Overview
The Brunel Finance and Accounting MSc gives graduates interested in pursuing careers in financial management or accountancy the opportunity to develop their knowledge of accounting and finance to international levels.
Along with sharpening your quantitative and problem-solving skills, you’ll study the theory of finance, corporate governance, valuation, international accounting standards, risk assessment and financial statement analysis.
Importantly, you’ll develop your ability to interpret complex financial and numerical data and to critically evaluate and deliver midterm and long-term strategic solutions.
Throughout the course you’ll have access to a variety of professional databases used in business and finance including Datastream, Bloomberg, Fitch Connect, Osiris and Refinitiv.
You can choose to study one year full-time, two years full-time with a year's work placement or 16 months full-time with a 6-12 week work placement.
This programme is also accredited by ACCA and CIMA offering exemptions to some of their professional papers depending on your module choices.
With growing globalisation and the convergence of international accounting practices, the demand for job candidates with the advanced, specialised skills needed to keep ahead of changing regulation is on the rise. Your Brunel MSc will pave the way for careers across the financial sector.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Work for your finance and accounting postgraduate degree consists of compulsory and optional modules and a dissertation on a relevant topic of your choice.
Students should complete four modules per term, excluding the dissertation. All students take a one-week introductory course in mathematics and statistics.
Compulsory
- Financial Reporting in Capital Markets
This module aims to develop a framework for understanding and mapping between underlying economic events in the capital market and the information provided by financial statements, to develop knowledge and concept of how the mapping between financial statements and economic events affects the position and activities of firms in capital market, and to develop critical thinking of ongoing controversies and debates related to financial reporting.
- International Accounting Standards and Policy
The aim of the module is to illustrate the key aspects of international financial reporting standards which are important to investors. To introduce financial statement analysis and research on the accounting information in financial markets.
- Foundations of Finance
This module provides an understanding of various financial instruments, markets and concepts which are necessary when conducting the corporate investment decision. In particular the course looks at bond and equity markets and instruments, decision rules relating to the capital budgeting techniques, and their application, and the incorporation of risk/uncertainty into an investment decision (including portfolio theory and the Capital Asset Pricing Model).
- Business Finance
To provide students with an understanding of the financing decisions and policy of modern corporation. The students will be able to demonstrate a general appreciation of the choices of alternative sources of finance available to the firm (debt, equity or hybrid funding), evaluate the impact of financing investment projects under different funding sources, and understand the relationship between share price valuation and capital structure policy.
- Investment Valuation Models
To analyse how financial market information (corporate-, country-specific and global information) can be used to estimate the value of different investments, cover a range of different models that are available to an analyst performing investment valuations, and provide a framework that can be used to pick the right model for different valuation scenarios.
- Quantitative Methods for Business Finance
This module provides an introduction to statistical techniques needed in the study of business and finance and assumes no previous knowledge of econometrics. In particular, students will learn how to (a) perform a statistical analysis and do hypothesis testing and (b) perform a simple and multiple regression analysis and (c) to interpret empirical results.
- Dissertation
The objective of the dissertation is to bring to bear the techniques and perspectives covered in the taught part of the course upon a specific issue of interest. The dissertation should provide an independent and critical appraisal of an issue, normally (although not always) involving an empirical analysis of the topic being investigated.
Optional
- Global Financial Markets
The aim of this module is to provide an advanced theory of financial markets and banking with global and regulatory aspects. This module covers financial markets (e.g., bond markets, stock markets, derivative markets, foreign exchange markets) in more depth and relates with international financial system, regulation (e.g., Basel I, II, III, regulatory capital, economic capital), financial crisis, and banking (e.g., central banks, commercial banks, investment banks).
- Security Analysis and Funds Management
This module aims to provide an overview of securities traded in fixed income, stock and derivative markets and their characteristics along with the stylised facts of financial markets, and to introduce classical models used for portfolio selection and risk management.
- Business Finance Workshop
This module will allow students to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the operation of financial markets and the theory underpinning corporate finance policy, and to know how theory and applications are linked in practice and be able to relate this to the techniques used to model financial decisions and markets.
- International Finance
While a large part of Economics and Finance, in theory and practice, can be treated as a mainly domestic exercise, there exists an increasing number of areas that apply to a multi-country setting. This module aims to equip students with knowledge necessary to work in an international, multi-currency professional environment, and to provide students with knowledge on whose basis future academic research and doctoral studies in the area of international finance can be pursued.
