The MSc Accounting and Finance is a specialist programme which aims to provide professionally qualified accountants with a fast-track programme that is tailor-made to complement their studies, and enables them to obtain a Masters qualification in a flexible and timely manner. You will have to successfully complete two taught 30 credit modules and a dissertation. The two taught modules can be taken in one semester, followed by the dissertation in the following semester or over the summer, which means that you can finish the programme in 6 months.

In summary the programme provides you with:

• In-depth knowledge and skills in a specialised accounting/finance area of your choice
• Expertise in accessing relevant financial information and data sources
• The ability to apply econometrics techniques
• The acquisition of research skills in the context of undertaking appropriate research leading to a Dissertation
• A qualification which will enhance your career development
• Preparation for further research at a PhD level

The programme is suitable for you if you would like to enhance your career prospects by acquiring further expertise in the accounting and finance field and demonstrating your ability to carry out research which will have applicability in the workplace.

The programme builds on UEL’s long experience of offering a wide range of postgraduate programmes in the UK and abroad and offers a number of distinctive features:

• Equips you with the appropriate level of analytical, computational, ICT and other skills in retrieving and analysing financial data, interpreting the results and making financial decisions
• Enables you to use state-of-the-art econometrics software, most up-to-date databases and other financial technology available
• Training in research methods and methodology underpinning research in accounting and finance, which enables you to critically evaluate relevant research literature and understand recent trends and new developments
• The opportunity to carry out an extensive piece of research in an area of accounting or finance of interest to you and relevance to your organisation
• Consequent opportunities for further employment facilitated by proximity and access to financial centres in London
• Flexibility in study patterns
• February as well as September intake

For admission to the programme, applicants normally need to have:

• Successfully completed the examinations of a UK professional accountancy body such as ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW
• Equivalent international qualifications will be considered on an individual basis

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent is required (with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and speaking and a minimum of 5.5 in reading and listening).  English language support (pre and in-sessional classes) is available through UEL Skillzone, which is free to all of our students. (Visit http://www.uel.ac.uk/skillzone/ for more information).

The programme is composed of two 30 credit taught modules and a 60 credit dissertation (120 M Level credits in total). There is one 30 credit Core module, Research Methods and Econometrics, and one 30 credit option module. The option modules available are:

• International Finance and Security Analysis *
• Portfolio Theory and Investment Management *
• The Economics of Money, Finance and Banking **
• Islamic Banking and Financial Regulation **
• Applied Quantitative Finance **
• Financial Derivatives **
• Financial Risk Management **

* Available in Semester A

** Available in Semester B

The programme will utilise various teaching and learning strategies, including:

• Formal lectures to understand the theoretical concepts, models and theories necessary to comprehend the specialised Finance area at the appropriate level
• Seminars and workshops where you have the opportunity to investigate specific areas of interest, and discuss these with your peers and lecturers
• Lectures/lab sessions on econometric software such as EViews and DataStream to equip you with necessary skills on data collection and analysis

UEL’s Docklands campus contains a state-of-the-art Library and Learning Centre which has a 650 seat computing facility and is accessible 24 hours. The library carries an extensive stock of books, being part of the integrated library system of UEL which has over 300,000 titles available through the inter-library system.  Electronic information sources include the Nexis newspaper database, ProQuest giving access to 500 full-text journals, EBSCO, Emerald, Science Direct, Swetwise, BIDS and ANBAR. Access is available to financial data sources in the form of Bloomberg and DataStream.

The assessment strategy for each option module is tailored to the different focus of each individual module. A range of assessment methods are employed, including individual coursework (essays, reports, literature reviews), group projects (reports, presentations and case studies), formal examinations, and a dissertation of up to 14,000 words.  The range of assessment is designed to reflect the learning outcomes of each module. The programme team has been careful to ensure that the assessment weighting/burden for each module is roughly equivalent. Each module has a maximum of three components comprising individual or group assignments appropriate to the learning outcomes. More details of the assessment criteria will be made available in each Module Handbook.

The MSc Accounting and Finance enables you acquire expertise in accessing and interpreting financial data as well as in-depth knowledge of specialist aspects of finance, enhancing your ability to operate effectively in the accounting and finance area in a complex business environment.

The dissertation is an advanced independent piece of research, in a specific area of accounting and finance of your choice, of 14,000 words maximum. This provides you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained on the programme and during your previous studies, and enables you to demonstrate extensive knowledge of your selected topic area, adopting a critical approach, alongside the use of appropriate and relevant research methods/tools.

This piece of work can be used as a showcase for you to display your abilities to third parties, and as a defining statement for your professional direction, in addition to contributing to your assessment.

