This MSc Accounting and Finance programme combines advanced studies in accounting with finance. It has been developed as a collaboration between Henley’s Business Informatics Systems and Accounting (BISA) area and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Centre. It is best suited for students who are accounting graduates.
This programme is suited to anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of accounting and finance, and who wants to enter a career in financial markets or advisory/financial services; either as an analyst, as a professional accountant, or as a preparation for further research at PhD level. The programme curriculum will provide a blend of theoretical-, research- and practice-led content. This will enable students to develop deeper conceptual and theoretically informed perspectives of accounting and financial practices with acknowledgment of the role of information systems in those processes.
Compulsory modules
and either / or
Optional modules
Students choosing MMM049 must choose two spring term optional modules to the value of 40 credits.
Students choosing ACM001 must choose one spring term module to the value of 20 credits.
Students choosing ACM001 must choose one summer term module to the value of 20 credits.
Students will enhance their employability in their related first-degree disciplines or in any general business management roles. The programme will also enhance career opportunities in more specialised accounting and finance fields. As the programme offers an international perspective, career prospects are likely to be international. In addition, the programme will serve as a good basis for further academic development in accounting- and finance-related disciplines.
This programme is granted exemptions from four Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional exams: BA1 - BA4.
The programme aims to provide students with a thorough postgraduate education in the field of international management, with a specialism in accounting and its international aspects.
The MSc Accounting and International Management programme is distinctive in its international flavour, with a strong emphasis on the international business themes necessary for analysing the dynamic global business challenges of the 21st century.It offers a critical understanding of current management theories and global accounting practices. The programme covers issues relating to international strategic management, managing people and organisations, global financial reporting, corporate governance, ethics and the fundamentals of marketing.
Module descriptions are correct for modules taught in the academic year 2017/18. Optional module listings are indicative, and may be subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Either/Or:
Dissertation/Project:
Optional Modules
Students choosing the dissertation must choose ONE optional module from the list below. Students choosing the Management or Accounting project must choose TWO optional modules. Students choosing MMM054 cannot choose MMM027 and vice versa.
Exams, applied project and individual and group assignments
The MSc Accounting and International Management programme is distinctive in its international flavour, with a strong emphasis on the international business themes necessary for analysing the dynamic global business challenges of the 21st century.It offers a critical understanding of current management theories and global accounting practices. The programme covers issues relating to international strategic management, managing people and organisations, global financial reporting, corporate governance, ethics and the fundamentals of marketing.
Graduates from this programme will enhance their employability in a range of careers related to their first-degree discipline or in a general international management as well as more specialized accounting roles.
This programme is granted exemption from four of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional exams: BA1 to BA4.
The programme aims to provide a thorough postgraduate education in accounting and financial management for graduates who wish to understand how businesses use financial information for decision-making purposes.
The programme provides an analytical and integrated study of accounting and financial management, combining a conceptual and theoretical approach with an emphasis on application to the relevant developments from the current international practice. It will cover issues related to international strategic management, management decision-making and performance evaluation, business finance, global financial reporting as well as ethics and corporate governance. Students will learn to evaluate alternative theories and methodologies and to make judgments on their applicability to complex practical scenarios.
Compulsory modules
Dissertation/project
Optional modules
Students choosing MMM049 must choose one optional modules to the value of 20 credits. For students choosing MMM090 Dissertation, a project to dissertation form must be completed and no optional modules are available.
Exams, applied project and individual and group assignments
Students will enhance their employability in their related first-degree disciplines or in any general business management roles. The programme will also enhance career opportunities in more specialised accounting and finance fields. As the programme offers an international perspective, career prospects are likely to be international. In addition, the programme will serve as a good basis for further academic development in accounting- and finance-related disciplines.
Graduates from this programme will enhance their employability in a range of careers related to their first-degree discipline or in a general business as well as more specialised accounting and finance roles.
This programme is granted exemptions from four Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional exams: BA1 - BA4.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Accounting and Finance at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
This Accounting and Finance MSc programme has been designed around the ACCA accreditation system.
