International Finance and Accounting MSc

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Ready to fast-track your career in finance? Our MSc is designed to give you the edge in a fast-moving industry. You’ll master the latest tools and techniques shaping modern accounting and finance, while strengthening your expertise in the tried-and-tested fundamentals that employers still value most. The result? A powerful combination of contemporary insight and solid foundations that will set you apart and prepare you to thrive in the highly competitive world of finance and accounting

Looking to make your mark in the global financial sector? Skilled finance professionals are in demand worldwide, and this MSc gives you the competitive edge to stand out.

Our MSc International Finance and Accounting has been carefully designed to strengthen and expand your expertise in this dynamic field. You’ll explore both the essential core disciplines and a blend of traditional and cutting-edge theory, giving you the perfect springboard to launch or accelerate your career in the financial sector.

With a wide range of distinctive modules, you’ll not only build strong technical knowledge but also learn how to apply it in real-world business environments. The course will sharpen your ability to communicate complex financial information with clarity and equip you with advanced analytical skills that employers demand.

What sets this MSc apart is its direct professional relevance. On completion, you’ll be eligible to take the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Master’s Gateway route, enabling you to progress straight to the strategic level of the CIMA Professional Qualification, a fast track to global recognition and career progression.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded the MSc International Finance and Accounting, a qualification that opens doors to opportunities across accounting, finance, and management worldwide.

Our MSc has been designed to build and improve your knowledge in the field of accounting and finance. You'll cover both the core disciplines and traditional and contemporary theory, giving you a springboard of skills to launch yourself into the financial sector.

Including many distinctive modules, this course will teach you how to apply accounting and finance knowledge in a working environment. It will give you vital experience in how to communicate complex information and use advanced analytical skills in your future career.

What’s more, upon completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to take the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Master’s gateway route, which will allow you to progress straight to the strategic level of the CIMA Professional Qualification.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc International Finance and Accounting

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc International Finance and Accounting

Duration

University of Staffordshire postgraduate courses are usually 1 academic year duration when studying full-time and 2-3 academic years duration for part-time.

Course content

Our MSc International Finance and Accounting gives you the skills and global perspective to stand out in a competitive sector. Studied full-time over 12 months, the course is structured into three teaching blocks.

You’ll begin by building a strong foundation in Corporate Finance and Investment, Management Control & Internal Audit, and Business Research Methods, before progressing to yet more specialised areas such as Financial Analysis in a Global Context, Financial Risk Management for Sustainable Business, and the fast-growing field of FinTech and Data Analytics.

A standout feature of the programme is the International Consultancy in Practice module, which includes a residential study abroad where you’ll visit global businesses and gain first-hand insights from influential industry leaders. You’ll then bring together everything you’ve learned in a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic that reflects your career ambitions or academic interests, an excellent foundation if you wish to progress to research at PhD level.

With its mix of technical expertise, practical consultancy, and international outlook, this MSc equips you with the tools to thrive in accounting and finance worldwide.

Our International Finance and Accounting MSc typically runs full-time over 12 months and includes three teaching blocks.

The first teaching block will give you a solid foundation in resource control, auditing and research methods. It covers four 15 credit modules: International Financial Analysis, Management Control and Internal Audit, Advanced Corporate Finance, and Business Management Research.

The second teaching block will focus on advanced theory and analytics in four more 15 credit modules: Accounting Theory, International Finance, Economic Analysis of the Firm and Business Analytics.

In the final teaching block, you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in a formal MSc Dissertation module, ending with a 15,000 word submission on a topic of your choice. In this module, we encourage you to further your knowledge in an area of interest which supports your career ambitions or explore an area in which you would like to extend your research further at PhD level.

Academic year

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Entry requirements

You will usually have achieved a 2:2 in an accounting or business related subject with evidence of successful attainment of financial and accounting modules.  Alternatively you may have professional qualifications and/or experience, please enquire.

You will usually have achieved a 2:2 in an accounting or business related subject with evidence of successful attainment of financial and accounting modules. Alternatively you may have professional qualifications and/or experience, please enquire.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Careers

After completing the course, you’ll be equipped to take on a variety of positions in the field of Accounting and finance, including:

  • Financial and risk analysis
  • Business analysis
  • Budget control and analysis
  • Foreign exchange
  • Risk analysis
  • Financial Controller

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you will be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills. For this course, you'll:

  • Work with others on group work and group presentations
  • Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
  • Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are. We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your MSc dissertation.

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills. For this course, you'll:

  • Work with others on group work and group presentations
  • Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
  • Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are. We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your MSc dissertation.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing. You’ll have formal assessments for each module. These include assignment/essays/reports, group presentation, exams/ class tests, or case study-based assessments.

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing. You’ll have formal assessments for each module. These include assignment/essays/reports, group presentation, exams/ class tests, or case study-based assessments.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do. We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do. We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices, but could look like:

For a 15 credit module: A total study time of 150 hours which include 36 hours of class based/ tutor led and 114 hours of independent study.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices, but could look like:

For a 15 credit module: A total study time of 150 hours which include 36 hours of class based/ tutor led and 114 hours of independent study.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

  • Studying and researching business case studies
  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects, alone or in a group
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework
  • Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

  • Studying and researching business case studies
  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects, alone or in a group
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework
  • Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,165 per course £16,750 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Not included in the fees:

Students on this course are required to attend an overseas trip in their third semester as part of the module International Consultancy in Practice. Students will need to contribute towards travel costs, which will cover accommodation, attendance at multinational company visits, travel insurance, and some meals. Students will be responsible for covering the cost of their own evening meals and lunches, as well as any visa-related expenses required for travel.

Students on this course are required to attend an overseas trip in their third semester as part of the module International Consultancy in Practice. Students will need to contribute towards travel costs, which will cover accommodation, attendance at multinational company visits, travel insurance, and some meals. Students will be responsible for covering the cost of their own evening meals and lunches, as well as any visa-related expenses required for travel.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

The best part of studying at Staffs would be I feel that I am not alone. There is a lot of support from tutors as well as the Student’s Union. I made great progress in the Accounting and Finance BA(Hons) and I am now doing a Postgraduate in Accounting and Finance. Staffordshire University has helped me boost my confidence a lot. I had great help from the careers team, which resulted in me working as purchase ledger after a few days of my graduation.

Ainee Hussain

MSc Accounting and Finance

Since childhood I have strong desire to become Financial Expert – helping companies to manage their financials effectively and efficiently. With 17 years of experience in Banking and Investments, I felt it’s right time to venture in this field. Before that I felt the need to hone my skills with a professional degree and MSc Accounting and Finance will help me in becoming a successful Accounting and Financial Expert. 

Jahangir Baig Moghal

MSc Accounting and Finance

The MSc in Accounting and Finance has excellent tutors who are passionate in their fields of study and deliver world class teaching. Also they offer a lot of advice and support even on their most busy days. In addition there are opportunities to network with businesses within the financial sector.

Howard Conor

MSc Accounting and Finance

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MSc Full-time, September start 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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