This course can be studied 1 year full-time, 16 months full-time with placement or 2 years full-time with placement, starting in September.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Our aim is to teach you ‘employable knowledge’, which can be applied to real-world situations giving you the skills you need to find the right role after you graduate. Therefore, you’ll be well prepared for work, especially if you undertake a work placement. Securing economics and finance degree jobs is highly competitive so we’ll support you to gain a strong foundation in the skills employers are looking for. We offer opportunities within the Department of Economics and Finance as well as through the University’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) to help you build skills and experience.
With the knowledge and expertise you'll gain on the course, you'll be well equipped to pursue a career in the financial services industry. You'll find our graduates working in prestigious accountancy and financial services firms across the world, including PwC, Deloitte, EY and BDO.
UK entry requirements
2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree (or equivalent internationally recognised qualification) in Economics and Accountancy, Finance and Accountancy, Mathematical subjects. All applicants will be required to have a minimum background in mathematics or statistics, accountancy, and economics or finance.
Applicants with a 2:2 in a Business or Science subject should demonstrate some exposure to Accountancy and Mathematics/Statistics
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£13,750 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£25,000 full-time
£1,385 placement year
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Teaching Delivery
We expect that all lectures sessions, except some of those delivered by special guests, for all modules will be delivered as live on campus sessions, with recording software used to make recordings available afterwards.
We expect that all seminars / workshops / labs will also be held on campus in person. We anticipate class sizes of around 40 students in these sessions.
Dissertation supervision will be offered on campus in person or online via video conferencing.
On those programmes that offer a Placement option, Placements are available either (i) for 3 months, starting in June, with the summer dissertation delayed until the autumn term, or (ii) for 12 months starting in September, after completing the summer dissertation.
We believe that students learn most successfully when they are active participants in their learning among a community of scholars, and our decision to return fully to campus is motivated by this. We expect students to return to campus and to actively engage with their learning programmes in real time. Course materials will be made available on our virtual learning platform ahead of teaching sessions so that students can prepare well prior to coming to class.
The timetable is being constructed to produce the most efficient allocation of time for students both when they are on campus, and when they are off campus.
Personal Tutoring
Your Personal Tutor, who will most likely be your academic Programme Leader, is responsible for monitoring and supporting your academic and personal development both in your transition to university and between years. It is someone you can discuss, in confidence, your academic progress with or any special requirements you may need.
We provide both - group tutoring sessions and (if you want), a one-to-one session. You can book this with your tutor at a time suitable for you. We provide online options for this too through some video conferencing platforms.
Assessment
It is expected that examination style assessments, except some computer based tests, will be held on campus, and students will be expected to attend their examination sessions. Assessment formats will include a mix of formal examination, coursework (problems, exercises and essays), computer based tests, presentations, reports, individual projects and group projects, designed to meet the varied learning outcomes and develop a range of transferable skills.
Assessments for modules that lead to exam accreditations for ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA will be guided by the requirements of those professional bodies.
Feedback and Consultation
We provide set times where you can talk to your lecturers and module leaders, either in person or via phone or video conference, to discuss academic matters relating to your course. You can also use these opportunities to obtain and discuss feedback on an assessment and exams. These hours can be found on the virtual learning platform and at the Taught Programmes Office.
Please email your lecturer or drop by their office to make your booking and we will find a time convenient for the both of you.
Departmental Communication
You can keep up with subject and module updates through our virtual learning platform. We'll also send important updates to your student email account, so please keep an eye on those.
Co-curricula
We arrange and host many events designed to support your personal development and career path. We'll email you about these opportunities at the start of each term and send a reminder before the event. Some of these events will be on campus, some may involve trips off campus, and some will be live-streamed, according to the requirements of the topic, the location of the speaker and what has worked most successfully in the past.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our staff have national and international reputations for their research, publications and applied work. This means that your education will be innovative, inspiring and cover the most up-to-date industry knowledge.
Your course will consist of lectures, seminars, directed independent study, workshops and oral presentations.
Dissertation research will give you the opportunity to integrate your knowledge of important themes, frameworks and research findings in finance and accounting obtained via lectures, seminars, and workshops
You’ll also have access to industry-standard data and software programmes used in research methods.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Modules are assessed by combinations of coursework, contribution to seminars, oral presentations and examinations. Students who successfully complete the taught part of the course can proceed to the dissertation stage.
Students are expected to work on their dissertation in the summer and to submit the final draft in mid-September. Students who follow the Professional Practice pathway will complete their placement during the summer and work on their dissertation afterwards, submitting in January.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.