Program Overview

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International Accounting and Finance MSc

Key information

• Duration: 12 months
• Attendance mode: Full-time
• Location: Bunhill Row, Central London
• Start of programme: September 2025
• Application deadline: Rolling applications
• Entry year: Showing course information for 2025

Overview

International Accounting and Finance MSc Who is it for?

You are an ambitious, curious and hard-working graduate, driven to succeed in the fast-changing worlds of finance, accounting and businesses globally. You hold the equivalent of a UK upper second degree, or above.

This is a highly practical course which blends academic theory with real-world applications equipping you with transferable skills needed for strategic decision making and a holistic outlook in the fields of finance and accounting.

This course is for you if you wish to build your career in accountancy, financial analysis and management, consultancy, investment banking, corporate finance, or finance departments across a range of business sectors. You’ll also benefit from extra-curriculum opportunities including events with senior figures from the industry, networking opportunities with world-class alumni, tailored careers support, and contacts with City of London accounting and finance professionals as guest lecturers.

Accreditation

Successfully obtaining the MSc allows exemption from the exams of CIMA, ACCA and ICAEW.

The MSc is a member of the CFA University Affiliation Program.

Why choose this course?

• Networking opportunities with senior finance industry figures and world-class alumni
• Tailor your course as you learn, lean towards accounting or finance to match your career goals
• Earn exemptions from CIMA and ACCA modules
• Tailored career support
• Gain useful international experience, with electives in locations such as Dubai, Madrid and New York.

Course objectives

You’ll gain expertise and academic training at the edge of accounting and finance practice that will lead to a range of rewarding international roles. You’ll develop a comprehensive business skillset, acquire a broad-based understanding of financial knowledge before specialising in a chosen area of expertise.

You will be able to select courses to emphasize either accounting or finance depending on your career aspirations. You can choose modules that prepare you for professional accounting qualifications, or focus in greater depth on finance, or structure your degree so that it balances across the two fields.

Our graduates leave with a well-rounded practical skills and theoretical knowledge including:

• how to prepare, interpret, analyse and use financial accounts for business decision making
• analytical tools for evaluating and executing complex corporate finance transactions and deals
• how to develop and apply methods that help weigh financial risks
• how to assess the implications of financial data on corporate performance and valuation
• deep understanding how financial figures reflect and affect strategic management of international companies
• a strong grasp of fundamental issues behind international capital flows
• critical appreciation of the complexity of strategic decision making in achieving superior firm performance.

The emphasis is on enabling you to apply acquired knowledge in practice through a hands-on approach in learning. To help achieve a competitive edge in the job market you will also have the opportunity to develop new skills including programming Python, and apply your knowledge in projects.

You will learn in highly interactive and stimulating lectures, with experimental teaching by experienced academics and industry experts as guest lecturers.

Teaching staff

The teaching staff on the MSc in International Accounting & Finance have many years of practical experience working in the financial services sector and are also active researchers in their fields

This knowledge and experience inform the highly interactive lectures that make up the MSc in International Accounting & Finance.

Course Director:

Dr Jay Jung

Senior Lecturer in Accounting

The teaching staff on the MSc in International Accounting & Finance have many years of practical experience working in the financial services sector and are also active researchers in their fields

This knowledge and experience inform the highly interactive lectures that make up the MSc in International Accounting & Finance.

Module Leaders include:

• Dr Giacinta Cestone
• Professor Andrew Clare
• Dr Sotiris Staikuras
• Dr Sonia Konstantinidi
• Dr Arthur Kraft
• Professor Nick Motson
• Professor Scott Moeller
• Professor Anh Tran

Accreditation details

CIMA

CIMA is the world’s leading, and largest, professional body of management accountants.

Students successfully completing the MSc in International Accounting and Finance will be awarded exemptions from the following modules:

• BA1:Fundamentals of Business Economics
• BA2:Fundamentals of Management Accounting
• BA3:Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
• BA4:Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
• E1:Managing Finance in a Digital World
• P1:Management Accounting
• F1:Financial Reporting
• Operational Case Study Exam
• E2:Managing Performance
• P2:Advanced Management Accounting
• F2:Advanced Financial Reporting

MSc International Accounting and Finance graduates will be able to join CIMA through an accelerated route– the CIMA Master’s gateway assessment.

ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants.

Students successfully completing the MSc in International Accounting and Finance will be awarded exemptions from the following modules:

• Business and Technology
• Management Accounting
• Financial Accounting
• Corporate and Business Law
• Financial Reporting
• Financial Management

The MSc International Accounting and Finance programme is also eligible for the Accelerate scheme programme.

