Program Overview

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International Accounting and Sustainability (MSc)

About this course

Build your knowledge of accounting and sustainability practices, and enhance your career with our MSc International Accounting and Sustainability degree.

On our master's degree programme, you'll gain an advanced understanding of accounting and sustainability, and build on your prior knowledge and experience in the field. You'll also explore topics such as corporate governance, and the use of artificial intelligence in accounting.

The course contains a blend of theoretical, research and practice-led content, enabling you to develop deeper perspectives of accounting, financial and sustainability practices. You'll also understand how these practices are applied in organisations, as well as the wider context in which they operate.

Over the course of this 12-month programme, you'll learn how to:

• effectively contribute to the improvement of financial information systems
• evaluate and make informed managerial decisions on accounting and financial issues
• critically evaluate accounting and finance ideas and techniques
• prepare for your current or future career in an international accounting, sustainability, or consulting role

Our MSc International Accounting and Sustainability degree has a distinctive focus on sustainability and emerging environmentally-friendly technologies, including AI. You can choose to specialise in either of these subject areas and customise your learning.

This master's course also incorporates global perspectives on accounting, sustainability, and technology, by considering international cases, research, and professional practices. These learning approaches draw on the expertise of the Centre for Research in Accounting Accountability and Governance.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Course lead

MSc International Accounting and Sustainability is co-led by Dr Hanh (Blue) Nguyen and Dr Zhifeng Chen.

Dr Hanh (Blue) Nguyen is a lecturer in accounting at the Southampton Business School. Hanh's research focuses on how corporate boards can drive development and sustainability, and she has presented her research at several leading national and international conferences and workshops. Hanh's work has also been published in a number of academic journals, including the International Review of Financial Analysis, Business Strategy and the Environment, and Finance Research Letters.

Dr Zhifeng Chen is a lecturer in accounting and a qualified ACCA accountant with 12 years of industry experience. She is also a Global Reporting Initiative-certified professional with extensive expertise in sustainability reporting. Zhifeng’s research focuses on social and environmental disclosure, stakeholder decision-making, organisation hypocrisy, and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and her work has been published in top journals.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Entry requirements

To apply for our MSc International Accounting and Sustainability course, you’ll need a 2:1 degree from one of the following subjects:

• engineering
• humanities
• business
• mathematics
• physical sciences
• information systems
• management
• social sciences

However, we are unable to accept degrees in the following subjects:

• language studies: this includes degrees that focus on learning a language, such as business English or applied English, or translation. This restriction does not apply to English and English literature degrees which are taught in the UK.
• art, design or vocational studies: this includes degrees that focus on learning a particular form of craft or vocation, such as art, graphic design, photography, television broadcasting, script writing, dance or performance.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Course structure

Our MSc International Accounting and Sustainability course lasts 12 months on a full-time basis.

The first 9 months involve taught study divided into 2 semesters lasting 15 weeks each. You'll complete 8 modules during this course, including 6 core or compulsory modules and 2 optional modules.

In the final 3 months of the course you'll work on your research task and dissertation.

Your learning will be led by the latest research, and we'll change modules periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We'll also keep course content up to date as teaching staff members maintain various links with the accounting profession, external organisations, and academia.

Semester 1 overview

In your first semester, you'll complete 3 core and compulsory modules:

• Sustainability Accounting and Reporting
• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
• Introduction to Sustainability

You'll also choose one optional module from the following:

• Executive Compensation
• Financial Reporting and Markets
• International Accounting and Taxation
• International Corporate Governance
• Sustainable Finance

Semester 2 overview

In your second semester, you'll complete 3 more core and compulsory modules:

• Foundations of Research in Accounting and Finance
• Emerging International Green Accounting Technologies, AI, Innovation and Sustainability
• Fundamentals of Management Accounting

You'll also choose another optional module from the following:

• Islamic Accounting Finance and Governance
• Accounting for Corporate Performance and Accountability

