Accounting and Finance MSc

Course overview

Businesses and governments rely on sound financial knowledge to underpin their strategies for success.

This course will kick-start your professional career, providing you with advanced knowledge of modern financial theories, accounting practices and controls, as well as an understanding of the organisational context.

You'll cover fundamental topics such as corporate finance and corporate reporting. Optional modules will allow you to specialise in areas such as international business finance, forensic accounting and finance, and python programming for finance. You’ll also be able to apply your learning to practical case studies and simulations to test your knowledge in genuine business scenarios.

You’ll learn alongside inspirational academics, influential thinkers with a real passion for your subject. They are experts in their field, with extensive teaching, research and consultancy experience of international standing.

At the same time, you’ll collaborate with students from diverse international backgrounds as part of a global community. This will provide a challenging, rewarding and rounded learning experience.

Course Highlights

• This course is shaped by the latest knowledge and critical thinking through the work of our advanced specialist research units, which also have strong links with leading institutions in the US, Europe and Asia. These include the Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance, the International Banking Institute and the Credit Management Research Centre.

• You’ll benefit from our strong relationships with the finance, credit and accounting professions, providing a connection to the latest practitioner and policy developments.

• You’ll have access to our two on-campus trading rooms, and the world’s top financial databases, such as Bloomberg, WRDS, CSMAR, Refinitiv Eikon and Datastream.

• Quantitative skills training is embedded into the course, equipping you with the skills that are essential for success in the industry. This training also capitalises on current trends and developments, including machine learning, data analytics and big data.

• High-profile speakers, from industry and regulatory bodies, share current trends and valuable real-world insight in guest lectures. Recent speakers have included a non-executive board member at UBS, the Head of Securities and Fund Services at Citigroup Asia Pacific and members of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, including a Deputy Governor.

• On all Masters courses at Leeds University Business School you’ll have an opportunity to apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which will include company visits, guest lectures and networking events, as well as an opportunity to visit local places of interest. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich.

Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School.

Accreditation

Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS

As part of the CFA® University Affiliation Program, eligible students can apply for CFA® scholarships that cover the cost of registration for the CFA examination.

Course details

You'll explore the essentials of corporate finance and the relationship between accounting information and organisational performance.

At the same time, you'll build advanced skills in handling quantitative data and examine how modern finance theories are applied to solve complex finance problems.

You'll develop your critical thinking and analytical skills, gaining an understanding of important research methods in finance and their impact on current practice.

You'll gain specialist knowledge with your choice of optional modules in a range of subject areas, such as behavioural finance, international banking and finance, international investment, and information and organisation design.

To demonstrate the knowledge and skills you acquire during the course, you’ll design and carry out your own research dissertation in the final semester. This allows you to focus on a topic of your choice, developing your ability to tackle the most pressing challenges currently facing the industry.

Throughout the course we’ll support you to develop the professional skills that are critical for a successful career in the financial services.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Accounting and Finance MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, allowing you to develop your skills in research and analysis.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help support your studies. This is a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your course and modules.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise both knowledge and essential skills development. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.

This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for your professional career.

Applying

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent in a related subject, for example accounting, economics or finance. Must have a good grounding in quantitative subjects.

International qualifications

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Economics and Finance (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Economics and Finance (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

International applicants: Thursday 26 June 2025

UK applicants: Friday 15 August 2025

Documents and information you'll need

• a copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
• contact details for two academic references
• a personal statement
• an up-to-date CV
• your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• a letter of sponsorship, if you need one.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Office

Email: masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £18,750 (Total)

International: £37,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

We’re offering up to 50 Business School Excellence Scholarships to UK and International students starting one of our Masters courses in 2025. These scholarships offer a 50% fee reduction and will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.

You do not have to submit a separate application for our Excellence Scholarships - you will be automatically considered when your course application is reviewed.

International Excellence Scholarships (International applicants)

Masters Excellence Scholarships (UK applicants)

Read more about Masters Funding and Scholarships

Career opportunities

From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career.

We'll work with you to develop the knowledge, skills and experiences you need to accelerate your professional development, set yourself apart in the job market and achieve your goals.

Career opportunities for graduates of this Masters course are vast. You’ll be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of core accounting and finance principles, and the numerical and analytical skills to succeed in this rapidly changing complex environment.

Our graduates have gone on to have diverse careers as accountants, management consultants, audit managers, finance managers, equity managers or credit risk officers.

This course prepares you for a global financial career and graduates have secured roles in companies such as KPMG, PWC, Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of China and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

Careers support

Professional development activities are built into your course from day one.

You can access advice and guidance on your career choices, help in identifying and applying for jobs, support to boost your employability, and opportunities to develop the professional skills you'll need to start a successful career, and how to evidence these to prospective employers.

As part of the Accounting and Finance Department you can benefit from commercial awareness networking events and guest lectures from high profile speakers from industry or regulatory bodies. This year, students have had the opportunity to develop their knowledge of financial markets through a one-week trading simulation with Amplify Trading.

You’ll also benefit from the University’s Careers Service, where you can access a range of support to help secure the career you want, even after you graduate.

Read more about our careers and professional development support.