International Accounting and Finance

Globalisation, the growth of multinational enterprises, the convergence of international accounting practices and the expansion of the European Union all contribute to the importance of an international focus in accounting and finance education.

The increasing influence of international financial reporting standards and the shortage in some countries of international accounting expertise have led to significant demand for relevant education. Also in the EU the speed and significance of recent reforms have led to a demand for Master’s-level education which reflects these developments and facilitates transition.

Programme Objectives

Accounting and finance qualifications, especially with an international focus, greatly enhance employment opportunities and career prospects in business, commerce and accountancy. The global accounting body ACCA recognises the MSc International Accounting and Finance, giving graduates of the programme exemption from up to six of their papers. In addition, the programme provides an ideal base for progression to PhD level study.

Entrance Requirements

A good Honours degree in any discipline or equivalent professional qualifications or significant and relevant work experience. Applicants should be reasonably numerate.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 23, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 23.

Funding

Postgraduate Student’s Allowance Scheme (PSAS) awards are also available on a competitive basis to Home/EU fee paying applicants.

information on possible sources of funding

Modes of Study

Full-time: one year

September

Structure and Content

The Master’s programme is a one-year, full-time programme with an initial taught component of two 15-week semesters, involving lectures, practical case study work and workshops, with a supervised dissertation in the final period.

Autumn semester modules:

• Financial Reporting: Provides an appreciation of the underlying assumptions and limitations of accounting information. Measurement and reporting problems in financial accounting are discussed. Methods available for interpreting accounting information are explored and applied to ‘live’ data
• Corporate Finance: Provides an understanding of how corporations raise finance (debt and equity) and how they invest money (capital budgeting). Also examines other major decision areas of corporate finance and how these affect the value of the firm
  
• Accounting and Society: Provides students with an awareness of the wider social background to accounting by introducing them to the concept of accountability in different contexts, such as (international) accounting regulation, accounting theory, auditing and corporate governance, social and environmental accounting, and accounting for internal (management) purposes
• Quantitative Methods in Finance: Provides the statistical and computing skills necessary to fully understand modern banking and finance operations. Spreadsheets are used to manipulate statistical models and estimate linear models

In the spring semester you will take at least one of the following core modules depending on the type of dissertation that you plan to undertake:

Core Modules:

• Research Methods: Introduces students to generic and subject-specific research training. It also aims to prepare students for the dissertation module as well as to lay the foundations for more advanced postgraduate research
• Financial Statement Analysis: Develops skills in the interpretation and use of financial statements, focusing on company valuation and identification of companies that may become insolvent
  

You will then select two or three from the following modules: (with at least one from each subject grouping). Modules which may be offered:

Accounting Grouping:

• Topics in International Accounting: Introduces international accounting in its theoretical context and practical relevance, and explores financial reporting in different national or regulatory contexts
• Advanced Financial Reporting: Considers a number of advanced topics in financial reporting and introduces students to the practical application of international financial reporting standards

Finance Grouping:

• Derivatives: Focuses on the uses and the pricing of the key derivative instruments: options, futures, forwards and swaps
• Investments and Portfolio Management: Provides an understanding of security valuation and portfolio management. It focuses on the valuation of both equities and fixed-interest securities and the management of equity and fixed-interest portfolios
  
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Provides an understanding of the motivation for and consequences of mergers and acquisitions against the background of corporate finance theory and practice. Focuses on the financial and economic aspects of M&A activity and other forms of corporate restructuring, such as spin-offs, carve-outs, and sell-offs 
  
• International Finance: Provides in-depth study of some of the key areas of corporate finance within an international environment, and in particular, the operation of the foreign exchange market; the interaction between exchange rates

Many modules cover learning outcomes from all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) programme.

Delivery and Assessment

Successful completion of the taught modules leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. The Master’s degree is awarded on, in addition, satisfactory completion of a dissertation. Dissertation topics may be chosen from either accounting or finance.

Timetable

Contact Lauren Hosey, Programme Secretary, for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Learning activities to prepare you for study in the UK

Prepare for Success is an interactive web learning tool for international students who are getting ready to come to the UK for study in further or higher education.

RAE Rating

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), Accounting and Finance ranked 1st (equal) in Scotland and 5th in the UK, with virtually all (90 percent) research activity considered to be of international standing.

Career Opportunities

Graduates have gone to work across the world in a wide variety of roles in the public and private sector and you are assisted in your job search by the University’s Career Development Centre.