MSc Accounting and Finance

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford

Program Overview

This Master’s program equips you with advanced financial and accounting expertise, blending theoretical insight with practical skills that employers value most. You’ll gain a deep understanding of global financial markets, corporate accounting practices, and strategic decision-making, preparing you for a wide range of roles across finance, auditing, and business leadership.

Curriculum Structure

Postgraduate Study Skills, Research Methods and Ethics + Core Financial Foundations — Early in the program, you’ll build a strong foundation in academic research, ethical decision-making, and the fundamentals of financial management. Modules such as Research Methods for Business Management and Financial Management equip you with analytical techniques and ethical awareness that underpin the rest of your studies.

Advanced Accounting, Markets and Taxation — As you progress, you’ll explore specialist subjects including Global Financial Markets, International Accounting, and International Tax Theory and Policy. These units broaden your understanding of how financial information is prepared, interpreted, and applied in various organisational and regulatory contexts worldwide.

Capstone Project & Professional Experience Option — In the final stage, you’ll undertake a Postgraduate Major Project, applying research, analysis, and problem-solving skills to a real-world financial or accounting issue. There’s also an optional professional experience year where you can gain practical industry exposure, enhancing your employability.

Focus Areas: Advanced financial analysis, international accounting standards, tax and governance, professional ethics, strategic decision-making, applied research.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates will demonstrate expertise in accounting theory and practice, master interpretation of complex financial information, apply regulatory frameworks ethically, and solve strategic financial problems in global business environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The degree is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), providing exemptions from seven ACCA Applied Knowledge and Skills exams, which is a major advantage for those pursuing professional qualification.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Anglia Ruskin University has strong industry links and offers a modern Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab for practical learning, alongside postgraduate support services and dedicated employability guidance to help you succeed after graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Anglia Ruskin University, your learning goes far beyond traditional lectures. You’ll gain practical skills using industry-standard tools, like the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab, where you can analyse live financial data, test trading strategies, and manage virtual portfolios just like finance professionals. The program also emphasizes collaboration, with group projects, interactive seminars, and the option to take a professional experience year, giving you real-world exposure and boosting your confidence for a future career in finance.

Here’s how your experiential learning will take shape:

Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab: Access multiple terminals and live financial news feeds to explore financial markets, analyse securities, and build investment strategies in a realistic, hands-on environment.
Professional Experience Option: Extend your studies to gain a placement or internship in the industry, applying classroom learning in a real business setting and building valuable professional contacts.
Collaborative Projects and Group Work: Engage in seminar-based learning that emphasizes teamwork, tackling real business challenges with your peers and presenting solutions like a professional team.
Industry-Relevant Seminars and Guest Talks: Learn from finance practitioners through special sessions that offer insights into current trends and challenges in the finance world.
Academic Support and Resources: Benefit from ARU’s library, IT resources, and dedicated support to aid your research, projects, and professional development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this degree often move directly into professional roles in accounting and finance, including positions such as financial analyst, management accountant, audit associate, or taxation consultant. The program equips you with both technical expertise and strategic thinking skills, helping you step into client-facing and leadership roles across a variety of business sectors:

University Employability Support: ARU’s dedicated Employability Service supports you throughout your studies and after graduation, offering CV workshops, interview preparation, job listings, and connections with employers in finance and business. One-to-one career guidance and recruitment events help you build confidence and make valuable professional contacts.
Employment & Salary Trends: Around 90% of accounting and finance graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing. Early-career salaries typically range from £25,000 to £31,500, with potential to grow significantly as you gain experience and professional qualifications.
Industry-Valued Accreditation: The degree is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), providing exemptions from key ACCA exam papers — a major long-term advantage if you aim to become a chartered accountant or take on senior finance roles.
Professional Networks & Partnerships: Through the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab and ARU’s links with business communities, you’ll develop connections with finance professionals and employers, preparing you for a smooth transition into roles in finance firms, consultancies, and corporate finance teams.

Further Academic Progression:
If you wish to continue your studies, you could pursue a PhD in Business, Economics, or Finance within ARU’s School of Economics, Finance and Law. There are also opportunities to access alumni scholarships, supporting further research and helping you deepen your expertise while building strong academic credentials.