COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc Accounting and Finance (with CIMA) with Professional Practice combines advanced academic study, professional accounting qualifications, practical industry experience, and independent research to prepare graduates for senior roles in finance and business. The taught component develops expertise in financial reporting, management accounting, corporate finance, strategic management, data analytics, and research methods. Students gain advanced knowledge of international financial reporting standards, financial statement analysis, management accounting techniques, corporate financial decision-making, and the strategic use of financial information within organisations. Modules such as Finance for Management, Advanced Management Accounting, and Corporate Financial Management strengthen analytical and decision-making skills, while Data Analytics for Management Decision-Making develops the ability to collect, evaluate, interpret, and apply data effectively to support organisational performance and leadership decisions. Research Methods: Problems and Solutions equips students with the skills needed to design and conduct rigorous research, while Contemporary Issues in Business and Society explores global business challenges, sustainability, responsible management, and the role of organisations in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Strategic Management provides a comprehensive understanding of how organisations assess their environment, manage resources, and develop long-term strategies for sustainable success. A key feature of the programme is the 60-credit Professional Practice Internship, which enables students to gain substantial industry experience in a career-relevant accounting or finance setting. Working closely with the university and an employer, students identify learning objectives, develop professional competencies, and reflect on their workplace experiences while receiving support from internship specialists and academic staff. Following the internship, students complete a 60-credit Dissertation, undertaking an independent research project on a topic of their choice within accounting, finance, or a related area. The dissertation involves planning, conducting, and critically evaluating a substantial piece of research and presenting the findings in a 12,000-word academic dissertation. Overall, the programme offers a powerful combination of professional accreditation through CIMA exemptions, practical workplace experience, advanced academic knowledge, and research capability, preparing graduates for careers in accounting, finance, consultancy, management, and leadership across a wide range of industries.