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Programme Specification (PG)
Awarding body / institution: Queen Mary University of London
Teaching institution: Queen Mary University of London
Name of final award and programme title: MSc Accounting and Finance
Name of interim award(s): n/a
Duration of study / period of registration: 12 Months (Full-time)
QMUL programme code(s): N1S
QAA Benchmark Group: N100 Business Studies
FHEQ Level of Award: Level 7
Programme accredited by: n/a
Date Programme Specification approved:
Responsible School / Institute: School of Business & Management
Schools / Institutes which will also be involved in teaching part of the programme:
School of Economics and Finance (SEF)
Collaborative institution(s) / organisation(s) involved in delivering the programme:
n/a
Programme outline
The MSc Accounting and Finance is a taught postgraduate programme that is offered jointly by the School of Business and Management and the School of Economics and Finance. This Programme offers specialised, practical and theoretical education in an environment of academic excellence. It is designed for students who aim to pursue a career in the financial services industry and professionals who wish to improve their theoretical and practical knowledge of financial markets and accountancy.
Aims of the programme
- Provide a critical programme of study which provides a depth of knowledge in the fields of Accounting and Finance.
- Provide a programme of contemporary relevance to students seeking to work in accounting, financial services and related areas.
- Provide a range of cognitive and transferable skills both generic and specific to the field of study of business.
What will you be expected to achieve?
Having successfully completed the programme a student will have:
- Acquired a depth of knowledge and understanding of key theories, approaches and issues in the fields of Accounting and Finance.
- Demonstrated transferable cognitive skills in relation to the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the knowledge of Accounting and Finance
- The ability to appraise critically complex areas of knowledge in relevant subjects.
- The ability to evaluate the appropriateness of the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods in particular contexts.
- Developed a range of personal skills including presentation skills, argumentation, evaluation, problem solving, interactive and group skills, self-appraisal, and autonomy in planning and management of learning.
- Enhanced his/her career prospects by an understanding of the complexity of policies and practices in Accounting and Finance and their similarities and differences in different jurisdictions, together with the development of cognitive and personal transferable skills
Academic Content:
A 1
Acquired a depth of knowledge and understanding of key theories, approaches and issues in the fields of Accounting and Finance.
A 2 Demonstrated transferable cognitive skills in relation to the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the knowledge of Accounting and Finance.
A 3 The ability to appraise critically complex areas of knowledge in relevant subjects.
Disciplinary Skills - able to:
B 1 Provide a critical programme of study which provides a depth of knowledge in the fields of Accounting and Finance.
B 2
Provide a programme of contemporary relevance to students seeking to work in accounting, financial services and related areas.
B 3 Provide a range of cognitive and transferable skills both generic and specific to the field of study of business.
Attributes:
C 1
Developed a range of personal skills including presentation skills, argumentation, evaluation, problem solving, interactive and group skills, self-appraisal, and autonomy in planning and management of learning.
C 2
Enhanced his/her career prospects by an understanding of the complexity of policies and practices in Accounting and Finance and their similarities and differences in different jurisdictions, together with the development of cognitive and personal transferable skills.
BUSM054 Financial Reporting (15 credits) - School of Business and Management (SBM)
SEMESTER B: All students will take the following two 15 credit Compulsory modules:
BUSM060 Corporate Governance - SBM BUSM067 Advanced Management Accounting - SBM
The elective choices in Semester B depends on the students' choices regarding Dissertation. The students can choose to carry out their Dissertation either with SBM or SEF. The students finalise their Dissertation preferences in Semester A Week 8.
Students who choose the SBM Dissertation (BUSM066) for Semester 3, must also take the following co-requisite module: BUSM143 Research Methods for Accounting - SBM
Students who choose the SEF Dissertation (ECOM107) for Semester C are required to take at least one SBM elective in Semester B (apart from BUSM143 Research Methods)
Hence, the Structure of the Programme depends on the students' Dissertation preferences :
****Students taking the SBM Dissertation (BUSM066)*** SEMESTER A: 5 compulsory modules [4 SEF Modules + 1 SBM Module = 75 credits (60 SEF+15 SBM) SEMESTER B: 2 SBM compulsory modules + 1 co-requisite SBM elective (BUSM143 Research Methods) + 1 SBM or 1 SEF elective = 60 credits [45 SBM+(15 SEF or 15 SBM)] SEMESTER C: SBM Dissertation (BUSM066) 45 credits
Students taking the SEF Dissertation (ECOM107) SEMESTER A: 5 compulsory modules [4 SEF Modules + 1 SBM Module = 75 credits (60 SEF+15 SBM) SEMESTER B: 2 SBM compulsory modules + 1 SBM elective (apart from the BUSM143 Research Methods) + 1 SEF or 1 SBM elective = 60 credits [45 SBM+(15 SEF or 15 SBM)] SEMESTER C: SEF Dissertation (ECOM107) = 45 credits
ELECTIVE LIST: ECOM026 Financial Derivatives ECOM055 Risk Management for Banking ECOM057 Asset Management ECOMxxx Empirical Finance BUSM059 International Accounting BUSM061 Contemporary Issues in Accounting BUSM071 Accounting and Value Management BUSM076 Public Financial Management and Accounting BUSM085 Behavioural Finance and Decision Making BUSM115 International Finance All students can also choose the BUSM178 non-credit module which runs both Semester A and B.
SEMESTER C: All student must choose which School’s dissertation module to take (both 45 credits). Students who choose the SBM Dissertation (BUSM066) must also take the co-requisite module BUSM143 Research Methods for Accounting (15 credits) in Semester B. Students who choose the SEF Dissertation (ECOM107) cannot take the BUSM143 Research Methods for Accounting module in Semester B. Instead, they must choose at least one SBM elective for Semester B. Hence, the SEF Dissertation Students will end up with 3 SBM + (1 SBM or 1 SEF Module)
Academic Year of Study FT - Year 1
Module Title
Module
Code
Credits Level
Module
Selection
Status
Academic
Year of
Study
Semester
Pre-sessional mathematics and statistics support lectures and classes ECOMxxx 0 7 Study only 1 Semester 1
Investment Management ECOM050 15 7 Compulsory 1 Semester 1
Principles of Corporate Finance ECOM144 15 7 Compulsory 1 Semester 1
Quantitative Methods for Finance ECOM053 15 7 Compulsory 1 Semester 1
Practical Valuation ECOM118 15 7 Compulsory 1 Semester 1
Financial Reporting BUSM054 15 7 Compulsory 1 Semester 1
Corporate Governance BUSM060 15 7 Compulsory 1 Semester 2
Advanced Management Accounting BUSM067 15 7 Compulsory 1 Semester 2
Graduate Professional and Academic Skills BUSM178 0 7 Elective 1 Semesters 1 & 2
Financial Derivatives ECOM026 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
Risk Management for Banking ECOM055 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
Asset Management ECOM057 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
Empirical Finance ECOMxxx 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
International Accounting BUSM059 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
Contemporary Issues in Accounting BUSM061 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
Accounting and Value Management BUSM071 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
Public Financial Management and Accounting BUSM076 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
Behavioural Finance and Decision Making BUSM085 15 7 Elective 1 Semester 2
The School operates a structure to address complaints raised by students and students can directly approach the Head of School if they deem every other channel as not having served their purpose. This information is available to students via the Student handbook, the Virtual Learning Environment and the School's website.
All schools/institutes operate an Annual Programme Review (APR) of their taught undergraduate and postgraduate provision. APR is a continuous process of reflection and action planning which is owned by those responsible for programme delivery; the main document of reference for this process is the Taught Programmes Action Plan (TPAP) which is the summary of the school/institute's work throughout the year to monitor academic standards and to improve the student experience. Students’ views are considered in this process through analysis of the PTES and module evaluations.
What academic support is available?
Students will have timetabled lectures and seminars and will have weekly office hour support.
The induction week prior to the start of Semester A provides introductory talks on all of the services and support mechanisms available within the School and College.
Students on this programme will be supported by the individual staff members running modules on this program in terms of immediate advice on a specific module: course content, assignments and exam structure. Students are also assigned an academic advisor whom they are encouraged to consult for academic related support and a dedicated supervisor for their core dissertation module. Beyond this, the administrative staff also provide support services for non-academic matters.
The School's use various channels of communication to provide updates on teaching timetables, module information, events and support services (e.g. Plasma Screens, notice boards, Virtual Learning Environment).
Both Programme Directors must a run a session on Dissertation choice and how the Dissertation choice impacts on Elective Modules. The session will normally take place in the last week of October.
Programme-specific rules and facts
Attendance at the pre-sessional Maths & Statistics support classes is compulsory. Students are expected to sit pre-sessional mathematics and statistics examinations following the intensive pre-sessional module.
All students will be registered for five (5) Modules in Semester A (all the Semester A Modules are compulsory). Semester A accounts for 75 credits.
The students are expected to finalize their School preference when it comes to Dissertation by the end of Week 8. subsequent to exposure to teaching and when students will have a better understanding of the requirements of each School. This Dissertation choice determines whether the students will have the option of one (1) elective or two (2) in Semester B. If the choose SBM Dissertation (BUSM066) the BUSM143 Module becomes compulsory and the number of electives for these students is one (1) Elective Module. If the students choose SEF Dissertation Module (ECOM107) the students cannot take the BUSM143 Module and the number of electives for these students is two (2) Elective Modules
Semester A accounts for 75 Credits (5 Modules) - All Compulsory Semester B accounts for 60 credits (4 Modules). 2 or 3 Compulsory and 1 or 2 Elective (depending on the Dissertation Choice) Dissertations (BUSM066 and ECOM107) account for 45 credits Word length for both Dissertations is 7,000 words
Specific support for disabled students
Queen Mary has a central Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) that offers support for all students with disabilities, specific learning difficulties and mental health issues. The DDS supports all Queen Mary students: full-time, part-time, undergraduate, postgraduate, UK and international at all campuses and all sites.
Students can access advice, guidance and support in the following areas:
- Finding out if you have a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia
- Applying for funding through the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
- Arranging DSA assessments of need
- Special arrangements in examinations and guidance for examiners
- Accessing loaned equipment (e.g. digital recorders)
- Specialist one-to-one study skills tuition
- Ensuring access to course materials in alternative formats (e.g. Braille)
- Providing educational support workers (e.g. note-takers, readers, library assistants)
- Access to specialist mentoring support for students with mental health issues and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
Links with employers, placement opportunities and transferable skills
The School works closely with the Careers Service to locate possible work placements/ internships and to prepare students for the recruitment process (e.g assistance in creating effective CVs to reach potential employers, interview skills).
There are informal links only with a number of employers in the financial services sector e.g. Barclays, Bloomberg and KPMG.
The qualities and skills a graduate from this programme might be expected to have include a range of cognitive and intellectual skills together with techniques specific to business and management, and relevant personal and interpersonal skills. These include:
- The ability to think critically and creatively: organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately.
- The ability to conduct research into issues in the fields of accounting and finance either individually or as a part of a team through research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and reporting.
- The ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas and corporate social responsibility issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices
Programme Specification Approval
Person completing Programme Specification: Dr Nicholas Tsitsianis
Person responsible for management of programme: Dr Nicholas Tsitsianis
Date Programme Specification produced / amended by
School / Institute Learning and Teaching Committee:
Date Programme Specification approved by Taught
Programmes Board:
