(MSc) Master of Science
International Accounting and Banking
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MSC N43112
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.
Admission criteria
A 2:2 degree in any discipline.
A professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA or any other Professional accounting qualification recognised by IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) may compensate for the absence of an academic degree equivalent. To see if your professional qualification is recognised, click here: IFAC website
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To equip students with in-depth financial knowledge and the practical skills needed for a rewarding career in accounting and banking in multinational organisations.
- The course is a unique degree amongst UK universities, giving students the competitive edge by combining theory and practice with real-life examples.
- Students gain an advanced understanding of contemporary accounting and banking issues and produce a business report on a listed company.
- Enable students to develop their ability to research issues, analyse and solve business problems and operate effectively in demanding, globalised situations.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Understand the role and nature of advanced concepts and theoretical models in accounting and banking.
A2: Understand competing perspectives and associated empirical evidence relating to accounting and banking issues.
A3: Understand the rationale underpinning selection of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research.
A4: Understand different approaches to data collection, analysis and interpretation.
A5: In-depth understanding of a selected topic in which the student has chosen to specialise.
Learning methods
Learning methods
Outcomes A1-A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks, and directed independent study. The development of the Business Report provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A5.
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understandings to facilitate students' exploration, the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of accounting and banking, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Directed independent study and reading, along with individual and group tasks, enable the further exploration of the relevant areas.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library materials relating to the course.
Assessment methods
Formative assessment:
Outcomes A1-A5 are informally assessed via group work and oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.
Summative assessment:
Outcomes A1-A4 are formally assessed via written examinations and coursework assignments.
Outcome A5 will be assessed via the Business Report, which will also provide a further opprtunity for assessing outcomes A3-A4.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas.
B2: Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts from a variety of relevant frameworks.
B3: Formulate logical and coherent arguments.
B4: Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence.
B5: Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research.
Learning methods
Skills B1-B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, readings, and group and individual tasks. Lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Students' independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant frameworks, theories and understandings to facilitate students' assimilation and synthesis of these various theories and concepts, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work. Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.
Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students undertake for the Business Report. The Business Report further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills B1-B4.
Assessment methods
Formative assessment:
Skills B1-B4 are informally assessed via oral presentations and class discussions. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.
Summative assessment:
Skills B1-B4 are formally assessed via written examinations and coursework assignments.
Skill B5 is assessed through the Business Report, which provides a further opportunity to asses skills B3-B4.
C: Practical skills
C1: Access and retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
C2: Oral and written presentation skills.
C3: Analyse and evaluate empirical data.
C4: Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to analysing financial information.
C5: Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C5 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their modules. Lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Research skills will be taught and assessed throughout the course.
Skill C5 is further acquired through the work that students do for the Business Report. The Business Report further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1-C4.
Assessment methods
Formative assessment:
Skills C1-C4 are assessed informally through presentations along with the associated informal feedback.
These further enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop research and presentation skills.
Summative assessment:
Skills C1-C4 are assessed formally via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.
These facilitate demonstration of knowledge of the relevant financial theories and of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Skill C5 is assessed through the Business Report. The Business Report further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1-C4.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner.
D2: Use information technology, such as word processing, databases and the web, in order to source, download and analyse financial and economic data.
D3: Manipulate numerical data and apply appropriate statistical techniques.
D4: Understand the principles of research design and implementaiton of a research programme.
D5: Participating in group work to undertake research and prepare informal presentations.
D6: Reflectively analyse own performance and feedback.
Learning methods
Skills D1-D6 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their modules.
Assessment methods
Formative assessment:
Skills D1- D5 are informally assessed via oral presentations and class discussions. The associated informal feedback provided enables students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.
Summative assessment:
Skills D1-D5 are formally assessed via written examinations, coursework assignments and the Business Report.