ObjectivesTo provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of advanced concepts in finance and investment. To provide students with the opportunity to analyse the role of financial information and data. To equip students with a knowledge of advanced research methodologies covering quantitative approaches to empirical research. To provide students with the advanced knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to independent, self-directed research. To develop students' critical and analytical skills which will prepare them for employment in the financial or business sectors or an education environment.
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications 2.1 First degree or equivalent IELTS 6.5, OR TOEFL (PB) 570, OR TOEFL (CB) 230, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C OR IELTS 6.0, OR TOEFL (PB) 540, OR TOEFL (CB) 207, OR Cambridge Proficiency Grade C AND Successful completion of a pre-sessional English course offered at the University of Essex of at least 8 weeks.
Academic titleMSc Accounting and Financial Management
Course description
Course Description
MSc Accounting and Financial Management is designed for students without a first degree majoring in accounting and therefore would be suitable for both home and international students who have previously studied business, economics and other related subjects. The course offers a comprehensive grounding in corporate reporting and analysis, and management planning and control.
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Role and nature of advanced concepts and theoretical models in finance and management
A2 : Competing perspectives and associated empirical evidence relating to finance and management issues.
A3 : Epistemological and social scientific influences and interpretations of finance and management
A4 : An in-depth understanding of the various research methodologies available to investigate finance and management issues and the influences of these methods on the understandings generated.
A5 : In-depth understanding of particular areas in which the student has chosen to specialise.
Teaching Methods
Outcomes A1-A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, individual tasks, and directed independent study. The development of the dissertation in consultation with a supervisor provides an additional opportunity for achieving learning outcomes A1-A5.
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understanding to facilitate exploration of the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of finance and investmentrelated issues while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Directed independent study and reading, along with individual tasks, facilitate further exploration of the relevant areas.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library and journal materials relating to course.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Outcomes A1-A5 are informally assessed via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings and develop presentation skills.
Formal:
Outcomes A1-A5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas.
B2 : Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts from a variety of relevant frameworks.
B3 : Formulate logical and coherent arguments
B4 : Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence.
B5 : Plan and undertake a substantial piece of independent research.
Teaching Methods
Skills B1-B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, reading, and individual tasks given for the courses, although lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Students' independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant finance theories and the analysis of empirical evidence.
Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work. Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.
Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students do for the dissertation. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire and enhance skills B1-B4.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills B1-B4 are assessed informally via oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills.
Formal:
Skills B1-B4 are assessed formally via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.
The MSc Dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4.
Skill B5 is assessed through the dissertation.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Access and retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
C2 : Research presentation and written presentation skills.
C3 : Undertake independent research
C4 : Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to analysing financial and management information and data
C5 : Analyse and evaluate financial and management data
C6 : Role and nature of advanced concepts and theoretical models in banking and international finance
Teaching Methods
Skills C1-C5 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Skill C6 is acquired through the work that students do for their dissertation. The dissertation further provides ample opportunity for students to acquire and develop skills C1-C5.
Assessment Methods
Informal:
Skills C1-C5 are assessed informally through presentations along with the associated informal feedback. These further enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop research and presentation skills.
Formal:
Skills C1-C5 are assessed formally via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. These facilitate demonstration of knowledge of the relevant financial theories and of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Skill C6 is assessed through the dissertation
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner
D2 : Participating in group work in undertaking research and preparing informal presentations.
D3 : Manipulate numerical data and apply appropriate statistical or econometric techniques
D4 : Problem-solving and analytical skills
D5 : Use information technology, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and Internet in order to source, download and analyse data.
D6 : Reflectively analyse own performance and feedback
Teaching Methods
Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through group discussion in the lectures and classes. Written communication skills (D1) in individual tasks.
IT skills (D2) are developed as individual tasks require extensive research involving web-based material, internet and various electronic media.
Numeracy and problem solving skills (D3-D4) are developed principally through specific problem based exercises and tasks given to the students.
Assessment Methods
The assessment of the majority of key transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the finance degree schemes. However the approach to assessment varies. Written communication skills, problem solving, numeracy and IT skills are assessed directly throughout the degree programme. Personal skills are assessed through coursework. Verbal communication skills are not formally assessed although feedback on communication skills forms part of the formative feedback provided in tutorial sessions.