ICAEW

MSc International Accounting and Finance is a programme partner with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW). Students successfully completing the MSc in International Accounting and Finance will be awarded credits for prior learning (exemptions) in the following subjects for the ICAEW chartered accountancy qualification, the ACA :

• Accounting
• Financial Management

CFA Program Partner

The CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, recognises the rigour and the relevance of the MSc in International Accounting and Finance and has awarded this course partner status. CFA Program Partner status is awarded to a select number of universities around the world whose degree courses incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge. The CFA Program is the essential qualification for those wishing to pursue a career in the finance sector and the CFA Institute recognises the MSc in International Accounting and Finance as strong preparation for their professional exams.

Each year a number of CFA scholarships are available to Bayes students, offering financial assistance with the CFA exam registration fees.

Course content

On the International Accounting and Finance master’s course, you will:

• Learn from active researchers and industry leaders at one of the largest and most respected finance faculties in the world
• Create a course to match your aims, with a broad choice of electives, research projects and the option to take the International Financial Reporting Standards Certificate in Term 3
• Earn exemptions from some CIMA modules and ACCA modules on a course that’s accredited by ICAEW and is a Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) Partner Programme. The number of ACCA exemptions will depend on your module choices in the second term
• Gain useful international experience, with electives in locations such as Novara, Italy; Madrid and Lisbon
• Benefit from our location near the City of London, with guest lectures and teaching from senior industry professionals and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Course structure

Induction weeks

All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.

Term 1

Core modules

• Analytics for Accounting and Business
• Contemporary Issues in Corporate Finance and Investment Valuation
• Financial Reporting
• Principles of Marketing and Strategy

Term 2

You'll take two compulsory and two elective modules.

Compulsory modules

• Financial Statement Analysis
• Strategic Management Accounting

Elective modules

• International Business Finance
• Advanced Equity Valuation and Capital Markets
• Financial Management and Corporate Strategy
• Topics in Mergers and Acquisition

Term 3

You may choose from the five options in your final term.

• Option 1: You can take five specialist elective modules plus Career Management Skills and Research Methods (6 x 10 credits)
• Option 2: You can opt to write an 5,000-word General Research Project(30 credits) and take three specialist elective modules (3 x 10 credits)
• Option 3: You can opt to write a 11,000 word Research Project (60 credits)
• Option 4: You can opt to take:
• International Financial Reporting Standards
• The module provides an applied professional qualification that complements the academic program in International Accounting and Finance. You will acquire knowledge and skills to apply complex international financial reporting standards in companies operating globally.
• (30 credits) and two specialist electives plus Career Management Skills and Research Methods (3 x 10 credits)
• Option 5: You can opt to take
• International Financial Reporting Standards
• The module provides an applied professional qualification that complements the academic program in International Accounting and Finance. You will acquire knowledge and skills to apply complex international financial reporting standards in companies operating globally.
• (30 credits) and write 5,000 word General Research Project (30 credits).

Projects and research skills

• General Research Project
• Any business needs key research and professional skills and, to be successful, methodologically sound and rigorous research. This module allows you to demonstrate your ability to integrate and apply concepts and techniques you have learned in an in-depth study of a topic of your choice.
• This module will enable you to demonstrate the results of your learning through the development of a final project. There is no single prescribed method. For example, you may choose to complete more traditional academic desk research, complete a business plan, or carry out a consultancy project.
• Research Project
• The aim of the module is to help you integrate your learning across a range of skills. In particular it will enable you to demonstrate the results of your learning through the development of an extensive final project which acts as a capstone to your learning. There is no single prescribed type of project. For example, you may choose to complete more traditional academic desk research, complete a business plan, or carry out a consultancy project.
• This module will train you to undertake individual research and provide you with an opportunity to specialise in a contemporary business or finance topic related to your future career aspirations.
• Summer Internship
• If you are successful in obtaining a Summer Internship as part of your degree course, you will integrate it with your learning using a project module. Your internship project acts as a capstone to your programme and supports you in applying your academic learning in the workplace – helping you prepare for your future career.
• Career Management Skills and Research Methods
• Strong research is a key element of development strategy for companies and institutions large and small.
• This module will provide a grounding in research methods, targeted to your particular degree requirements. You will be able to use these skills to support your learning, substantiate your arguments and make assessments about the nature of the evidence you are using.
• Career and employability skills development will help you develop your aspirations, take a planned and efficient approach to your job search and / or entrepreneurial plans, and help you create a strong base from which to manage your career in the longer term. It will also help you understand how to apply your learning in the wider context of your career.
• Throughout this module you will also be encouraged to reflect on your learning through a sustainable and ethical lens. This will help you understand how to take an ethical approach to your research and taking an ethical, sustainable and forward-looking approach to your career development.

