International Accounting and Finance MSc

Core modules

• Analytics for Accounting and Business

  The module will guide you understand key descriptive and predictive data analytics techniques that will enable you to perform rigorous and in-depth analysis of business data. The emphasis is on practical application of the methods using computer-based exercises with the real-world data.

• Contemporary Issues in Corporate Finance and Investment Valuation

  The modules teaches core theoretical principles and equips students with practical finance tools. You will learn how to value companies using data from Bloomberg and popular valuation methods employed by investment banks and corporate finance departments.

• Financial Reporting

  The module equips students with critical understanding of the principles and practices of accounting, characteristics and limitations of accounting data. You will learn how to prepare and interpret financial statements, to apply and comment on accounting policies and to use accounting information to assess financial performance of the business.

• Principles of Marketing and Strategy

  This module will equip you with required knowledge and understanding of strategy and marketing established common practices that will support you in acquiring transferable skills necessary for successful careers within and beyond accounting and finance. You will appreciate the complexities involved in strategic decision making, and the role of marketing and strategy in achieving corporate performance.

You'll take two compulsory and two elective modules.

Compulsory modules

• Financial Statement Analysis

  This module leverages many materials from bulge bracket and boutique investment banks to showcase how various techniques covered in the module are used by professionals from the Wall Street, providing you with hands-on experience in analysing and interpreting financial information disclosed by firms listed on major stock exchanges.

• Strategic Management Accounting

  The module teaches how to efficiently use the information on businesses’ products, services, processes, organizational units, suppliers, and customers. You will learn concepts, models, and systems that provide this data for the development, use and control of cost information for decision-making and performance measurement in competitive business environments.

Elective modules

• International Business Finance

  In this module students will learn about the risks that financial managers face when trading internationally in the global marketplace. You  will acquire knowledge on dynamic tools that will allow them to manage and deal with these risks.

• Advanced Equity Valuation and Capital Markets

  The module teaches tools and techniques used by financial analysts, corporate managers, accountants and investment bankers to assess the fundamental value of traded securities in global markets. You will become experts in the theory and practice of equity valuation and will gain a critical perspective when valuing companies based on financial statements.

• Financial Management and Corporate Strategy

  The module provides an in-depth analysis of the theory and international practice of capital structure decisions, dividend and cash policy, valuation, and mergers and acquisitions. You will learn how to incorporate real factors in the valuation of companies. Tax reforms, bankruptcy laws, and employment protection regulation have an impact on both business valuation and capital structure decisions.

• Topics in Mergers and Acquisition

  You will learn how companies use M&A transactions to implement their strategic plans and how such transactions are structured and analysed. Emphasis is given to applied financial analysis, case studies are used throughout the module and lectures are complemented by guest presentations given by M&A practitioners.

You may choose from the five options in your final term.

• Option 1: You can take five specialist elective modules plus Career Management Skills and Research Methods (6 x 10 credits)
• Option 2: You can opt to write an 5,000-word General Research Project (30 credits) and take three specialist elective modules (3 x 10 credits)
• Option 3: You can opt to write a 11,000 word Research Project (60 credits) and take three specialist elective modules (3 x 10 credits)
• Option 4: You can opt to take:

  International Financial Reporting Standards

  The module provides an applied professional qualification that complements the academic program in International Accounting and Finance. You will acquire knowledge and skills to apply complex international financial reporting standards in companies operating globally.

  (30 credits) and two specialist electives plus Career Management Skills and Research Methods (3 x 10 credits)
• Option 5: You can opt to take

  International Financial Reporting Standards

  The module provides an applied professional qualification that complements the academic program in International Accounting and Finance. You will acquire knowledge and skills to apply complex international financial reporting standards in companies operating globally.

  (30 credits) and write 5,000 word General Research Project (30 credits).

Projects and research skills

• General Research Project

  Any business needs key research and professional skills and, to be successful, methodologically sound and rigorous research. This module allows you to demonstrate your ability to integrate and apply concepts and techniques you have learned in an in-depth study of a topic of your choice.

  This module will enable you to demonstrate the results of your learning through the development of a final project. There is no single prescribed method.  For example, you may choose to complete more traditional academic desk research, complete a business plan, or carry out a consultancy project.

• Research Project

  The aim of the module is to help you integrate your learning across a range of skills. In particular it will enable you to demonstrate the results of your learning through the development of an extensive final project which acts as a capstone to your learning.  There is no single prescribed type of project. For example, you may choose to complete more traditional academic desk research, complete a business plan, or carry out a consultancy project.

  This module will train you to undertake individual research and provide you with an opportunity to specialise in a contemporary business or finance topic related to your future career aspirations.

  Summer Internship

  If you are successful in obtaining a Summer Internship as part of your degree course, you will integrate it with your learning using a project module. Your internship project acts as a capstone to your programme and supports you in applying your academic learning in the workplace – helping you prepare for your future career.

• Career Management Skills and Research Methods

  Strong research is a key element of development strategy for companies and institutions large and small.

  This module will provide a grounding in research methods, targeted to your particular degree requirements. You will be able to use these skills to support your learning, substantiate your arguments and make assessments about the nature of the evidence you are using.

  Career and employability skills development will help you develop your aspirations, take a planned and efficient approach to your job search and / or entrepreneurial plans, and help you create a strong base from which to manage your career in the longer term. It will also help you understand how to apply your learning in the wider context of your career.

  Throughout this module you will also be encouraged to reflect on your learning through a sustainable and ethical lens. This will help you understand how to take an ethical approach to your research and taking an ethical, sustainable and forward-looking approach to your career development.

Elective modules

• Corporate Restructuring
• Ethics, Society and the Financial Sector
• Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation for Banks
• Hedge Funds
• Intro to Python
• Investment Strategy
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Private Equity Investment
• Digital Finance
• Visual Basics in Finance.

International electives

• FinTech - taught in Italy
• Investment Banking in Corporate Finance - taught in Portugal
• Project Finance and Infrastructure Investment - taught in Spain.

Please note that electives are subject to change and availability.