Accounting (with Professional Placement/Project) MSc
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Course Summary
Our MSc Accounting course supports the development of your professional career in business, accounting and financial management. This course is aligned to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) professional examinations.
You will be welcomed by highly experienced academics and will have the opportunity to create a network of like-minded peers. Successful completion of the course will enhance your understanding of financial management and reporting, performance management, risk and corporate governance.
Students will develop an understanding of a range of research methods and analytical techniques through an introduction to research methods.
The final project module develops your critical and investigative skills to help you meet your professional interests and career goals. This may take the form of a dissertation, a work-based case study or a new business development proposal.
The location of Chester Business School provides a unique opportunity to add value to this course by providing expert masterclasses from local, top-ranking companies such as Bank of America, M&S Bank, Airbus, Bentley Motors.
Professional Placement
Choosing a Professional Placement MSc is a win-win for your career, giving you the chance to get real experience, apply your cutting-edge skills in the workplace and stand out to future employers.
In the first year you will have help from the University to find a placement, whilst developing your expertise. You will then spend your second year out in industry on placement, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and grow your network of industry contacts. Bringing the latest business school insights to industry, you will get to make a difference to the workplace and make lasting links with your employer.
Students need to find and secure their own placement, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your placement.
Professional Project
The Professional Project is your chance to get the experience you need to stand out to graduate employers and make a difference by solving real global business challenges and demonstrating practical application of your learning. Prepare for the future by reflecting on your experience and the enhanced skills that you have gained.
In the first year you will have help from the University to find a professional project whilst developing your expertise in the taught modules of your degree. You will then spend your second year working on a client-led project, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and building your contacts.
Students need to find and secure their own project, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your project and develop your professional skills.
Learn from industry and professional guest speakers
Strategic and business orientated perspective embedded within all modules
High calibre, experienced and friendly lecturers
What you'll Study
The MSc comprises five 20-credit ‘taught’ modules and a 60-credit Management Research Project, all at Masters’ Level 7. Taught modules are delivered sequentially (one after the other) in 5-to-6-week blocks.
Modules
- Strategic Business Leader (Compulsory)
- Strategic Business Reporting (Compulsory)
- Advanced Financial Management (Compulsory)
- Advanced Performance Management (Compulsory)
- Research Methods for Accounting and Finance (Compulsory)
In year two you will study a 20 credit module to help you prepare for the 100-credit Professional Placement.
Advanced Professional Practice
(compulsory)
Students will research potential placement opportunities, prepare for interviews and competitive selection, as well as develop the core competencies they will need whilst out on placement. They will enhance their career and personal development through planning and gain core transferable skills in interviewing, applying and personal branding techniques.
Professional Placement
The Professional Placement is your chance to get the experience you need to stand out to graduate employers and
- Make a difference by applying your cutting-edge skills and latest business school insights.
- Prepare for the future by reflecting on your experience and the enhanced skills that you have gained whilst working.
- Grow your network by making lasting links with your employer and building your contacts.
OR
Professional Project
The Professional Project is your chance to get the experience you need to stand out to graduate employers and make a difference by solving real global business challenges and demonstrating practical application of your learning. Prepare for the future by reflecting on your experience and the enhanced skills you’ve gained.
Dr Muhammad Sanusi
Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance; Programme Leader for MSc Accounting (ACCA Pathway)
Michael Smith
Programme Leader for Banking and Finance MSc
Dr Brian Gibbs
Senior Lecturer
Dr David Acquaye
Head of Business, Management, Accounting and Finance; Associate Professor
Dr Ahmed Kholeif
Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, Programme Leader MSc International Finance
Beyond the Classroom
There are opportunities to engage in and attend events presented by outside speakers, both academics and practitioners.
There are also occasional ‘cultural’ events in the School and across the University, giving you the opportunity to learn more about and to mix with fellow students.
Entry Requirements
2:2 honours degree
Accounting or Business Finance related degree with a 2:2 or above.
Or the applicant should be Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) registered and have completed or be exempt from the ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills level examinations.
Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.
See below for your country specific requirements. Please note, some programmes have special entry requirements and if applicable, these are listed below.
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
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Fees and Funding
£11,115 for the full course (2024/25)
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.
The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,650, due at the start of the second year of the course.
£17,400 for the full course, including placement/project year (2024/25)
The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750.
The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,650 (due at the start of the second year of the course), totaling £17,400 for the full course fee 2024/25.
The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.
Your Future Career
Job Prospects
The programme is purposefully designed for those who are looking to pursue a career in management in the engineering sector. This includes those with a technical background finding themselves in, or seeking, more senior management posts, and for engineering and project managers who would benefit from a broader range of skills.
The evidence from our alumni is our graduates accelerate their career progression on completion of the programme. They are successful in improving their prospects and landing good quality management posts directly after completion of the programme and senior positions after one or two further iterations in the jobs market.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.