Introduction
This specialised 'conversion' programme is designed specifically to enhance employment prospects. It assumes little or no business knowledge at undergraduate level and helps graduates from any discipline break into this highly skilled profession, gaining the key business skills to advance a career in the finance sector in a single year.
This programme is studied on campus.
You may have recently graduated, but feel the subject you graduated in has its limits. Equally, you might be already in work, yet just feel that a new start in accountancy or finance would be a more rewarding career path.
Whatever your background, if you are looking to progress into a financial or accounting career, the knowledge, skills and networks offered by this MSc will help you position you for success.
A career in accounting or financial services requires an in-depth understanding of both the theory and practical knowledge of accounting and finance. This programme offers students the opportunity to master a wide range of financial tools and so acquire a solid foundation of key accounting and finance topics (without any requirement of having previously studied accounting or finance), while developing the necessary skills for management roles in these areas.
Led by renowned Academics and top practitioners, you gain access to the latest finance research, software and techniques. Our strong links with financial institutions, recruiters and practitioners ensure a focus on tangible, marketable employability skills, relevant to the real financial world.
- You pick up practical outputs and industry certifications from one of the most prestigious accounting bodies in the world, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW).
- Our Professional Accounting module comes complete with the International Reporting Standards Certificate, IFRS used by the majority of countries around the world.
- Students have access to top notch facilities, including our virtual finance lab, powered by Bloomberg. This virtual trading room gives you access to the same professional tool used by major international financial services companies.
Key Programme Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MScEcon
- Duration
- 12 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
What You'll Study
- Semester 1
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Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
- Quantitative Methods (BU5025) - 15 Credit Points
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This course develops a mathematical and statistical ‘toolbox’ for PGT students in the Business School. These tools will useful in understanding and implementing research in business- and economics-related fields both during a student’s academic career as well as after graduation. The first part of the course covers basic mathematical models common across these fields. The second part of the course develops standard data analysis methods, including multivariate regression. The final part of the course examines shortcomings in the standard model and describes ways of overcoming those shortcomings.
- Issues in Corporate Finance (BU5034) - 15 Credit Points
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This course introduces students to basic financial concepts before moving on to introduce students to a number of areas of corporate finance including investment appraisal decisions, examining capital structure theory, the financing decisions of the firm, and corporate restructuring. The main aim of the course is to equip students with good analytical skills in order to understand the implications of corporate financing decisions by understanding why companies behave the way they do with respect to financing choices and how this interacts with the real world financial markets, and to enable students to understand the theoretical underpinnings of corporate finance theory.
- Accounting (BU5031) - 15 Credit Points
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Students will gain an understanding of what financial information is for and how it is controlled by government, the stock exchanges and other institutions. Students will explore financial accounting assumptions and conventions. They will develop their technical knowledge and skills to enable them to record business transactions and prepare financial statements. Finally, students will be introduced to financial statement analysis and the calculation of key metrics. This will allow them to explore how accounting information is used by stock market participants and the impact on users of current developments and issues in accounting practice, governance and standards.
- Economic Analysis (BU5033) - 15 Credit Points
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The course will cover the main elements of Microeconomic Theory together with how this underpins the macro economy, covering consumer theory, how consumers choose under constraint of a budget, to generate demands. How this theory can be used to consider the welfare effects of price changes will be considered. The problem of production will be examined to understand the supply, and the demand and supply side will be drawn together to consider market structure. How the theory can be used to identify market supplies and demands from empirical data will be examined.
- Semester 2
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Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Portfolio Analysis (BU5526) - 15 Credit Points
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This course examines theories and issues relevant to portfolio analysis. Themes include: risk and return; investment motives; the application of modern portfolio theory (including the Capital Asset Pricing Model); information and market efficiency; portfolio analysis and asset pricing; bonds and equities; real estate and derivative markets.
- Financial Analysis and International Accounting (BU5574) - 15 Credit Points
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Like football, this course is a game of two halves. The first half is financial analysis and builds your ability to analyse companies and think about the implications of financial performance for investors. We will be using Datastream and the ThomsonReuters Eikon system. In the second half we will think about the setting of international accounting standards – the system and the principles behind the IFRS’s.
- Management Accounting (BU5571) - 15 Credit Points
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This course introduces management accounting and the difference between this strand of accounting and that studied in the BU5031 module. It develops in students the ability to apply complex problem-solving techniques in the planning, control and decision-making process. It shows how quantitative methods and analytical techniques can be applied in management accounting solutions to management problems. The course seeks to develop in students an understanding the organisational context as well as the nature of management accounting information. The focus is to enhance students’ problem-solving and communication skills, and develop their ability to select and apply appropriate techniques in specific contexts.
