Accounting and Business (MA)

Introducing MA Accounting and Business

This programme combines the study of accounting and business to prepare you for the social, political, environmental and cultural challenges facing contemporary businesses, governments and not-for-profit organisations.

Taught by world-leading industry professionals and researchers, you will develop personal and professional competencies such as:

• authentic leadership
• ethical, responsible, sustainable business behaviour
• entrepreneurial practice
• effective communication

Business School competency framework

This will enable you to work across a range of roles in contemporary business including:

• accountancy and finance
• strategy
• marketing
• human resource management
• data analytics
• entrepreneurship and innovation

Accounting

Accountancy is the fastest-growing area of business activity. The ability to measure financial information and make projections affects economic and organisational decision-making at all levels.

Financial accountants report on the performance of an organisation, while management accountants provide financial information to help with planning and strategy.

Environment for learning

We offer a supportive and encouraging environment where you can grow and develop. Our Student Experience Team offers an extensive range of personal and professional services to support you on your undergraduate journey.

We provide a variety of opportunities for you to engage in co- and extra-curricular activities. Our dedicated Student Development Team can help you develop a range of essential business graduate competencies.

You can find more on the teams' sites:

• Student Experience Team
• Student Development Team

Further development opportunities

You may take undergraduate Edinburgh Awards supported by an alumni professional mentor and trained coaches:

• Personal and Professional Development (Year 2)
• Effective and Responsible Leadership (Year 3 or 4)

Edinburgh Awards

You can also participate in a large number of business societies, business events and peer-support schemes.

This degree offers the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3. More information can be found in the below section ‘Where you will study’.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: A*AA.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: Mathematics at B and English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 70 with at least 59 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

Accounting and business graduates are highly valued by employers worldwide and graduates of our programmes are highly sought after by a wide range of employers.

Our graduates secure employment in a diverse range of fields, the most popular being:

• accountancy
• management
• consulting
• finance
• marketing
• human resources

Accountancy graduates can train to become a qualified accountant through a traineeship with an accountancy or commercial firm. Alternatively, you can choose a career in taxation, finance or banking.

During your time as a student in the Business School and following graduation, the Careers Service will help you fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

• Careers Service