1:20 YouTube video

Basma Akbar came to Bayes Business School from Kuwait to study on the MSc in Banking and International Finance. In this video she tells us why she loved studying in London and learning from renowned professors.

Overview

Who is it for?

You are an ambitious, curious and hard-working graduate, driven to succeed in the fast-changing worlds of finance, accounting and businesses globally. You hold the equivalent of a UK upper second degree, or above.

This is a highly practical course which blends academic theory with real-world applications equipping you with transferable skills needed for strategic decision making and a holistic outlook in the fields of finance and accounting.

This course is for you if you wish to build your career in accountancy, financial analysis and management, consultancy, investment banking, corporate finance, or finance departments across a range of business sectors.  You’ll also benefit from extra-curriculum opportunities including events with senior figures from the industry, networking opportunities with world-class alumni, tailored careers support, and contacts with City of London accounting and finance professionals as guest lecturers.

Katarina Aleksandrovic
Bayes Business School was my first and only choice for postgraduate study as I have always aspired to obtain one of the most prestigious master’s degrees in finance in the very heart of London.

I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best professors I ever had throughout my education, but also I was able to study in the very heart of London.

- Katarina Aleksandrovic

Objectives

You’ll gain expertise and academic training at the edge of accounting and finance practice that will lead to a range of rewarding international roles. You’ll develop a comprehensive business skillset, acquire a broad-based understanding of financial knowledge before specialising in a chosen area of expertise.

You will be able to select courses to emphasize either accounting or finance depending on your career aspirations. You can choose modules that prepare you for professional accounting qualifications, or focus in greater depth on finance, or structure your degree so that it balances across the two fields.

Our graduates leave with a well-rounded practical skills and theoretical knowledge including:

  • how to prepare, interpret, analyse and use financial accounts for business decision making
  • analytical tools for evaluating and executing complex corporate finance transactions and deals
  • how to develop and apply methods that help weigh financial risks
  • how to assess the implications of financial data on corporate performance and valuation
  • deep understanding how financial figures reflect and affect strategic management of international companies
  • strong grasp of fundamental issues behind international capital flows
  • critical appreciation of the complexity of strategic decision making in achieving superior firm performance.

The emphasis is on enabling you to apply acquired knowledge in practice through hands-on approach in learning. To help achieve a competitive edge in the job market you will also have the opportunity to develop new skills including programming Python, and apply your knowledge in industry sponsored business projects.  You will learn in highly interactive and stimulating lectures, with experimental teaching by experienced academics and industry experts as guest lecturers.

Ask a student

Chat to one of our MSc in International Accounting and Finance students now and have them answer your questions on everything from application to student life.

Have a question about student experience at Bayes?

Talk one-on-one with a student who is currently studying at Bayes.

Ask a student

Structure

What will I learn

On the International Accounting and Finance master’s course, you will:

  • Learn from active researchers and industry leaders at one of the largest and most respected finance faculties in the world.
  • Create a course to match your aims, with a broad choice of electives, research projects and the option to take the International Financial Reporting Standards Certificate in Term 3.
  • Earn exemptions from some CIMA modules and ACCA modules on a course that’s accredited by ICAEW and is a Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) Partner Programme. The number of ACCA exemptions will depend on your module choices in the second term.
  • Gain useful international experience, with electives in locations such as Dubai, Madrid and New York.
  • Benefit from our location near the City of London, with guest lectures and teaching from senior industry professionals and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Induction weeks

All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.

Assessment methods

Assessment

We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice.

To satisfy the requirements of the degree course students must complete:

  • eight core courses (15 credits each)

and either

  • five electives (10 credits each)
  • three electives (10 credits each) and an Applied Research Project (20 credits)
  • one elective (10 credits) and a Business Research Project (40 credits)
  • one super elective on IFRS (30 credits) and two electives (10 credits each)
  • one super elective on IFRS (30 credits) and an Applied Research Project (20 credits)

Assessment of modules on the MSc in International Accounting & Finance, in most cases, is by means of coursework and unseen examination. Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, unseen tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.

Term dates

Term dates 2023/24

  • Induction: 11th September 2023 - 22nd September 2023
  • Term one: 25th September 2023 - 8th December 2023
  • Term one exams: 8th January 2024 - 19th January 2024
  • Term two: 22nd January 2024 - 5th April 2024
  • Term two exams: 22nd April 2024 - 3rd May 2024
  • Term three - international electives: 6th May 2024 - 17th May 2024
  • Term three: 20th May 2024 - 5th July 2024
  • Term three exams: 8th July 2024 - 19th July 2024
  • Resits: 12th August 2024 - 23rd August 2024
  • Additional resit week - tests only: 26th August 2024 - 30th August 2024.

Timetables

Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.

View academic timetables (add timetable and search for your programme)

Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.

Teaching staff

Course Director

Course director profile

Dr Ivana Raonic

Senior Lecturer in Accounting & Finance

The teaching staff on the MSc in International Accounting & Finance have many years of practical experience working in the financial services sector and are also active researchers in their fields

This knowledge and experience inform the highly interactive lectures that make up the MSc in International Accounting & Finance.

