How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: International Accounting and Banking

Start date: October 2023

Study mode: Full-time

Maximum duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

This course equips you with in-depth financial knowledge and the practical skills needed for a rewarding career in accounting or banking in multinational organisations.

MSc International Accounting and Banking is a unique degree amongst UK universities, giving you a competitive edge by combining theory and practice with real-life examples. You gain an advanced understanding of contemporary accounting and banking issues and produce a business report on a listed company. You develop your ability to research issues, analyse and solve business problems and operate effectively in a fast-paced international business environment.

Whether you have a first degree in accounting, or are looking to study the subject for the first time, this course is for you if you’re looking for a career in international organisations, such as banks, accountancy firms, accountancy and finance departments or business consultancy.

You explore topics including:

international management accounting
international financial reporting
corporate reporting and analysis
modern banking
bank strategy and risk

Essex Business School, where this course is taught, is an internationally diverse place to study, with more than half of our staff and students joining us from overseas. As a result, this course is informed by a wide range of global perspectives, preparing you for the demands of an international career in accounting or banking.

You benefit from academic excellence in two fields where you work with researchers who are at the cutting-edge of accounting and banking theory:

The Essex Finance Centre (EFiC) works with leading financial services firms and public sector organisations, governments and policy institutions to produce work that makes real-world impact across the globe.
The Essex Accounting Centre is at the forefront of the field of accounting and produce empirical and theoretical research.

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for the purpose of exemptions from some professional examinations.

Completion of this course gives you accreditation exemptions from up to four professional examination papers with The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

This means that you are able to gain a professional qualification more quickly by taking fewer exams when you graduate, giving your career a head start.

Female student sat in the corner of a sofa holding a cup of tea and chatting to another student slightly out of view in the left of the image.

Chat to our staff and students

Find out what it's like to live and study at Essex from those who are already here.

Why we're great.

Accredited by ACCA with up to four exemptions from ACCA professional examination papers.
You don’t need a first degree in accounting or banking to study this course.
Our Bloomberg virtual trading floor will give you hands-on experience of working in a busy financial hub.

Our expert staff

Essex Business School has a number of established research strengths in accounting, including:

accounting in emerging economies
sustainable accounting
governance
global development
public sector accounting
regulation and reporting

Our researchers make a significant impact on the lives of people all around the world, with past and current research projects covering five continents.

The experience and findings of our experts will feature throughout your teaching. For example, you’ll hear from Professor Ileana Steccolini, Professor of Accounting.

Professor Steccolini’s research explores accounting in the content of public administration and management. During the COVID-19 pandemic she was granted rapid response funding for a projectto help vulnerable communities in Brazil. Through the project, Ileana helped local community leaders to work with their populations to identify how public interventions (such as vaccinations) could be most effectively rolled out to those most in need.

Two research centres support the research activities taking place in the accounting group. They organise seminars by external invited speakers, Essex Business School staff and research students; co-ordinate workshop programmes; and schedule bi-annual conferences of international renown. These offer a further excellent opportunity for you to engage with the very latest research and ideas in the field of accounting.

The Essex Accounting Centre conducts distinctive world-class research, with a particular focus on accounting research applied in developing countries, including topics such as social responsibility and corporate governance; management accounting change; and corruption and accountability.

Our new interdisciplinary centre, the Centre for Accountability and Global Development (CAGD), is a dynamic hub for social justice research, with a particular focus on accountability across all sectors in both developed and emerging economies. The Centre contributes to impactful global development through rigorous research and engagement with the policy community, which complements the existing research strengths and expertise established within the Essex Accounting Centre.

Specialist facilities

MSc International Accounting and Banking is based at our Colchester Campus.

You’ll be studying at Essex Business School , home to the first zero carbon business school in the UK – demonstrating our sustainable approach to business first-hand. Set around a lush winter garden, with shared spaces to encourage collaborative working, you’ll find a wealth of inspiring teaching and study zones:

a virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Financial Market Labs, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and learn how to model financial data in a practical setting
access to company reporting databases, Passport (GMID) and NEXIS advance UK
learn in modern lecture theatres with ‘listen again’ recording to aid your study
utilise study booths in our winter garden and versatile break out areas for group working throughout the building
study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
networking opportunities with visiting businesses and careers events
Bonds café and adjacent foyer to enjoy on-site fresh food and drink

You'll also benefit from fantastic University facilities located close by, including our state-of-the-art Silberrad Student Centre, complete with an open-access 24-hour Learning Hub and a cutting-edge media centre.