You are encouraged to select dissertation topics which may be used in your future career. You will be matched to a dedicated UEL supervisor who is familiar with the topic area and is there to advise, guide and supervise you during this research stage. The Research Methods and Econometrics module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required for a successful completion of a dissertation of a publishable quality.

The added value for this specialist programme comes from its focus on expanding your knowledge and skills in the finance area, both in theory and in the hands-on area of data access and analysis.

The programme should attract students from a variety of backgrounds. This is an important added value, as it prepares you to work in teams with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and nationalities in your working career.

You should also benefit from the experience of guest speakers from industry to be invited to deliver seminars on current issues in the finance domain; examples include the implications of the financial crisis for business organisations, and the current issues in international accounting such as harmonisation and IFRS adoption.

In addition, you will be able to take advantage of our new Molex Suite for postgraduate students, which has state-of-the-art teaching facilities, student meeting rooms, and Bloomberg terminals.

Given the centrality of accounting and finance in the management of business organisation, we expect that this programme, together with your professional accountancy qualification, will lead to enhanced career opportunities at senior levels in the business world.

The programme aims to provide consistent and continuing support for students through staff involved in teaching, administration and programme management. Dedicated support is also available from staff experienced in the enhancement of English language available through our Skillzone (http://www.uel.ac.uk/skillzone/).

Our support mechanisms include:

• A dedicated personal tutor
• Accessible and supportive module tutors
• Royal Docks Business School Student Centre with dedicated administrative staff
• Induction process that will prepare you for academic study on the programme
• Extensive learning resources that are accessible both on and off campus
• Comprehensive programme materials and handouts
• A dedicated supervisor for the applied dissertation/project
• Self-study areas in our state-of-the-art libraries and IT centres

Progression and completion rates are monitored under the UEL’s annual review system, and individual progress is reviewed with the personal tutor.

You will benefit from our modern and dynamic Business School building at our Docklands Campus, which is within easy reach of the City and very close to the financial centres of the City and Canary Wharf. The campus and UEL are also at the heart of a vibrant and growing area that was involved in the preparations for the 2012 Olympics.

You will also take advantage of our custom designed Molex suite.  The Molex suite is sponsored by Molex Inc., whose CEO is a UEL MBA Alumni.  The suite offers you state of the art classrooms, study spaces, meeting spaces, and computing facilities.  In addition to the University keeps office space in Canary Wharf, London’s financial hub.  This facility allows the business school to hold guest lectures, organize events, and conduct training sessions.  Due to its location, it becomes an ideal place for London’s business community to interact with our students.

• Master the core concepts, principles and techniques in a specific aspects of Finance
• Explore how these can be applied in practice with the help of the traditional and more sophisticated analytical tools available
• Equip yourself with research skills relevant to the accounting and finance areas
• Apply these research skills to carry out an independent piece of research
• Equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and skills (including thinking skills and general skills) to achieve the appropriate level of postgraduate award and to continue your lifelong learning and career development

Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of advanced accounting and finance in the context of how they contribute to maximising shareholder and stakeholder value
• Enhanced knowledge of the risk-return trade-off
• Critical awareness of the institutional issues in financial systems and an understanding of the functions of financial markets
• Applied knowledge of modern approaches to quantitative finance
• Critical awareness of the main international accounting issues and their potential implications for financial management

Thinking skills

• Analysis and interpretation of financial data
• A critical understanding of the literature surrounding accounting and finance issues
• Ability to select and apply financial tools and models in various contexts

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Complete a problem-solving or analytical dissertation in a relevant accounting/finance issue
• Use ICT tools to search for, retrieve and analyse financial information
• Reflect on and evaluate financial data and information
• Possess a range of financial skills to become an effective financial manager

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Communicate research findings in an appropriate manner
• Work effectively with people from other cultures
• Develop capacity for completing an independent research project within time constraints
• Enhance interpersonal and communications skills, including making presentations and preparing reports
• Develop an aptitude for lifelong learning

The typical duration of this programme is two semesters of full-time study or three semesters for part-time study, including the dissertation. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study or vice-versa to accommodate external factors, such as financial constraints or domestic commitments, which will impact on the duration of study.

The teaching year is divided into two teaching semesters of roughly equal length: Semester A being September to January and Semester B being February to June. A typical student registered for a full-time attendance mode will study two 30 credit modules per semester and a student registered for a part-time attendance mode will study one or two modules per semester.

As a full-time student, you will take the two taught modules in your first semester and would normally complete the dissertation in your second semester. For September entrants, your dissertation would be completed during Semester B and submitted by the end of May. For February entrants, the dissertation will be completed during the summer (referred to as Semester C) and submitted by the end of August.