Once you've completed your modules for semester 2, you will study for your research task. This will lead to you submitting a dissertation.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Dissertation in Accounting, Finance and Management
• Emerging International Green Accounting Technologies, AI, Innovation and Sustainability
• Foundations of Research in Accounting and Finance
• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
• Fundamentals of Management Accounting
• Introduction to Sustainability
• Sustainability Accounting and Reporting

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Accounting for Corporate Performance and Accountability
• Executive Compensation
• Financial Reporting and Markets
• International Accounting and Taxation
• International Corporate Governance
• Islamic Accounting Finance and Governance
• Sustainable Finance

Learning and assessment

Learning

On our international accounting and sustainability degree, we take a flexible and inclusive approach to learning and teaching. This will enable all students to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

You'll gain an understanding of theoretical ideas and technical methods through a combination of:

• lectures
• discussion classes and seminars
• individual and group practical exercises
• case studies
• directed reading

When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions, you'll be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

• reading journal articles and books
• working on individual and group projects
• undertaking research in the library
• completing coursework assignments and presentations
• preparing for other types of assessments and examinations

You'll develop your analytical, reflective, logical, and creative intellectual skills in response to each module, and enhance these skills through various assessments.

Assessment

We use a range of individual and group assessments on this programme to ensure all students meet the learning outcomes. Typically, these assessment methods include:

• individual written examination
• class tests
• essays
• group activities
• presentations

Some assessments will be based around practical problems, and you'll need to apply both quantitative and qualitative analysis tools.

Other assessments will address more theoretical issues, and you'll be expected to apply practical methods of accounting, including relevant research methods.

You'll also be expected to demonstrate your ability to analyse an issue in a critical, logical and reflective manner as part of your dissertation.

Dissertation

On successful completion of the taught part of the programme, you'll complete an individual research task.

As part of this task, you'll write a 15,000-word dissertation. Your dissertation will put your individual research into the context of existing work in the relevant subject area, and set out the results of your research.

Your MSc award is assessed entirely on the basis of your dissertation, which will be supervised by a member of academic staff.

Academic Support

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team, whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the course content. The team includes:

• senior academics
• professional practitioners with industry experience
• demonstrators
• technical officers

Trained postgraduate research students may also contribute to the teaching of seminars, if their research specialism is directly related to the module topic. They may also be involved in practical classes, project work and field trips. All contributions will be supervised by the module leader.

When you arrive at the University of Southampton, we will allocate to you a personal academic tutor. They will typically be a member of academic staff in your own or a closely related subject area.

Your tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton, and will support you in your studies or with other issues you may have.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £15,800.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Extra costs you might have to pay

• Calculators
• Stationery
• Textbooks
• Printing

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course.

Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship

A scholarship is available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master's at Southampton Business School.

Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship

A scholarship of £9,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.

Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Related courses

International Accounting and Sustainability (MSc) is a course in the Business, accounting, finance and marketing subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MSc Accounting and Finance
• MSc Accounting and Management
• MSc Business Analytics and Finance
• MSc Business Analytics and Management Science
• MSc Business and Heritage Management
• MSc Business Strategy and Innovation Management
• MSc Digital Business
• MSc Digital Marketing
• MSc Digital Strategy and Information Systems
• MSc Finance
• MSc Finance and Econometrics
• MSc Finance and Economics
• MSc Human Resource Management
• MSc International Accounting and Governance
• MSc International Banking and Financial Studies
• MSc International Entrepreneurship and Management
• MSc International Financial Markets
• MSc International Management
• MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics
• MSc Management
• MSc Management and Artificial Intelligence
• MSc Marketing Analytics
• MSc Marketing Management
• MBA Master of Business Administration
• MSc Operational Research
• MSc Operational Research and Finance
• MSc Project Management
• MSc Risk and Finance
• MSc Risk Management
• MSc Shipping Finance
• MSc Strategic Operations and Supply Chain Management
• MSc Sustainable Finance