Course Structure

The programme offers the opportunity to pursue appropriately advanced studies in accounting, finance and analytics, equipping students for careers in financial institutions, management consulting, and industry or the public sector.

In the first semester, students take the following four modules:
International Financial Accounting and Reporting
Contemporary Research Methods and Analysis
Corporate Finance
Business Technologies and Analytics

In the second semester, students take additional four modules:
Management Accounting for Decision Makers
Accounting for Sustainability
Advanced Business Technologies and Analytics
Money and Banking OR International Finance (Choose one)

In the third semester, students choose either a traditional Dissertation or Audit, Ethics and Capstone Project.

The modules included in the programme aim to develop capacities of critical thinking, logical reasoning and the ability to communicate, orally and in writing, on topics in accounting and finance.

The contents provided during the programme will also be useful to those who wish to pursue PhD studies in accounting and finance.

Semester 1 (60 CATS)

International Financial Accounting and Reporting
Focusing upon International Accounting Standards (IASs) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), this module combines accounting theory with its practical application. The module enables students to evaluate and apply the principal conceptual issues in financial accounting and to develop their practical application of core international financial accounting and reporting concepts.

Contemporary Research Methods and Analysis
This module aims to deepen students’ understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies applicable across accounting and finance. It focuses on integrating contemporary research methods with core statistical concepts and appropriate software, preparing students to undertake independent research and advanced professional roles.

Corporate Finance
The aim of the module is to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of core financial issues in a corporate setting. Students will be equipped with knowledge to critically evaluate payout policies, financing decisions, investment appraisal processes, and risk-management techniques.

Business Technologies and Analytics
This module provides students with an understanding of technologies affecting contemporary business from the view of the accounting/finance professional. The module combines understanding with practical application of profession-relevant technologies such as Excel and PowerBI to business scenarios. Employers and industry representatives will deliver software masterclasses.

Semester 2 (60 CATS)

Management Accounting for Decision Makers
The objective of this module is to develop extended knowledge and understanding of management accounting theories and techniques in order to help management in planning, decision-making and performance control in different business contexts. This module hosts Business Games where students interact with employers in real-life decision-making scenarios.

Accounting for Sustainability
Sustainability accounting plays a key role in helping businesses to contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in our society. This module draws on accounting research, case studies and current real issues faced by businesses and the public sector to provide students with a deeper understanding of the role that accounting plays in contributing to the achievement of sustainable development. The module will be delivered by academic staff supported by guest lecturers from practice to understand complex areas.

Advanced Business Technologies and Analytics
The aim of this module is to equip students with advanced practical knowledge of data analysis alongside conceptual understanding of emerging and disruptive technologies. This module gives students additional tools to analyse data beyond traditional analytics packages. These skills will prepare students to take on roles that require strategic data analysis in the context of accounting and finance. Employers and industry representatives will deliver guest lectures on emerging technologies.

Plus choose ONE from:

International Finance
This module details the complications and unique characteristics of finance that crosses a border. It covers subjects such as foreign exchange trading, exchange rate systems, and the real economic effects of capital flows.

Money and Banking
This module examines the theory of money and banking. The module content considers the main banking and monetary institutions and monetary policy.

Semester 3 (60 CATS)

Route 1 – Dissertation

The aim of the dissertation is to provide students with the skills needed for conducting theoretical and/or empirical research in accounting and finance.

OR

Route 2 – Audit, Ethics and Capstone Project

This route combines taught classes with additional professional exemptions and a final capstone project.

Auditing and Accountability (25%)
The aim of this element is to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary auditing and accountability issues in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including principles and techniques of auditing. Students will learn about the importance of concepts like compliance, internal control and management of risk in a globalising environment.

Ethics and Governance (25%)
The aim of this element is to provide an overall understanding of the complex and dynamic relationships between business corporations, their stakeholders (shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers etc.) and the society in which they operate. Students will learn about ethics and governance, the legal framework, governance of corporate risk, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

Successful completion of both audit and ethics elements above (with a minimum 50% score) is needed for exemption from Audit and Assurance (AA) from ACCA.

Capstone Project (50%)
This element requires data analysis plus delivery of a professional-quality report and presentation, including visualisations, to a professional audience (comprised of employer representatives). In this element, students will apply advanced analytics tools to real-world accounting and financial data, demonstrating mastery in transforming complex accounting and finance information into strategic business insights and communicating these to professional audience.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching Methods

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Students will be able to apply and evaluate International Financial Reporting Standards and related frameworks, Management Accounting techniques relevant to multi-national enterprises and Finance concepts associated with the management of global risks. Students will evaluate contemporary global issues including sustainability and as relevant to accounting and finance.

Students will develop profession-relevant digital proficiency including use and evaluation of a range of technologies for manipulation of data and communication of findings, in addition to awareness of storage, control, security and ethical issues. This is developed through lab-based classes, group working and independent study.

Subject-specific skills will be developed through lectures, workshops, directed reading, group work and computer-based work. Didactic style approaches will be used to provide knowledge on frameworks, techniques and tools from practice and contemporary research. Flipped classroom techniques will be employed to ensure practical understanding of key concepts and relevant academic research, and the ability to apply and evaluate these. Students also work in groups (for example, discussions in class with scenario and role-based approaches, and in completing group assessments) and independently (for example, gathering and assimilating relevant information to complete tasks within agreed deadlines). Self-assessment and reflection are developed within portfolio and continuous assessment.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

• Assessments support students in developing knowledge and understanding alongside key skills. The assessment methods include formative and summative continuous assessment in the form of individual and group written projects, individual and group presentations, case study investigations, data analysis projects, poster presentations and portfolios.
  
  Final summative assessment in the form of final exams, projects and presentations is also used to examine ability to apply and evaluate key concepts.

Facilities

You will have access to Bloomberg terminals in the FinTrU Trading Room, giving students the skills, experience and knowledge necessary to prepare them for a career in the financial services sector.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/student-opportunities/fintru-trading-room/

Modules

Career Prospects

Introduction

This Masters programme provides the basis for both profession- and research-orientated careers, as well as skills and knowledge required to progress into management careers in the accounting and financial services. It opens a wide range of career opportunities in banking, accounting and auditing, government, corporate finance, investment analysis and academia.

For further opportunities to enhance your studies and career prospects please see the school website.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/student-opportunities/

Employment after the Course

Graduate prospects from the MSc Accounting, Finance and Analytics are promising. Queen’s is ranked third in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Accounting and Finance (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024). Graduates from this programme’s predecessor (MSc Accounting and Finance) have secured roles with employers such as Bank of China, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, Allstate, and many others. Typical graduate roles include chartered and certified accountants, consultants, auditors and finance professionals.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,250
EU Other 3	£25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)
International	£25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)

£6,000 Scholarship available for 2025 entry. Click this link to view the Terms and Conditions.

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications

1.1 Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications.

1.2 International applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure their place on the course. The current mandatory tuition fee deposit payment is £1000 International (Non- EU & EU except ROI).

1.3 This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/tuition-fees/deposit-refunds-policy/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus