Accounting and Finance MSc - Postgraduate MA/MSc courses

This fast-paced masters course will equip you with the fundamentals of accountancy and business finance. Youll develop an advanced understanding and learn the practical skills needed for graduate roles in the financial sector.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

With a strong demand for accounting and financial skills in the job market, our MSc Accounting and Finance will set you up for a rewarding career. The programme will bring you up to speed with the fundamentals of accountancy and business finance, and develop an advanced understanding of the practical skills needed for graduate roles in the financial sector.

Youll get the opportunity to engage with a Business Project or Dissertation. This is a substantial piece of work designed to provide you with the opportunity to analyse a business problem and practically apply the knowledge and skills developed during the course.

With a strong demand for accounting and financial skills in the job market, our MSc Accounting and Finance can set you up for a rewarding career.

On this stimulating and varied course, youll learn about the practical and strategic application of financial and management accounting information, business finance, as well as how corporations report on and engage with sustainability issues.

This course is a fantastic step towards becoming a qualified accountant. It is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Thisprovides you with the opportunity to use the accelerated gateway route to gain exemptions from the CIMA qualification to become a fully qualified accountant.

The degree is recognised by the professional accounting bodies and has been developed to ensure that it is relevant to the changing world of business and that students are prepared to enter the job market with skills that are needed for a successful career.

How will my skills develop?

As well as financial accounting concepts, case studies and theories, youll also develop key skills in management accounting to help you construct and interpret financial statements, critically assess tools and use real-world data in core modules such as sustainability accounting and accountability.

All of this means youll become highly skilled at providing information to business leaders, improving commercial decision-making and business performance.

You'll studyThe Aston Global Advantage module which focuses on professional development and employability, helping you to apply the skills that you will gain throughout the year.

This is our professional development programme and an integrated module that runs throughout your MSc course at Aston Business School. The programme will equip you with transferable skills and relevant experiences for the workplace, giving you a competitive edge in the job market, or for when starting a business.Flexible and personalised, this programme can be tailored to your career aspirations, development needs, or existing professional experience. Whatever career path you wish to follow, this programme lets you take control of your future.

Youll also have the opportunity to study abroad with one of our international partners, undertake an internship placement in the UK or overseas or get involved in a global business challenge simulation.

How will this course help my career?

Youll be taught by our exceptional teaching staff. They have a range of experience and expertise, with qualified accountants who have worked for prestigious global companies as well as leading academics who are at the forefront of research in the field of accounting and finance. This means you will benefit from various perspectives and insights that will help you develop a solid understanding of accounting and financial theories and practice.

We use an innovative and engaging range of teaching methods. Lectures, tutorials, group work and case studies will introduce you to the latest thinking in this field and give you the opportunity to critically consider its application in real-life business situations. This is enhanced by leading industry experts delivering guest lectures. These opportunities will enable you to learn about current practices and challenges in accounting and business finance.

Our courses offer a range of opportunities to gain practical experience through things such as, consultancy projects and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Find out more here.

The course concludes with a Business Project or Dissertation, giving you the opportunity to analyse a business problem and practically apply the knowledge and skills developed during the course to outline your recommendations. This will also help to show prospective employers how you are able to impact their business.

This course offers an opportunity to study a second degree at one of our international partner institutions once you have completed your year at Aston University.

Find out more here.

Modules

One of the following:

• A good UK honours degree (minimum lower second class)
• Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University

Subject specific requirements:

Our students come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including both business and non-business specialisms. If you have already specialised in accounting and finance or a related subject at undergraduate level, visit our MSc International Accounting and Finance course page. 

As well as:

• Two professional references - at least one must be from an academic referee
• An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
• A completed application form.

To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for. We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• Password
• Duolingo English Test (for entry onto Pre-Sessional English programmes, and direct entry courses starting in January 2022 and September 2022, excluding Aston Medical School, OSPAP, and Postgraduate Research degree programmes).
• Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) 

This course will prepare you to enter a wide range of professional and management careers in accountancy, business services, banking, investment and insurance.

Successful completion of this course leads to exemptions from professional accountancy bodies ACCA and CIMA. You will still need to secure professional training to complete further exams to become fully qualified in accountancy, but these exemptions demonstrate to future employers your commitment and potential to complete sector qualifications.

Youll develop a range of technical and transferable skills and knowledge. These are highly relevant to a wide range of graduate careers where analytical, decision-making, problem-solving and planning are required skills.

Recent graduates

Our recent graduates have gone on to work in accountancy, financial management and banking and investment in roles including investment Associate, Analyst, Auditor, Risk Consultant, Stock Market Observer, Director, Accounting Analyst and Financial Analyst.

Some of the companies they have worked at include:

• HSBC
• Credit Agricole (France)
• BEA (China)
• IBM
• Bank of New York
• Citigroup
• Deutsche Bank
• TISCO Bank (Thailand)
• Deloitte
• Ernst and Young
• PwC
• KPMG.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston University is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, its also a great place to live.

Ask one of our International alumni about their time studying with us. They will be happy to share their thoughts on moving to Birmingham to study their course and answer any of your questions from their own experiences.

Find out more

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new immigration route which will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. The new post-study work visa will apply to international students starting undergraduate and postgraduate courses from 2020.

Find out more information on post-work visas.

Aston University was recognised as the 'Best University Careers/Employability Service'.

The Careers and Placements team at Aston University won the 'Best University Careers/Employability Service' category at the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards 2020 for its use of innovative ideas to engage a high number of students with the service in order to support them with their career planning.

Aston University has strong links with national and international organisations with over 200 employers interacting with students on campus each year.