Professional Accounting MSc

Postgraduate

Student wearing a headscarf working at dual screen desktop

Enhance your accounting career and advance into broader management roles with this master's degree. Gain in-demand skills, professional exemptions and practical experience for leadership roles.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Practice
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
18-20 months full-time with professional practice
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

LONT121,
LONT122

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
July 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

This course is designed for accounting professionals who want to enhance their career prospects by gaining advanced knowledge and skills in key areas of accounting and finance.

Enhance your knowledge in strategic financial management, performance management and financial reporting.
Develop your critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Gain practical experience and boost your CV with additional professional practice on campus, a nine-week internship, or a longer professional placement. See the modules for more details.²

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

Icon of human figure in front of a whiteboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

This course is for you if you want to:

fast-track your career: gain exemptions from ACCA and CIMA professional qualifications (see accreditation section for more information)
learn from experts: taught by experienced academics and industry professionals (staff subject to change)
access industry insights: attend guest lectures from leading accounting and finance professionals.²
gain practical experience: boost your CV with additional professional practice on campus, a nine-week internship, or a longer professional placement. See the modules for more details.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Coventry University is a CISI education partner. This means you'll be offered the chance to take the Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of the course, at no additional cost.

Want to pursue further CISI qualifications? You can do so for a 50% discount. Simply book through the CISI customer support team at customersupport@cisi.org. Please note that completing CISI exams outside of the course requires you to apply directly to CISI. There may be additional criteria and fees. For full details, visit the CISI website

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

This course is accredited by CIMA for the 2025/26 intake. Successful completion of the course entitles students to exemptions from 11 papers of CIMA. CIMA does not charge for exemption applications. CIMA charge fees separately for registration and student membership. Please see the CIMA website for more details.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

This course is accredited for the 2024/25 intake, and subject to reaccreditation for the 2025/26 intake. Once reaccredited, on successful completion of the course students will be eligible for exemption from all but the professional level papers of the ACCA. Students will need to register with the ACCA and apply for the relevant exemptions. ACCA charge fees separately for registration and student membership. To find out more, please visit theACCA website. If the accreditation of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.¹

Immerse yourself in Coventry University London’s global community and emerge as a talented, career-ready graduate with an international outlook.

What you'll study

Our Professional Accounting MSc course aims to give you a competitive edge, providing advanced knowledge, practical skills and exemptions from CIMA and ACCA. Learn from experienced academics and industry experts, gain hands-on experience, and network with accounting and financial firms. Graduate ready to take on challenging roles in the accounting and finance professions.

Courses

Strategic Financial Management – 30 credits

Gain insights into the financial strategies and decisions that drive successful organisations. Learn how to align financial goals with long-term visions, analyse key performance indicators and manage assets effectively. Delve into capital investment appraisal methods, cost of capital calculations and company valuation techniques. Explore the dynamics of mergers and takeovers and master the art of risk management in the global financial landscape.

Compulsory

Strategic Performance Management – 30 credits

Become an expert in strategic performance management. Learn to analyse the business environment, make informed strategic choices and measure performance effectively. Explore advanced management accounting techniques, including activity-based costing and risk assessment. Gain insights into performance measurement frameworks like the Balanced Scorecard and understand the broader implications of accounting in diverse organisational contexts.

Compulsory

Financial Reporting and Strategic Analysis – 30 credits

Gain the knowledge and skills to excel in financial reporting and strategic analysis. Learn to understand and supervise professional responsibilities related to financial reporting, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Develop the expertise to critically analyse corporate financial information and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Compulsory

Advanced Taxation – 30 credits

Dive deep into the complexities of the UK tax system. Learn to provide expert tax advice to individuals and businesses, mastering tax planning strategies and incentives. Sharpen your computational skills and develop the ability to offer clear, professional tax advice in various client scenarios.

Compulsory

Audit, Assurance and Professional Ethics – 30 credits

Explore the intricacies of audit and assurance within the context of international standards and ethical frameworks. Gain a deep understanding of the regulatory environment, professional ethics, and practice management. Learn to plan and execute audits, assess risks, and evaluate evidence effectively. Develop the skills to form professional opinions, draft audit reports and stay abreast of emerging issues in the field.

Compulsory

Master’s with professional practice

This is an extended master’s course incorporating a 6-8 month period of professional practice. This will either be an on-campus simulated experience or a six-month external placement.

If you selected this variant of the master’s course you will:

apply your academic knowledge and skills to a real-world project brief related to your field of study
gain valuable industry insights and skills as you combine academic learning with practical experience
start your professional practice after completing the first 120 credits of your course
External professional placements² must be sourced by the end of semester one, to start at the end of semester two. If you are unsuccessful at sourcing a six-month placement, you will automatically commence the on-campus simulated experience. You’ll be assessed on your learning through the 60-credit Professional Practice Project (dissertation). This project will be linked to your professional practice experience
The professional practice option incurs a higher fee than the 12-month master’s programme. Additionally, you will incur increased living expenses due to the extended duration of the course.