Our building is located on the Knowledge Gateway, home to some of the region’s most exciting enterprises in the science, technology and creative sectors. The Knowledge Gateway provides potential networking and career opportunities for students directly on campus.

Your future

We develop your creativity, innovation and ethical awareness to prepare you for a successful business career. Our Masters courses foster the business leaders of the future, equipping them with the skills to handle the many challenges the international world of business continues to present.

As well as exploring their own entrepreneurial ventures, our graduates have gained fulfilling roles in financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy.

Essex Business School graduates have progressed to work for high-profile organisations and innovative SMEs, such as:

PwC
Hiscox
Access Group
Bank of England
EY
Credit Data Research, SME finance provider
Footprint Digital, a fast-growing digital marketing agency

Our Student Support team work closely with the University’s Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:1 degree in any 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 select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5

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.

Structure

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. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, 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: COMPULSORY

International Management Accounting

(20 CREDITS)

Analyse the changing practices and theorization of management accounting and control in emerging and less-developed countries in the context of environmental change, institutional and socio-economic factors. You examine traditional management control systems in the context of different cultural, political, and socio-economic contexts.

View International Management Accounting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

International Financial Reporting

(20 CREDITS)

Develop a critical understanding of current issues in international financial reporting. You analyse the development of national accounting systems, the role of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and its impact on financial reporting internationally, and the particular financial reporting needs of developing countries.

View International Financial Reporting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Corporate Reporting and Analysis

(20 CREDITS)

This module introduces you to financial reporting, governance, regulation, and analysis of financial statements. You also gain an understanding of the role of published financial statements in aiding users in their decision-making.

View Corporate Reporting and Analysis on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Modern Banking

(20 CREDITS)

Explore the basics of the structure and environment of banking, and selected aspects of the applied economics of the modern banking firm. You study structure-conduct-performance, competition, bank efficiency, regulation, international banking and bank failures and crises.

View Modern Banking on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Bank Strategy and Risk

(20 CREDITS)

Analyse the key strategic developments in banking and the main aspects of risk management in modern banks. You are introduced to the concept of shareholder value in banking, the main banking strategies to create shareholder value, the key risks in banking, and the most important tools required to manage bank risks.

View Bank Strategy and Risk on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(20 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 07: CORE

Business Report

(60 CREDITS)

This module gives you the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge gained on your course to assess the performance of a real-world business and make recommendations for improvement. You produce an independent business report using published accounting information and techniques such as content analysis, advanced ratio analysis and statistical analysis. You develop your ability to analyse information, think critically and exercise professional judgement when making decisions in difficult accounting contexts. By interrogating a real-life case study, you learn how accounting issues and principles are applied in practice.

View Business Report on our Module Directory

Teaching

This course combines theory with practice; you gain real-world context through up-to-date research and live case studies.
Teaching combines lectures, seminars and private study.

Assessment

This course is assessed through:

coursework assignments, which may take a number of forms, including essays, reports and examinations

Dissertation

Instead of a dissertation, you produce a practically-based business report, evaluating the performance of a listed company of your choice, in addition to a report plan and poster presentation on your chosen company.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£13,650

International fee

£21,350

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

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

What's next

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.

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.

Home to 15,000 students from more than 130 countries, our Colchester Campus is the largest of our three sites, making us one of the most internationally diverse campuses on the planet - we like to think of ourselves as the world in one place.

Set within the 200-acre award-winning beautiful 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.

Whether you are planning to visit us at one of our Open Days, or coming to an Applicant day. Our campus conveniently located and easy to reach by car, train or bus.

How to get to Colchester Campus, parking and other travel information

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

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 the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

Our staff travel the world to speak to people about the courses on offer at Essex. Take a look at our list of exhibition dates to see if we’ll be near you in the future.

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.

Find out more

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.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.