Overview

The global financial sector is evolving rapidly. Technology, regulation and changing global markets are reshaping the profession and creating new opportunities for skilled professionals.

Organisations around the world need professionals who can make informed financial decisions, manage risk and navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Our MSc Accounting, Finance and Regulation course prepares you to succeed in this challenging profession.

You'll develop a deeper academic and professional understanding of the issues shaping accounting and finance today, while building the knowledge and confidence to apply your learning in complex business environments.

Throughout the course, you'll explore topics including:

financial reporting and auditing
financial regulation and compliance
financial risk modelling
governance, ethics and responsible leadership
strategic financial management.

Regulation has become fundamental to modern accounting and finance. As standards continue to evolve and regulatory practices are reviewed and revised, you'll examine how regulation shapes financial decision making and influences organisations around the world.

You'll also explore why ethics, governance and responsible leadership have become central to modern business. This will help you develop the knowledge, judgement and leadership skills to become an ethical and responsible finance professional.

You'll learn from academics with extensive professional experience across financial reporting, management accounting, auditing and the public sector. Their industry insight brings contemporary professional practice into the classroom, ensuring your learning reflects the realities of today's financial sector.

This degree is built for graduates from a range of backgrounds, including accountancy, business, economics, finance, mathematics or statistics. It is also ideal for professionals wanting to strengthen their expertise, or want to progress to doctoral study. Whatever your background, this course equips with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to take the next step in your career.

Fast track opportunity:

Already hold a professional accountancy qualification recognised by the International Federation of Accountants? You could complete the MSc in just eight months on our fast-track route. Find out more in our Additional Information section below.

Why study Accounting, Finance and Regulation at GCU?

Develop the knowledge and judgement to navigate today's financial sector with a strong focus on ethics and responsible leadership.
Learn from qualified accountants with decades of professional experience across financial reporting, management accounting, audit and the public sector.
Gain hands-on experience using our Bloomberg Suite, the world's leading financial analysis platform, with real-time market data and analytics used across the global finance industry.
Use cutting-edge tools to understand, measure and manage financial risk, preparing you to make informed decisions in today's financial sector

What you will study

Modules

Ethics Sustainability & Governance

Postgraduate Research Methods

Developing Leadership for the Common Good

International Financial Reporting and Regulation

Management Accounting Control

International Financial Management

Financial Management for Strategic Decision Making

Current Issues in Audit and Regulation

Financial Risk Modelling

Masters Research Project

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Careers

Accounting and finance professionals are needed across almost every sector. Governments, multinational businesses, financial institutions and non-profit organisations all rely on skilled professionals who can understand financial information, manage risk and support informed decision making.

This course prepares you for a wide range of careers across the accounting, finance and wider business sectors in the UK and internationally.

Career paths may include:

audit
tax consultancy
forensic accounting
sustainability reporting
financial management
public sector finance
risk and regulatory roles.

Our graduates have gone on to work for organisations such as:

Grant Thornton UK
LLP
BDO LLP
Charles Stanley
Morgan Stanley
Smith & Williamson.

Students join us from around the world and graduate with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to pursue opportunities internationally. Many return to employers in their home countries or build careers in new markets, helping to embed new practices and technologies within their chosen specialisms.

Others choose to continue their academic journey through doctoral study and research.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full Time	1 Year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	16 months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc (Fast track)	Full time	8 months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area, such as accountancy, business, economics, finance, mathematics or statistics. The qualification must include at least three modules in accounting or finance. Relevant work experience can be taken into account, along with relevant professional qualifications.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Teaching and learning methods

The curriculum reflects the latest developments in accounting and finance, covering topics including:

international accounting standards
financial reporting and auditing
management accounting
international financial management
strategic financial decision making
financial risk modelling
financial regulation
ethics, sustainability and governance.

You'll apply academic theory to professional practice through real-world learning activities including:

case studies
annual and professional reports
guest lectures
individual research projects
collaborative group work.

Teaching methods will vary depending on the module being taught, and may include:

lectures
seminars
practical classes
simulation experiences
group work
flipped classroom approaches
online learning.

These experiences help you develop the analytical, critical thinking and professional skills needed to succeed in today's financial sector.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods will vary depending on the module being taught, and may include:

written coursework (essays, reports, case studies, dissertation, literature review)
oral coursework (presentations, structured conversations)
group work
blogs and Wikis
portfolio presentations
formal examinations and class tests.

Bloomberg suite

Gain hands-on experience in our Bloomberg Suite, where the world of business and finance is brought into the classroom.

You'll use the same professional platform trusted across the global finance industry, exploring real-time market data, financial analysis and business news spanning more than 110 industries. This practical experience helps you develop the digital skills and commercial awareness employers value.

Designed with industry in mind

This course builds on your previous studies to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges facing today's accounting profession and wider financial sector. In light of recent governance issues, you'll explore the growing importance of regulation and its impact on professional practice.

Designed with industry input, you'll develop the knowledge and skills employers are looking for, preparing you for careers across the accounting, business and financial sectors, or for further academic study.

Fast-track entry available

Already hold a professional accountancy qualification?

If you have a full professional qualification recognised by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), you may be eligible to receive 90 credits towards the MSc and complete the course in just eight months.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus of their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.