MSc Accounting and Finance

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of York

Program Overview

The MSc Accounting and Finance at the University of York is designed to give you a clear, practical understanding of how financial decisions are made and reported in real organisations. It suits graduates who want to move into roles such as financial analyst, accountant, consultant, or progress toward professional qualifications in accounting and finance.

Curriculum Structure

Core Year of Study
From the start, you’ll build a solid grounding in how organisations measure performance and make financial decisions. Modules such as Financial and Management Accounting and Advanced Financial and Management Accounting develop your ability to interpret financial information and support strategic decision-making.

You’ll then strengthen your analytical skills through Quantitative Methods in Finance, while Corporate Finance and Governance helps you understand how firms raise capital, manage risk, and operate responsibly. To bring everything together, Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation trains you to assess company performance and value businesses using real financial data.

Alongside taught modules, you’ll complete an Individual Research Project, allowing you to explore an accounting or finance topic in depth and demonstrate independent thinking and research skills.

Focus Areas (in a string):

Financial and management accounting, corporate finance, governance and ethics, quantitative analysis, financial statement analysis, valuation, applied research.

Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Strong understanding of accounting and finance principles, ability to analyse and value companies, confident use of quantitative tools, critical evaluation of financial information, and clear communication of financial insights.

Professional Alignment (accreditation):

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), meaning the content is closely aligned with professional standards and may lead to exam exemptions.

Reputation (employability rankings):

The University of York is a QS World Top 200 university, well known for research-led teaching and strong graduate outcomes. Graduates of this MSc progress into roles across accounting firms, financial services, consultancy, and corporate finance.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MSc Accounting and Finance at York, learning is very hands-on and closely tied to how accounting and finance work in the real world. You won’t just study concepts in lectures — you’ll analyse real financial data, use professional-grade tools, work collaboratively with classmates, and apply your knowledge through practical projects and independent research. The programme is built to help you graduate with the confidence to step straight into professional finance or accounting roles.

This practical approach comes to life through the following experiences and facilities:

Industry-standard financial software and data: you’ll work with Refinitiv Workspace (including Datastream), Compustat (North America) and Finance Lab Pro, giving you experience with the same platforms used by analysts and finance professionals.
Finance labs and trading facilities: teaching is supported by specialist finance facilities where you can analyse live and historical market data and apply quantitative methods in a realistic environment.
Applied group work: many modules include group projects, presentations and problem-solving tasks, helping you build teamwork, communication and professional skills that employers expect.
Independent research project: you’ll complete an Individual Research Project, allowing you to explore a real accounting or finance issue in depth and showcase your analytical and research abilities.
Guest speakers and practitioner insight: the programme features guest talks and masterclasses from professionals across industry, helping you connect theory with current practice.
Extensive library and study resources: you’ll have full access to the University of York Library, including specialist business and finance databases, journals and dedicated postgraduate study spaces.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Accounting and Finance at the University of York leave well prepared for professional roles in the financial and business world. Many move into careers as financial analysts, accountants, audit associates, or consultants, using the strong technical and analytical skills developed during the programme. What really sets York graduates apart is how well they combine financial knowledge with practical, employer-ready experience:

Tailored careers support: You’ll be supported by York’s Careers and Placements Service, which offers one-to-one career guidance, CV and interview coaching, employer events, and access to internships and graduate roles relevant to accounting and finance.
Strong graduate outcomes: National Graduate Outcomes data for business-related courses at York shows that around 90% of graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation, with typical UK salaries in the region of £30,000 at that stage.
Industry recognition and professional value: The programme’s CIMA accreditation gives your degree long-term professional value and can reduce the number of exams needed if you pursue chartered accountancy qualifications.
Links to leading employers: Graduates progress into roles with major organisations including Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG, as well as banks, consultancies, and finance teams across the public and private sectors.
Well-rounded graduate profile: Alongside technical expertise, you’ll graduate with strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills — qualities employers consistently look for in finance professionals.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, this MSc provides a strong platform for doctoral research (PhD) in accounting, finance or management at the University of York. You can also progress toward professional qualifications such as CIMA, ACCA or CFA, using the programme’s accredited status to fast-track your professional development.