MSc Accounting

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MSc Accounting

  • Objectives To provide students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of advanced concepts in accounting theories and practices. To provide students with the opportunity to analyse the role of accounting information and financial data in a business environment. To equip students with a knowledge of advanced research methodologies covering quantitative or qualitative 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 a managerial capacity in a business environment or for employment in an education environment
  • Entry requirements Entry 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 title MSc Accounting
  • Course description
    Course Description
    The MSc in Accounting aims to develop an in-depth understanding of advanced topics in accounting. Students develop a vision and understanding of the changing role and perception of accounting within the context of changing global markets, competition and shifting societal values.

    Modules and Options

    The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

    Stage 1

        Information Not yet available
    Stage 2

        ASSET PRICING
        AUDIT THEORY
        BANK STRATEGY AND RISK
        BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE
        BUSINESS ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
        CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT
        Core: MSC/MA DISSERTATION
        CORPORATE FINANCE
        CRITICAL MARKETING
        CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE
        DERIVATIVE SECURITIES
        FINANCIAL MODELLING
        INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
        INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
        INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
        ISSUES IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
        MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
        MANAGEMENT IN ORGANISATIONS
        MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
        MODERN BANKING
        PERSPECTIVES ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
        PHILOSOPHY OF MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING
        PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
        PROFESSIONALISM AND THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION
        RESEARCH EVALUATION PROJECTS
        RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES IN ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT
        RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: EMPIRICAL METHODS IN FINANCE
        RESEARCH METHODS IN FINANCE: FOUNDATIONS IN FINANCE
        TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

    Teaching and Assessment Methods
      
    A: Knowledge and Understanding
        Learning Outcomes
        A1 : The role and nature of accounting theories and practices and financial reporting information in businesses in national and international contexts;
        A2 : The role and nature of management accounting information and accounting practices in businesses located in various settings
        A3 : Epistemological and social scientific influences and interpretations of accounting and international accounting
        A4 : An in-depth understanding of, the various research methodologies available to investigate accounting issues in business organizations, and the influences of these methods on the understandings generated
        A5 : In-depth understanding of particular areas in which the student has chosen to specialize

        Teaching Methods
        Outcomes A1-A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, group and 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 understandings to facilitate students' exploration the character, contexts, practices and interpretations of accounting and related issues, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.

        Directed independent study and reading, along with individual and group tasks, enable the 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 materials relating to course.

        Assessment Methods
        Assessment methods

        Informal:
        Outcomes A1-A5 are informally assessed via group work and 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, group and individual tasks given for their 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 accounting 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 emails.

        Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students do for the dissertation. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills B1-B4

        Assessment Methods
        Informal:
        Skills B1-B4 are informally assessed via group work and oral presentations. The associated informal feedback provided enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop presentation skills

        Formal:
        Skills B1-B4 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments.

        Msc Dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4
        Skills B5 is assessed through dissertation

    C: Practical Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        C1 : Analyse and evaluate financial statement information
        C2 : Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to cost and management information
        C3 : Analyse and evaluate accounting information in wider context
        C4 : Access and retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources
        C5 : Research and written presentation skills
        C6 : Carry out independent research

        Teaching Methods
        Skills C1-C6 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 further acquired through the work that students do for the dissertation. The dissertation further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1-C5

        Assessment Methods
        Informal:
        Skills C1-C5 are informally assessed through group work and oral presentations along with the associated informal feedback. This further enable students to explore and enhance their understandings, and develop research and presentation skills

        Formal:
        Skills C1-C5 are formally assessed via unseen written examinations and coursework assignments. This enables the demonstration of the relevant theories of accounting and empirical evidence and facilitates the demonstration of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.

        Skill C6 is assessed through the dissertation and course work

    D: Key Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        D1 : Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner.
        D2 : Use information technology, such as word processing, databases, the web and econometric packages, to download and analyse financial and economic data.
        D3 : Manipulate numerical data and apply appropriate statistical or econometric techniques
        D4 : Problem-solving and analytical skills
        D5 : Time management, task prioritisation and working to deadlines.

        Teaching Methods
        Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through group tasks involving oral presentation and group discussion in the lecture. Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through small group project reports and individual tasks.

        Problem solving and Numeracy skills (D3-D4) are developed principally through specific problem based exercise and project given to the students.

        IT skills (D2) are developed as individual tasks require extensive research involving web-based material, internet and various electronic medias.

        Planning and organisation, enterprise and resourcefulness (D5) are essential to any learning process dependent on independent study and to some extent individual advice from teachers. These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses

        Assessment Methods
        The assessment of the majority of key transferable skills forms an integral part of the overall assessment of the accounting 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 on small group tutorial presentations
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