- A full conversion programme that may be completed in a single year
- Does not require accounting, finance or any quantitative study to be completed at undergraduate level
- All modules on the Accounting and Finance programme are taught by our world-class faculty who have a breadth of industrial and academic knowledge
- Swansea is joint 1st in Wales for international ranked research (REF 2014)
- Access to the School of Management investment and trading simulation room to support in-depth understanding of finance in practice
- 93% of Swansea students in employment six months after graduating
- High contact time – our modules come with a lecture (in class sizes capped at approximately 150 students) and seminar/tutorial (in class sizes capped at 30) every single week
- Fully refurbished facilities – we have invested half a million pounds in a recent refurbishment to our student facilities
- Scholarships available for outstanding students
- Swansea is 1st in Wales for world-leading impact - 60% at 4-star level (REF 2014)
The MSc Accounting and Finance is designed specifically to enhance employment prospects by offering students the opportunity to acquire an advanced and in-depth understanding of key accounting and finance topics (without any requirement of having previously studied accounting or finance).
Modules on the MSc in Accounting and Finance typically include:
• Principles of Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Modelling
• International Financial Markets
• Management Accounting
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Quantitative Financial Analysis
• Principles of Law for Accounting and Finance
The MSc Accounting and Finance has been awarded the following ACCA exemptions:
F1 - Accountant in Business
F2 - Management Accounting
F3 - Financial Accounting
F4 - Corporate and Business Law
F5 - Performance Management
F7 - Financial Reporting
F9 - Financial Management
This means that graduates of our MSc Accounting and Finance will be exempt from six out of nine of the ACCA ‘Fundamentals’ examinations. Students graduating from the Accounting and Finance programme can now leave Swansea as part-qualified accountants and just have to sit the remaining six.
We have an excellent track record of placing our graduates including those from the Accounting and Finance programme with major multinational companies and our graduate employment rate is 92%.
From the moment you arrive at the School of Management as a student on the MSc in Accounting and Finance programme we will work with you to help you build your skills and experience to enhance your career prospects. During your time with us you’ll have the chance to:
- Undertake a work placement or internship through the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) or ‘Week of Work’ initiative
- Work and network with employers from a range of national and multi-national companies through our visiting speaker programme
- In conjunction with the International Development Office, undertake an Internship in India, with a company such as GE, Thomson Reuters, 3M, Private Equity or Kanvic Consulting
- Boost your skills and meet employers during our biannual Employability Week
- Complete the Swansea Employability Award
- Participate in one of our student challenges and competitions, such as the Branding Challenge, and CIM student competition ‘The Pitch’
Accounting and Finance students will be based in a state-of-the-art building and will benefit from the applied research, innovation and employment opportunities offered by this exceptional working environment on the Bay Campus.
Accounting and Finance students will have access to high-tech teaching and research spaces, that together with collaborative working and practice areas will ensue the School is able to deliver its commitment to offer an engaging and innovative student experience.
Changes in the business environment create the need for individuals wishing to pursue a senior management role to be aware of contemporary accounting and finance developments.
Understanding these theoretical and practical issues is critical for managers who often have to make rapid and far-reaching decisions about the short term financial operations and long term strategies of firms.
The MSc in Accounting and Finance offers you a unique opportunity to develop an appreciation of the causes and significance of current developments in the financial and corporate sectors, and to study advanced theory and practice relating to accounting and finance.
The aim of the programme is to provide graduates and other individuals that have practical accounting and financial training with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a senior level professional career in accounting, financial services or related sectors of the economy.
Issues you will tackle as part of your MSc Accounting and Finance degree programme include:
How are the financial accounts of companies formulated, and how do they differ across jurisdictions?
What agency issues are important in the creation of company accounts?
How does accounting theory inform financial and management accounting practice?
How does regulation impact on the performance of firms, and how do accounting practices highlight profit and/or loss realisation?
What empirical techniques can be used to evaluate company performance?
In what ways have financial accounting requirements and auditing been influenced by recent company failures?
What are the relationships between risk and return governing investment in company shares and other derivative instruments?
Which factors are most likely to influence the evaluation and implementation of international investment projects?
How can we calculate a suitable cost of capital to appraise the capital investment decision?
How should institutional investors go about constructing a portfolio of assets to maximise returns on behalf of investors?
How are futures, options, derivatives and swaps used to manage balance sheet and off-balance sheet risks?
What are the key principles of international portfolio management in a world of fast and unpredictable movements in exchange rates?
How can financial forecasts be used in business valuation, and what techniques should be used to improve trend analysis and interfirm comparison?