Optional Courses
Plus one of the following:
- Professional Accounting (BU5850) - 15 Credit Points
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This widely recognised certificate-level learning and assessment programme will give you the guidance and knowledge to fully understand and apply IFRSs. The ICAEW programme is self-taught using on-line and manual materials, supplied by BPP, but supported by regular contact with University of Aberdeen staff to address any specific problem areas. By the end of the course students should be able to understand and apply IFRSs principles, concepts and knowledge in a commercial setting.
- Studies in Accounting (BU5847) - 15 Credit Points
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If you do not wish to undertake the IFRS certificate, then you will be choosing this course. This is designed for those seeking a more theoretical rather than professional edge to their MSc. You will be teamed with a member of faculty to develop a literature review of a mutually agreed area of accounting research.
- Semester 3
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Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Dissertation for Finance Programmes (BU5903) - 60 Credit Points
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The capstone of your programme. A significant individual piece of work showing your ability to think, research, organise and analyse. You will work with a member of faculty to develop a proposal that you will then turn into 10,000 words of reality!
Course Availability
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The programme assesses the competency and skills that you will need in the financial world in a number of ways. You will give individual and group presentations, prepare reports, sit traditional exams, write academic essays and complete the Dissertation over the summer period.
Why Study Accounting and Finance?
- Excellence with relevance
- A full 'conversion' programme open to students with little or no previous background in accounting or finance
- Gain an essential understanding of the principles underlying current thinking in accounting and finance
- Study with a highly practical approach to learning, for real world finance experience
- Earn top accounting credentials to accelerate your career, from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW).
- Experience world leading facilities - access to our virtual finance lab, to support in-depth understanding of finance in practice
- Connect with financial institutions and practitioners
- Build your business network on a global scale whilst you’re with us
- Develop a well-rounded skillset – gain the tools to succeed in your job search, as well as the communication and professional skills that finance recruiters are looking for
- Access top-tier global recruiters. Students benefit from employer-led skills sessions from the big 4 global firms - Deloitte, KMPG, PwC and EY - to explore how to stand out at an interview or assessment centre.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
This programme is open to graduates from any discipline and does not require business or management study to be completed at undergraduate level.
Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 54; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
International Applicants
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home / EU / RUK Students | £8,300 |
| Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year | |
| International Students | £17,900 |
| Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year |
International non-EU Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Our Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Having a recognised accountancy qualification opens many career doors –did you know, a higher percentage of company board members have an accountancy qualification than any other kind of postgraduate qualification?
The MSc (ECON) in Accounting and Finance here, at the University of Aberdeen, has been created to thoroughly prepare you for a successful career across a variety of potential accountancy and financial related roles and industries. Whether that’s training to become an auditor, working for an accountancy firm or in an accountancy department within a large company, the knowledge and financial skills you will gain will enhance your potential.
Employers and graduates increasingly ask Universities to concentrate on the graduate attributes which make job applicants employable. In short, to focus on the real need of business. This programme is designed to deliver that.
Not only do our Accounting and Finance postgraduates leave with the underlying business knowledge essential to successful business, they have developed and thus can offer potential employers the crucial characteristics and skills - strong communication and interpersonal skills, quantitative knowledge and technical skills - sought after in today's globally competitive business environment.
Career Opportunities
- Account Manager
- Accountant
- Financial Manager
- Recruitment Consultant
- Trainee Chartered Accountant
Industry Links
Our Academics come from the commercial world as well as Academia and we are constantly engaging with industry. Our business connections mean we provide opportunities to network with, present to, brainstorm with and do work for industry, including;
- The chance to have your work seen by eminent members of your profession.
- ‘Live’ projects for and site visits to prestigious companies or institutions.
- Project work and workshops with visiting lecturers and industry specialists.
Accreditation
Industry certification from one of the most prestigious accounting bodies in the world, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW). This Master's comes complete with a professional module, the International Financial Reporting Standards Certificate. IFRS is used by the majority of countries around the world.
“Accounting students with IFRS education, experience or knowledge should highlight it at the top of their CV. It shows you as current on trends and standards.”
Recognition from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) allows students exemption from the first four modules in the ACCA syllabus.
What our Alumni Say
Helen Fowler
Our Experts
- Other Expert
- Ms Lindsay Tibbetts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
World Class Facilities
- 24 hour access to our online Learning Support provided via our Virtual Learning environment MyAberdeen.
- Membership of the University Library, learning materials including access to core text books.
- Access to international networking and continuing professional development.
- Join our business societies such as the Entrepreneurial Society.
- Access to all campus facilities.
Sir Duncan Rice Library
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
Find out moreVirtual Learning environment MyAberdeen
This the University’s virtual learning environment. This is where you will find learning materials and resources associated with your courses and where you will be notified of any announcements about your courses or the University.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Business School
University of Aberdeen
Edward Wright Building
Dunbar Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3QY