University of Manchester

What you'll study

This programme covers the core areas of accounting and finance with an emphasis on analytical rigour and practical application. Typical taught modules include Financial Reporting and Analysis, Corporate Finance, Management Accounting, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Quantitative Methods for Finance. You will also study Audit and Assurance, Corporate Governance and Ethics, and research methods that prepare you for the dissertation.

Many students choose from optional modules to tailor the degree to their interests; options often include topics such as Valuation and M&A, Taxation, Forensic Accounting and Financial Crime, Advanced Financial Modelling, Behavioural Finance, and Risk Management. The programme normally culminates in an independent dissertation or applied research project that lets you explore a specialist topic in depth.

Teaching typically combines lectures, seminars, case studies and practical workshops. Assessments may include unseen and take-home examinations, group work, written coursework, presentations and a dissertation. Where available, applied learning opportunities draw on links with practice and industry, providing exposure to real-world datasets and practitioner perspectives.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, economics, business or a quantitatively relevant subject. Successful applicants often have a UK second-class upper degree (2:1) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution. Applicants with a lower-class degree but relevant professional experience or strong quantitative credentials may be considered on an individual basis.

International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English; accepted evidence typically includes recognised English language tests with a level appropriate for postgraduate study. The programme does not usually require a GMAT or GRE, though scores may be considered for certain applicants. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide a personal statement and references that demonstrate motivation and preparedness for advanced study in accounting and finance.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of careers across professional accounting firms, financial services, corporate finance, industry and the public sector. Common roles taken by alumni include management accountant, financial analyst, auditor, tax advisor, corporate finance associate, risk analyst and consultancy roles. The combination of accounting and finance prepares students for careers that require both technical accounting knowledge and financial decision‑making skills.

The degree also provides a strong foundation for students who wish to pursue professional qualifications or further research. It can support preparation for professional accounting bodies and for more specialised roles in investment analysis, corporate treasury, financial reporting and forensic accounting.

Why study at University of Manchester

The programme is based in the Alliance Manchester Business School and benefits from a research-led environment with faculty expertise across accounting, finance and corporate governance. Teaching draws on academic research and practitioner insight, offering contemporary perspectives on regulation, financial markets and corporate reporting.

Students gain access to extensive career support, employer engagement activities, guest lectures and networking events with firms across audit, advisory and financial services. Manchester is a major UK city with a strong professional services sector, providing internship and graduate opportunities. The university’s facilities, including specialised computing resources and finance labs, support applied learning and quantitative analysis throughout the programme.

Overall, the MSc Accounting and Finance at the University of Manchester is suited to students seeking a rigorous postgraduate qualification that combines technical accounting competence with practical finance skills and industry exposure.