Module Leaders include:

Application

How to apply

Apply for MSc International Accounting and Finance

Documents required for decision-making

  • Transcript/interim transcript
  • Grading system used by your university
  • Current module list if still studying
  • CV
  • Personal statement - this should be 500-600 words in length and answer the following:
    • Why have you selected this course? What are your motivating factors?
    • What are your areas of interest within the course?
    • What contributions do you feel you can make to the course?
    • How do you see the course affecting your career plans?

Documents which may follow at a later date

  • English language test result if applicable
  • GMAT result if applicable
  • Confirmation of professional qualification examinations/exemptions/passes, if applicable
  • Two references
  • For a successful application to receive an unconditional status, all award documents must be verified, and should be provided to the relevant Admissions Officer via one of the methods stated in your offer.

We cannot comment on individual eligibility before you apply and we can only process your application once it is fully complete, with all requested information received.

Individual Appointments

If you would like to arrange an individual appointment to discuss the application process and be given a tour of the facilities, please complete this form.

Please note - these are subject to availability.

Terms and conditions

Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.

Entry requirements

  • A UK upper second class degree or above, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.
  • Some level of previous study or evidence of skills in finance or quantitative methods is essential.
  • Work experience is not a requirement of this course.

English language requirements

If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take an English language test.

If you have studied in the UK at degree level for less than three years (e.g. 3+1, 2+1, 2+2, etc.) you will be required to provide the results of an approved English language test and possibly resit the test to meet our academic entry requirements.

Full list of approved English language tests/qualifications and minimum requirements.

Fees

UK/EU/International £31,700 Tuition fees are subject to annual change

Fees in each subsequent year of study for continuing students (where applicable) will be subject to an annual increase of 2%. We will confirm any change to the annual tuition fee for continuing students in writing prior to commencing each subsequent year of study (where applicable).

Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met)

First installment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period)
Second installment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course)

Information about Scholarships

Career pathways

After this International Accounting and Finance post-grad course, you’ll be ready to embark on a fulfilling career in finance or accounting. Previous graduates went on to roles as auditors, tax associates, analysts and M&A consultants for major financial services organisations including large global corporations such as KPMG, Ernst & Young and PWC, while others have entered accountancy training programmes.

Your career could take you to investment and corporate banks, accountancy and audit firms, ratings firms, private equity, financial data providers, venture capital, and finance departments in major corporations.

You will be well placed to exploit our close links with major financial players in the City of London. Our specialist careers team will help you define your career goals, and build valuable connections at employer and alumni networking opportunities.

Class profile

Recent graduates of the MSc in the International Accounting and Finance programme have secured positions in companies including:

  • Internal Auditor - Finance Team - Winbro Group Technologies/Quaser Group Plc
  • Audit Trainee - Audit - BDO
  • Audit Associate - Audit - EY
  • Senior Manager - Finance - Pingan Bank
  • Consultant - FA-Deal Restructuring Service - Deloitte

Previous graduates have gone on to work in consulting and financial services across the UK, the EU, and Asia.

(Data provided from alumni who completed the annual destination data survey for 2020/21 and 2019/20).

Alumni stories

Katarina Aleksandrovic
Katarina Aleksandrovic
International Accounting and Finance
Serbia flag

Hear from our alumni. Discover the real experiences of learning at Bayes and how Bayes helped to boost our graduates' careers.

Read Katarina’s story

Course information and statistics (2022/23 cohort)

Globe
25
nationalities in previous cohort
Graduation hat
23
average age of student body

Accreditation

Successfully obtaining the MSc allows exemption from the exams of CIMA, ACCA and ICAEW.

See accreditation details

CIMA

CIMA is the world’s leading, and largest, professional body of management accountants.

Students successfully completing the MSc in International Accounting and Finance will be awarded exemptions from the following modules:

  • BA1:Fundamentals of Business Economics
  • BA2:Fundamentals of Management Accounting
  • BA3:Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
  • BA4:Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
  • E1:Managing Finance in a Digital World
  • P1:Management Accounting
  • F1:Financial Reporting
  • Operational Case Study Exam
  • E2:Managing Performance
  • P2:Advanced Management Accounting
  • F2:Advanced Financial Reporting

MSc International Accounting and Finance graduates will be able to join CIMA through an accelerated route– the CIMA Master’s gateway assessment.

ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants.

Students successfully completing the MSc in International Accounting and Finance will be awarded exemptions from the following modules:

  • Business and Technology
  • Management Accounting
  • Financial Accounting
  • Corporate and Business Law
  • Financial Reporting
  • Financial Management

The MSc International Accounting and Finance programme is also eligible for the Accelerate scheme programme.

ICAEW

MSc International Accounting and Finance is a programme partner with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW). Students successfully completing the MSc in International Accounting and Finance will be awarded credits for prior learning (exemptions) in the following subjects for the ICAEW chartered accountancy qualification, the ACA :

  • Accounting
  • Financial Management

CFA Program Partner

The CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, recognises the rigour and the relevance of the MSc in International Accounting and Finance and has awarded this course partner status. CFA Program Partner status is awarded to a select number of universities around the world whose degree courses incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge. The CFA Program is the essential qualification for those wishing to pursue a career in the finance sector and the CFA Institute recognises the MSc in International Accounting and Finance as strong preparation for their professional exams.

Each year a number of CFA scholarships are available to Bayes students, offering financial assistance with the CFA exam registration fees.