy 2A which deals with some of the more complex aspects of financial accounting such as the preparation of financial statements. It also includes an introduction to taxation.

Accountancy 2B looks at the more complex areas of management accounting. You will learn about costing systems and more about current practice. You will also study intermediate-level taxation.

Year three

In your third year you will study the core courses:

Advanced Financial Accounting
Auditing and Management Accounting Applications

There will also be a specialist research methods in accounting and finance options.

Year four

In your fourth year you will choose from a number of specialist accounting and finance courses. You will also complete an accounting-based research dissertation.