With these needs in mind, the MSc Accounting and Finance programme at Bangor is designed to develop participants’ existing skills through a scheme of specialist advanced study. An important objective is to provide participants with relevant analytical training, so that they are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to accounting and finance. The programme provides a coherent theoretical framework for the various subject areas, but the emphasis throughout is on advanced practical application of accounting and financial techniques in a real-world setting.
Course Structure
January intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of January to June and September to January and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.
September intake: Taught modules are undertaken in the period of September to June and will involve the study of 120 credits. The dissertation (or equivalent) is valued at 60 credits and is undertaken during the period of June to September.
Compulsory modules:
Research Methods: This module develops knowledge of intermediate and advanced research methods, and provides a basis in research methodology for those who may eventually wish to pursue research degrees.
Accounting Theory: This module critically evaluates a widespread and widely based set of theories that underpin any explanation of accounting behaviour and accounting regulatory output.
International Financial Markets: This module provides an overview of financial instruments in a multi-currency world, taking account of insights from portfolio theory concerning the relationship between risk and return, the diversification of risk, and the pricing of assets.
Advanced Financial Reporting and Regulation: This module provides an advanced treatment of the main theoretical principles underlying financial reporting, and the practical implications of alternative regulatory regimes.
Financial Analysis: This module analyses the techniques that are used to evaluate a company’s financial position and performance.
Management Accounting: This module provides an understanding of the uses of financial data in measuring and evaluating business performance, and in setting the strategic aims of the organisation.
Optional modules (choose 2):
Corporate Risk Management: This module provides an analysis of pure risk and its management.
Islamic Accounting and Financial Reporting: This module develops a critical awareness of theoretical and practical approaches to Islamic accounting and financial reporting. Islamic accounting standards are compared with IFRS, and the content and impact of academic research in this area is examined.
Islamic Finance: This course provides an insight into topical issues relating to Islamic financial instruments and related risk management issues.
Financial Econometrics: This module provides advanced coverage of econometric methods and practices that are used to model financial and business data. You will develop the independent capability to design, estimate and evaluate appropriate econometric models using econometric software.
International Financial Management: In this module, the financial management of multinational companies, and the influence of the macroeconomic, fiscal, currency and political environments on business and financial decision-making are examined in an international and global context.
Investment Strategy and Portfolio Management: This module evaluates the development of investment strategies for bonds, equities and derivatives that are designed to achieve optimal risk-return outcomes, and examines the measurement and evaluation of the performance of a portfolio of investments.
On this master’s degree you will learn to understand accounting and financial information, analyse problems and participate in management decision making. In this intensive programme we cover financial accounting, management accounting and international finance. A Research Project allows you to develop a deeper knowledge in an area of interest.
You will develop the all-round capabilities needed to be a successful accounting or finance professional. These include research and analytical skills as well as team-working, problem solving and communication. The MSc Accounting and Finance is designed for those wishing to develop a career in the sector and applicants with prior accounting experience are welcome to apply.
The MSc Accounting and Finance is made up of four compulsory taught modules, one or two elective modules and a research project. You can view the course structure here.
Compulsory modules are as follows:
Elective modules - You can choose either one or two elective modules from a choice of:
Much of the teaching takes place in interactive workshops. In addition, lectures, discussions, role-play exercises and seminars are linked with selected case studies and assessments to strengthen your practical analysis and decision-making skills.
Teaching staff from the Business School have in-depth knowledge of accounting practices and issues through practical experience or academic research. Visiting speakers from business and research bodies provide further input.
This is an intensive programme and you will have two taught classes each week for several modules.
Assessment will include a range of activities including examinations, case studies, reports, presentations and group projects.
We're investing over £30m to create modern teaching and learning facilities and creating a new home at Headington for the Business School.
Set to be complete in 2017, you'll see:
Our library provides specialist business resources (both hard copy and via online access) to UK and overseas companies' annual reports, statistics on all aspects of business and management, a wide range of constantly updated key texts, and postgraduate MA, MBA, MSc and PhD theses.
We offer an International Business in Practice Study Trip module. The purpose of this study trip is to give postgraduate students a hands-on, intensive experience with the ideas and practices of global business. The programme will include presentations from local management executives and experts. Students will have direct interaction with management executives and practices through site visits to major corporations and agencies.
This study trip is voluntary and all costs associated with the trip will need to be funded by you. It is not linked to university assessments in any way. If you successfully complete this module you will have the following non-credit bearing module recorded on your transcript: P58335 International Business in Practice: Study Trip.
