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MSc
Successful completion will make you eligible for the CIMA Master’s gateway route
By mastering contemporary theoretical and application methods of accounting and finance
With our professionally active teaching staff
Looking to get ahead in the financial sector? Our MSc will keep you up-to-date with contemporary accounting and finance skills, and firm up your understanding of traditional methods too – equipping you for the best chance of success in the competitive world of finance and accounting.
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 Accounting and Finance
Our Accounting and Finance 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.
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.
You will identify and justify an appropriate research topic of relevance to the broad area of accounting and finance and produce a research proposal which reflects a critical awareness of a range of research philosophies, strategies, methodologies and evaluating their relevance to your proposed topic.
Module code: ENTP70032
This module commences with an introduction to the subject including definitions and a discussion of its applications. This leads onto an overview of the financial reporting and analysis and the international regulatory framework and the future direction of financial reporting. Students will also study income and asset value measurement systems and prepare consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows. Contemporary issues such as sustainability and the need for environment and social reporting will enhance the students' ability to relate their learning to the wider context.
Module code: ACCT70313
This module will start with an introduction to the subject which will cover corporate goals, shareholder wealth maximisation and the agency theory. Topics covered over the course of the module include sources of finance, cost of capital and capital structure, advanced investment appraisal techniques and applications, dividend policy and working capital management. The successful completion of this module may lead to an exemption from the equivalent unit in the CIMA/ACCA professional qualification.
Module code: ACCT70234
This module will start with an introduction to the subject which will cover topics such as financial statement analysis, ratio analysis, analysis of past performance as well as forecasting. It will also focus on key management accounting techniques that help to determine strategic action and the financial ratios and measures that may be used to assess and analyse the financial position of firms and to forecast future financials.¿Bloomberg Terminal or equivalent will be used for a range of analyses employed in this module. Bloomberg for Education, data bases and platforms will be used to bring the pace and excitement of real business into the classroom. Students gain hands-on experience using the same information and technology used by financial professionals all over the world, to help gain an edge in the competitive job market.
Module code: ACCT70314
This module commences with an introduction to control systems within an organisational context, with reference to motivation, contingency planning and ethics. Organisation resources, strategy and financial investment are discussed and applied to a case study within an overarching project. The details of the project will be brought together using appropriate project management software. You will study a range of key performance indicators including that of quality and the associated quality assurance systems. Finally, the role of the auditor and audit systems will be addressed and the relationship between the auditor and levels of senior management and internal auditors is explored.¿
Module code: ACCT70239
This module presents and examines the following areas:¿accounting under ideal conditions, agency theory, efficient market hypothesis and information content of financial reports, the effects of income and price changes, methods of income determination, the valuation of assets and, the theory of financial disclosure and standard setting.
Module code: MKTG70269
A review of the neoclassical theory of the firm. Team Production, agency theory, transaction costs and property rights, corporate governance. These theoretical approaches will be elaborated and developed in close conjunction with applied economic studies, for example, in "make or buy" strategies, contract compliance, contract incompleteness, etc.
Module code: ECON70104
This module studies the financial operation of the multinational corporation in an environment of open and integrated financial markets. The module will cover a selection of the following topics: global objectives of the MNC, differences between foreign and domestic investment, the financing of MNC and international projects, trades, and investment strategy by MNC. Sourcing of subsidiary financing, Treasury management by MNC. Financial risk management and the use of financial derivatives and management of country risk.
Module code: ACCT70142
In the third and final semester of your MSc Course you select a suitable topic for your research based dissertation. Topics will be wide ranging drawing on different aspects of accounting/finance but all aiming to address a specific challenge or problem within the area of your study. Ideally, they should involve external sponsorship to facilitate and support data collection and independent study and hence aim to generate robust conclusions and recommendations with real benefit and added value. The process of choosing a topic might start very early on in consultation with your tutor/ potential supervisor. The assessment requires a 15,000-word Dissertation submission.
Module code: ACCT70282
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.
Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.
Serving Starbucks coffee, our brand new business lounge is the perfect space for hot desking and networking.
After completing the course, you’ll be equipped to take on a variety of positions in the field of Accounting and finance, including:
Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you will be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.
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:
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.
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.
Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:
If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.
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.
As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:
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.
For the course starting on 20 September 2021 the tuition fees are:
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.
If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University 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.
Any optional study trips
Membership fees or exam fees for professional bodies
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation
Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,222 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.
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.
I strongly recommend Staffordshire University for anyone looking for a professional degree in accounting and finance. Excellent academicians with in-depth subject knowledge and industry experience, will mould you to be 100% ready to flourish in finance field.
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.
If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.
Students of Staffordshire University 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.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Times Higher Awards 2020
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021
Midlands Business Awards 2020
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