For full terms and conditions please visit the extended master’s landing page.

Optional

Master’s with professional placement

If you successfully secure a placement in industry within your first semester, this master’s with professional placement option allows you to extend your 12-month master’s course up to an additional year to complete the placement before starting your final 60-credit module.

Gain valuable industry insights and skills as you apply your academic knowledge and skills to a professional placement.
The placement must be sourced and secured by you during your first semester. Our careers and employability team are available to support you with the sourcing process.
Start your professional placement after completing the first 120 credits of your course.
You’ll be assessed on your learning through the 60-credit Professional Placement Project (dissertation). This project will be linked to your professional placement experience.
The professional placement option is subject to additional fees, living costs, visa requirements, availability, competitive application and university approval of the placement.²

For full terms and conditions please visit the extended master’s landing page.

Optional

To complete your master’s, you will complete one of the following 60-credit modules:

Dissertation – 60 credits

Apply key learnings through an in-depth research project on a chosen topic. You will be guided by an academic supervisor to identify a research problem based on a literature gap or a real-world organisational issue. Through independent research, you will select appropriate methods, critically evaluate findings, and deliver meaningful insights and recommendations.

Building on research methods classes, you should strengthen skills in literature analysis, data collection and interpretation, supported by one-on-one supervision. Completing the dissertation should equip you with expertise in critical analysis, specialised knowledge in your topic, and the ability to present research findings clearly and logically.

If you have completed either a professional placement² or professional practice experience, your dissertation will be linked to it and will assess this experience.

Internship Project – 60 credits

Apply your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Through a supervised nine-week internship, you will work on challenging and hands-on projects with industry mentors. You should develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills, while building a strong professional network. Our dedicated careers and employability team will guide you every step of the way from internship sourcing and application to completion.

You will be responsible for sourcing your nine-week internship by the end of semester two of your course. All internships are subject to university approval and will be completed during semester three of the course. Your final 60-credit project will be based on this experience.

Internship experiences are subject to additional living costs, availability, competitive application and university approval of the placement.

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:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops.

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.

Assessment

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

Assessment methods may include:

reports
tests
exams
practical coursework
assignments
presentations.

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 entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in an accounting-related discipline, at least two years work experience in the accounting or finance sector or 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 course. Upon successful completion our course should 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

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

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.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200 £13,000 (with professional practice) £1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured)	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £13,000 (with professional practice) per year with EU Support Bursary £1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary £20,400 (with professional practice) per year without EU Support Bursary £1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600 £20,400 (with professional practice) £1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured)	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

Our MSc Professional Accounting students have access to a wide range of facilities to help them become proficient with some of the leading technology in the financial industry, and prepare for the world of work. Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you.

Career and employability support

Our dedicated team is on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. The team also aims to organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts (subject to availability).

Library services

Featuring around 100 study spaces including silent study areas, our library features a wide array of resources including books, journals, and online databases to support your studies. You’ll also benefit from expert staff guidance and tailored workshops to give you essential research skills. Services can be accessed remotely and as part of the library provision at University House.

Bloomberg Suite

Enter the world of finance with our Bloomberg Suite, using industry-standard software to analyse real-time data and market trends. Gain the experience and practical skills needed for a successful career in the global market.

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.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates may seek positions as:

Financial Analyst: analyse financial data, evaluate investment opportunities, and provide recommendations for financial decision-making in various industries
Auditor: examine financial records and processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and integrity of financial reporting within organisations
Tax Advisor: provide expert guidance on tax laws and regulations, helping individuals and businesses optimise their tax strategies and ensure compliance
Investment Banker: advise companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other financial transactions, facilitating growth and strategic financial decisions
Risk Manager: identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks, protecting organisations from potential losses and ensuring financial stability
Financial Consultant: offer expert advice to businesses and individuals on a range of financial matters, including investment strategies, financial planning, and risk management.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for organisations including PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, JD Sports and Sky Broadcasting Corporation.

Global business connections

Our strong global business connections provide students with access to real-life work experience, so you can put your skills into practice and make connections in the world of work.

How to apply

UK students

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

Master’s / Master’s with Professional Placement / Master’s with 9-week internship: LONT121
Master’s with Professional Practice: LONT122

How to apply

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

(+44) 024 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

International students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

Master’s / Master’s with Professional Placement / Master’s with 9-week internship: LONT121
Master’s with Professional Practice: LONT122

How to apply

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

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

(+44) 024 7765 2152

ioadmissions@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, partnerships and memberships

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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

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 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. 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.