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Business at UEA
Find out more about studying Business at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Accounting
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
Top 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Develop your expertise in accounting with a Master’s that prepares you for success across a wide range of professional and academic careers.
On this MSc Accounting course, you’ll build a strong foundation in management and financial accounting while exploring how the field is evolving beyond the purely technical to tackle strategic, societal, and technological challenges. You’ll investigate accounting’s role in corporate reporting, risk, accountability, and sustainability, and discover how emerging technologies – including data analytics and AI – are reshaping the profession.
Whether you’re aiming to accelerate your accounting career, transition into the profession from another discipline, or prepare for further research, this MSc gives you the intellectual depth and practical skills you need to succeed. Whatever your background, you’ll be fully supported as you step into advanced accounting study, gaining the confidence to excel while learning alongside a diverse, international community of future accounting professionals.
You’ll be taught by leading academics with a range of professional and research expertise. This course also offers a flexible structure, multiple entry points (September and January), and the exciting opportunity to tailor your final project or dissertation to your own interests and career aspirations.
You’ll graduate as a highly sought-after professional, equipped with the expertise to excel in today’s fast-changing accounting environment and the adaptability to seize tomorrow’s global career opportunities.
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Placement Year
You have the option to choose a variant of this course with an integrated placement year. This gives you valuable UK industry experience as part of your Master’s degree.
In year one, you’ll complete your academic studies, including your dissertation, alongside an employability programme preparing you for UK work.
In year two, you’ll secure an industry placement or complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations. This extra year lets you apply your learning professionally, strengthen your CV with UK experience, and boost your global career prospects.
You’ll lead the search for your placement, supported by employability workshops, coaching, and guidance from our specialist placement partner.
If you don’t secure a placement, you’ll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across different UK sectors.
For more information, check out our Postgraduate Placement Year page.
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Financial Accountant
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Management Accountant
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Auditor
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Data or Business Analyst
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Consultant
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Academic researcher / PhD researcher
Discover more on our Careers webpages(opens in a new window).
After the Course
You’ll graduate with a strong foundation in accounting, together with the ability to apply your knowledge to a wide variety of contexts. The course prepares you for professional roles in accounting, consulting, finance, and management, as well as for doctoral study and academic research. With your combination of technical skills, critical insight, and adaptability, you’ll be ready to make a positive impact wherever your career takes you.
Study and Modules
Structure
This Master’s is designed around a flexible carousel structure, with entry points in September and January. Each module is standalone, meaning you don’t need to take modules in a fixed order and there are no prerequisites.
This approach allows you to engage deeply with one area of accounting at a time, while steadily building your broader expertise. Each module gives you an intensive exploration of a key theme, from management accounting and taxation to corporate reporting, financial statement analysis, and contemporary issues in the profession. You’ll also examine the growing importance of sustainability, accountability, and risk in organisational decision-making.
Alongside subject modules, you’ll study business research methods, preparing you for independent work. You’ll then bring your learning together in a dissertation or applied project, where you’ll pursue a topic of your choice. This is your chance to tailor the course to your own interests and career ambitions – whether you’re aiming for professional advancement or preparing for academic research.
The carousel structure also means you’ll be studying alongside peers who join at different points in the year, giving you a diverse learning environment and the flexibility to fit your studies around your circumstances.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)OPTIONAL C MODULES
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and hands-on case studies. Our teaching is informed by the latest academic research and real-world business practice, giving you a rounded and current perspective on accounting.
You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers, researchers, and practitioners from Norwich Business School, and you’ll benefit from guest lectures from industry experts and visiting academics. Learning from your fellow students is also a vital part of the experience – our international and multidisciplinary student body means you’ll work with peers who bring a wide range of perspectives.
Independent study is central to the course, but you won’t be studying alone. You’ll have structured support through seminars and tutorials, access to resources via our virtual learning environment, and the chance to engage with your lecturers outside class. If you’re new to accounting, you’ll have the option to take a non-credit-bearing online module that introduces the fundamentals, helping you build confidence from the outset.
We also place a strong emphasis on employability. You’ll take part in our annual Employability Week, where you’ll meet employers, attend workshops, and hear from alumni about their careers. These experiences help you translate your academic learning into professional development and career planning.
Assessment
Assessment is designed to test a wide range of skills, from technical knowledge to critical thinking and communication. You’ll be assessed through a combination of coursework, case studies, group projects, and presentations, as well as written assignments and exams.
Coursework often involves applying theory to real-world scenarios, helping you to see how accounting principles operate in practice. Presentations and group work will strengthen your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and to collaborate effectively with others – both essential skills for your career.
Your dissertation or final project will be the capstone of your studies, giving you the chance to demonstrate your ability to design and carry out independent research, analyse findings, and present your conclusions in a structured way.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences (opens in a new window)
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £14,500
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International Students: £25,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.