| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Accountancy, MA
Introduction
Accountancy at Aberdeen gives you a thorough grounding in theory, practice and business skills, taught by experts in accounting practice, with the advantage of real-life employers and scenarios integrated into your programme.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification: MA
- Duration: 48 months
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Start Month: September
- UCAS Code: N400
- Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme
What You'll Study
The MA Accountancy at Aberdeen provides a thorough grounding in theory, practice, and business skills, taught by experts from a diverse range of professional backgrounds, with the advantage of real-life employers and scenarios integrated into the programme. The programme provides a path to professional accreditation, and develops the essential skills, experience, and attributes required for a career in chartered accountancy or another key role in the dynamic environment of business and finance.
Year 1
Compulsory Courses
- Accounting and Accountability (AC1011)
- The Economics of Business and Society (EC1006)
- Finance 1: Finance, Risk and Investment (FI1004)
- Accounting Principles (AC1516)
- The Global Economy (EC1506)
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
- Academic Writing for Business (AW1003)
Optional Courses
Plus further credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits (60 in each half-session)
Year 2
Compulsory Courses
- Management Accounting 2 (AC2031)
- Finance 2: Business Finance (FI2004)
- Financial Accounting 2 (AC2530)
- Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
- Business Law (LS2533)
- Building Skills and Experience for Career Success (PD2002)
Optional Courses
Plus 45 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits (60 in each half session). The optional courses must include at least 30 credits from level 2 Business School courses (AC, EC, FI, IN, MS, PO).
Year 3
Compulsory Courses
- Financial Accounting 3 (AC3049)
- Management Accounting 3 (AC3054)
- Audit Practice (AC3560)
- Taxation (AC3561)
Optional Courses
Plus 60 credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits (60 in each half session). The optional courses must include at least 30 credits from level 3 Business School courses (AC, EC, FI, IN, MS, PO).
Year 4
Compulsory Courses
At least 30 credit points from the following Accountancy courses: AC4034, AC4035, AC4036.
30 credit points from the following courses: AC4537, AC4538, AC4539
- Audit Theory and Evolution (AC4035)
- Dissertations in Accountancy (AC4528)
- Accountability and Sustainability (AC4034)
- Public Sector Accounting (AC4036)
- Accounting History (AC4537)
- Corporate Governance and Professional Ethics (AC4538)
- Contemporary Issues in Accounting (AC4539)
Optional Courses
Plus additional credit points from Business School Honours courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits for the year (60 in each half-session). Options must be selected from level 3 or 4 Business School courses (AC, EC, FI, IN, MS, PO).
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The use of various forms of assessment and learning environments facilitates the development of generic transferable skills enhancing student employability.
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
Why Study Accountancy?
- The University of Aberdeen was ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and 15th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
- 1st Scotland in Student Positivity for Business Studies and Management Studies in the National Student Survey 2024
- 4th in the UK for Accounting and Finance in the Guardian University Guide 2025
- The MA Accountancy programme at Aberdeen can form part of a direct path to professional qualification status being accredited by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).
- Graduates also receives exemption to the certificate and operational level of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification, and to the foundations in accountancy level and four papers from the applied knowledge and skills level of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification.
- Graduates of the MA Accountancy degree also receive exemption to five papers of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) professional qualification.
- Students will also benefit from developing and having close links with employers, real-life business scenarios, and professional training facilities such as audit simulation and Bloomberg finance lab, used by major financial services companies across the world.
- With a community of over 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that spark innovative change.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
- SQA Highers: Standard - AABB, Minimum - BBB, Adjusted - BB
- A LEVELS: Standard - BBB, Minimum - BBC, Adjusted - CCC
- International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3
English Language Requirements
- IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
- PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
- Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Fees and Funding
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
- EU / International students: £20,800
- Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
- Home Students: £1,820
Careers
Graduates with an accountancy degree often undertake further professional training to pursue careers as chartered accountants, internal and external auditors, tax specialists and management accountants. Other areas of specialism include insolvency and forensic accounting.
Accreditation
The University of Aberdeen courses are accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) which can form part of a direct path to being granted exemptions from the examinations necessary to get professional qualification status.
Graduates of the MA Accountancy degree also receive exemption to five papers of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) professional qualification.
The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.
This degree holds accreditation from
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- EQUIS
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
Program Outline
Accountancy, MA
Degree Overview:
The MA Accountancy program at the University of Aberdeen is designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in the theory, practice, and business skills required for a successful career in chartered accountancy or other key roles within the dynamic environment of business and finance. The program allows for exemptions from examinations leading to professional accreditation with various accounting bodies like ICAS, CIMA, and ACCA.
Outline:
The program is structured over four years, with each year consisting of two semesters. Each semester typically includes 5-7 courses, totaling 60 credits per semester and 120 credits per year.
Year 1:
- Students take a combination of compulsory and optional courses covering the fundamental principles of accounting, economics, finance, and business management.
- These focus on topics like accounting principles, the global economy, finance fundamentals, getting started at the university, academic writing for business, managing organizations, and more.
Year 2:
- Students delve deeper into technical accounting concepts with courses like management accounting, financial accounting, business law, statistics, and understanding statistics.
- They also have the opportunity to explore optional courses from business school offerings in areas like economics, finance, international business, marketing, and human resource management.
Year 3:
- Students take compulsory courses focusing on specific areas of accounting, including financial accounting, management accounting, audit practice, and taxation.
- Optional courses allow further specialization in various areas of finance, accounting, and business management.
Year 4:
- Students complete their degree by taking at least 30 credit points in advanced accounting courses such as accountability and sustainability, audit theory and evolution, public sector accounting, and more.
- They also undertake a dissertation in accountancy, demonstrating their research and writing skills in a chosen area of the field.
- Additionally, they can opt for further specialization with related courses in finance, economics, or business management.
Assessment:
Students are assessed in various ways throughout the program
- Coursework includes essays, reports, projects, and presentations completed throughout the course.
- Practical assessments evaluate the skills and competencies learned in each course.
- Written examinations are held at the end of each semester for most courses.
Teaching:
The program employs a diverse range of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles:
- Individual projects allow students to conduct independent research and apply their learnings practically.
- Lectures deliver core knowledge and concepts in an engaging format.
- Research projects train students in critical thinking, analysis, and research methodologies.
- Tutorials provide personalized guidance and feedback on course materials and assignments.
Careers:
Graduates of the MA Accountancy program are well-prepared for various career paths in finance and business:
- Trainee Chartered Accountant in local, national, or Big 4 firms.
- Key roles in business and finance departments of public and private sector organizations.
- Academic careers through postgraduate studies, research, and teaching.
Other:
- The program benefits from strong links with local and international employers, providing students with real-world projects and industry insights.
- Access to professional training facilities like the Bloomberg finance lab used by major financial service companies allows gaining practical experience.
Fee category
|
- ------ | -------- RUK | £9,250 EU / International students | £20,800 Home Students | £1,820
