Professional Accountancy
MSc
Available to study anywhere in the world
This programme is aimed at career minded finance professionals who want to stand out from the crowd and complement their professional skills with master’s level understanding and skills applied to accountancy and finance subject areas.
The programme is available to those who are a member of a listed professional accountancy body.
By studying this programme students will:
- develop an advanced understanding of financial models and management techniques.
- understand complex models and concepts underpinning financial decisions that underpin assumptions of value creation within organisations.
- understand the complex internal and external relationships for organisations when management make decisions.
- be able to assimilate, identify and critically appraise data used for financial decisions at a strategic level in organisations.
- identify and evaluate options to solving business issues, developing team work and leadership skills through simulated real-world business and management situations.
Study this programme at a teaching centre near you
You can receive local support from a local teaching centre, use the dropdown to find your nearest centre.
Programme details
Programme structure, modules and specification
The MSc Professional Accountancy consists of:
- Two elective modules (15 credits each)
- One Capstone project module (30 credits).
Individual modules will be available to study on a stand-alone basis (subject to module availability).
Key dates
This programme has two intake dates per year: April and October.
How you study
This programme is offered fully online and allows you to flexibly fit your studies around your schedule. You can choose to study individual modules on a pay-as-you-go basis and build up your qualification at your own pace.
Each module runs over a 10-week session followed by an assessment submission point, with the exception of the Capstone Project module, which runs over two 10-week sessions with two assessment points.
The programme uses Icarus, an award-winning simulation developed by UCL School of Management academics, as an experiential learning tool analysing and exploring a wide range of accounting, finance and strategic management related challenges.
Study materials
The programme is offered online and is fully supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). All essential resources, activities, videos, discussions and support are provided through the VLE, which can be accessed from a range of devices.
You can fit your studies around your work commitments to complete the programme successfully and there is no need to purchase additional textbooks.
Online support
The programme is delivered online and there is no requirement to come to the UK as part of your studies. Our flexible online programme allows you to work around your own schedule and leads to a globally-recognised qualification.
When you register, we will give you access to the Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and the following key resources:
- Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - provides access to the online Reach Out forum so you can collaborate with fellow students, links to electronic study materials, and the Student Guide which covers advice from starting through to graduation.
- The Online Library - provides access to over 100 million academic electronic items comprising E-books, E-journals, conference proceedings. Plus items not held in the library can be requested via the library's Inter-Library loans service with the British Library.
- Senate House Library - provides free reference access for all registered distance and flexible learning students.
- Access to academic support and feedback - tutors introduce the modules, respond to queries, monitor discussions and provide guidance on assessments.
Student support
You will have access to support through:
- The Student Advice Centre – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
- TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.
Tutor support
All students receive tutor support and feedback while studying this programme. Tutors introduce the modules, respond to queries, monitor discussions and provide guidance on assessments.
Web-supported learning: if you register for a module as a web-supported learner, you join an online tutor group. If you register in this way, you pay the web supported learner fee.
Teaching centre supported learning: if you enrol for a module with a local teaching centre, you receive face-to-face tuition. If you enrol for tuition with a teaching centre, you pay the institution-supported fee to the University plus an additional tuition fee to the teaching centre.
Time commitment
The flexible approach to learning allows you to complete the MSc in a minimum of six months (subject to module availability) to a maximum of five years. You can study at your own pace, adjusting the intensity of learning to suit your needs.
Assessment
During your study period you will undertake a summative assessment for each module. Each module contains more about coursework and marks.
Entry requirements
What qualifications do you need?
To satisfy the entrance requirements to register for the MSc, you must have fulfilled the membership requirements of a listed professional accountancy body, see the page on accepted qualifications.
English Language requirements
You will meet the English language requirement if you have one of the following:
- passed the English versions of your professional accountancy body qualifications (from the agreed list) in the past five years, or
- are a current member of any agreed professional accountancy body where the exams are conducted in English.
Applicants who do not meet either of the above will be considered, on an individual basis at the point of application. This standard must be met before you register for the MSc.
Or you have one of the following English language tests from the past three years:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in the written test
- TOEFL iBT: 92 overall, with 22+ in reading and writing and 20+ in speaking and listening
- Pearson Test (Academic): 59 overall, with 59+ in reading and writing and 54+ in speaking and listening
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (grade C or above).
