Accounting and Management MSc
Part of: Business and Management and Economics and Finance
The Accounting and Management MSc aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of accountancy and business analysis.
Students will have the opportunity to study topics such as management and financial accounting, international business, corporate governance, behavioural finance and statistics.
You'll also be eligible to enter the CIMA Master's Gateway fast-track route, which provides exemptions to 11 CIMA exams, through the successful completion of the degree and passing one CIMA Exam in August.
- Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) - a globally recognised professional body.
- Join a culturally rich environment which promotes cultural understanding and flexibility.
- Study in one of the financial capitals in the world.
Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £15,250
Overseas: £33,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
This programme aims to teach students to:
- Identify issues in national and international business settings and apply effective decision making techniques based on the available information.
- Use software tools for business analysis and decision making.
- Understand contemporary theories and practices of accounting and management and evaluate their relevance to real world cases.
The course also allows students to gain a professional accountancy qualification with CIMA. Students who successfully complete their modules will be eligible for the CIMA Masters Gateway, a fast-track route to the CIMA Management Level, by passing 11 exams. By sitting the Management Level Case Study exam alongside their studies, students can achieve the globally-recognised CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting, in addition to their masters degree.
Structure
- Six compulsory modules.
- Two elective modules.
- Compulsory 7000-word dissertation.
Compulsory/Core modules
The dissertation forms an important part of the assessment of the MSc Programmes, carrying a weighting of four modules i.e. one third of the entire Programme. The dissertation requires a demonstration of ability to carry out an original investigation into an area of interest. As such, the process should reflect skills of formulating research questions, synthesising and analysing data, drawing insights and conclusions, and written communication. Students will be required to conduct an investigation of an issue relevant to the content of the Programme of which it forms a component. Students will be guided through the dissertation process by an Advisor. To prepare you for the dissertation, students are required to take the compulsory Research Methods module. Information about the Dissertation will be provided on the dedicated module area on QM+.
In this module students will understand the evolution of corporate reporting from nationally specific practices to a more convergence towards IASB standards and why and how this has been sponsored. This module introduces the core accounting concepts and explores the financial reporting framework and guidelines currently available to international companies. Students will understand and appreciate how changes in regulation and corporate governance arrangements have added remuneration reports and the chairman's statements plus new demands for international integrated corporate reporting.
International Business is about business or firms engaging in intercontinental (cross-border) economic activities and trading transactions and/or the activity of doing business abroad. In this module students would be expected to understand the nature of international business and key analytical techniques for the operation of a business in a global setting. This module will involve developing a critical understanding of the key techniques that can be employed to support the allocation of corporate resources within an international sphere of operation.
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) - the largest association of management accountants in the UK - considers management control system as combining accounting, finance and management with the leading-edge techniques needed to drive successful businesses. The module focuses on the production and analysis of certain information such as job and process costing, joint costs, capital investment decisions, budgetary systems and transfer pricing. The management team in any organisation uses that information produced to shape up its strategy.
The module will provide a foundation in Research Methods for students for their dissertations. It will instruct them in how to prepare a research proposal, to draw out objectives of research, to undertake literature reviews and to assess suitable research methods to use. The course covers both qualitative methods such as case studies, questionnaires, surveys and interview techniques and an introduction to quantitative methods and data analysis. By the end of the course students should be able to prepare a research proposal.
Using publicly available information and real-world case studies this Module introduces a framework for business analysis and valuation grounded in recent developments in company valuation and business models. The Module analyses and discusses key components of business models and company valuation such as business strategy analysis, accounting analysis, financial analysis and prospective analysis in a variety of decision contexts. The Module then proceeds to focus on equity valuation.
This module examines the financial reporting of companies, and how such reporting can be analysed to evaluate performance. The Module expands on Semester A modules of the MSc Accounting and Finance (all the modules in Semester A are compulsory). Students learn how accounts are constructed and analysed, then examine the impact of selected issues on the reported numbers e.g. the reporting of intangible assets; the treatment of Goodwill and share repurchases, financial ratios, analysis of the Equity Statement. The Module refers largely to the regulatory regime of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
Elective modules
The module provides an introduction to the study of accounting and finance from the perspectives of other disciplines such as economic sociology, science and technology studies, anthropology, communications, and marketing with an emphasis on understanding the establishment of institutions, production of knowledge, and real-life practices found in accounting and finance.
