Internal Audit Management and Consultancy - MSc
Looking to study a Master’s in internal audit management degree in Birmingham? Our MSc Internal Audit and Consultancy Management course boasts a Route to Chartered Status from the IIA UK.
The internal audit profession formally began when the Institute of Internal Audit Inc. (IIA Inc.) was formed in the early parts of the 20th Century. Since that time the profession has developed extensively keeping pace with the demands placed on it by Board and Audit Committees in an ever changing and challenging world.
With the drive across the globe for integrated reporting to increase transparency, increased regulation such as the introduction of the Sarbanes Oxley Act in the US, and the general publics’ access to real time information, boards and their audit committees are ever more in need of independent and objective assurance and internal audit has a vital role to play in providing this.
The techniques and methods used by the internal audit profession have changed over the decades, from one which focused purely on financial risk and compliance style audits, which check procedures are being followed, to the current day where risk based auditing is seen as best practice across the globe. The Institute of Internal Auditors Inc. now boasts membership of over 180,000 across the globe and has recently developed its International Professional Practices Framework to include a mission statement ‘To enhance and protect organisational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice and insight.’
It is this current landscape that drives this course’s over-riding philosophy which is:
To equip those working within or intending to join the internal audit profession with the conceptual understanding, knowledge and skills to contribute positively to the organisations that they work for.
What's covered in the course?
The learning and teaching methods are designed to encourage and support independent learning.
Students are provided with a guided pathway through the learning resources, which are provided on the Virtual Learning Environment ‘Moodle’. These resources include (but are not limited to):
- Presentations
- Quizes, with feedback
- External professional published articles, journals, standards
- Practical exercises to apply knowledge
Wherever possible real life case studies will be used to illustrate the learning.
Face-to-face delivery (full time and part time block release students) will be delivered in an intensive week at the very start of study and where possible the cohorts will be together. This approach will help the different cohorts of students to meet and network, thereby creating greater opportunities for peer support. The week will predomionantly be in the form of workshops of group activities allowing students to explore and apply the understanding they have gained from prior reading provided on Moodle and be given formative feedback by the lecture team which can be used to help with the assessment.
Where the assessment is an exam, 2 intensive days will also be provided which is timeed to best support completion of the exam. During these session the areas of the syllabus which students have found challenging will be covered as well as practicing exam quesitons both in groups and individually.
Distance learning students will have access to all the materials through Moodle. During the intensive week the output from group activities will also be added to Moodle, allowing distance learning students to compare their own output with those of the group.
All students also have access to the on-line disucssion forum where they can interact with each other and with the tutors on a group basis, and individual and group tutorials are also available by appointment.
Why Choose Us?
- We are an established team with over 20 years’ experience of delivering courses accredited by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Internal Auditing Educations Partnerships (IAEP). Find out more about the programme here.
- We now boast a Route to Chartered Status from the IIA UK
- The Centre prides itself on its extremely high pass rates.
- The lecture team is supported by guest speakers, who regularly visit to provide valuable practitioner insight.
- We get to know our students as individuals and support their specific needs, or signpost them to other areas of the University that can provide additional, complimentary support.
- The delivery is flexible so you can choose full-time or part-time with block release and distance learning as options. This means you can fit your studies alongside work and personal commitments.
Find out more
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This course is open to International students
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Entry Requirements
UK students
| Essential |
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A Honours degree from a UK University or international equivalent |
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OR Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) global base qualification / Relevant professional qualification from the PIIA. |
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OR Relevant professional experience of at least 1 year |
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In recognition that many students may already have a relevant professional qualification, Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) for individual modules and / or stages may be given on a case by case basis. |
EU / International students
| English language requirements 2017/18 | ||
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands | |
| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
International Students
Don't meet our entry requirements? You could apply for courses at our International College.
UK or EU students
| Award | Start | Mode | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Oct 2019 | FT | 1 Year | £8,100 per year | |
| MSc | Oct 2019 | PT | 3 Years | £900 per module | |
| MSc | Oct 2019 | DL | 3 Years | £900 per module |
International Students
| Award | Start | Mode | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Oct 2019 | FT | 1 Year | £12,300 per year | |
| MSc | Oct 2019 | PT | 3 Years | £1,370 per module | |
| MSc | Oct 2019 | DL | 3 Years | £1,370 per module |
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. Fees for 2019/20 will be published as soon as possible. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements
.Additional costs
While there are no additional costs associated with purchasing text books, there may be other costs to you. If you are joining the course which has a professional body accreditation you may be required to pay membership or examination costs. For details of these costs, please click on the link below.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Route to Chartered Status
If you want to attain Chartered Status with the IIA or CIA, there are additional charges associated with this*:
IIA Application fee: £124
Annual IIA membership fee: £180
CIA application fee: $165
CIA learning fee: £500 plus VAT
CIA exam fees: $1,070
Professional Experience Journal fee: £100
*These costs are subject to change
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible postgraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Did you know that you will soon be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,000 for some courses and options?
Modules
Our course is available to study in a range of options, ensuring you don’t have to miss out.
