About the course

With increased regulations around financial reporting and an unstable global economy, accounting and financial management is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects in any business. Long-term success requires the ability to think both strategically and critically, skills we build in our students through creative and innovative teaching and learning practice.

This master’s course is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), which means that with further relevant study and professional experience, you could go on to become a fully qualified certified accountant or management accountant. Alternatively, you can pursue a PhD or a variety of careers in almost any industry in financial advice, management, auditing or risk.

Combining the rigorous examination of core accounting and financial management with a wide range of practical applications, you will learn to work confidently with both numerical quantitative and qualitative financial analysis and reporting. You’ll draw on real-life data and case studies in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Suite, which features industry-leading technology.

Studying alongside a diverse international body of students from a wide range of national and social backgrounds, you’ll develop as a global citizen, vital in today’s globalised world of work. You’ll expand your professional networks and learn to appreciate different cultural backgrounds and personalities.

The theoretical and technical knowledge and skills required to become a professional accountant means that you can choose to transfer to this career from a range of different disciplines, especially since accounting and financial management is needed in every industry – from sport and leisure, the arts and entertainment to social work, engineering and the natural sciences. Each year, we welcome applicants from a wide range of undergraduate disciplines, some already working, who either want to divert to a financial career and/or recognise the benefits of gaining a postgraduate education in a subject which will improve their contribution to businesses. Past students have joined us having studied subjects as diverse as chemistry and history, as well as business.

Our graduates have gone on to work as a finance officer, audit associate and bank assistant. Others have continued their studies as PhD students or sought to gain Chartered status by taking the relevant ACCA and CIMA exams.

What you’ll learn

The programme is designed to build a rigorous understanding of the dynamic, global business environment and future challenges with relevant real-world accounting and financial management problems and their efficient solutions.

It provides a solid foundation to develop theoretical and technical skills in a number of subjects, including contemporary areas such as multinational management accounting, corporate governance and sustainability, performance management, international financial reporting, auditing and assurance, contemporary issues in accounting practices, and strategy and globalisation and information management.

A large range of optional modules gives you the choice to retain your focus on aspects of financial management, such as international business context or contemporary issues in accounting, or broaden your scope of study to expand your business knowledge, by exploring marketing or entrepreneurship, for example.

Depending on availability, you can also choose to study a modern language as your optional module, from absolute beginners to advanced level in British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Russian. Those for whom English is a second language may also choose Advanced Business English.

Course structure

You wil study a mixture of core and optional taught modules during semesters 1 and 2. After you have completed the taught modules of the course, you will undertake a large project in semester 3 to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of marketing.

How you'll be assessed

Our teaching and learning strategy is wide-ranging and innovative, seeking to give you a rich learning environment that draws actively upon leading edge research, as well as current business practice. It includes traditional lectures, workshops and small group tutorials and innovative approach of flipped classes which, through debate, discussion and case study, will encourage you to become a socially responsible business thinker.

A key strength of our programme is our commitment to developing your critical thinking and practical skills, whether you are preparing for an academic or professional career. The carefully designed modules combined with research and other placement-related projects will give you valuable insight into the interface between theory and real-world accounting practice

You’ll gain hands-on experience in our Bloomberg Suite, with the option to gain the Bloomberg Marketing Concepts (BMC) certificate. Bloomberg’s professional service is a powerful platform for financial professionals that delivers real-time data and news and contains a wide range of analytical tools for asset valuation and portfolio and risk management. This platform is used by banks and other financial services organisations in their daily operations.

Teaching schedule

Teaching takes place over the first two semesters. There are no formal group classes during Semester 3, but you consult with supervisors and access the University’s learning and teaching facilities and support services.

Semester 1 runs from the end of September to the end of January, with an assessment period in January.

Semester 2 runs from the last week of January to the middle of June, with the assessment period in June.

Semester 3 runs from June to the end of September.

Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements

Undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, economics or other business-related subject area, with at least a Second-Class Honours degree (2.2).

Students who have appropriate professional qualifications (e.g., ACCA, CIMA) or relevant work experience may also be considered.

Students with a good 2.2 (55% and above or overseas equivalent) with backgrounds outside of these areas (e.g., History or Pharmacy) may also be considered and are encouraged to contact the course Director.

English Language Entry Requirement for International Students

IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component . The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.

The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.

If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

During your degree programme you can study additional english language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.

Funding

Living costs

Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

Scholarships and funding

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information.

Our expertise

KBS staff have extensive teaching, research and industrial experience in a variety of fields both in the UK and internationally. The School maintains a strong commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching and research. Our staff members have substantial teaching experience and are committed to continuing professional development; some are members (Fellows/Senior Fellows) of the Higher Education Academy. All of our lecturers have PhDs or equivalent, and hold professional qualifications.

The programme team maintains a strong commitment to excellence, innovation and multi-culture in teaching and research. Teaching is informed by research with all teaching staff presenting and publishing academic papers at national and international conferences, in books and in internationally top-ranked accounting, finance, and management journals. Their expertise spans a diverse range of areas from financial market evaluation, auditing, social and environmental accounting to corporate governance.

Teaching team

• Dr Akrum Helfaya
• Dr Shirley Geyi Xu
• Dr Thanamas Kungwal
• Eiman M. El-Sayed
• Dr Carola Weissmeyer
• Dr Colin Rigby

Facilities

The course is run from Keele Business School’s new home – the Denise Coates Foundation Building – a state-of-the-art facility complete with 220-seat lecture theatre, a ‘think lab’ study space, data laboratory, cafe and business lounge.

Home to our accounting, business management, economics, finance, HRM, international business, management and marketing programmes, our Business School is the first to be located on a Science Park. As well as new teaching spaces, our building is unique in that it is also home to the Smart Innovation Hub, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which includes space and support programmes for innovation-led businesses, providing opportunities for students and staff to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and business owners, gaining invaluable networks and experience.

If you choose to study business and management modules available, you’ll have access to the Bloomberg Suite with all its economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations. You can choose to complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certificate free of charge, an eight-hour e-learning, self-paced course which covers economic Indicators, currencies, fixed income and equities.

Based in the heart of England, Keele University is easily accessible by motorway and public transport. You’ll find everything’s on your doorstep, with the most important facilities gathered together at the centre of campus, which, at over 600 acres, is the biggest in the UK.

Recognised for the highest quality teaching, the University was awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), while 97% of our research is classed as world-leading or of international importance (REF 2014). In the global top 20 for campus sustainability, environmental and corporate responsibility underpin the running of our own business and these themes are embedded into our teaching of future professionals and leaders.

Careers

Our educational programmes and the learning environment at Keele is designed to help you to develop further as a well-rounded postgraduate and a critical thinker who is capable of making a positive and valued contribution in a complex and rapidly changing global world, whichever spheres of life you engage in during and after your studies at Keele.

Team building, group work, research, presentations and projects will help you develop essential skills, such as business planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation and time management.

Accountancy is one of the highest earning professions globally, with the average UK salary around £30K, according to 2020 figures from Payscale. However, our master’s will not only prepare you to become a qualified Chartered Accountant, but also for a wide-range of careers in accounting and/or financial management both in the UK and internationally. You could work in accounting and finance-related roles within many different sectors.

Alternatively, you’ll be placed to pursue further postgraduate studies at MPhil or PhD level, which can lead to an academic career in Accounting. Our graduates work for major employers including the Bank of England, Campus Group, Grant Thornton and Eastern International University Vietnam.

Our graduates obtained positions as:

• Accounting Director
• Audit Manager
• Chartered Accountant
• Chief Financial Officer
• Financial Controller
• Finance Manager