This programme runs for one academic year, starting in mid-September and ending in August. At the start of the programme, you study compulsory courses, which are undertaken in semester one. These are the foundation upon which the whole MSc is built and ensure a common basis of knowledge across the different areas.
A comprehensive Welcome Week provides an introduction to the programme, the School, and the University. Designed to be both informative and fun, it enables you to get acquainted with your classmates.
Through the selection of various option courses, you can tailor your studies towards your career interests.
Finally, your MSc dissertation brings all of the year’s learning together in a piece of work unique to you.
To give you an idea of what the programme structure and courses might consist of, the below information details the planned structure and courses for this programme for 2025/26.
Semester 1
September–December
Semester 2
January–May
Compulsory courses
Option courses (Group 1)*
Choose 1
Option courses (Group 2)*
Choose 1
Summer
May–August
Dissertation
Course summaries
Quantitative Techniques in Accounting & Finance I and II
These two courses will cover a variety of quantitative analysis techniques. The first course which is compulsory will be similar to an advanced statistics course. It will have strong emphasis on theory and introduce you to econometric software for conducting basic empirical research. The second course, which is optional, should be selected by those who plan to utilise quantitative research methods for their dissertation. This course will give you the chance to use some practical tools of research using real data. You will also learn how to present empirical results through report writing and informative graphs/tables.
International Financial Reporting & Financial Markets
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are designed to bring consistency globally to accounting language, practices and statements. Ultimately this helps business and investors make informed financial analysis and decisions. This course will highlight the challenges of international financial reporting and the global significance of IFRS. By exploring the interplay between international financial reporting and global financial markets, this course will provide you with a nuanced understanding of the international dimensions crucial for success in contemporary business environments.
Financial Management & Control
Lecturers on this course will share the latest research developments in management accounting and explores how they have impacted on practice. On this course you will get to know and evaluate the contemporary research in the discipline, understand the role played by management accounting in the modern organisation as well as build an understanding of the practical issues in the application of management accounting.
Qualitative Research Methods in Accounting
Gain a comprehensive understanding of research idea generation, ethical considerations, research design, and qualitative methodologies tailored for specifically for application within the realm of accounting. This course will equip you with the necessary tools to select a dissertation topic, formulate research questions, and adeptly apply qualitative methods relevant to accounting practices.
Accounting and Sustainability
How should the accounting professional tackle sustainability? This course is designed to explore the intersection of accounting practices and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Through a comprehensive examination of the SDGs, you will gain an understanding of the multifaceted relationship between sustainable development and the accounting profession. Some of the areas that will be covered include accounting in environmental accounting frameworks, social responsibility reporting, and the integration of sustainability principles into financial reporting and decision-making processes. By engaging with real-world case studies and current developments in sustainability reporting, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how accounting practices can contribute to addressing global sustainability challenges.
Investment Management
This course will develop your knowledge and understanding of issues relevant to investment management practices. Topics that you will be exploring include context, structures, and strategies around managing investor portfolios, trading, risk management as well as alternative investments.
*Students need to choose one course from the two: Quantitative Techniques in Accounting & Finance II or Qualitative Methods in Accounting depending on whether they decide to do a quantitative or qualitative dissertation topic.
*We will notify applicants of any changes to the programme structure and courses by 15 June in the year of entry to the course. We cannot guarantee that all option courses will run each year and occasionally there will be last minute amendments after this date due to unforeseen circumstances such as staff illness.
The content of individual courses and the programme for any given degree are under constant academic review in light of current circumstances and may change from time to time, with some programmes and courses being modified, discontinued, or replaced.
Due to high demand we cannot guarantee students a place on the optional course of their preference. Equally, if there is not enough interest in a given year for an option course then it may not be viable for us to run that particular option course. Some combinations of option courses may not be possible due to scheduling constraints.
Core and elective courses
Full programme details, including all available core and elective courses will be available on the University Degree Programme Tables website soon.
Past dissertations
Find out what topics past students have researched by browsing a selection of dissertation summaries by our postgraduates: