Accounting and Finance MSc
Master the financial and analytical skills needed to drive business performance with our MSc Accounting and Finance. Build expertise in reporting, investment analysis and risk management in a digital, data-driven global economy.
Key information
For:
starting September 2026
Typical offer:
A second-class honours degree or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Study MSc Accounting and Finance at the University of Portsmouth London, a TEF Gold-rated University located in the vibrant business hub of Walthamstow.
This master’s degree develops your ability to analyse, interpret and communicate financial information that supports strategic decision-making and long-term value creation. You’ll explore key areas including corporate reporting and assurance, financial markets, investment analysis, corporate finance, risk management, and management accounting.
Through applied learning, you’ll work with financial data, models and real-world case studies to strengthen both your technical expertise and professional judgement. You’ll also consider the growing impact of sustainability, governance and digital technologies on modern finance.
Your final project allows you to investigate a real financial or business challenge, applying advanced analytical and research skills. Graduates are prepared for careers across accounting, finance and investment, with opportunities to progress into professional qualifications and global roles.
Course highlights
- Develop advanced knowledge of financial reporting, audit and assurance (IFRS-focused).
- Build expertise in financial markets, investment analysis and portfolio theory.
- Learn to make strategic decisions in corporate finance and risk management.
- Understand governance, ethics and performance management in organisations.
- Apply your skills through a research-led final project tackling a real financial challenge.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Your new home at UoP London
Located just a minute’s walk from Walthamstow’s tube and bus stations, our campus provides easy access to the entire city, placing you at the centre of London’s dynamic business scene.
Come along to an Open Day
Open Days at the London campus vary to those held in Portsmouth.
Contact information
London Campus Enquiries: london@port.ac.uk
Entry requirements
MSc Accounting and Finance entry requirements
- A second-class honours degree in any subject, or a masters degree in any subject. Exceptionally, equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will be considered.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Contact information
London Campus Enquiries: london@port.ac.uk
Careers and opportunities
Accounting and finance professionals are central to organisational success, supporting decision-making, managing risk and ensuring financial sustainability. The skills you develop on this course – including financial reporting, investment analysis, corporate finance and governance – can be applied across sectors such as banking, consulting, fintech, insurance, corporate business and the public sector.
Graduates go on to roles such as:
- Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Auditor
- Tax Consultant
- Investment Analyst
- Corporate Finance Associate
with opportunities to work in the UK and globally, as well as progress to professional qualifications.
Modules
12 months full-time
This module develops your understanding of how management accounting and governance support planning, decision-making, and control. You’ll build on your knowledge of costing, budgeting, and variance analysis, applying these techniques to pricing, resource allocation, and decisions under uncertainty.
You’ll explore how accounting information supports performance measurement, internal control, and corporate governance. You’ll examine the design of KPIs, scorecards, and reporting systems that enable effective oversight.
You’ll also consider behavioural and ethical challenges, including how organisational culture and governance influence the use of performance information.
This module develops your understanding of financial markets, institutions, and investment analysis. You’ll explore how markets operate and how regulation supports stability and conduct.
You’ll build knowledge of portfolio theory and asset pricing, including mean variance analysis, CAPM, and APT, and understand how risk relates to expected return.
You’ll also be introduced to derivatives, their basic valuation, and their use in hedging and speculative strategies. Through applied analysis, you’ll examine market behaviour, efficiency, and anomalies, helping you develop practical investment insights.
This module builds your advanced knowledge of corporate financial reporting and assurance under IFRS. You’ll learn how to prepare complex financial statements for single entities and groups, covering areas such as business combinations, revenue, leases, provisions, financial instruments, and tax. You’ll also explore how assurance engagements are planned and carried out, using risk assessment, materiality, and evidence to form audit opinions.
You’ll develop a strong understanding of the financial reporting framework, analysis and interpretation of financial statements, and the principles of audit and assurance.
You’ll examine audit planning, internal control, internal audit, and audit evidence, while gaining insight into the practical challenges of applying IFRS in real corporate settings.
This module builds your ability to make and evaluate key corporate financial decisions while managing financial risk. You’ll explore investment appraisal, cost of capital, capital structure, dividend policy, and working capital management.
You’ll examine major financial risks, including market, credit, liquidity, interest rate, and foreign exchange risk, and learn how financial instruments and simple hedging strategies can be applied. You’ll also consider sustainability and ESG factors, including green finance, climate-related risks, and their impact on investment and financing decisions.
Through applied learning, you’ll strengthen your understanding of value creation, risk measurement, and sustainable financial decision-making.
Across 45 hours of workshops, you’ll explore each stage of the project process. This includes defining your focus, understanding stakeholders, planning your approach, designing research, analysing data, and addressing ethical and sustainability considerations. You’ll also learn how to communicate your outcomes with clarity and impact.
With an additional 5 hours of one-to-one academic supervision, you’ll apply appropriate research and technology to produce meaningful results, recommendations, or creative work.
You’ll reflect on your progress throughout, helping you connect your learning to your professional development. By the end, you’ll show your ability to think critically, work independently, and make evidence-based decisions in real-world contexts. This module will give you essential transferrable skills and will enhance your employability.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you'll spend your time
This Master's degree will take 12 months full-time. Your timetable typically allows you to work alongside your studies.