Elective modules

• Corporate Restructuring
• Ethics, Society and the Financial Sector
• Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation for Banks
• Hedge Funds
• Intro to Python
• Investment Strategy
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Private Equity Investment
• Digital Finance
• Visual Basics in Finance.
• International electives
• FinTech - taught in Italy
• Investment Banking in Corporate Finance - taught in Portugal
• Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment - taught in Spain.

Assessment methods

• Assessed essays
• Presentation
• Group projects
• Unseen exams
• Problem sets

Term dates

Term dates 2025/26

• Induction: 15th September 2025 - 26th September 2025
• Term one: 29th September 2025 - 12th December 2025
• Term one exams: 5th January 2026 - 16th January 2026
• Term two: 19th January 2026 - 3rd April 2026
• Term two exams: 20th April 2026 - 1st May 2026
• Term three - international electives: 4th May 2026 - 15th May 2026
• Term three: 18th May 2026 - 3rd July 2026
• Term three exams: 6th July 2026 - 17th July 2026
• Resits: 10th August 2026 - 21st August 2026
• Additional resit week - tests only: 24th August 2026 - 28th August 2026.

Careers

As a graduate, you’ll be ready to embark on a fulfilling career in finance or accounting. Previous graduates went on to roles as auditors, tax associates, analysts and M&A consultants for major financial services organisations including large global corporations such as KPMG, Ernst & Young and PWC, while others have entered accountancy training programmes.

Your career could take you to investment and corporate banks, accountancy and audit firms, ratings firms, private equity, financial data providers, venture capital, and finance departments in major corporations.

Over the past 12 months, students on our International Accounting and Finance course have benefitted from various career-focused events. Highlights include the ACCA Advantage speed networking event, where students connected with employers, and the annual office visit to Mazars.

Alumni panels, such as ‘Navigating Careers in the Big 4’, offered insights into working with leading firms. Additionally, corporate events like the Grant Thornton Channel Islands session provided further insight and networking opportunities.

Recent graduate positions include:

• Internal Auditor - Finance Team - Winbro Group Technologies/Quaser Group Plc
• Audit Trainee - Audit - BDO
• Audit Associate - Audit - EY
• Senior Manager - Finance - Pingan Bank
• Consultant - FA-Deal Restructuring Service - Deloitte

Previous graduates have gone on to work in consulting and financial services across the UK, the EU, and Asia.

Fees & funding

International fee

2025 entry

£35,000

Tuition fees are subject to annual change.

UK/Home fee

2025 entry

£28,000

Tuition fees are subject to annual change.

• Deposit: £2,000 (paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met).
• First installment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period).
• Second installment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course).

Graduate Loyalty Discount

We are offering a Graduate Loyalty Discount of 20% on tuition fees to all our alumni when applying to any of our degree courses.

To be eligible for the discount you must have successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at legacy City, University of London or legacy St George's, University of London.

To apply you will need to be accepted onto your intended course of study and to meet all the normal academic admissions criteria for the relevant course at City St George's, University of London.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships, sponsorships, loans and other funding could support your education at Bayes Business School.

Learn about the cost of living as a Bayes student in London.

Scholarships

We have a range of scholarships for Master's degrees at Bayes Business Scool. Most scholarship applications for 2025/26 year of entry will open in January 2025.

View our scholarships and funding

Other funding opportunities

A postgraduate loan is available from the Government to help cover the cost of postgraduate Masters study.

View other funding options

Entry requirements

• A UK upper second class degree or above, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.
• Some level of previous study or evidence of skills in finance or quantitative methods is essential.
• Work experience is not a requirement of this course.

English language requirements

If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take an English language test.

If you have studied in the UK at degree level for less than three years (e.g. 3+1, 2+1, 2+2, etc.) you will be required to provide the results of an approved English language test and possibly resit the test to meet our academic entry requirements.

• Full list of approved English language tests/qualifications and minimum requirements.

Apply

Please see our Application Guide for details of the documents you will need to supply as part of your application, and other useful information.

We cannot comment on individual eligibility before you apply. We can only make a decision on your application once it is fully complete, with all requested information received.

Frequently asked questions

Apply for September 2025 entry

We only accept online applications.

Apply - MSc International Accounting and Finance

Individual Appointments

If you would like to arrange an individual appointment to discuss the application process and be given a tour of the facilities, please complete this form.

Please note - these are subject to availability and will be on campus.

Terms and conditions

Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.

Student life

We are located right in the heart of London. Being a City St George's student allows you to take advantage of all that London has to offer.

London is ranked first as 'Best Student City' in the world to study in (QS, 2025).

• Living in London
• Student support
• Accommodation
• Have a question about student experience at Bayes?

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Contact us

Speak to one of our staff from Master's programmes teams.

• Book an MSc Consultation
• Enquiries form
• Events

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