Accounting and Financial Management MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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Understanding the global business environment is becoming increasingly complex. Explore how finance and business work together and how you can manage them both.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Up to 2 years, with professional experience

Course code

FBLT041

Start date

September 2025
January 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


Course overview

This course is designed for those seeking a higher level of education combined with the opportunity to gain a solid foundation in functional accounting and contemporary finance topics. You will have the chance to: 

  • Improve on your existing capabilities and understanding of the business world and explore how financial markets operate.
  • Use real-life case studies to gain an insight into the financial strategies of successful businesses.
  • Apply for a ‘professional experience’ opportunity2, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

The course aims to equip you with a broad and diverse knowledge of the financial theories, management techniques, analytical tools, quantitative and research skills required in an increasingly complex and global business environment.

The modules available offer you the chance to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how global businesses use financial information for decision-making, performance evaluation and financial reporting purposes. You will also have the chance to explore the external forces that can affect financial performance, and be introduced to relevant accounting concepts and International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Chartered Management Institute logo

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2024-25 intake. Upon successful completion of this module (achieving a pass grade), you will be eligible for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.


Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)

Chartered Insurance Institute

You will undertake an Economics Module that has a close syllabus match to CII’s (530) Economics and business unit and the assessment is of an equivalent standard. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Recognition of Prior Learning.


Memberships 

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 91 countries.

Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers, and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.


What you'll study

This course is underpinned by practice-led learning designed to provide an overview of accounting and finance as it is actually applied in the world of business. You will have the chance to explore how financial markets operate and the financial strategies used by successful businesses. You’ll be drawing on real-life case studies of companies and their financial accounts and have the opportunity to put learned theory into practice, all set in the context of financial issues from around the world. 

Modules

With professional experience option

The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability. 

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, for which 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

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 methods include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Presentations
  • Group projects
  • Workshops 

This course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please request information about studying this course part-time .


Teaching contact hours

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the taught semesters.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake around 12 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessments

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

  • Reports
  • Tests
  • Exams
  • Practical coursework
  • Presentations as part of individual assignments or group work elements. 

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


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics.

Or should hold a suitable graduate level (Level 6 equivalent) professional qualification including ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, CFA, ICAEW and ICAS.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

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

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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

Applicants should hold a suitable graduate level (Level 6 equivalent) professional qualification including ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, CFA, ICAEW and ICAS.

Or a honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

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.

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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)  
Request fee information
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 fees3 and 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.


Facilities

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4.

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The Trading Floor

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

 

 

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Talent Team

Employability is at the forefront of all our accounting and finance courses. Our dedicated Talent Team are also on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate level jobs and offer skills development workshops, and also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

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sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments. It is the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an accounting and finance degree.

 


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate critical thinking on the accounting and financial management conceptual, theoretical frameworks and assumptions behind them.
  • Exercise sound judgments in the selection of different methods and approaches available to deal with complex accounting and financial management problems in modern business world.
  • Develop logical and coherent arguments.
  • Demonstrate diagnostic and decision-making skills in dealing with accounting and financial management problems.
  • Work out the implications of emerging accounting and finance issues and debates.
  • Use advanced mathematical and statistical techniques for financial and investment analysis.
  • Select, retrieve and analyse relevant data and information from finance-related databases to solve practical problems, such as ratio analysis.
  • Design and conduct research in accounting and financial management using appropriate methodologies to advance knowledge in these areas.

This course is designed to prepare you for all types of personal and professional financial management and could be a catalyst to future careers in financial services as professional accountants, financial analysts and financial consultants.

It provides the opportunity to confirm your passion for this field before committing to study more intensive professional accounting and finance qualifications.

You could also benefit from a wide range of desirable professional skills including, team working, critical evaluation, problem-solving, action planning and organising, written and oral communication, questioning and listening.

You will have the opportunity to further develop your transferable skills in areas such as, achievement orientation, initiative and creativity, decisiveness, adaptability and flexibility.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have chosen to pursue further postgraduate study and gone on to work for companies in the banking sector such as China CITIC Bank and in aviation, with Xin Xiang Aviation Industry Group. 

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Managing your money

Managing your money can help you make the most of university life. Discover our top tips for budgeting and the support available to Coventry University students.

Learn how to be smart with your money
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Careers support

Our in-house professional careers support service is on hand to help you build your skills to become a career-ready graduate. From mock interviews to employer networking events, they provide dedicated support to help you achieve your career ambitions.

Careers and employability services

How to apply