MSc Accounting and Financial Management

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

The MSc Accounting and Financial Management at the University of Essex is designed to give you a strong understanding of how accounting and finance support strategic business decisions in today’s global economy. It suits students who want to build professional-level financial expertise and progress into roles in accounting, finance, or management across a wide range of industries.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
During this intensive one-year programme, you will develop core technical and analytical skills that are essential for modern financial roles. Modules such as Corporate Reporting and Analysis help you understand how financial statements are prepared, interpreted, and used by stakeholders, while Financial Decision Making builds your ability to evaluate investments, manage costs, and assess financial risk. You will also study Research Methods in Accounting, strengthening your ability to analyse real-world financial problems and produce evidence-based insights, alongside optional modules that allow you to tailor your studies to your career ambitions.

Focus areas: corporate reporting and governance, management accounting and control, financial decision-making, ethical and analytical financial practice

Learning outcomes: ability to interpret and evaluate financial statements, apply financial decision-making tools in business contexts, conduct independent accounting research, and make ethical, well-informed financial recommendations

Professional alignment (accreditation): accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), with eligibility for up to four ACCA exam exemptions

Reputation (employability rankings): delivered by Essex Business School, part of a research-intensive university with strong industry links and professional alignment that supports graduate employability

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MSc Accounting and Financial Management, you don’t just study accounting theory — you actively apply it in practical, real-world contexts. The course is delivered at Essex Business School, where hands-on experience with financial data, group projects, and industry engagement are integral parts of your learning. You’ll also benefit from university-wide resources such as modern study spaces, extensive libraries, and career support that connects you directly with potential employers and professional networks:

Here’s how your practical learning is structured:

Work with real financial data on the virtual trading floor, using Bloomberg Financial Market Labs to model information and analyse market scenarios like business analysts and traders do in practice.
Use industry databases such as Passport (GMID) and NEXIS Advance UK to research company financials and explore corporate reporting first-hand as part of your assignments and projects.
Develop teamwork and communication skills through group work and collaborative sessions in shared study zones designed to support interaction and problem-solving.
Participate in networking and careers events with visiting businesses, and work with the university’s Employability and Careers service to find internships, placements, or industry talks that enhance professional readiness.
Access supportive teaching and learning tools including lecture recordings, study skills coaching from the Essex Business School Learning Team, and the 24-hour Learning Hub at the Silberrad Student Centre.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this Master’s degree are well prepared to take on roles where financial insight and analytical skills are essential, such as financial analyst, management accountant, audit and assurance associate, or corporate finance specialist. The programme equips you with the confidence and professional grounding to make a valuable impact in industry, commerce, professional services, or the public sector:

The University of Essex’s Employability and Careers service supports you throughout your studies by helping you refine your CV, prepare for interviews, attend employer events, and access tailored careers guidance. Work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities are available to enhance your job readiness.
Graduates have gone on to roles with leading firms such as KPMG and Grant Thornton, as well as public institutions including the European Central Bank and national tax authorities.
The degree’s ACCA accreditation provides up to four exemptions from professional exams, giving you a significant advantage for long-term career development in accounting and finance globally.
The programme’s links with Essex Business School’s research centres and industry networks help you gain professional insight, while employer talks and campus events provide direct engagement with potential recruiters.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this Master’s, you can continue your studies by pursuing professional qualifications such as ACCA or CIMA. Alternatively, you could move into research-led routes, including a PhD in accounting, finance, or related fields, building on the research and analytical skills developed during your Master’s.