Accounting & Finance Masters - MSc

The programme comprises of a taught element, worth 140 credits and a final compulsory non-taught Dissertation worth 40 credits. The MSc will be awarded on successful completion of the 180 credits. 

The taught element of the programme is delivered over two semesters, where each taught module is worth 20 credits. The taught modules to be completed are: 

Compulsory Taught Modules:

• Advanced Financial Management (20 credits)
  
• Advanced Performance Management (20 credits)
  
• Contemporary Issues in Accounting, Banking, Economics & Finance (20 credits)
• Strategic Business Leader (20 credits)
  
• Research Methods (20 credits)

Optional Taught Modules (choice of two)*

• Capital Markets and Derivatives (20 credits)
  
• FinTech and Digital Transformation in Banking (20 credits)
  
• Corporate Finance (20 credits)
  
• Principles of Islamic Finance (20 credits)
• Management of Finance (20 credits)
• Finance of International Business (20 credits)
• Development of Professional Skills and Employability (20 credits)
  
• Quantitative Finance (20 credits)
  
• Econometrics and Data Analysis (20 credits)​
  

*Please note that optional modules run subject to demand and availability.

You will be taught by academically qualified and enthusiastic staff with research and consultancy experience and links to industry. Your high quality learning experience comprises lectures and discussions supported by group work, presentations, statistical computer labs and case studies. All modules are also supported by Moodle, the virtual learning environment. 

There is a common shared spine within these programmes which overlaps with existing Masters level programmes within Cardiff School of Management. Consequently students will, for some modules, be taught with students on the MBA and MSc Financial Management programmes. The teaching team consider this a strength of the portfolio.

The professional world our successful graduates are aiming to enter are seeking students that are able to conduct useful research, think critically about that research and apply to complex problems – this ,inter alia, necessitates effective use of modern ICT and the ability to utilise knowledge effectively. Particularly within this field graduates will be expected to show excellent quantitative skills. These students will be assumed to process effective two-way communication skills and be comfortable and effective in self-managed and team environments.

The formative and summative assessments necessary to develop, hone and showcase these abilities are, of necessity many and varied and these programmes will expose the students to individual coursework, and presentations, group tasks, reflective logs, role-playing as well as traditional closed book examinations.

The demand for highly skilled and knowledgeable finance professionals is now more global than ever before. No longer are London and New York the only homes for large multi-national international financial businesses and institutions. These potential employers are now additionally located in the Middle and Far- East and a postgraduate student is almost as likely to find their first job in Dubai, Bahrain or Shanghai as in the traditional centres.

This demand has been instrumental in designing this challenging suite of programmes. In order to maximise employability the programme learning outcomes are geared towards supplying students with the knowledge, skills and understanding that the finance industry requires. A key component of this is the module “Current Issues in Accounting, Banking & Finance”.  

The programmes seek to meet individual and industry needs by developing students with higher-level cognitive skills and abilities who also possess an excellent practical understanding of "how to apply" rather than just "why it happens". The programme includes a 20 credit optional Professional Work Experience module which involves a minimum 4 week work placement to take place outside the teaching semesters. Students are expected to organise their own placement and all such placements must be substantive and at an appropriate level. These placements will involve “employer” input and must be approved by the Programme Director prior to commencement. Alternatively students with appropriate managerial level experience within an appropriate field can apply for “Recognition of this Prior Experiential Learning”. 

The School of Management has opportunities for successful graduates to apply for M.Phil./ PhD study within the School.

Applicants should meet one of the following: 

• Possess, or expect to obtain, an undergraduate degree or equivalent, in a relevant area (Accounting, Economics or Finance) with a minimum of a 2:2 classification. Students with a general Business Studies degree with a relevant pathway or substantive appropriate module coverage will be considered on a case by case basis; 
  
• Have a minimum of five years relevant work experience in the field of finance; 
  
• Hold a suitable professional qualification from an appropriate professional body. In some instances those with higher level professional qualifications may be exempt from specific taught modules. Such exemptions would be discussed on a case by case basis with the Programme Director. 
  

In general terms graduates from non-financial disciplines will not normally have the pre-existing skills set to succeed on the programme BUT such students are welcome to apply and such applications will be viewed on an individual basis.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Application form and if necessary an interview. 

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met,  you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email directapplications@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Dr Chang Liu:                  
Email: cliu@cardiffmet.ac.uk