Classes are timetabled throughout the week and not every week will be the same.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Strategic Accounting at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
*Formally MSc Professional Accounting.
Our MSc in Strategic Accounting is one of the first MScs of its kind in the UK. This postgraduate degree in Strategic Accounting allows students to gain a master’s qualification in one year and graduate as a professionally qualified accountant. This will benefit students and employers alike as the Strategic Accounting student enters the world of work with all the qualifications they need to hit the job running; avoiding any additional study costs or time off for studying or examinations.
Graduates of the MSc Strategic Accounting programme will be able to concentrate fully on their career and could therefore have opportunities for promotion before colleagues on a more traditional study support package.
- Students who graduate from this MSc in Strategic Accounting and pass all the ACCA professional papers will require no further study and will be able to concentrate fully on their career.
- All modules on the Strategic Accounting programme are taught by our world-class faculty who have a breadth of industrial and academic knowledge
- Swansea is joint 1st in Wales for International Ranked Research (REF 2014)
- 93% of Swansea students in employment or further study within six months of graduating
- High contact time – each module includes a 2 hour lecture followed by a 1 hour seminar/tutorial every single week
- Scholarships available for outstanding students
- Students experience a range of benefits by becoming an ACCA member:
- Improved career progression opportunities
- Ability to work internationally due to the ACCA world-class reputation
- Flexibility in career choice - students can work in any business sector from the financial services and public practice to the public and corporate sectors
- Part of a global professional body with a reputation for driving global standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity and accountability
- Access to a range of world-renowned technical materials and research, and comprehensive resources designed to support continuing professional development (CPD) including:
- free access to accounting jobs adverts posted by top employers
- free access to accounting and auditing standards
- technical updates
- access to exclusive online and face-to-face learning
- further accountancy qualifications from ACCA and other reputable academic and professional partners
Our MSc Strategic Accounting programme aims to improve career progression and opportunities for students to earn a high salary. It will give the students the opportunity to be able to work anywhere they choose, internationally because of the ACCA world-class reputation. Strategic Accounting students will be part of a global professional body with a reputation for driving global standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity and accountability while also having flexibility in their career choice. Strategic Accounting students must work for 3 years post-qualifying before they are able to use the ACCA letters after their name. Graduates of the Strategic Accounting programme will find opportunities to work in a wide range of sectors from the financial services and public practice to the public and corporate sectors.
In September 2015 Swansea University became one university with two stunning campuses; located in acres of tranquil parkland and on the majestic sweep of Swansea Bay. All programmes delivered by the School of Management including the MSc in Strategic Accounting are now taught at the Bay Campus both new and continuing students.
The Bay Campus is situated in an outstanding location on the eastern approach into Swansea, with direct access onto the beach and its own seafront promenade. The campus features modern and bright student accommodation, including standard, premium, twin and wheelchair accessible rooms.
Strategic Accounting students benefit from facilities in Bay Campus including:
- Central support services for students housed within the Tower Information Centre
- State of the art library and resource centre
- Students’ Union
- The Great Hall – incorporating the Stanley Clarke Auditorium, lecture theatres and a cafe offering magnificent views across Swansea Bay
- Extensive catering and grocery provision including cafeterias, bar, supermarket, launderette and cash points. All of this will be in addition to recreational sporting facilities and a beach for all to enjoy.
We have an excellent track record of placing our graduates including those from the Accounting and Finance programme with major multinational companies and our graduate employment rate is 92%.
From the moment you arrive at the School of Management as a student on the MSc in Accounting and Finance programme we will work with you to help you build your skills and experience to enhance your career prospects. During your time with us you’ll have the chance to:
- Undertake a work placement or internship through the Swansea Paid Internship Network (SPIN) or ‘Week of Work’ initiative
- Work and network with employers from a range of national and multi-national companies through our visiting speaker programme
- In conjunction with the International Development Office, undertake an Internship in India, with a company such as GE, Thomson Reuters, 3M, Private Equity or Kanvic Consulting
- Boost your skills and meet employers during our biannual Employability Week
- Complete the Swansea Employability Award
- Participate in one of our student challenges and competitions, such as the Branding Challenge, and CIM student competition ‘The Pitch’
Master the theory and practice of accounting and enhance your employability with a Durham MSc