A regular week on this course reflects the University of Portsmouth London’s Active Blended Learning approach, which focuses on what you do as a learner rather than passive listening.
You can expect:
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To attend 10-12 hours of scheduled teaching activities during term time.
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To spend roughly 21 hours per week studying independently (including research, reading, coursework and project work, either individually or a group).
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To focus on your research project in the last 3 months of the course.
How I Will Learn at UoP London
Our teaching is designed to be personal, practical and flexible, helping you gain the knowledge, confidence and skills employers are looking for.
You’ll study in a supportive learning environment where your lecturers know you, classes are interactive, and your timetable is designed to fit around your life.
Active learning
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Learn in supportive groups where your lecturers know you and you’re encouraged to contribute, ask questions and receive personalised feedback.
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Students support one another throughout the course: Those who have completed modules share insights with new students, and as you progress, you’ll take on this role yourself- building confidence and communication skills.
Consistent timetable from day one
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Your schedule stays the same each term.
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You will have two study days per week and two consecutive on-campus days, making it easier to plan work, study and personal commitments.
Blended learning
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Around 20% of learning is online, providing flexibility and access to learning resources anytime.
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80% is on-campus learning, delivered face-to-face in small, interactive groups.
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Modules are grouped into related subject areas rather than taught in isolation. This helps you see how ideas connect across your discipline, build knowledge progressively, and apply learning more confidently to complex, real-world problems.
Interdisciplinary learning
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You’ll combine face-to-face learning with online activities and often work with students from other disciplines.
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This reflects how professional teams operate and helps you develop industry-relevant skills valued by employers.
One module at a time
- Focus on one block of teaching at a time, allowing deeper learning, clearer feedback and reduced assessment overlap.
Teaching and assessment
Our approach to teaching is designed to be dynamic, practical and closely aligned with real-world practice. You’ll learn through a range of engaging, hands-on experiences that develop both your knowledge and professional skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Teaching sessions
Teaching is delivered through engaging sessions such as:
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Industry educators demonstrating true professional practice
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Interactive seminars
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Immersive simulations
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Practical and/or computer-based workshops
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Group work and collaborative projects
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Practical classes
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One-to-one and personalised tutorials
Learning is active, discussion-based and centred on real-world application.
Our teaching ethos
Our teaching is guided by a clear set of principles that shape how learning is designed and delivered:
Active
Learning focuses on what you do, encouraging participation, problem-solving and hands-on application.
Civic
Learning is connected to local and global communities, helping you understand the wider impact of your studies.
Inclusive
We are committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where all students can succeed.
Inspiring
Teaching is designed to spark curiosity, confidence and a genuine passion for learning.
Innovative
We use creative and forward-thinking approaches to keep learning engaging and relevant.
Digital by design
Digital tools are embedded into learning to support collaboration, flexibility and employability.
Support and assessment
You’ll be supported by a dedicated teaching team, a personal tutor and student support staff throughout your studies. Small class sizes ensure support is personal, proactive and accessible.
Assessment is varied and designed to reflect real-world practice. We typically have no exams and instead opt for more authentic assessments, with the exception of courses that have external professional body requirements, such as accounting and finance.
Depending on your chosen course, methods may include:
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Live client projects
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Business simulations
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Practical and in-class exercises
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Written reports and essays
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Oral assessment and presentations
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Group and standalone projects
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Portfolios
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Review articles
Supporting you
Academic skills
Throughout your time at UoP London, you'll get the following support online or face-to-face from our academic skills team to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed:
- Academic writing (such as reports and projects)
- Reflective writing
- Critical thinking skills
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Using AI tools to support your learning
- Professional conversations and presentations
You'll also have access to a personal tutor to support you in your studies.
If English isn't your first language, our academic skills team can support you in working across languages. You can also do our online free In-Sessional English (ISE) module to improve your written English language skills during your degree.
Careers guidance
Our dedicated team hosts drop-in sessions every week, providing expert guidance for part-time job searches, CV and cover letter editing, and interview preparation. You can also avail of this service online. To find out more, visit our careers and employment page.
Wellbeing support
We offer a range of support to help students manage their mental health, wellbeing, and any disability-related needs. Our wellbeing team is here to help you navigate challenges and access the right services. To find out more, visit our wellbeing services page.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- £11,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
EU and International students
- £18,600 (may be subject to annual increase)
If you're an EU student you may be eligible to receive our EU Scholarship.
Graduate of UoP? Save 20% on your Masters
If you are a graduate of the University of Portsmouth, you could be eligible for 20% off postgraduate courses.
Funding your studies
Explore available scholarships and bursaries.
You may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Find out more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Waltham Forest. You can also visit our fees and funding page for a breakdown of living costs in London.
You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module. We endeavour to make all required books accessible online.
You can also borrow most of these online from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We endeavour to be a paperless and sustainable university. As such, files and content is kept electronically on e-databases where possible. Most academics will print the paperwork if required. If you choose to print, photocopy, or bind your work, you may want to budget up to £30 a year for this.
Assignment submissions and dissertations are electronic.
If your course includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community in London.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Apply
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Start this course in September 2026
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Start this course in January 2027
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Start this course in May 2027
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Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.