Accounting and Financial Management MSc

Organisational needs continue to adapt with the changing world we live in, and quantitative skills alone are no longer enough to meet the diverse demands of roles in accounting and financial management.

Our MSc in Accounting and Financial Management will equip you to tackle the most pressing current issues in the field. During your studies you will explore innovative topics from the role of technology, data, and ethical decision-making, to the integration of sustainability principles.

Accreditation

The Business School holds accreditations with the three main Business School accreditation bodies:

• AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
• AMBA (Association of MBAs)
• EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System)

In addition, we have strong relationships with a number of professional bodies including:

• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 10 July 2025.

Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

• Important points to note when applying for this programme

Academic requirements

A UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree in one of the subjects below, or an equivalent overseas qualification.

• An undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, financial management, or related discipline is normally required.
• Applicants with an Honours degree in quantitative disciplines (e.g. economics or mathematics) or business studies will be considered if you can demonstrate a strong background in accounting and finance throughout your degree.

Supporting your application

• You should be able to demonstrate some evidence of mathematical ability.
• Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.
• Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements due to strong competition for places on this programme.

Students from China

This degree is Band A.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

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.

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.

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 programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

During this master’s degree you will develop highly sought-after knowledge and skills.

You will gain expertise in applying accounting and financial management theories, and be able to make informed decisions in real-world scenarios. You will also develop the critical ability to assess an organisation’s financial control measures, a skill highly valued by employers for ensuring financial stability and compliance.

Additionally, you will learn to evaluate financial management strategies through the lens of sustainability and ethics. This will prepare you to navigate the complexities of modern finance with integrity and responsibility, traits highly desirable in today’s competitive job market.

Industry opportunities

The Business School is located in the UK’s second-largest financial centre. The city attracts a variety of industry and business professionals, giving you the opportunity to learn from and network with experts. Many of Europe’s leading financial institutions have offices here and we take full advantage of this on the MSc programme.

We regularly bring guest speakers to the Business School to talk to our students about current practice. We also organise many events, from client-sourced dissertations to career and employability treks.

(Revised 7 February 2025 to update client-sourced dissertations wording)

• MSc Accounting and Financial Management industry opportunities

Career development

Graduates from the University of Edinburgh are highly sought after globally. Our dedicated Student Development team within the Business School will be an integral part of your student experience and are here to help you maximise your potential in the global market.

• MSc Accounting and Financial Management career development

Career outcomes

The career destinations of our graduates reflect the success of our finance portfolio. Hugely respected by global employers, our programmes provide the perfect learning experience with access to world-class academics and programmes that are underpinned by real-world insights.

The MSc in Accounting and Financial Management can lead to a variety of specialised careers including for example:

• Chartered Accountant and Management Accountant
• Auditor
• Financial Controller
• various analyst roles such as:
  • Financial Systems Analyst
  • Research Analyst
  • Business Analyst
• tax-related roles such as:
  • Assistant Tax Advisor/Tax Advisor
  • Head of Tax Audit Division
• Associate
• Asset Manager

MSc Accounting and Financial Management career outcomes