Accounting and Business Management MSc
- Overview
- Special Features
- Course Content
- Teaching & Assessment
- Employability
- Fees
- Entry Criteria
About the Course
Accounting information lies at the heart of management and is also used by investors, business contacts, competitors and other external parties. Therefore, the MSc Accounting and Business Management appeals to graduates with a business-related degree who want to develop their understanding of accounting and management in a business context and develop skills that enhance their employability. The rigorous and integrated syllabus emphasises the value of developing knowledge and skills progressively from the core modules to the elective modules. It supports personal learning and development through managed choice and encourages personal initiative, enthusiasm and positive study habits.
Aims
This programme offers students an opportunity to:
- Develop an appreciation of the role of accounting within the overall function of management
- Acquire technical accounting skills and integrate theoretical and conceptual considerations with practice
- Evaluate the principles and theories that underpin accounting and management
- Critically reflect on the role of the main stakeholders and the influence of regulatory frameworks on accounting and management
- Develop analytical and problem solving abilities and apply them in making management decisions
- Review research on current issues in accounting and management and apply accepted research methods to investigate a specific research question independently
- Develop transferrable skills that will enhance employability.
Enquiries
Course director (designate): Dr Jill Collis
Email jill.collis@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 266225
For applications already submitted
Contact Admissions online
Tel +44 (0)1895 265265
Business School Enquiries Desk: for enquiries prior to application.
Email masterbbs@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 267124 or 265910
Related Courses
Course brochureFind out more about
Special Features
- Valuable accounting and management skills for students intending to seek employment in today’s competitive job market and those who will work in the family business
- Strong foundation for entrepreneurs planning to set up and manage their own businesses
- Potential exemptions from some of the entry level examinations of ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW for those seeking a career in accountancy
- Firm foundation for future doctoral studies
Accounting and Auditing Research Centre
Academics who teach on this exciting programme are part of the Accounting and Auditing Research Centre (AARC) which is directed by Dr Jill Collis, who is also Course Director for the MSc Accounting and Business Management programme. It provides a focus for investigating current issues in corporate financial reporting, assurance and corporate governance in large and small entities. Specialist areas include impact assessments of government policy on the accounting and auditing needs of SMEs and the effect of deregulation on users of their financial statements and the accountancy profession.
The AARC provides a vibrant environment for experienced and emerging researchers. Members are also engaged in supervising and examining doctoral students.
Course Content
Core modules
- Financial Accounting and Reporting
This module introduces students to principles and techniques used in bookkeeping and how to prepare basic financial statements for unincorporated entities. Students will also learn how to prepare financial statements for single entity companies and simple consolidated financial statements using International Financial Reporting Standards.
- International Financial Statement Analysis
This module helps students develop knowledge and skills in understanding and applying accounting standards and the theoretical framework in the preparation of financial statements for single and group entities. Students will learn how to analyse financial statements, interpret them and discuss the limitations of financial statements and the analytical techniques used.
- Management Accounting
The main aims of this module are to introduce students to the principles and techniques that are used in the fields of cost and management accounting to address practical business problems. In addition to learning how to apply and evaluate traditional costing methods, students will be introduced to alternative cost accounting principles. They will also develop awareness of the need to integrate the role of management accounting information within the overall function of management.
- Current Issues in Accounting
The main aims of this module are to introduce students to current issues in accounting and to the main theories and methods used in accounting research. This is achieved through the study of selected articles and other publications.
- International Management
Students will gain a systematic understanding of the theories and concepts associated with to the management of organisations operating in the international arena as well as the legal, cultural, economic, political, technological and ethical challenges. The module also provides an opportunity to explore managerial behaviours and organisational processes relevant to operating in a competitive global environment.
- Understanding Business and Management Research
This module provides students with a balanced view of the main methods used to design a research project. The curriculum includes ethical issues, how to search and review the literature, and the main methods used to identify a sample or cases, as well as those used to collect and analyse research data. It provides students with the knowledge they need to write a research proposal and the final dissertation.
- Dissertation
A research-based dissertation is an integral element of the programme to which considerable importance is attached. It offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their academic competence and professional potential. There are few constraints on the research topic other than that it must be directly relevant, amenable to enquiry and of appropriate intellectual depth.
Dissertations are supervised by members of the academic staff who have a wide range of research interests and expertise. The dissertation must be submitted by the end of the academic year during which a student completes the taught modules of the course.
Electives
- Business Performance Management*
The main aims of this module are to provide students with knowledge of the more specialised management accounting and decision-making methods used in management and cost accounting. Students will learn how to apply and critically evaluate techniques used to address practical business problems and provide information to management to help effective performance measurement, planning, controlling and decision making.
* Note: Students planning to seek exemptions from the professional accountancy examinations must select this module
- Business Planning
This module develops an integrative understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in business planning through practice. Students will develop critical thinking skills through the development of a business plan and reflection on the whole process, the team dynamics and their personal development. The module also examines different business models, their underlying strategies and the decision-making process through a variety of case studies.