Computer requirements
For this programme, you will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection and a web browser as set out in the Programme Specification.
For the Capstone Project, you will need one of the following supported platforms:
- Mobile platforms of iOS, Android and Windows 10 support
- iOS support OS version 8+
- Android support API level 19+ Version 4.4 - 4.4.4
- Windows 10 UWP version
- Icarus (Professional Accountancy) App (latest version)
- Other specialised software may be made available by the University if required.
Fees
Your fees to pay depends on whether you live in a developing (Band A) or developed (Band B) nation - see Countries and Regions list [PDF].
Because you complete the degree with as few as two modules, both options are very competitively priced compared to other academic degrees.
The Programme Fees below refer to the October 2022, January 2023, April 2023 and July 2023 sessions and are effective from 27 June 2022. Except for the Application fee which refers only to the two intake sessions in October 2022 and April 2023.
If you choose to pay the full programme fee, you will automatically receive web-supported learning for all of the modules but you can also select to study any of the modules at an institution; however, you will also need to pay the requisite tuition fee to the institution for this support.
Important: the table below does not include fees payable to a third party, such as tuition costs payable to a Recognised Teaching Centre or fees charged by your local examination centre, or local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or sales tax.
Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.Some fees are non-refundable. Please see the refund and compensation policy for further details.
How fees work
Your fees include study materials and entry into assessments.
The full programme fee includes all module and continuation fees for the duration of your study, as well as online tutor support. By paying in full at the beginning of your programme, you receive a discount on paying per module and avoid any annual fee increases.
With pay per module, you pay for each module as you register for it. The ‘web-supported learning’ fee includes support from a University of London online tutor.
Some fees are non-refundable. Please see the refund and compensation policy for further details.
Additional Costs
You will also need to budget for:
- Textbooks (could extend to around £300 per year)
- Tuition costs if you study at a Recognised Teaching Centre.
Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.
Further information on Sales Tax.
Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees. (If in doubt, please check with them before making a payment.)
Further information about fee payment options can be found in the “How to pay your fees” link above.
Career opportunities
Our MSc Professional Accountancy is targeted at career minded finance professionals who wish to complement their professional skills with master’s level understanding and skills applied to accountancy and finance subject areas.
Enhancing your professional profile is an ever-present need in our ever-changing world. Building upon your professional qualification with a master's degree from a prestigious global institution such as UoL is now possible - offering a fast-track opportunity gateway to future possibilities.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Some professional accountancy bodies may recognise MSc learning hours as equivalent to CPD units. Please check with your professional body on specific CPD equivalency conversion.
In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching institution.
Academic leadership
Academics at University College London's (UCL) School of Management provide the direction for the MSc programme, design the modules, develop the learning content, plus set and mark the assessments.
UCL (University College London) is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Ranked in the top 10 four years running, in the QS World University Rankings® 2022 UCL is ranked 8th in the world.
Programme Director
Professor Lynsie Chew leads the UCL's School of Management's Digital Education team. Lynsie has won four awards for teaching quality and her specialisms are in Accounting, Financial Management and International Financial Systems. She is co-editor/co-author of six Pearson Custom textbooks. She is also a Faculty Advisor at Harvard Medical School, and engages in international scholarly activity in numerous fields within accounting and education.
Deputy Programme Director
Professor Alan Parkinson is Professor of Financial Education at UCL and School Deputy Director and leads the Finance, Accounting and Economics Teaching Team. With extensive experience of curriculum planning and design, he also works regularly with international companies on a consulting basis, and on Executive Education programmes. He is Visiting Professor at Ecole des Ponts in Paris, and a Faculty Adviser at Harvard Medical School.
Funding your study
Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there may be additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.
Masters in Professional Accountancy does not meet the UK Postgraduate Loans course eligibility criteria and is not listed on the Student Loans Company Course Management Service.
Can I get sponsored?
If you're employed, your employer may be willing to cover part or all of the programme fees if you can make a compelling case as to how this programme will boost your contribution to the workplace. Full details and a template available for students regarding sponsoring.
More details about sponsoring plus info to complete your business case to present to your employer.
