In today’s competitive global environment, employers are increasingly selective in their search for competent accounting and finance professionals.
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Overview
Our MSc in International Accounting and Finance is specially designed to develop your international accounting knowledge and skills to a high professional standard.
This one-year, full-time programme is designed to meet market needs through the preparation for, and development of, your career in international accounting and finance. It is well suited to students who have some knowledge of accounting and finance, and who wish to expand their skills and understanding to an advanced level.
The programme is also suitable for students with a good academic standing from a related discipline, who wish to enhance their careers in international accounting and finance or for those interested in pursuing research or further study in this area.
Kent Business School (KBS)
We are a world-class business school combining rigorous teaching with real world relevance and strong links to the business community.
Our research, which is within the top 30 business schools, underpins and enhances our teaching. Our flagship programme, the Kent MBA, has AMBA accreditation and together with our Master’s in Management, Marketing, Business Analytics, Human Resource Management, Logistics, Management Science, Value Chain Management and programmes in finance and accounting, we continue to attract applicants with a wide range of backgrounds from 102 countries leading to excellent results in the 2012 Guardian and Sunday Times university league tables.
Studying at KBS gives you the opportunity to increase your employability with real-life case studies, a student council and a business society. We have strong links to local and national organisations providing opportunities for projects, internships and graduate placements. The School attracts many high-profile speakers from industry and last year included visits and lectures from staff of the Bank of England, BAE Systems, Barclays, Lloyds Insurance, Cummins, Delphi and Kent County Council.
A wide range of funding opportunities is available for postgraduate students, including scholarships, bursaries, the Double Loyalty Scheme (for Kent graduates) and our Early Bird Scheme which offers a 10% tuition fee discount to students who apply before 31 March 2014) and commit early.
- For more information on funding, see Student Funding.
National ratings
Kent Business School was ranked within the top 30 business schools in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and 55% of our Business and Management studies research was rated as “Internationally excellent” or “World leading”.
Kent ranked 20th for Research Assessment within the Accounting & Finance subject area in the 2014 Complete University Guide.
Course structure
This programme will equip you with the professional and research skills to pursue careers in a wide range of institutional settings such as academia, auditing, banking, financial institutions, management consultancy and organisational management.
Teaching in the School is informed by the latest research and the changing needs of the global business environment. Our international teaching staff are all experts in their field of study and are regularly published in leading journals worldwide. They guide and support your learning, not only in current best practice in your chosen area of study, but also in emerging new concepts and theories, and the latest business thinking.
Modules
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.
| Modules may include | Credits |
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Teaching and Assessment
The programme involves a taught and a project component.
The taught programme is assessed by a mixture of coursework assignments throughout the year, and by examinations in May and June.
Once these are completed, you work full-time on the project component and write a dissertation based on this, applying techniques and insights presented in the programme to a specific problem.
Programme aims
This programme aims to:
- provide you with an advanced conceptual understanding of the key issues in international accounting and finance
- provide you with an awareness of up-to-date practices in international and domestic accounting
- provide you with knowledge of research methodologies adopted in empirical research and the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theories
- provide you with the skills to test and evaluate theoretical models
- provide preparation for and/or development of a career in accounting and finance by developing skills at a professional or equivalent level, or as preparation for research or further study in the area
- develop an appropriate range of cognitive, critical and intellectual skills, research skills and relevant personal and interpersonal skills
- provide teaching and learning opportunities that are informed by high-quality research and scholarships, from within the Kent Business School and elsewhere
- foster the enhancement of life-long learning skills and personal development so as to be able to work with self-direction and originality and to contribute to business and society generally
- develop your ability to conduct independent self-directed research.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You will gain knowledge and understanding of:
- complex issues in international accounting and finance
- international aspects of accounting and finance and their role within organisations
- principles and techniques applied in international accounting and finance
- preparation of financial reports and the evaluation of financial information
- preparation, analysis and evaluation of financial statements
- the various approaches to research in accounting and finance
- the application of different models and methods applied to solve problems in accounting and finance
- interpretation of financial statements and international differences in financial reporting
- quantitative methods and their application to analysing financial data.
Intellectual skills
- Critical thinking and creativity. Including the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements, and generalise appropriately (SB3.10)
- Ability to solve complex problems and make decisions (SB3.10)
- Ability to select, organise, develop and synthesise complex material (SB3.10)
- Analytical skills necessary for the analysis of problems and the identification of appropriate solutions.(SB3.10)
- Ability to plan work and study independently and use relevant resources in a away which reflects best current practice and anticipated future practice.(SB3.10)
- Plan, structure, and produce a dissertation (SB3.10)
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in:
- the ability to interpret financial statements
- problem solving and decision making: establishing criteria and applying appropriate decision techniques including identifying, formulating and solving problems
- numeracy and quantitative skills
- the ability to undertake research in international accounting and finance issues
- the ability to analyse important issues relevant for companies’ financial decisions.