- Entrepreneurship
The main focus of this module is the nature of entrepreneurship and its importance in society. Students will examine the person by analysing the psychological and behavioural characteristics of entrepreneurs, and the process by critically reviewing the main approaches to entrepreneurship. In addition, the module helps develop understanding of how entrepreneurship unfolds in a wide range of contexts.
- International Business Strategy
During their study of this module students examine the sources of competitive and comparative advantage when firms operate in international markets. Students will learn how to evaluate the key strategic issues facing multinational enterprises. The module also explores the dynamic inter-relationships between international corporate governance, strategy and innovation.
- Global Diversity Management
This module provides an insight into Global Diversity Management by examining how organisations plan, coordinate and implement a set of management strategies, policies, initiatives such as training and development activities that seek to accommodate diverse sets of social and individual backgrounds, interests, beliefs, values and ways of work in organisations with international, multinational, global and transnational workforces and operations.
- International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module focuses on business ethics and corporate governance in the international context. Both areas will be addressed from the shareholder and the stakeholder perspectives. In addition, the broader societal impacts of business activities will be examined in depth. The full range of businesses will be considered from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises. Empirical studies will be used to apply the principles underpinning business ethics, corporate social responsibility and corporate governance.
- Strategic Management
Students will have the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the issues and challenges that confront managers responsible for strategic management. It introduces students to concepts, topics and methodological approaches and tools relevant to the analysis of the strategic position of the organisation and the development and implementation of strategies and policies, and their major operational implications
Teaching and Learning
The dissertation is a self-directed activity guided by a supervisor. Assessment is based on the project report. Most of the accounting modules are assessed solely by examination, as this is a requirement for potential exemption from the professional examinations. Other modules are assessed by coursework and examination.
Modes of Study
1 Year full-time in September The taught element of the course (September to April) includes eight modules; delivery will be by a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials/group work. A further four months (May to September) is spent undertaking the dissertation.
Employability
Business Life is a unique Employability Programme designed to maximise students’ employability by providing an intensive programme of professional workshops and events that run in parallel with academic studies.
Business Life was conceived, developed and is delivered in association with leading employers from business, industry and the public sector.
Business Life features at-a-glance:
- High quality personal, technology, language and business skill training courses and workshops
- Career development and planning services, including mentoring, industry taster sessions and guest speaker series
- Sector leading work experience programme covering placements, volunteering, internships and vacation work
- Help with marketing your capabilities, through networking events, CV development, employer exhibitions and student showcases
- Lifelong continuous professional development, including short courses and Masters programmes at preferential rates.
The School’s Business Life Employability Programme is designed to help students to acquire a range of employability and networking skills, enabling them to gain a distinct edge in the labour market and to manage their career search and development more effectively.
Graduate School Workshops
In addition to the events and training sessions organised within the Business School, masters students have exclusive access to the workshops and skills training provided by the Brunel University’s Graduate School. Typical sessions have included:
- CV Writing for Masters Students
A good quality CV is crucial and takes time to perfect. Students on taught masters are invited to attend this special training session on how to prepare Curriculum Vitae towards a targeted job or sector. - CV Writing Drop-in Clinic for Masters Students
Masters students are invited to bring along their CVs for a one-to-one review session with a careers advisor or as a follow-up to the Graduates School’s CVs writing for Masters Students. - How to Succeed in Assessment Centres (Masters Students)
This session will help students to prepare for assessment centres which are used as part of an organisation’s recruitment processes for jobs in industry or academia, in particular for highly competitive positions. - Interview Techniques for Masters Students
A training session especially for masters students that explores the whole competitive process of the interview from preparation to presenting and demonstrating your interest on the day. - Transferrable Skills for Masters Students
Students are encouraged to widen their skills base during postgraduate study in response to employer demand for transferrable skills as well as intellectual knowledge.
Fees for 2013/14 entry
UK/EU students: £8,000 full-time
International students: £13,500 full-time
Postgraduate Scholarships Available Now
Brunel University is offering Academic Excellence Scholarships to postgraduate students (15%) and scholarships for Brunel Alumni (15%). Those alumni who graduated with a first class degree would be able to benefit from a double scholarship of almost 30% discount. View information on the postgraduate scholarships.
Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students
Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.
Entry Requirements
A good honours degree (2.1 or above), or overseas equivalent, in a business-related discipline with evidence of numeracy skills. Candidates should be graduates from a recognised university, plus have satisfactory references.
Applicants with a lower second class degree (2.2) may be considered, providing they can show evidence of significant relevant work experience (minimum 2 years). Applications from candidates with non-degree qualifications will be also considered. Such candidates will have relevant work experience (minimum 5 years) in an appropriate occupational setting (e.g. accounting and management) with achievements indicating ability to cope with the demands of postgraduate study.
Candidates from non-business/management disciplines (and without any business/management element) will be eligible if they have a first class honours degree or the overseas equivalent.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
- Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)
- BrunELT 65% (min 60% in all areas)
Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.
