COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc in Accounting and Economics at Essex is designed to equip students with advanced skills in both disciplines, preparing them for careers in finance, accounting, and economic analysis. At the core of the program is a 40-credit Dissertation, which allows students to conduct independent research and apply theoretical and practical knowledge to a specialised topic. Compulsory modules provide a strong foundation in both accounting and economics, including Corporate Reporting and Analysis and Financial Decision Making, which develop critical understanding of financial statements, organisational decision-making, and performance evaluation. Students also study Economics of Incentives, exploring how economic theory explains behaviour and decision-making in organisations, and Economics of Financial Markets, which examines the functioning of financial systems, asset pricing, and the role of risk and return. In addition to these compulsory areas, students can personalise their learning through 40 credits of optional modules in economics, and a further 20 credits chosen from either economics or Essex Business School options, enabling them to align the course with their career interests or research ambitions. This structure ensures graduates develop a blend of quantitative, analytical, and financial expertise, alongside research skills, to address complex challenges in accounting, finance, and economics at both organisational and global levels.