Accounting and Finance MSc – 2023 entry

Key information

Start date: September 2023

Study mode and duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years

Why choose this course

Accountants and finance professionals help us to navigate the wide and complicated world of business.

Our MSc Accounting and Finance course is taught by Surrey Business School. You'll graduate equipped with the skills needed to work in multinational corporations and be a successful decision-maker in an increasingly complex global financial environment. This course is practical in nature and will encourage you to embrace regular opportunities to engage with real business problems throughout your studies.

We're ranked 8th for business and economics in the UK by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022.

Welcome to Surrey Business School | University of Surrey

A week in the life of a postgraduate Surrey Business School student

What you will study

You’ll gain a solid understanding of popular financial and management accounting systems and how they are applied in decision-making.

You’ll learn econometric techniques and take modules in the foundations of accounting and finance, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s ever-changing global business environment.

The core modules of this course explore both industry-relevant theory and the quantitative techniques you’ll need to understand related literature and carry out empirical investigations.

Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.

Exam exemptions from accountancy bodies

Graduates of the MSc Accounting and Finance course can apply for examination exemptions from several accountancy bodies, such as: ACCA, CIMA, and ICAEW. This can be done directly through the individual professional organisation’s website, on successful completion of the course.

Entry level exemptions for the ACCA and ACA accountancy professional bodies: When you complete this one-year course, you'll have the opportunity to apply for some exemptions from ACCA and ACA, giving you a head start with the accreditation process.

Significant CIMA exemptions: on successful completion of your studies, you'll qualify for numerous exemptions from CIMA, the Management Accountancy Chartered body.

Apply for CFA funding (one level exam)

If you’re interested in gaining the CFA titular qualification, you'll have the chance to apply for a part-funded CFA scholarship.

Professional recognition

MSc - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

MSc - Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA)
Recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA).

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.

This masters course gives you the opportunity to develop high-level skills, which open doors to many careers. We also provide an online employability hub, giving you access to extensive advice and guidance on how to take the next step in your chosen career.

Graduates in accounting and finance can pursue careers in many roles, for example:

  • Financial accountants
  • Management accountants
  • Financial managers
  • Financial advisers
  • Financial analysts
  • Auditors.

Academic year structure

Our course runs over three semesters. You'll take four modules in both Semester 1 (October to January) and Semester 2 (February to June). The summer semester, or Semester 3, runs from June to September. You’ll study two taught modules and carry out your independent project during this time.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:

Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7

SEPTEMBER START - FULL TIME

First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these four compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT
MANM280 - QUANTITATIVE METHODS
MANM398 - INTERNATIONAL AUDITING AND ASSURANCE

Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM201 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
MANM401 - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM137 - DERIVATIVES SECURITIES
MANM199 - CORPORATE FINANCE
MANM200 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
MANM202 - INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM525 - FINANCIAL MODELLING

Summer period you will study the following three compulsory modules (15 credits each unless otherwise stated):
MANM378 - ETHICS IN FINANCE
MANM400 - CASES IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
MANM399 - INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE PROJECT (30 credits)


FEBRUARY START - FULL TIME

First semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT

And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM137 - DERIVATIVES SECURITIES
MANM199 - CORPORATE FINANCE
MANM200 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
MANM202 - INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM525 - FINANCIAL MODELLING

Summer period you will study the following three compulsory modules (15 credits each unless otherwise stated):
MANM378 - ETHICS IN FINANCE
MANM400 - CASES IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
MANM399 - INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE PROJECT (30 credits)

Second semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these four compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM201 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
MANM401 - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
MANM280 - QUANTITATIVE METHODS
MANM398 - INTERNATIONAL AUDITING AND ASSURANCE

For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates

Optional modules for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

SEPTEMBER START - PART TIME YEAR 1

YEAR 1
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT

Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM401 - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
MANM201 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING

Summer period you will study the following compulsory module (15 credits):
MANM378 - ETHICS IN FINANCE

For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates

Timetable

New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).

Contact hours

Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in accountancy, banking, business administration, economics, finance, management or mathematics, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.

We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.

Do I meet the requirements for this course?

We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).

International entry requirements by country

Other international qualifications

If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, you can apply for a Pre-Masters Programme at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this masters degree at the University of Surrey.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Credit transfer

The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.

In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.

Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.

Fees per year

Start date: September 2023

Full-time - 1 year

UK
£13,900
Overseas
£22,000

Part-time - 2 years

UK
£7,000
Overseas
£11,000

Please note:

  • These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
  • If you are on a two-year full-time MFA programme, or a two-year or three-year part-time masters programme (excluding modular/self-paced/distance learning), the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
  • Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.

View the list of fees for all postgraduate taught courses.

Payment schedule

  • Students in receipt of a tuition fee loan: Will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule
  • International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a tuition fee loan: Are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
    • 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
    • 50% in January of the same academic year.

The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.

  • If you are sponsored: You will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.

Additional costs

There are associated costs with this course:

Books/stationery/admin:

  • £35/£75 - STATA software licence (6 or 12 months)
  • £35 - Eviews student software licence (free lite version available).

Grand total: £70 - 110.

Funding

You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.

Admission information

Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

University of Surrey Admissions

Contact Admissions Team

Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH