Finance and Accounting MSc

International equivalencies

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Course structure

The course is composed of three phases:

• Phase 1 teaches the core subjects of finance, economics and research methods

• Phase 2 introduces specialist modules in finance and accounting

• Phase 3 is the dissertation that draws together the learning from the whole of the programme, allowing you to develop your research skills and capacity for critical analysis while creating a specialisation in a particular field of finance and accounting

All modules on the course involve both taught sessions and guided independent study. For a typical module, approximately 30% of the total hours comprise taught activity, 10% is guided study and supervision, and the remainder is independent study.

Syllabus

Core modules will give you practical background knowledge in key finance subjects. From term 2 you will be able to tailor your course through a choice of specialisms and option modules. The specialisms currently offered are banking, accounting, investment, economics and risk management.

Core modules

• Economics of Financial Markets
• Financial Theory and Practice
• Research Methodologies for Finance and Economics
• Dissertation

Mandatory specialism modules

• Issues in Financial Accounting
• Issues in Management Accounting

Option modules (choose one)

• Advanced Financial Mathematics
• Applied Econometrics and Financial Time Series Analysis
• Banking and Financial Institutions
• Emerging Financial Markets
• Financial Derivatives
• Financial Regulation: Economic Principles and Institutional Frameworks
• Financial Risk Management
• International Portfolio Management
• Market-making and Investment Strategies
• Money, Interest Rates and Banking

Modules in focus

Issues in Financial Accounting

This module provides an international perspective on the theory and practice of financial accounting. It explores the move towards global harmonisation of accounting standards, the impact of leading standard-setting authorities, the reasons for national differences, the tendencies towards harmonisation, and the problems of multinational companies.

• Setting the scene: causes and examples of international differences and international harmonisation
• Transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• International accounting and segmental reporting
• Evaluating financial reporting quality and earnings management
• International accounting and risk reporting
• International accounting and fair value accounting
• International accounting and consolidation
• International accounting and multinational operations
• International accounting and corporate social responsibilities

Issues in Management Accounting

This module introduces contemporary issues in management accounting. It will extend your critical understanding of the role of accounting and encourage you to develop your own research interest in the area.

• Introduction to developments in theory of management accounting
• The changing role of the management accountant
• Research on contemporary approaches to costing
• Strategic management accounting: developments in technique
• Developments in performance measurement frameworks
• Management control systems and contingency theory
• Management accounting in network/hybrid settings
• Management accounting in the public sector and NPM reforms
• Integrated reporting and environmental/social reporting

Dissertation

In the final phase of the course, you will complete a dissertation relating to finance and accounting.

The dissertation will be 10,000–15,000 words long. It will address an accounting problem that requires you to undertake research leading to practicable recommendations based on sound analysis and judgement. You will finalise the topic in consultation with the course leader and other specialists in accounting research.

You will receive help from your dissertation supervisor, who will monitor and support your progress. The dissertation is submitted in October.

Real-time trading room

As part of your course you will have access to modern computing facilities and specialist computing packages, for students on the Market-making and Investment Strategies module this includes access to our real-time trading room, fed by up-to-the-minute data from Reuters. 

One of a handful of such facilities across the UK, our trading room sessions are supervised by guest traders and provide you with the opportunity to apply your skills to real markets and real data, and make use of simulation software to recreate the pressure of a trading floor. 

We also invite guest traders to discuss curriculum topics, pass on their trading experience and supervise trading sessions.

Student trading society 

We highly recommend students join our thriving Student Investment and Trading Society, which is established and run by students for the purpose of organising social and networking events, arranging talks by visiting industry experts and facilitating annual trading competitions against other universities. 

Learning support

Experienced, professionally qualified lecturers and small class sizes will ensure your learning needs are supported. Online learning tools and libraries also ensure academic journals, e-books, business articles and other resources are available to you 24/7, both for use at the university and at home. 

You will also have access to our Careers Service, including CV checking, mock interviews and advice on setting up your own business. 

Staff profile

Robert Hayward, Course Leader

Robert has 15 years' experience of working in the financial services sector, with responsibility for producing economic forecasts and capital market strategies for traders and bank customers.

He has an MSc in Economics and a PhD on Speculation in the Foreign Exchange Market. He joined the University of Brighton in 2011 and his main interests are capital markets, foreign exchange and behavioural finance.

Meet the rest of our finance team on our blog.

Robert Hayward, Course Leader

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map