This module examines the role and duties of corporate managers, goals of corporate activities, and interests in which corporations should run through debates by introducing students to key topics in corporate governance theory. Research and practice enables them to criticise relevant academic literature to develop the ability to suggest potential areas for development. Developments in early 21st century European corporate governance, corporate governance theory, regulatory frameworks, share/stakeholders, family-owned firms, institutional investors, socially responsible investments, and board of directors are explored.
This module examines aspects of Sustainability Reporting of companies as well as the determinants and the extent of the Integrated Reporting. Specifically the Module focuses on determinants and consequences of Integrated Reporting, Green House Gases regulatory framework and guidance and GreenHouse Gases measurement and reporting
Risk management is key to an organisation's sustainability. It allows a business to plan for situations ranging from global pandemics to volatile marketplaces, and to put solutions in place that enable them to continue to thrive. The module is designed to provide a complete set of essential management skills to assess and tackle risks.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Assessment
Summative assessment uses conventional academic coursework, mid-semester tests and final exams. Formative assessment takes place using short class presentations, debates, computer-based exercises, group work and online tests.
Dissertation
Examples of past projects include:
- The effect of takeovers on firms’ financial performance: an empirical investigation.
- The impact of goodwill write-downs on firms’ financial performance.
- The evolution of the pharmaceutical business model.
- An impact analysis of IFRS 16 leases on the European airline industry.
- An empirical analysis of the effect of the inward Foreign Direct Investment on BRICS countries.
—“It has been a wonderful year for me. I have had a lot of support from my lecturers and School of Business and Management staff. The Careers Team have been there for me whenever I needed them, and I believe that this learning experience will help me shape my career in the best way possible. I wish to express gratitude to every person in the School of Business and Management for providing me with the most useful resources and an amazing experience during my masters.”
Dharmit Mehta, Accounting and Management MSc, 2022
Teaching
Programme Director: Dr. Nikiforos Panourgias
Our interdisciplinary approach ensures a fully rounded business education, and includes lectures led by experienced academics and interaction with Queen Mary’s independent Virtual Learning Environment, QMplus.
This programme's modules have been developed and will be taught by academics who are experts in their fields.
You’ll be assigned an Academic Advisor who will guide and support you in both academic and pastoral matters, throughout your course.
Our lecturers also publicise their office hours, when they are available to give feedback and advice on coursework, on their online staff profiles.
If you have any questions and would like to speak to the programme director via phone or email, please feel free to email them to schedule a one-to-one.
.jpg)
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- Free access to industry-standard datasets including Bloomberg and Eikon.
- 24-hour library on campus.
Campus
Teaching is based at Queen Mary’s Mile End campus, one of the largest self-contained residential campuses in the capital. Our location in the heart of London’s East End offers a rich cultural environment.
We have invested £105m in new facilities over the past five years to offer our students an exceptional learning environment. Recent developments include the £39m Graduate Centre, providing 7,700 square metres of learning and teaching space.
The campus is 15 minutes from Central London by tube, where you will have access to many of the University of London’s facilities, including the Senate House library.
You’ll be studying in one of the financial capitals of the world, close to London's main financial districts - the Square Mile and Canary Wharf.
About the School
School of Business and Management
The School of Business and Management has a reputation as a socially engaged management school, with an innovative, multidisciplinary, mindful and responsible approach. We invite our students to ask incisive questions, to challenge their assumptions, and to search for solutions to real-world challenges.
We ensure students experience innovative and engaging educational pathways, alongside supportive staff and excellent research facilities.
The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which ensures that the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success are met.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the School of Business and Management dramatically moved up the Times Higher Education rankings. Among 108 UK business schools, the School now ranks:
- 22nd for overall research quality (up from 39th in REF2014)
- 28th for research outputs (up from 34th)
- 12th for research impact (up from 24th)
- 21st for research environment (up from 59th)
Queen Mary is also part of the Russell Group - a body of leading UK universities dedicated to research and teaching excellence.
Career paths
Graduates of this course are now working in roles such as:
- Trainee Mortgage Advisor
- Senior Retail Manager
- Tax Associate
- General Accountant
- Operations Partner
- Financial Analyst
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £15,250
- Overseas: £33,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in any subject.
Other routes
Candidates that do not currently meet the set entry requirements may also have the option to study the Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences. Meeting the required grades on completion of this programme will provide a pathway to study MSc Accounting and Management.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught in the School of Business and Management falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.