As a part-time student, you will take two semesters to complete your taught modules and would normally complete your dissertation in the third semester.  For September entrants, this would be completed over the summer and submitted by the end of August. For February entrants, the dissertation would be completed in Semester B of the following academic year and submitted in May of that year.

Masters Award Classification 

Where a student is eligible for a Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification:

            70% - 100%                Distinction

            60% - 69%                  Merit

            50% - 59%                  Pass

             0% - 49%                   Not Passed

This programme is both theoretical and applied in focus, and benefits from the involvement of specialists and practitioners working in many areas of financial management who attend as guest speakers. The programme is taught by staff actively researching into the many areas of financial reporting, finance, banking and investment.

Knowledgeis developed through:

• Directed and general reading in the module
• Participation in lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops
• Primary research using collection and analysis of financial data, and the use of information technology to undertake secondary research
• Familiarity with case studies and financial tools/models

Thinking skillsare developed through the critical analysis involved in:

• Preparing tasks set for tutorials, seminars and workshops and linking theory to practice
• Satisfactorily completing the continuous assessment process including essays, presentations, reports, case studies, projects
• Preparation for examinations or major assignments such as the dissertation
• Problem-solving and critical analysis in seminar activities

Practical skillsare developed through:

• Academic and research skills sessions
• Computer laboratory, where appropriate
• Case studies and workshops
• Undertaking data collection and analysis
• Planning and staging of presentations

Skills for life and work(general skills) are developed through:

• Managing time so that assignment deadlines are met, whether working in groups or individually
• Forming and working in teams which will develop organisational, motivational and communication skills
• Being able to produce clearly argued solutions when problem solving
• Academic writing ability

It is the policy of the UEL Royal Docks Business School to include information on assessment criteria in each Module Handbook.

As outlined above, the programme is multi-faceted. Therefore it is appropriate that we use many different assessment techniques as the different approaches use different forms of summative and formative assessment.

Therefore during your studies, dependent on your choice of option module, you may be assessed by many different techniques, either conducted individually or in groups, which may include:

• Essays and reports
• Presentations (using PowerPoint)
• Preparation of a case study or analysis of an existing case study
• Modelling using spreadsheets or other financial software
• Database searches and critical literature review
• Practical exercises and simulations
• A research dissertation
• Closed book examinations 
• Examinations based upon previously distributed case studies

Knowledge, thinking skills, practical skills and skills for life and work will be assessed appropriately as follows:

Knowledge is assessed by

• Evidence of comprehensive reading in the module
• Ability to explain, identify, describe, discuss, draw upon (as appropriate) the ideas presented in the module in the context of the given assessment task

Thinking skills are assessed by

• The ability to compare, examine, contrast, question, debate, distinguish between (as appropriate) the ideas in the module and how they are relevant to the piece of assessment
• The ability to develop, elaborate, redefine, propose alternatives, re-conceptualise, integrate, establish new connections from (as appropriate) the knowledge in the module 
• The ability to assess, judge, appraise, debate, criticise (as appropriate) the issues in the module in addressing the assessment tasks

Practical skills are assessed by

• The ability to prepare an assignment using appropriate resources, including Information Technology, to address the issue or question in the assessment 
• Evidence of logical planning in preparing the assessment

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Evidence of effective team or group working
• Ability to work under pressure or in time constrained environments
• The application of appropriate problem-solving skills and critical analysis

Before this programme started, the following was checked:

• There would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme
• Adequate resources would be in place
• The overall aims and objectives were appropriate
• The content of the programme met national benchmark requirements
• The programme met any professional/statutory body requirements
• The proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching and learning, assessment policy, and student support mechanisms.

This was done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• External examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• Statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• Student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

This programme has a Programme Committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The Programme Committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one External Examiner.  External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments
• Attending assessment boards
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
• Ensuring that regulations are followed
• Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Module evaluations and feedback
• Feedback from programme administration on operational matters
• Student representation on programme committees (meeting each semester)

You will be notified of the action taken through:

• Providing details on the programme notice-board
• Posting minutes of programme committees on UEL Plus, the UEL intranet forum

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

• Questionnaires to former students and alumni
• Royal Docks Business School Advisory Board
• Tutor feedback on infrastructure and facilities at  Royal Docks Business School
• As appropriate, being informed by relevant professional bodies (such as the ACCA, ICAEW, and CIMA)

The Royal Docks Business School at UEL is truly international in its ethos and academic practice, and this programme will benefit greatly from underpinning international research by staff teaching on the programme, and where appropriate the use of visiting speakers to ensure that the most topical and relevant international issues are included in the students’ learning experience.