Accounting and Finance

Stage 1

You will develop your knowledge and skills in accounting and financial analysis and understand the relevant theories for critically evaluating and deploying financial accounting information, for shareholders and external stakeholders in particular.

Stage 2

You will develop an understanding of management accounting and corporate financial management practices required for the operational and strategic financial success of organisations. You will review and evaluate the considerations for optimising an organisation's risk and reward opportunity set using relevant accounting and finance information and techniques. 

Stage 3

The Capstone module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to integrate master's level knowledge and skills by independently working on a research focused project from a degree related discipline. Personal and professional skills such as research, communication and presentation skills will be developed.

Extended Master's

We offer an extended Master’s route, starting in September, on our traditional 1-year route which incorporates a 12 month placement. This route has a duration of 24 months, and will follow the same teaching programme as the 1 year course. You will receive training, guidance and support to support you through the recruitment and selection stages for the jobs on offer from our dedicated Employability and Enrichment Hub team.

Learning Methods

You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. These comprise of a mix of group study, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals. You will work as an individual and also as part of a team on case studies, team activities, presentations and discussions.

Access to our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, is also provided giving access to discussion forums with fellow students and staff, e-book resources, financial databases and investment simulations and to other learning materials e.g., videos.

You will also have access to Datastream, FAME and Osiris, which offer company insights and fundamentals and a host of market data.

You will also be part of an active social group and have the opportunity to join frequent study events to enhance your learning and development.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 15 students per group, 8 hours per week
• Seminars - 15 students per group, 2/3 masterclasses per session, typically of 2 hours
• Tutorial - 15 students, 4 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 1 student per group, 30 hours per term (Capstone)
• Practical class or workshop - 15 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Independent Study - 1 student per group, 38 hours per week (Terms 1 & 2)
• Independent Study - 1 student per group, 570 hours in Term 3 (Capstone)

How long is an Accounting and Finance course?

This Accounting and Finance course can be completed in:

• 1 year
• 24 months (includes 12 month placement)

Independent Study

The course encourages you to work autonomously and to take responsibility for your own learning and professional development. In addition to lectures and tutorials you will spend approximately 38 hours per week outside of class working on your own.  This involves undertaking prescribed reading, preparing for tutorial assignments, team meetings and researching and writing course reports. 

Assessment

Typically students are assessed:

• 6 written exams, typically for 2 hours
• 3 written assignments (coursework), including essays
• 1 dissertation (if Dissertation option selected in Capstone)
• 1 class set
• 1 project report (if Business Consultancy option selected in Capstone)
• 1 presentation

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Staff Delivering on This Course

You will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our teaching staff of which several are members of the UK Accounting Institutes and nationally recognised for their participation at senior level in several bodies and act as External Examiners to or chair programme/course validation or review panels for other institutions

Our staff have either achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of lecturer practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning.

Other staff members include industry professionals, guest lecturers who deliver presentations in areas such as Fund Management and Investment Banking and staff with Research experience.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Job Prospects

Is Accounting and Finance a good career choice?

As an Accounting and Finance graduate, you will be able to progress into a career in:

• Accounting sector 
• Within banking/financial institutions 
• Corporate finance within the public and private sectors 

You may work in industries such as Energy, Oil and Gas, Construction, Tourism.

Given the nature of modern business, you will also be able to develop a career in general management or management consultancy, or enter into academia and undertake further research leading to a PhD.

12 MONTH PLACEMENT

For those on our Extended Master’s route (24 months Full Time On Campus) you will have the opportunity to embark on a 12 month placement on completion of the teaching programme.

Placement opportunities are real jobs in an extensive range of organisations from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to global multinationals, and is an excellent way to test your academic knowledge, develop transferable skills and develop your business networks. The employing organisation is likely to be a source of rich data for the Capstone module and you will be encouraged to research an organisational issue of your choosing – likely identified through discussion with the placement employer.  You will also complete a reflective e-portfolio which captures the skills development through the placement period.  

Throughout the placement you will be assigned both a workplace mentor and an academic mentor and will receive ongoing support to enhance your career development.

N.B. You are responsible for finding the placement, with support from the placement team, and as such the University cannot guarantee that all students will be successful in securing a placement. If unsuccessful, your course fee attached to the work experience element will be refunded.

What is needed for an MSc in Accounting and Finance?

• Applicants normally hold a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree or its equivalent in any subject discipline.
• Applicants with a lower degree classification and / or relevant work experience will be considered on a case by case basis.

International Students 

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Costs

• Any transport costs/expenses incurred as part of the research project