Key information
The three-year MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance programme at Heriot-Watt University will prepare you for a career in accountancy and finance, and is suited to those who have completed A-levels.
- UCAS code
- NN3Y
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MA
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 3 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Accredited by major professional bodies in the UK, this three-year programme will prepare you to enter accounting or finance professions and features the use of professional standard Bloomberg Trading Terminals throughout. As your studies progress through years one, two and three, you’ll study an increasing number of specialist accountancy and finance courses.
Our hands-on degree develops your broad understanding of the contexts in which modern accounting operates. It examines legal and ethical contexts and provides insight into accountancy as a profession. It also builds an understanding of business entities and the capital markets in which they operate. Throughout this three-year degree, you’ll develop key accountancy expertise in several areas, including:
- recording and summarising transactions
- preparing and analysing financial statements
- analysing business operations
- conducting financial analysis
- producing and reporting projections
On the financial side, you’ll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of:
- asset pricing
- portfolio construction
- corporate finance
- financial risk management
- capital markets
Edinburgh is the UK's second biggest financial centre, making it a useful place to study accountancy and finance. This degree enjoys a well-established reputation with leading organisations in the world of accountancy and financial services, and our graduates are often sought-after by recruiters. Most graduates go on to become chartered accountants in either professional practice, industry, or the public sector, but many go on to successful careers in banking and finance.
Each course included in the programme will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in accountancy and finance, from financial markets theory, auditing and assurance, research methods and international trade. You’ll benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation. Upon completion, you’ll have the relevant knowledge and skills to start a career in accountancy and finance.
Your student experience
Our MA Accountancy and Finance programme is taught with a clear industry focus by experienced professionals and respected academics. They are accredited by professional bodies and will introduce you to professional-standard software in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai
Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Students on the accelerated three-year degree will enter directly into Year 2 and not undertake Year 1 courses.
Mandatory September
- The Economy
- Critical Academic Skills
- Management in a Global Context
- Introduction to Accounting
Mandatory January
- Sustainable Business
- Introductory Finance
- Introduction to Economic and Financial Analysis
- Becoming a Professional
Year 2
Mandatory September
- Fundamentals of Finance
- Principles of Accounting
Mandatory January
- Financial Markets Theory
- Management Accounting in Organisations
- Financial Accounting
- Quantitative Methods 1
Optional September
- Social and Environmental Accounting
- Personal Finance and Investment Ethics
Year 3
Mandatory September
- Management Accounting Techniques and Decisions
- Intermediate Financial Accounting
- Corporate Financial Theory
Mandatory January
- Business Research Methods
- Business Law and the Law of Corporate Governance
Optional January
- Auditing and Assurance
- Taxation (Tax Law)
- Managing Corporate Value
- Applied Financial Modelling in Python
- Financial Derivatives
Optional September
- Introduction to Commercial Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Fundamentals of Financial Technology
Year 4
Mandatory September
- Accounting and Finance Dissertation 1
- Accounting Information Systems and Technology
- Managerial Accounting: Decision Making
Optional September
- International Bond and Currency Markets
- Agency Theory and Corporate Governance
- Risk Management and Derivatives Applications
Mandatory January
- Accounting and Finance Dissertation 2
- Theory and reporting in Accounting
- Advanced Financial Accounting
Optional January
- Contemporary Issues in Accounting
- Contemporary Issues in Finance
- Equity Markets and Fund Management
Programme Video
Studying Accountancy and Finance with us
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,535 |
| International | £19,456 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 2
As this is an accelerated programme, entry is only available for Year 2.
- Advanced Highers BB. Must include one of Accounting, Business, Economics or Maths, plus AABB at Higher.
- A-Levels ABB. Must include one of Accounting, Business, Economics or Maths.
- International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Higher Level 5 in Business Management, Maths or Economics.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM in Business or Accountancy relevant subject.
- HNC Business or Accounting A (standard entry) or B (minimum offer eligible only) in graded unit with 120 SCQF credit points.
- HNC NextGen Accounting with Distinction.
- HND Business BB or HND Accounting with BBB in graded units.
- HND NextGen Accounting with Merit & Distinction (HNC and HND must have been completed).
Additional information
- To gain maximum exemptions from accountancy bodies such as ACCA and ICAS, students should enter into Year 1 of our standard MA Accountancy and Finance programme.
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- When applying with an HND NextGen for advanced entry, applicants must also have successfully completed either an HNC or an HNC NextGen.
- HNC, HND or BTECs in other finance relevant subjects may be considered for advanced entry to Year 2 on a case-by-case basis and may require specific units to have been studied.
- For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
We’re delighted that Edinburgh Business School has the highest percentage of graduates in the UK who are appointed to a CEO or MD role (Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2023). We’re also first in Scotland for graduate employability (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023). Typical careers for Accountancy and Finance graduates include finance professionals, and business and public service associate professionals.
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Finance Professionals
- Business and public service associate professionals
Student life
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