How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Accounting

Start date: October 2026

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

What is the MRes Accounting degree?

The MRes Accounting is a postgraduate taught programme that can be studied over one year full-time or two years part-time.

MRes stands for 'Masters by Research', but this is a taught programme rather than a research degree. You'll deepen your understanding of accounting while developing qualitative and quantitative research skills for progression to PhD study or employment.

Why this course

Develop the research skills and accounting knowledge needed to explore accounting from a broader social science perspective.

You'll deepen your understanding of the changing roles and perceptions of accounting within society, while exploring different approaches to accounting research.

Develop the skills to design and manage your own research, from constructing research questions and hypotheses to collecting, analysing and interpreting data.

Who should apply

Those looking to develop advanced research skills within accounting
Those considering progressing to PhD study
Those interested in qualitative and quantitative approaches to accounting research
Those looking to develop research skills that can be applied in employment

What you'll learn

Accounting research: Explore different approaches to research within accounting
Research methods: Develop your understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods
Research design: Learn how to develop research questions, hypotheses and research proposals
Data analysis: Develop skills in collecting, analysing and interpreting research data
Corporate reporting and analysis: Explore key issues in corporate reporting and the analysis of accounting information
Management accounting: Deepen your understanding of management accounting within a wider social context

Your learning experience

Independent research: Develop and manage an extended accounting research project
Research evaluation: Build your ability to critically evaluate research and different approaches to knowledge
Qualitative and quantitative research: Develop experience of different methods used to investigate accounting issues
Critical thinking: Explore accounting theories and techniques within a wider social science context

Information for international students

Please be aware that MRes courses are taught programmes rather than research degrees. This means studying this MRes does not meet the Student visa requirements relating to dependant applications.

Students studying an MRes at Essex will not normally be eligible to make a dependant application for their family unless they are also in receipt of a scholarship or financial sponsorship from a government.

Find out more about Student visas and bringing family members.

Careers and outcomes

The MRes Accounting develops research and accounting skills that can support progression to PhD study or careers in areas including:

Accountancy
Financial analysis
Management
Public administration
Research

Employers of Accounting graduates

Graduates from Essex Business School have progressed to organisations including:

KPMG
Grant Thornton LLP
Ministry of Taxes of the Republic of Azerbaijan
ERS Insurance Group
Groupon
Credit Data Research
Coast Digital
Humanity First UK

Career support

Our Student Support team works closely with the University's Employability and Careers service to provide careers information, advice and CV support.

They can help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities, as well as providing access to employer talks on campus.

We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support students looking to develop their own business ideas.

Why we're great.

This course is the perfect first step towards a PhD in accounting.
Join both thriving research centres that support the world-leading accounting research conducted at Essex Business School.
Enjoy the flexibility to choose some modules to ensure you have the perfect foundation for your chosen research topic.

“I chose this course because I wanted to develop my research skills before continuing to a PhD. Essex Business School takes a philosophical and social science approach to research and that appealed to me. I’ve found the staff to be professional and friendly.”

Mohammad Ali Al-Tamimi, MRes Accounting

Course content

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Dissertation in Accounting

(60 CREDITS)

Your dissertation is the culmination of your Masters programme, where you apply the knowledge gained on your course to produce an extended independent piece of work. You generate an original idea, analyse literature and current knowledge and produce a coherent argument that shows your ability to relate theory to practice. Your dissertation will help you develop vital skills for the workplace, as well as the ability to analyse real problems through an academic lens. You are assigned a supervisor for the duration of your project.

View Dissertation in Accounting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Research Evaluation

(20 CREDITS)

Develop the skills needed to produce a rigorous and critical literature review at postgraduate level. This module explores key theoretical, philosophical and methodological approaches to research, with a strong focus on literature searching, evaluation and synthesis. You’ll strengthen your ability to critically analyse academic texts and build methodological and epistemological insight to support advanced research projects and dissertations.

View Research Evaluation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Research Methods in Accounting

(20 CREDITS)

This module equips you with a critical understanding of research methods and methodologies in the field of accounting. You develop the skills needed to explore issues in accounting and identify, choose and implement research designs and strategies.

View Research Methods in Accounting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Philosophies of Research and Advanced Qualitative Research Methods

(20 CREDITS)

This module is designed to build on your knowledge and understanding of research in management, marketing, accounting and organisation studies and to develop your skills in studying organisational life. Its aim is to draw together insights from the philosophy of the social sciences, methodology and advanced qualitative research methods in order to develop an informed and reflexive understanding of research design and practice. A key part of your learning process on this module will develop your ability to connect an informed understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of organisational research with your planned methodological approach and methods of data collection and analysis. Underpinning the module is an understanding of the research process not as a unidirectional, linear trajectory but as a complex and multi-dimensional back and forth process through which ideas evolve that coalesce into a research design that is specific to particular research projects and researchers and which enables those projects to proceed ethically and credibly.

View Philosophies of Research and Advanced Qualitative Research Methods on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(20 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL

(40 CREDITS)

Teaching

You learn via a combination of lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks and directed independent study.
Tailor the content of your course to more closely fit your interests and aspirations.
Courses focus on practical applications and links with industry.
We run an open seminar series.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of examinations and coursework assignments, which may take a number of forms, such as essays, case studies, theoretical and empirical studies.

Dissertation

You undertake a 15,000 word dissertation

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree in accounting or a related discipline.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

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.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£15,750

International fee

£24,675

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

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We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 17 October 2026 - October Open Day

Saturday 7 November 2026 - November Open Day

Find out more

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You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

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If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

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