Accounting and Finance MSc

The world of accounting and finance is ever-changing, with practice constantly evolving to deal with the major challenges the world is facing. Our programme will strengthen your existing knowledge, develop your skillset in accounting and finance, and prepare you for a successful global career.

Course structure

This course will run over 12 months in a full-time-mode.

This course will develop your understanding of the principal theories and empirical research that form the foundation of accounting and finance. You will also master a variety of methodologies to address and resolve real-world challenges. Additionally, you will acquire a suite of transferable skills, including critical analysis, effective communication, and teamwork, which are invaluable for your professional success.

The course will provide you with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to excel a career in the accounting, financial services and related sectors of the economy.

• Accounting and Finance graduates are in high demand from a wide range of top employers for their specialist skills.
• Opportunity to meet and network with leading global organisations.
• Our modules cover topics at the forefront of emerging trends in accounting and finance.
• Our course has been developed by leading researchers in the field, with a focus on sustainable and responsible business practices.

The core content of the programme gives you a deep knowledge of the theoretical and empirical literature that provides the background to understanding changes and innovations in accounting and finance.Throughout this course you will have access to sessions delivered by industry leaders, professional development events, and dedicated careers and employability support within the Business School.

• Taught modules – these include lectures, workshops, seminars, case studies and expert guest speaker sessions.
• Assessments - these will include group and individual essays, class tests, group projects, group presentations and examinations.
• Dissertation Project - this provides students the opportunity to study an accounting and finance topic of personal interest in considerable depth under the supervision of experienced academic staff.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Year: 1
2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students must select three modules from the following options:

Applicants must have achieved a pass mark at undergraduate level in Financial Accounting or Financial Reporting, AND Finance or Financial Management modules at an intermediate or advanced level. Additionally, applicants must have also achieved a pass mark at undergraduate level in two additional Accounting and Finance modules.If the Honours degree is not in Accounting or a closely related subject but an applicant has obtained the required modules listed above, we can consider the application and will assess the academic transcript to ensure that the requirements have been met.Applicants who demonstrate being able to exceed the minimum entry requirements will be given preference.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our proximity to London, the global financial capital, and ever-growing relationship with key employers in the financial sector, will provide you with the opportunity to meet and network with leading global organisations.

As a Birmingham Business School student, you will benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni and employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship and graduate applications.