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Accounting and Finance at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our MSc Accounting and Finance is an industry-aligned course that places a strong emphasis on analysis and interpretation using case studies and real-life examples. It is designed to provide non-accounting graduates with a thorough understanding of key areas of accounting and financial management. Why choose this course?

  • This course emphasises employability, networking and business-relevant skills, making it ideal if you are from a business, management, finance or quantitative background and wish to pursue a career in accounting and finance.
  • It is led by staff who are active researchers as well as enthusiastic teachers, and who regularly publish cutting-edge articles in the world's leading journals.
  • We have particular research strengths in this field, engaging in significant collaborative research and fostering excellent connections with many public and private sector organisations, professional bodies and researchers at other academic institutions.
  • This MSc welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds, ages and experiences and this helps to make class discussions a stimulating arena in which to explore new ideas and topics.
What you will learn On completion of this course, you will be able to understand, apply and critically assess a wide range of accounting and financial theories and principles, including:
  • applied financial management
  • multinational financial management
  • portfolio and market analysis
  • principles of accounting and investment management
  • quantitative methods for finance and business
  • valuation analysis and risk management.
How you will learn This course is taught via lectures, seminars, practical classes, tutorials and guest lectures. Lectures will offer you an overview of the subject and act as a starting point for deeper exploration during your own reading as well as in class discussions. Seminars will give you the opportunity to explore a specific aspect of your topic in depth using worked examples, exercises and presentations, and allow you to exchange ideas with fellow students. You will also receive expert research supervision to support you during the completion of your dissertation. This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening. Highlights
  • This course is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Programme and has a limited number of CFA scholarships available.
  • Birkbeck is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the broad field of management.
  • Our location in the heart of London, which is a major city for the accounting and finance industry, offers a variety of job opportunities after graduation.
  • As well as accounting and finance, we have particular research strengths in banking, international business and strategy, the management of innovation and entrepreneurship, human resource management, corporate governance, sport management and marketing.
  • You will have access to Moodle, our online learning resource where all information and materials relating to your course and modules are available, as well as the Birkbeck Library and e-Library.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this MSc Accounting and Finance, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • how to critically analyse contemporary issues in the field of finance and how to analyse financial data
  • the ability to work as part of a team
  • a high level of oral and written communication skills in English
  • research skills and the ability to evaluate and assess accounting and financial information.
Graduates can pursue career paths in accounting, finance or management. Possible professions include:
  • licensed conveyancer
  • management consultant
  • tax adviser
  • economist
  • accounting technician
  • chartered certified accountant
  • chartered public finance accountant.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Short tests, written examinations, coursework, group work and poster sessions. Minimum pass mark of 50%.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

Usually a second-class honours degree in a subject related to finance, accounting or business studies. We also welcome students from any quantitative background. A professional or other qualification obtained by written examinations approved by the College. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £15210 Year 1
Northern Ireland £15210 Year 1
Scotland £15210 Year 1
Wales £15210 Year 1
International £23790 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Accounting and Finance at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS