Accounting and Finance, MSc

Accounting and Finance, MSc

Introduction

The Accounting and Finance MSc sets you on a path for a rewarding career in this highly skilled profession, whether you’ve recently graduated or are already working. With this specialised one-year conversion programme you don’t need previous experience in this area to gain the skills to advance a career in the financial and accounting sector.

Study Information

Study Options

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MSc
Duration
12 months or 24 months
Study Mode
Full Time or Part Time
Start Month
January or September
Location of Study
Aberdeen

A career in accounting and finance requires an in-depth understanding of both the theory and practical knowledge of accounting and finance. With this industry-focused programme, you’ll master a wide range of financial tools and acquire a solid foundation of key accounting and finance topics, while developing the necessary skills for management roles. The programme will thoroughly prepare you for a successful career across a variety of potential accountancy and financial roles and industries.

Led by renowned academics and top industry practitioners, you’ll gain access to the latest accounting and finance research, software and techniques. The Business School’s strong links with financial institutions, recruiters and practitioners ensures a focus on tangible, marketable employability skills, relevant to the real accounting and financial world. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with industry throughout the programme, including working on live projects with prestigious companies. We also run workshops with visiting industry specialists from companies such as Deloitte, KMPG, PwC and EY.

Available Programmes of Study

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.

Fee Information

Additional Fee Information

  • Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
  • 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.

Funding Opportunities

The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme:

The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen. More Information can be found here.

Scholarships

Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships.

How You'll Study

You’ll enjoy access to first-rate academic facilities, including our virtual finance lab, powered by Bloomberg. This virtual trading room gives you access to the same professional tools used by major international financial services companies. You’ll attend a variety of stimulating lectures, seminars and tutorials, with your skills and competency assessed by a mix of presentations, traditional exams, essays and projects.

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 accounting and financial world in a number of ways. You will give individual and group presentations, prepare reports, sit assessments and write academic essays.

Why Study Accounting and Finance?

You’ll leave this highly practical, industry-focused course with real-world finance experience – as well as recognised certification from 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 most countries around the world. You’ll also be exempt from the first four courses in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) syllabus. You will:

• Gain an essential understanding of current thinking in accounting and finance
• Experience world-leading facilities with access to our virtual finance lab
• Connect with financial institutions and leading industry practitioners
• Develop a well-rounded skillset for careers in accounting and finance
• Build your business network and access top-tier recruiters around the world

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 - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 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

Careers

Having a recognised accountancy qualification opens many career doors, with a higher percentage of company board members holding an accountancy qualification than any other kind of postgraduate qualification. You could progress to hold roles such as Accountant, Auditor or Financial Manager in prestigious firms around the world.

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 course, 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.

Become a Top Earner Before You Graduate

Earn top accounting credentials from the ICAEW before you graduate

What our Alumni Say

Helen Fowler

Helen Fowler

Helen Fowler

Graduated 2017

The course has been a great challenge and a fantastic opportunity to expand my understanding, not only of my chosen subject area, but also of current developments in global business. Overall, the quality of learning and teaching is outstanding.

Our Experts

Programme Leader
Mr Naser Makarem

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.
  • The Business School is home to the biggest societies on campus including the Economics and Business Society, InternNetwork, Aberdeen University Consulting Group, the Trading and Investment Club, AIESEC, and the Fintech and Blockchain Club.
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Sir Duncan Rice Library

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 more

Virtual 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
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX