Accounting and Financial Management MSc

Postgraduate

Students in a classroom working on laptops

Develop a deep understanding of the complexities of accounting and finance-related issues within a global business context.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CBLT006

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

Prepare for complex corporate environments with this master’s course, where you’ll apply accounting and finance theories to real-world challenges. Develop your knowledge and skills in financial analysis and decision-making through workshops and hands-on exercises.

Key course content includes:

financial and management accounting – financial statement analysis, reporting, auditing, and management accounting for decision-making
ethics, governance and sustainability – focuses on corporate governance within the regulatory framework
corporate strategy and data analysis – explores business environment critical analysis, strategy formulation and statistical techniques for data analysis.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Practice simulated trading and other finance-related activities using a wide range of industry-standard demo software on our Bloomberg terminals⁴.
Access financial data, news and analytics on the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) workspace⁴.
There will be opportunities for you to obtain Bloomberg Market Concept (BMC) and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) certifications at no additional cost.
Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are embedded throughout the course. Wherever possible, modules address the ethical implications of accounting and finance practices enabling you to evaluate the governance and ethical frameworks of diverse institutions, examine interrelationships, question norms and practices, and develop strategies relevant to modern-day corporate environments.
Module content embeds employability enhancement skills including communication, problem-solving, developing sound judgement, personal responsibility and creativity.

What you'll study

Underpinned by practice-led learning, this course is designed to provide an overview of accounting and finance as it is applied in the world of business. Explore how financial markets operate and the financial strategies used by successful businesses. Draw on real-life case studies of companies and their financial accounts and have the opportunity to put theory into practice, all set in the context of financial issues from around the world.

Modules

Management Accounting and Corporate Strategy - 30 credits

Explore the various ways in which management accounting and the interpretation of management accounting data can be of use to managers, and how this information/data can support an organisation’s corporate strategy. The corporate strategy element of this module aims to provide a firm foundation for understanding the overall direction of organisations, including how they grow, how they innovate, how they change and how they compete in an extremely competitive business environment. This module links corporate decision-making and financial strategy within the wider global business environment. It therefore explores the techniques of strategic and financial analysis and evaluation approaches available to companies, aiming to develop their strategic options, choices and business performance.

Compulsory

Financial Accounting and Auditing - 30 credits

This module is designed to develop the skills necessary to critically analyse and interpret financial statements, including understanding audit processes and their application in the context of the prevailing external regulatory framework, internal control risks and organisational responses within a corporate governance framework.

Focusing on interpreting the content of published financial statements produced by public limited companies, this module introduces you to the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and the Companies Act 2006. These govern the principles for the preparation of financial statements for listed companies.

Compulsory

Data Analysis and Research Methods – 30 credits

This module aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake independent research. It will cover key quantitative techniques commonly used by financial analysts, economists, accountants and investors to give you a grounding in fundamental econometric methods for data analysis.

Using global economic and financial data, the module explores statistical techniques of descriptive analysis, estimation, hypothesis testing and modelling. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and interpretation of quantitative results for economic and financial decision-making. You will formulate fitting research objectives and select appropriate methodologies to develop your competence in designing and evaluating successful qualitative and quantitative research projects.

Compulsory

Corporate Finance and Risk Management – 30 credits

The module facilitates acritical examination of pivotal issues in the global corporate finance landscape. From finance, accounting and economic perspectives, you will explore the relevance of issues such as financial management, asset pricing, capital structure and pay-out policies. The module emphasises the implications of risk exposure and management in dynamic political, economic, financial, operational and regulatory environments.

Compulsory

Governance, Ethics and Sustainability – 30 credits

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal issues concerning sustainability, ethics and governance for the global financial and economic landscape. Examine the influence of national and global regulations, corporate governance frameworks and ethical principles that drive sustainable and responsible business practices. Critically analyse the prevailing corporate governance norms, the allocation of decision-making powers, and their implications for businesses, economies, financial markets and society.

Module content is designed to teach you the importance of balancing the needs of shareholders with the needs of society. It will use the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to help you become a responsible leader who considers the ethical, social, and environmental impact of your decisions.

Compulsory

Postgraduate Project – 30 credits

Apply knowledge and insights from across the course to develop into independent and ethical researchers. You will conduct a substantive research project related to your choice of topics in economics or finance to evidence intellectual, technical and analytical skills.

You will receive personalised support and guidance from a dedicated supervisor and benefit from critical discussions and cross-fertilisation in group supervision sessions.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessments

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

reports
tests
essays
practical coursework
assignments
viva
presentations.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above in any discipline or appropriate work experience in the financial sector together with relevant professional qualifications.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above in any discipline or appropriate work experience in the financial sector together with relevant professional qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £15,400 \| £19,400 (with prof. experience)	Not available
EU	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £15,400 \| £19,400 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £20,050 \| £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £20,050 \| £24,050 (with prof. experience)	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The Trading Floor allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals and LSEG Workspace, the facility adds a dynamic practical element to your course.

Our Digital Economics lab (EconLab) is designed to model decision-making, market dynamics and policy impacts to teach core principles such as resource allocation, opportunity cost, and cooperation. It houses economics games which are used in education, research and policy testing, and provides you with specialist econometrics support.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates may seek positions in the following job roles: financial accountant, management accountant, finance manager, auditor, digital audit professional, banking, financial services professional, compliance and risk management professional, or investment and wealth management professional.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

critically evaluate current issues and apply the theories and principles in accounting and finance for leading and developing corporate practice in real world global strategic contexts
critically apply advanced mathematical and statistical techniques for financial and investment analysis
critically assess the interactions of financial markets and corporate financial management and strategies
demonstrate critical awareness of the role and importance of effective corporate governance, ethical responsibility, professional accountability, civic contribution and sustainability
execute research using critical judgement in the selection of methodological approaches, research techniques and tools
demonstrate a critical understanding of financial theories and principles, and the ability to constructively challenge their assumptions.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates from similar courses have secured roles in a diverse range of small and medium-sized businesses and global organisations including Price Waterhouse Coopers UK, the NHS, Birmingham Airport, Jaguar and DHL.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Full-time applications

If this course has a part-time option, you can apply here.

Part-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.