Transferable skills
You will gain the following transferable skills:
- the development of numeracy and quantitative skills
- communication skills: listening, oral, and written communication using a range of media
- effective use of communication and information technology
- the ability to undertake independent and self-managed learning
- a capacity for self-development and continuous learning.
Careers
We aim to enhance your student experience and accelerate your career prospects. You will gain much more than an academic qualification when you graduate from Kent Business School. In today’s business climate employers are increasingly demanding more from new employees, we are therefore proud that they continually target our graduates for their organisations across the globe. Employers respect our robust teaching and reputation for delivering international business expertise, leading global research and an outstanding international learning experience.
From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace.
For more information on the services Kent provides you to improve your career prospects visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability.
Professional recognition
Kent Business School is a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the Association of Business Schools (ABS).
Study support
Quants Workshop
Kent Business School (KBS) offers an optional two-week refresher workshop in Mathematics, Statistics and Excel, prior to the start of this programme. The workshop is offered at no cost (please note however that attendees must arrange their own accommodation).
The workshop will refresh your knowledge of the quantitative concepts and techniques needed for your Master studies. It is organised as a series of short lectures and practical workshops, and you will have the opportunity to go through a series of theoretical and practical exercises with staff from the School. There will be no assessment at the end of the course.
If you have accepted a formal offer for this programme and you would like to attend the workshop, please email kbsadmissions@kent.ac.uk to secure your space.
Postgraduate resources
Kent Business School occupies a purpose designed building consisting of executive learning facilities with wireless provision throughout. Each postgraduate student is assigned a specific member of academic staff who acts as your first point of contact throughout your studies. There is a lively postgraduate community at the School, with plenty of space to relax and interact with your fellow students and our academic staff.
An international focus
Kent Business School has more than 50 internationally recognised academics from 22 different countries. Most of our teaching faculty are involved with researching the latest issues in business and management, working with organisations to provide new insight for business leaders and policymakers. Their knowledge and findings feed into the programmes to ensure they are both cutting-edge and globally relevant.
Worldwide partnerships
Kent Business School has close links with: ifs (Institute of Financial Services); dunnhumby, who partner the Consumer Insight Service in the Centre for Value Chain Research; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, where we have strong research links in tourism management; Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences (Germany); Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hong Kong Baptist University, with whom we offer a joint Master’s programme in Operational Research and Finance Business Statistics; University of Castellanza (Italy); University of the Littoral (France); University of Lille (France); University of Rouen (France); University of Deusto (Spain); and University of Tasmania (Australia).
Dynamic publishing culture
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Critical Perspectives on Accounting; Quantitative Finance; Human Resource Management Journal; International Journal of Market Research; European Journal of Operational Research. Details of recently published books can be found within the staff research interests section.
Entry requirements
A good first degree (2.1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as finance, accounting, electronics, mathematics, engineering or any mathematically based natural science discipline. Students must have studied at least 60 credits in accounting within their first degree or hold equivalent work experience.
Please also see our general entry requirements.
English language entry requirements
For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Research areas
Research activities at Kent Business School are broadly organised into five areas:
- Accounting and Finance
- Management Science
- Marketing
- People, Management and Organisation
- Strategy and International Business
Our Accounting and Finance group pursues research in a variety of areas including financial management in the public and profit-seeking sector, environmental and social aspects of accounting, cash flow analysis, the law and practice of auditing, accounting history and international accounting, financial econometrics, corporate finance, asset pricing, real-estate modelling, security price behaviour.
- For more information, see our Applied Research Centre: Centre for Quantitative Finance
Staff research interests
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
Dr Li-cheng Chang: Senior Lecturer in Management Accounting
Institutional theory and organisational change; performance measurement and balanced scorecard; behavioural aspects of budgetary and management control; public sector accountability.
View ProfileProfessor Warwick Funnell: Professor of Accounting and Finance
Public sector accounting; public sector accountability; accounting history; constitutional accountability.
View ProfileDr D Godsell: Senior Lecturer in Financial Accounting
Auditing, Auditing and corporate governance, Auditors’ legal responsibilities.
View ProfileDr Mohammad Hasan: Senior Lecturer in Finance
Financial economics, international finance, macro and monetary economics.
View ProfileDr Ortenca Kume: Lecturer in Finance
Credit risk; Mutual fund performance; Behavioural finance; Capital structure.
View ProfileMr Arvind Lall: Lecturer in Taxation and Ethics
Tax planning and business start up's. (Corporate) tax avoidance.
View ProfileDr David Morelli: Senior Lecturer in Finance and Financial Management
Examining the behaviour of securities in the equity markets, analysing potential determinants of security price movements along with testing various pricing models.
View ProfileMrs Angela Ransley: Senior Lecturer in Finance and Financial Management
Financial management; The role of management accounting in decision making; Structures of corporate finance; Financial markets.
View ProfileFees
As a guide only, the 2014/15 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| International Accounting and Finance - MSc at Canterbury: | ||
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9410 | £14645 |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Exceptions may apply. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk