Professional Accounting MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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Enhance your accounting career and advance into broader management roles with this master's degree. Gain in-demand skills, professional exemptions and practical experience for leadership roles.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Practice
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
18-20 months full-time with professional practice
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

LONT121,
LONT122

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026


Course overview

This course is designed for accounting professionals who want to enhance their career prospects by gaining advanced knowledge and skills in key areas of accounting and finance.

  • Enhance your knowledge in strategic financial management, performance management and financial reporting.
  • Develop your critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Gain practical experience and boost your CV with additional professional practice on campus, a nine-week internship, or a longer professional placement. See the modules for more details.2
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Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

This course is for you if you want to:

  • fast-track your career: gain exemptions from ACCA and CIMA professional qualifications (see accreditation section for more information)

  • learn from experts: taught by experienced academics and industry professionals (staff subject to change)

  • access industry insights: attend guest lectures from leading accounting and finance professionals.2

  • gain practical experience: boost your CV with additional professional practice on campus, a nine-week internship, or a longer professional placement. See the modules for more details.

Accreditation and professional recognition

CISI brand logo

Coventry University is a CISI education partner. This means you'll be offered the chance to take the Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of the course, at no additional cost. 

Want to pursue further CISI qualifications? You can do so for a 50% discount. Simply book through the CISI customer support team at customersupport@cisi.org. Please note that completing CISI exams outside of the course requires you to apply directly to CISI. There may be additional criteria and fees. For full details, visit the CISI website


CIMA logo

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

This course is accredited by CIMA for the 2025/26 intake. Successful completion of the course entitles students to exemptions from 11 papers of CIMA. CIMA does not charge for exemption applications. CIMA charge fees separately for registration and student membership. Please see the CIMA website for more details.


ACCA logo

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

This course is accredited for the 2024/25 intake, and subject to reaccreditation for the 2025/26 intake. Once reaccredited, on successful completion of the course students will be eligible for exemption from all but the professional level papers of the ACCA. Students will need to register with the ACCA and apply for the relevant exemptions. ACCA charge fees separately for registration and student membership. To find out more, please visit theACCA website. If the accreditation of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.1


Immerse yourself in Coventry University London’s global community and emerge as a talented, career-ready graduate with an international outlook.


What you'll study

Our Professional Accounting MSc course aims to give you a competitive edge, providing advanced knowledge, practical skills and exemptions from CIMA and ACCA. Learn from experienced academics and industry experts, gain hands-on experience, and network with accounting and financial firms. Graduate ready to take on challenging roles in the accounting and finance professions. 

Courses

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • presentations
  • group projects
  • workshops.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • reports
  • tests
  • exams
  • practical coursework
  • assignments
  • presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in an accounting-related discipline, at least two years work experience in the accounting or finance sector or relevant professional qualifications.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in an accounting-related discipline, at least two years work experience in the accounting or finance sector or relevant professional qualifications.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200  
£13,000 (with professional practice)  
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured)  
Not available
EU £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£13,000 (with professional practice) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary**
£20,400 (with professional practice) per year without EU Support Bursary**
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £18,600  
£20,400 (with professional practice)  
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured)  
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our MSc Professional Accounting students have access to a wide range of facilities to help them become proficient with some of the leading technology in the financial industry, and prepare for the world of work. Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you.

Career and employability support

Our dedicated team is on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. The team also aims to organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts (subject to availability).

Library services

Featuring around 100 study spaces including silent study areas, our library features a wide array of resources including books, journals, and online databases to support your studies. You’ll also benefit from expert staff guidance and tailored workshops to give you essential research skills. Services can be accessed remotely and as part of the library provision at University House.

Bloomberg Suite

Enter the world of finance with our Bloomberg Suite, using industry-standard software to analyse real-time data and market trends. Gain the experience and practical skills needed for a successful career in the global market.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates may seek positions as:

  • Financial Analyst: analyse financial data, evaluate investment opportunities, and provide recommendations for financial decision-making in various industries
  • Auditor: examine financial records and processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and integrity of financial reporting within organisations
  • Tax Advisor: provide expert guidance on tax laws and regulations, helping individuals and businesses optimise their tax strategies and ensure compliance
  • Investment Banker: advise companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other financial transactions, facilitating growth and strategic financial decisions
  • Risk Manager: identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks, protecting organisations from potential losses and ensuring financial stability
  • Financial Consultant: offer expert advice to businesses and individuals on a range of financial matters, including investment strategies, financial planning, and risk management.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for organisations including PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, JD Sports and Sky Broadcasting Corporation.

 

Global business connections

Our strong global business connections provide students with access to real-life work experience, so you can put your skills into practice and make connections in the world of work.


How to apply

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