Program Overview

MSc Accounting, Finance & Data Analytics

The MSc Accounting, Finance & Data Analytics is designed for graduates looking to broaden their previous study of accounting or for those already working in accounting looking to expand their knowledge to include the latest developments in the profession.

Key Facts

• Start date: September
• Accreditation: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time

Course Overview

This program is for graduates seeking to enhance their understanding of accounting and finance, including the application of analytical techniques to big data for business decision-making. Students will gain invaluable practical experience of the factors that drive today’s financial markets through the AmplifyME Boot Camp, a week-long program delivered in collaboration with Strathclyde Business School.

Why This Course?

The program provides an advanced understanding of the theory and practice of accounting and the latest technological innovations in the profession. It covers financial management, securities markets, and the application of cutting-edge technology to strategic business decisions. Students will develop skills in:

• Understanding accounting theories and their relevance in practice
• Critical awareness of recent developments in accounting standards and their implementation
• Sound understanding of financial theory and analysis
• Analyzing big data using analytical tools such as machine learning
• Knowledge of new techniques to analyze non-conventional data such as text and speech

What You'll Study

Core Classes

• Accounting & Financial Analysis: Provides an understanding of the basic principles of financial accounting and financial analysis.
• Data Analytics for Accounting & Finance: Equips students with essential data analysis skills, preparing them for a data-driven financial services sector.
• Principles of Finance: Introduces financial decision-making, focusing on corporate finance and the capital market risk-return relationship.
• Quantitative Methods for Finance: Covers statistical techniques commonly used in finance and introduces econometric analysis.

Elective Classes

Students choose two from the following:

• Financial Modelling with Excel: Develops the ability to capitalize on the potential use of Excel for financial analysis and financial modeling.
• Portfolio Theory & Management: Examines the Markowitz approach to optimal portfolio selection and issues in passive and active fund management.
• Equity Analysis: Focuses on equity valuation, equipping students with the knowledge and tools required for analyzing the financial performance of firms.
• Fixed Income Analysis: Covers the nature of the valuation of bonds and the range of bonds now being traded.
• Sustainable Finance & Technology: Explores the nexus between sustainable finance and financial technology (FinTech), discussing how FinTech can enable sustainable finance.

Research Projects

• Empirical Research Projects: Students are supplied with data relating to an issue in finance or accounting and are expected to expand the range of hypotheses to be considered and ways in which the hypothesis can be tested.
• Financial Analysis of a Company: Requires students to undertake a financial analysis of a company from the standpoint of a potential investor and provide an evaluation of the investment potential of the company’s shares.
• Case study/Literature Review: Provides the opportunity to choose a topic to study in depth, which can take the form of a review of the literature on some topic in finance, a case study, or a consideration of some area of controversy.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), with exemptions awarded from CIMA’s professional examinations. Additionally, the University has partnerships with the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and the Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) Institute, offering students opportunities for professional development and recognition.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in accounting, economics, business studies, maths, statistics, computing, or a related field.
• Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum of 6.5 IELTS score, with no individual score lower than 5.5.

Fees & Funding

• Scotland: £16,800
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £16,800
• Republic of Ireland: Same as England, Wales & Northern Ireland
• International: £32,600
• Additional costs include course materials, printing, and binding of project submissions, and graduation gown hire.

Careers

This course is suitable for those intending to develop their careers in finance, including corporate finance, security analysis, portfolio management, options and futures, treasury management, and the functioning of financial institutions and markets. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue roles in these areas, both in the private and public sectors.

Strathclyde Business School

Strathclyde Business School was founded in 1948 and is a pioneering, internationally renowned academic organization with a reputation for research excellence. It is one of four faculties forming the University of Strathclyde and is triple-accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. The school is home to seven subject departments and a number of specialist centers, collaborating to provide a dynamic and varied program of specialist and cross-disciplinary courses.

Conclusion

The MSc Accounting, Finance & Data Analytics at the University of Strathclyde offers a comprehensive program for graduates seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in accounting, finance, and data analytics. With its strong accreditation, diverse range of core and elective classes, and research project opportunities, this program is well-suited for individuals looking to enhance their career prospects in the financial sector. The program's focus on practical experience, through initiatives like the AmplifyME Boot Camp, and its connections with professional bodies, further enhance its value for students aiming to make a significant impact in their future careers.