Ranking
Triple
Crown Accredited
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Course overview
Invest in a global career and reshape the future with our MSc Accounting and Finance degree.
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.
The standout feature of my course is the exceptional support from university staff and teachers. Their commitment goes beyond traditional academic guidance.
Course highlights
Our MSc Accounting and Finance programme is designed to produce specialists equipped with the intellectual, analytical, communication, and ethical proficiencies essential for a distinguished career in accounting and finance.
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.
Triple-crown accreditation
Birmingham Business School is one of a small number of schools worldwide to hold triple-crown accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
- #1
Most targeted university by top graduate employers
High Fliers Report, The Graduate Market 2024
- #80
QS World University Rankings 2025
QS Top Universities
- #93
World University Rankings 2025
Times Higher Education
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.
Course delivery
Our MSc Accounting and Finance degree includes a wide variety of learning and teaching.
- 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.
Module information
The course comprises of 180 credits, taught through a series of 20 credit modules and a 60 credit Dissertation . Students will study three core modules and choose three optional modules.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Theory and Policy | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Corporate Financial Management | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Dissertation | 60 | Full Term |
| Professional Integrity and The Reflective practitioner | 20 | Semester 2 |
Students must select three modules from the following options:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative Finance | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Auditing Theory and Practice | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Business Analytics | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Financial Modelling Techniques | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Fundamental Analysis | 20 | Semester 2 |
| International Business Taxation | 20 | Semester 2 |
| International Financial Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Management Accounting | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Public Financial Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Sustainability Accounting and Accountability | 20 | Semester 2 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
or postgraduate diploma from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in Accounting or Accounting and Finance. If your degree is not in Accounting or Accounting and Finance, you must have passed a minimum of four modules in the Accounting and Finance subject areas. These must include ONE module in Financial Reporting/Financial Accounting and ONE module in Finance/Financial Management in the final two years of your degree programme.
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.
Fees and scholarships
- £18,260
Full-time
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.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
Graduates will leave Birmingham perfectly placed to take up key accounting and financial positions or managerial and consultancy roles in the private and the public sector. Fantastic career opportunities are available at leading accountancy firms, financial institutions and multinational corporations. This course is also beneficial to entrepreneurs that want to have a solid knowledge of finance and its applications.
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.