Accounting and Finance MSc
Year of entry 2026
- Start date
- September 2026
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 Months (Full time)
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a related subject
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £18,750 (Total)
- International fees
- £35,500 (Total)
- Contact
- masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Succeed with a Masters designed around the needs of today's finance-driven organisations and gain a head start in a rewarding career.
Careers in accounting and finance are rewarding but extremely competitive. To succeed, you’ll need essential academic knowledge and the practical skills to apply it in a professional environment. This programme covers both, giving you a decisive advantage as you progress to the next step of your career.
You’ll build a dynamic blend of technical accounting expertise and advanced financial knowledge, focusing on essential skills such as financial reporting standards, performance evaluation, and capital management.
The MSc Accounting and Finance combines research-led teaching from our cutting-edge research centres. With a focus on practical quantitative skills, your learning is grounded in up-to-date industry insights and real-world data analysis.
You’ll enjoy a challenging, rewarding and rounded learning experience, covering fundamental topics such as corporate finance and corporate reporting while exploring emerging trends. Optional modules allow you to specialise in areas such as forensic accounting and Python programming for finance.
Our inspirational academics are influential thinkers with a real passion for their subject. Experts in their field, they have extensive teaching, research and internationally renowned consultancy experience, all of which feeds into the course.
“The comprehensive curriculum closely related to the industry has equipped me with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in the fields of accounting and finance. For example, through the corporate finance courses, I mastered some analytical methods, such as foreign exchange arbitrage, that are highly valued in the financial industry.”
Why study at Leeds
Prestigious triple accreditation: Our Business School is triple-accredited, and this course is supported by a partnership with the CQF Institute, the awarding body for the Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF).
Dedicated employability officers: Benefit from personalised career support for the legal profession.
Be supported to succeed: Benefit from small tutorial groups and regular one-to-one meetings with academic staff to ask questions and discuss your work.
Gain up-to-the-minute legal insight: Strong relationships with the accounting, finance and credit professions give you the latest practitioner and policy developments. Guest speakers have included a UBS non-executive board member and members of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.
Flexible, bespoke module options: Tailor your studies across international intellectual property law fields in line with your interests and specialism.
Practical teaching in cutting-edge facilities: Deepen your understanding of real-time financial analysis, data interpretation and investment decision-making through studies that develop your practical skills. Our financial markets lab provides access to tools and platforms including Bloomberg, WRDS, CSMAR, Refinitiv Eikon, and Datastream.
Advanced specialist research units: We have strong links with leading institutions in the US, Europe, and Asia. These include the Centre for Advanced Study in Finance (CASIF), the International Banking Institute (IBI), the Centre for Financial Technology (Fintech), and the Credit Management Research Centre (CMRC).
Graduate from one of the universities most targeted by the UK’s top employers (High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2026).
Accreditation
The MSc Accounting and Finance programme provides extensive exemptions from the examinations for the professional qualifications of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
We are affiliated with the CFA Institute (Chartered Financial Analyst) as a member of the CFA® University Affiliation Program. Eligible students can apply for CFA® scholarships that cover the cost of registration for the CFA examination.
Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies: AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
This means you'll join one of the UK's most prestigious business schools with a global reputation for high-quality teaching and research. We’ll introduce you to a culture of new ideas and different perspectives. Our diverse, international learning community will offer you new experiences and global connections for life.
Course details and modules
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.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Methods | 15 |
| Corporate Finance | 15 |
| Accounting and Organisational Performance | 15 |
| Applied Finance | 15 |
| Advanced Financial Reporting | 15 |
| Accounting and Finance Dissertation | 60 |
| Critical Skills for the Finance Professional | 15 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Information and Organisation Design | 15 |
| International Business Finance | 15 |
| Forensic Accounting and Finance | 15 |
| Behavioural Finance | 15 |
| International Investment | 15 |
| International Banking and Finance | 15 |
| Python Programming for Finance | 15 |
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 Business (6 weeks) and Language for Business (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
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 2026
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: £35,500 (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
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below:
Career opportunities
We'll work with you to develop the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to accelerate your professional development, set yourself apart in the job market, and achieve your goals.
This course equips you with a 360° Finance Professional Skillset, meaning you’ll gain vital work-ready skills and graduate prepared to lead and innovate across diverse sectors.
Through a curriculum designed to foster critical thinking, ethical awareness and global and cultural insight, you develop the intellectual agility to navigate complex challenges. You’ll develop strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, alongside in-demand skills, including:
- financial reporting standards
- performance evaluation
- capital management
- quantitative skills such as financial modelling and analytics
- technical accounting expertise
- problem-solving and strategic decision-making
- leadership and teamworking
- commercial and ethical awareness
- digital literacy
- presentation and written communication skills
- enterprise acumen
- sustainability awareness.
As part of our dedicated Critical Skills module, you’ll take part in a Professional Experience Week where you can test your skills in a supported environment. You’ll identify problems, analyse financial and non-financial data, and exercise your professional and ethical judgement to develop real-world recommendations.
Where this degree could take you
Career opportunities for graduates of this course are vast, with recent graduates working as:
- audit managers – such as group audit managers and tax audit managers
- finance managers – for example, financial reporting managers, capital finance managers and treasury accounting managers
- management consultants – such as accounting advisory consultants, cost optimisation consultants and tax advisory consultants
- forensic accountants – including forensic auditors, financial crime analysts, and fraud examiners/investigators.
This course prepares you for a global financial career, and graduates have secured roles in companies such as Barclays, BDO, CCB, China UnionPay International, Deloitte, EY, HSBC, Inditex, KPMG, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC and Virgin Media O2.
This masters is also an excellent qualification for individuals seeking to pursue a postgraduate research degree.
“My experience at Leeds University Business School has been spectacular. As a postgraduate student, I have the opportunity to use facilities that enhance my academic experience, such as collaborative teaching spaces, which means I can interact with my lecturers and work with my fellow students using digital technology. My course has a lot of variety, and includes workshops, practical assignments and presentations, which have all developed my confidence.”
Learn more about the careers our students have pursued – read alumni profiles from Leeds University Business School.
Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years
by the UK's leading employers
Careers support
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.
- Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
- Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
- Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
- MyCareer system —– access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
- Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.
Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.
Study abroad tours
All Leeds University Business School Masters students can apply for a place on a week-long international study tour, which includes company visits, guest lectures and networking events. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich.
Links with industry
As a student of the Accounting and Finance Department, you can benefit from commercial awareness networking events and guest lectures from high-profile industry speakers or regulatory bodies. In addition, you'll experience an intensive five-day trading bootcamp with Amplify ME – an interactive, real-world learning experience with immersive simulations of various financial services sector roles.
Guaranteed industry experience
The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. You’ll connect with leading companies across the globe to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to practical business challenges.
Work placements and industry experience
As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.
You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.
This experience will enhance your CV, helping you to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.
Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:
- Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
- Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
- Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time limited brief.
- Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
- Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
- Improve your employability prospects.
- Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future plans.