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Accounting and Finance - MSc

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Accredited by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and taught by professionally qualified academics with a wealth of industrial and professional experience, this CIMA accredited Master's course focuses on the practical application of accountancy in the real world and theoretical aspects of related research with a clear objective of preparing you for a career in accountancy, finance or management.

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Looking to study a postgraduate accounting and finance course in Birmingham? Our MSc Accounting and Finance degree is accredited by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Taught by professionally qualified academics with a wealth of industrial and professional experience, this CIMA accredited Master's course focuses on the practical application of accountancy in the real world and theoretical aspects of related research with a clear objective of preparing you for a career in accountancy, finance or management. You can maximise your CIMA exemptions by choosing particular modules, and get prepared for the remaining final (external) CIMA exam(s) at the end of the course.

The international focus of the course is derived through a variety of means including the study of international accounting standards, student body, the teaching team and the use of international teaching materials.

Professional Placement option

For our MSc Accounting and Finance degree, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.

This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.

You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.

Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.

For full details, please click here.

This course is open to International students.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

Why Choose Us?

  • Our accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) helps boost your postgraduate qualification even more, giving you professional qualifications employers would be hard pressed to ignore.
  • Our accreditation allows us to offer an extensive list of CIMA exemptions, including all Management and Strategic level CIMA papers (excluding the case studies). We automatically offer tuition for the Final Strategic Case Study upon completion of your MSc (in November / December).
  • We also boast close links with CIMA, who offer our students reduced registration and exam fees, as well as full access to their support content, which includes webinars and online support.
  • The course offers a high level of flexibility in terms of your module choices.
  • Maximise your CIMA exemptions by choosing particular modules, and take only two external CIMA exams at the end of the course. Preparation for this (final case study) exam is included in the course.

Find out more

OPEN DAY

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Event: 24 November 2024

Book now

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

You will need to demonstrate academic ability and technical capability in accounting and finance to be able to study on this programme. Consequently the entry requirements for the programme are as follows:

Essential Requirements
Typical Offers (UK Students)

A first or second class degree in Accountancy, Accounting and Finance or business related area with significant accounting related content from a UK institution or international equivalent. 

OR ACCA Papers F1-9 / CIMA Operational and Management Levels (or equivalent).

OR A full professional accountancy qualification (APEL may be available).

OR A pre-Master’s programme approved by Birmingham City University

Additional information for EU/International students
Essential

Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.

In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table.

English language requirements 2020/21
IELTS

6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands

If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information.

Other accepted qualifications Visit our English language page

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £12,440 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £13,685 in 2025/26

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £12,440 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £13,685 in 2025/26

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £18,600 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £20,460 in 2025/26

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 Year
  • £18,600 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £20,460 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Placement expenses (optional)

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

CIMA expenses (optional)

CIMA membership and exam costs are not covered by the course fee. These are not compulsory, but required if you want to obtain full CIMA membership.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Top-Up to a Full MSc Degree

If you hold an ACCA, CCAB or CIMA qualification you may be eligible to be accredited 120 level 7 credits based on your previous learning. This means that you would be awarded this MSc Accounting and Finance qualification by successfully completing only the final 60 credit dissertation, via our MSc Accounting and Finance (Masters Stage) course.

This is charged at £3,300 for Home/EU students and £4,000 for International students. For more information and to find out if you are eligible to apply, please contact our Admissions team.

Course in Depth

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

Professional Placement

In order to qualify for the award of MSc Accounting and Finance with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the Level 7 modules listed above, totalling 180 credits, as well as the following Level 6 module:

Download course specification

Download now

The course and its pathways are aligned with the CIMA.

Alignment ensures our course remains fresh and relevant, while also providing valuable industry insight. 

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

CIMA is the largest professional body of management accountants in the world. We offer the most relevant accounting qualification for a career in business; something our 229,000 students and members in 176 countries are proud to be a part of.

Management accountants aren’t number crunchers – they are quite the opposite. You’ll find them in all types of organisations, in top positions, analysing trends and behaviours to make informed business decisions.

Every top 100 global brand employs CIMA students and members. They know the CIMA qualification equips people with the skills and knowledge they need to be truly successful in business. CIMA has the power to enhance your degree and improve your earning potential.

CIMA is the natural progression for people with finance and business degrees. If students have a degree in a relevant subject, they could be entitled to exam exemptions.

Find out more about the University to CIMA route.

CIMA's Grad Club

CIMA’s Grad Club is open to all UK students from any degree discipline and free to join. Grad club members will be the first to know about the latest graduate jobs and employer events and will also get exclusive access to industry updates, salary surveys, interview tips and more.

CIMA's My Jobs

CIMA works with a huge range of employers who will sponsor graduates to study the CIMA Professional Qualification. You can find the latest job vacancies on CIMA MY JOBS.

Employability

You will have the opportunity to go on relevant trips such as visiting the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange. In the past, students have also visited established companies, such as Sadler’s Ales.

You’ll also gain valuable experience through our Employability Challenge Weeks, as well as our Leadership Challenge programme. Both give you the chance to apply your skills to innovative and exciting projects, industry talks and workshops. You’ll also receive guidance on how to complete application forms and how to write effective CVs.

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!

Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.

We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.

International Services

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Facilities & Staff

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

The Curzon Building also features:

  • An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
  • Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
  • A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
  • Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
  • Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point

Our staff

Scott Pargetter

Senior Teaching Fellow

Teaching is a particularly rewarding and privileged experience. In an ever changing environment, there are always new challenges and new opportunities to discover and conquer. 

More about Scott

Mohamed Albergley

Senior Lecturer in Management Accounting

Mohamed Albergley has PhD, Master and BSc (Honour) all in accounting. He also has a Postgraduate certificate in academic practice and HEA fellowship. Mohamed has over 10 years of teaching in higher educational institutions in the UK (University of Salford 2016-2020) and internationally (Misurata University 2006-2012).

More about Mohamed

Paul Withers

Senior Teaching Fellow

Paul Withers is a Senior Teaching Fellow with over 30 years global industry experience, gaining specialist knowledge in project management methods, business operations, strategic leadership, manufacturing processes and new product development for award winning audio products.

More about Paul

Dr Issahaku Salifu

Lecturer in Accounting

Issahaku is a Lecturer in Accounting and is passionate about teaching and learning in Higher Education. Over the years, he has gained significant teaching experience in HE in Ghana and the UK. Prior to his appointment, he has been studying a PhD programme with Birmingham City University, which has shaped his research orientation and perspectives....

More about Issahaku

Vijay Ramachandran

Senior Lecturer

Vijay Ramachandran has vast professional practice experience dealing with different types of business sectors and entities including small medium enterprises, charities, trusts, mainstream sporting organisations, public and private schools, synagogues and medium-sized enterprises.

More about Vijay

Professor John Fenner

Associate Professor in Accounting and Finance

John is an Associate Professor specialising in the field of Taxation. He is the College Academic Lead (Accreditations) for the College of Accounting Finance and Economics.

More about John