Full-Time
You can choose to study one year full-time or three years part-time, with qualifications achieved at the end of each year:
- Term / Year One – Postgraduate Certificate
- Term / Year Two – Postgraduate Diploma
- Term / Year Three – Master’s (MSc)
Distance Learning
This course is also offered as a distance learning option, enabling you to study at a time that suits you. You don’t have to attend any face-to-face sessions, and delivery of course materials is done through our e-learning platform, Moodle. Each module with an exam has a revision day which, although not mandatory, you should highly consider attending. If you can’t make it, supporting materials are made available via Moodle.
If you’re an international student, you can sit your examinations at your British council offices for a fee payable locally of around £100 per examination.
Block Release
This option sees you attend intense face-to-face teaching on campus from Monday to Friday for each module, one a term for years one and two. In year three the block weeks take place in the first term for both modules in order to support early initiation of your research project.
This option also provides the flexibility to incorporate some distance learning, to accommodate your work and personal commitments. You can do this at no extra charge and with no penalties.
Assessments
All modules are tested by assignment, except for:
- Organisation Environment Risks and Controls which has an assignment and a 27 hour test to be completed remotely,
- Professional Innovation and Development which is a presentation (which can be done remotely over Skype, for example) and reflective diary.
Student stories
Mariusz Makarski
Joining BCU back in 2014 whilst still working full time, Mariusz had the help of his tutors to successfully balance his work and his studies. He is now a Senior Internal Auditor for the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Simon Grima
Studying part-time for his Masters, and with a career that embraces lecturing and consultancy, Simon appreciated both the academic and professional relevance of his course.
This course is accredited by:
Further study
Graduates can progress to complete a PhD in a related area of internal audit, governance or risk management.
Student stories Dr Rodney Irwin
Managing Director at WBCSD
Originally from Bessbrook in Northern Ireland, Dr Rodney Irwin studied at the then University of Central England. He has enjoyed a global career at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and has also gone on to gain further qualifications including a PhD.
In October 2012 I took a role as Managing Director of Financial Capital at WBCSD - a membership organisation made up of 190 global businesses. I engage with businesses and support them with reporting in non-financial performance, strategy and innovations on corporate reporting. I also sit on the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) working group, am a member of the Advisory Board of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and a Board Member of the Climate Disclosure Standards Board.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Enhancing employability prospects
There are planned field trips each term to local organisations. These trips will be accompanied by a seminar from a visiting professor on a related topic.
We also have a guest speaker programme, bringing the working world into the University. These talks are delivered in the block weeks, and presentations are posted on Moodle so that they are available to everyone.
All assignments are grounded in the real working organisations, allowing students to apply their knowledge into a real working environment.
Skills assessment takes place at the start of each term and students are encouraged to create a development plan to enhance their skills and work experience over the duration of the course. Lecturers will support students in finding opportunities to support this wherever possible.
Graduate Jobs
Many of our students are already employed and are sponsored through their study. Typical organisations that they come from include local authorities, health sector, central government and government agencies, financial services, charity organisations such as the Big Lottery and professional service firms such as Deloitte, PWC, Grant Thornton and BDO.
Many of our students work in internal audit or a similar role such as compliance or financial control. Some are deliberately sponsored by their employer for this course so that on their return they can set up an internal audit function or apply the concepts to their existing department.
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 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, Business and English 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 new 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
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the recently opened Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Dr Andy Hollyhead
Associate Professor
Andy Hollyhead joined the University in 2003 after 15 years in industry in a number of large organisations, including roles as business systems analyst and project manager. He is part of the Centre for Internal Audit, Governance and Risk Management.
Ann Brook
Senior Lecturer
Ann began her career in insurance, underwriting and processing claims, for a large national building society. She then moved to working in a global treasury department, verifying and performing transactions all over the globe. After this she moved into internal audit working at many different regional building societies and became a Head of Internal Audit for Chelsea Building Society in July 2009.
She moved into risk management in January 2011 and worked in corporate banking and then social housing and care. Her last role included working as a Company Secretary and working alongside boards and committees and supporting them in fulfilling their responsibilities.
Outside of her full time career she has also held volunteer positions. She has been a Governor and Audit Committee member for Sandwell College over the last seven years and has just been appointed as Governor for Birmingham Women’s Hospital.
She also volunteers for the professional body, the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, where she is a Fellow, as a local committee member she organises events for internal audit and risk professionals to network and update their knowledge.
Over her career she has managed many different sized teams and mentored them through their qualifications and development.
She believes this mix of professional experience and her open and approachable nature enables her to provide the best teaching and support to students.
Alan Robson
Associate Professor
Alan Robson graduated in 1985 with one of the first Information Systems degrees in the country, before moving directly into lecturing. He joined Birmingham City University in 1986 as a lecturer in computer programming and systems analysis, and in April 2009 he joined the Centre for Internal Audit, Governance and Risk Management.
Balvinder Plaha
Senior Lecturer, Program Leader for Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship and MSc Insurance and Risk Management
Balvinder Plaha joined Birmingham City University in 2015 and currently teaches the finance and corporate governance modules on the MSc Internal Audit, Governance and Risk Management and risk response and risk leadership on the MSc Risk Management course.