Accounting and Finance MSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  The MSc Accounting and Finance course is designed to enhance your intellectual and transferable skills, including presentation, research, analysis and appraisal. This course addresses many of the current accounting issues present in business and how they relate to wider social, technical and economic challenges. You will also have the opportunity to study a specialist interest of your choice.

  By gaining your Accounting and Finance masters through the University of Northampton, you will gain practical knowledge that can be applied in a work setting, with flexible study that is delivered online. You will also benefit from the full support of professionally qualified staff and engagement with your fellow students.

  Some exemptions from professional examinations are available from main professional bodies, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), meaning you will have to pass fewer professional body examinations in order to become a Chartered Accountant.

  There is also an Industry Placement Option, which enables you to develop your skills and knowledge in a real-world environment, while completing an applied research project. This will give you an advantage over the competition for accounting and finance jobs and scholarships after you graduate.

  The placement should be paid and will need to be appropriate to your level of study. We’ll support you in securing a suitable placement opportunity, but do note that they are highly competitive and there is no guarantee of an employer making a placement offer. Those unable or unwilling to progress with an industry placement have the option to transfer onto our Dissertation and Research Methods module to gain the required credits to complete your programme of study.

  We expect that you will start this course with a good deal of technical accounting knowledge, having either studied accounting at undergraduate or professional level. You will be provided with theoretical background and applied knowledge at Master’s level that allows you to build upon your existing skills.

  On completion of the course, you will be familiar with theoretical issues in accountancy and finance, and will be able to apply accounting theory and practice to real issues that are faced in day-to-day operations. This will provide you with an excellent framework for pursuing further study, or enhancing your business prospects.

  Industry Placement

  The industry placement enables you to develop your skills and knowledge in a real-world work environment, whilst completing an applied research project. This will give you an advantage over the competition for jobs and scholarships after you graduate and could be a good starting point for setting up your own consultancy business.

  Your placement will need to be appropriate to your level of study and you should also be paid for this work. We will support you in finding and securing a suitable placement opportunity, however it must be noted that placements are highly competitive and there is no guarantee of a placement offer being made by an employer.

  If you are unable or unwilling to progress with an industry placement, for whatever reason, you will have the option to transfer onto our Dissertation and Research Methods module in order to gain the required credits to complete your programme of study.

  Modules

  The below modules are for the non-placement route course. For the placement modules please see the MSc Accounting and Finance placement route award map.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

  • Stage 1
    • Corporate Reporting 1 (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM008

      Status: Compulsory
      This module explores financial reporting by considering both theoretical and practical perspectives on corporate reporting issues. The module will enable students to understand the limitations and problems inherent in the preparation of financial statements and their possible effects on financial analysis and decisions.
    • Global Financial Strategy (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM009

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students understanding of the effects of global finance on business and the functions of global financial management. Students will be required to evaluate company performance based on theory and practice.
    • Financial and Business Strategy (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM010

      Status: Compulsory
      This module aims to develop future strategic leaders, enabling them to create the vision and direction for organisational growth and long-term sustainable success. It will focus on areas such as strategic financial decision making, the associated risk and how this affects the overall strategy and operations of organisations.
    • Strategic Audit (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM012

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? appreciation of the global regulatory environment and its impact on the role and functions of auditors. Students will develop an awareness of audit policy and strategy development at a high level.
    • Investment Analysis (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM014

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? critical knowledge and analytical skills in assessing risk and returns and evaluating investment opportunities in different asset classes and investment funds.
    • Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance (20 Credits)
      Module code: FINM024

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will examine how the expectations of society impact on the accounting reports created by an enterprise. Students will explore the increasing importance of business ethics and corporate governance and their impact on the growth of corporate codes of conduct, environmental auditing, and ethical investment decison making.
    • Dissertation and Research Methods (60 Credits)
      Module code: FINM025

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to apply knowledge gained on the programme by carrying out independent research on a relevant topic of their choice and develop an ability to present, analyse and evaluate information in a reflective and critical manner.

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• Entry Requirements

  If you hold a recognised first or second class honours degree from a UK university or international equivalent in finance, banking, accounting or a related discipline then you will meet our Accounting and Finance degree entry requirements for this course. If you hold professional qualifications, you will also be considered for entry onto this course.

  For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for study at postgraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2024/25 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years*.

  • UK Full Time: £8,250
  • International – Full Time: £16,995
  • Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000 * (for placements starting in September 2025 or January 2026)

  *The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2023/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years*.

  • UK Full Time: £8,010
  • International – Full Time: £16,500
  • Year 2 Placement Fee: £1,000 * (for placements starting in September 2024 or January 2025)

  *The placement fee amount will only be charged to you after you secure a placement and are enrolled on the work based project in year 2 of your course. You will not be charged this fee if you do not secure a work placement.

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2024. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

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• Professional Body

  Successful completion of the MSc Accounting and Finance gives exemptions from some of the examinations of the relevant professional bodies, meaning you will have to take fewer exams on your way to becoming a Chartered Accountant.

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

  You will have exemptions from the following 4 papers:

  1. Business and Technology (BT)
  2. Management Accounting (MA)
  3. Financial Accounting (FA)
  4. Corporate and Business Law (LW)

  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

  You will be eligible for the masters gateway route. Once you have passed the CIMA Gateway Exam, you will be granted entry to the Professional Qualification at Strategic Leve

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• FAQs

  What is MSc Accounting and Finance?

  This Accounting and Finance masters is an ideal choice for applicants seeking to further their career prospects in the financial field across a variety of different organisations and sectors. With an excellent reputation, an MSc in Accounting and Finance degree explores key areas in finance and accounting through practical applications and academic research.

  Applicants will be expected to have an academic background in this area of study prior to admission and can choose to specialise in a specific area or take a more balanced approach to the areas of accounting and finance.

  What can I do with an MSc Accounting and Finance?

  Our MSc Accounting and Finance graduates have gone on to pursue a number of high level finance and accounting careers following completion of this course. Career prospects include, but are not limited to;

  • Chartered certified/management/public finance accountant
  • Forensic accountant
  • External auditor
  • Management consultant
  • Tax advisor
  • Retail banker
  • Economist
  • Stockbroker

  How will I be assessed?

  The course uses a combination of assessment methods including reports, case studies, time constrained tests and examinations, plus your dissertation.

  Semester One
  You will be introduced to some of the main themes in accounting and finance, this is in the context of utilising financial information to enhance business decision making. Modules in semester one will highlight the importance of sound decision making in successful organisations.

  Semester Two
  You will examine the role which organisations can play in the wider social context in which they operate and also how this role can affect their decision making. You will also study the way in which accounting regulation takes place in an international context.

  Semester Three
  The research proposal produced in Semester two will guide the development of a clearly defined and evidenced study proposal, a critical review of relevant literature, and a robust methodology. Data is then collected, analysed, interpreted and applied to the study proposal and a 15,000 word research report (dissertation) is produced, with the support of a dissertation supervisor.

  How will I learn?

  On our MSc in Accounting and Finance, you will typically have nine hours (approx.) of contact time with your tutor in the first semester and 11 hours (approx.) in the second semester. Overall you will spend 108 hours per module in self-directed study (reading and research).

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