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MSc Accountancy
Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
# 251-300QS Subject Rankings
12 monthsProgram duration
20,376 GBPTuition Fee/year
YesScholarships
Program overview
Main Subject
Accounting and Finance
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Overview
The MSc Accounting degree focuses on the practical skills you’ll need to succeed in any sector that requires expertise in accountancy.
During this master's degree, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical accounting and be able to combine this knowledge with analytical techniques, to advise and act as consultants in key decision-making. The MSc will provide you with the skills to identify the risks in a business management context and recommend ways to mitigate such risks.
The programme offers specialised modules in areas such as accounting, auditing, and tax. You’ll learn about, and evaluate, a comprehensive range of research techniques, and understand how they are put into practice to create and interpret knowledge. You’ll also carry out your own research as part of your independent research project.
You’ll focus on real-world problems and explore ways accounting can help to address them. You’ll explore a range of organisational contexts and practices which will set you up for a professional accountancy career. Accredited and approved by several accountancy bodies and taught by professionally qualified staff you’ll gain professional qualifications in any accounting-related field with a focus on grant exemptions in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Qualification or Foundations in Accountancy awards.
Expertise
The MSc Accountancy 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.
Your learning environment
Taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, you’ll get to know and build relationships with the teaching staff and academics. You’ll be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.
During your studies, you’ll benefit from and have access to our state-of-the-art facilities, including our professional-standard Bloomberg Trading Room with 12 Bloomberg Terminals to enhance your employability with data skills. These Terminals are equipped with industry-standard software that provides live financial data and trading tools to the world’s leading banks and corporations.
Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Accounting and Finance Society which holds regular social events and provides networking opportunities and insights into career prospects in accountancy and other relevant industries.
Customise your learning
You’ll have the opportunity to focus on the areas of accountancy that interest you the most. You can customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by selecting two specialist course options.
In semester three, you’ll ‘deep dive’ into your chosen area of accounting in your dissertation. You will be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by developing new insight from the analysis of valuable primary research.
You can choose whether to study the programme full-time, part-time, or by course. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. If you decide to study part-time, you’ll register for two courses per semester and progress to the dissertation at the end of your second year.
You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.
Accreditation
Successful completion of this degree grants accreditation and ACCA and Association of International Accountants (AIA) exemptions which means you’ll be able to qualify more quickly than other graduates. This degree is also approved by CIMA and offers either a Certificate BA, a Management or an Operational exemption depending on courses taken within the degree.
This degree is currently in the approval stages for the following governing bodies: ICAS, ICAEW, and ACCA and when this is obtained, we will advise.
Program overview
Main Subject
Accounting and Finance
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Overview
The MSc Accounting degree focuses on the practical skills you’ll need to succeed in any sector that requires expertise in accountancy.
During this master's degree, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical accounting and be able to combine this knowledge with analytical techniques, to advise and act as consultants in key decision-making. The MSc will provide you with the skills to identify the risks in a business management context and recommend ways to mitigate such risks.
The programme offers specialised modules in areas such as accounting, auditing, and tax. You’ll learn about, and evaluate, a comprehensive range of research techniques, and understand how they are put into practice to create and interpret knowledge. You’ll also carry out your own research as part of your independent research project.
You’ll focus on real-world problems and explore ways accounting can help to address them. You’ll explore a range of organisational contexts and practices which will set you up for a professional accountancy career. Accredited and approved by several accountancy bodies and taught by professionally qualified staff you’ll gain professional qualifications in any accounting-related field with a focus on grant exemptions in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Qualification or Foundations in Accountancy awards.
Expertise
The MSc Accountancy 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.
Your learning environment
Taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, you’ll get to know and build relationships with the teaching staff and academics. You’ll be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.
During your studies, you’ll benefit from and have access to our state-of-the-art facilities, including our professional-standard Bloomberg Trading Room with 12 Bloomberg Terminals to enhance your employability with data skills. These Terminals are equipped with industry-standard software that provides live financial data and trading tools to the world’s leading banks and corporations.
Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Accounting and Finance Society which holds regular social events and provides networking opportunities and insights into career prospects in accountancy and other relevant industries.
Customise your learning
You’ll have the opportunity to focus on the areas of accountancy that interest you the most. You can customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by selecting two specialist course options.
In semester three, you’ll ‘deep dive’ into your chosen area of accounting in your dissertation. You will be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by developing new insight from the analysis of valuable primary research.
You can choose whether to study the programme full-time, part-time, or by course. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. If you decide to study part-time, you’ll register for two courses per semester and progress to the dissertation at the end of your second year.
You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.
Accreditation
Successful completion of this degree grants accreditation and ACCA and Association of International Accountants (AIA) exemptions which means you’ll be able to qualify more quickly than other graduates. This degree is also approved by CIMA and offers either a Certificate BA, a Management or an Operational exemption depending on courses taken within the degree.
This degree is currently in the approval stages for the following governing bodies: ICAS, ICAEW, and ACCA and when this is obtained, we will advise.
Admission requirements
Exam Scores
Important Dates
Tuition fee and scholarships
Tuition Fee
Scholarships
Domestic Students
International Students
One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.
In this guide you will find:
Where to look for scholarship opportunities
How to apply to scholarships relevant to you
A list of available scholarships around the world
A scholarship application checklist
More programs from the university
Bachelor UG
Master PG
MBA
PHD
From top 10 rankings to opportunities to study abroad, there are many reasons to choose Heriot-Watt. Here are just a few of them.
A rich heritage
We are proud that since our foundation in 1821 we have been outward-looking pioneers of education, in pursuit of knowledge to the benefit of society and the world.
Become a global student
Heriot-Watt provides you with the opportunity to become a global student both at our UK campuses and internationally. On our Edinburgh Campus you’ll find that about one-third of our students are from countries outside the UK, bringing a real international flavour to our community. This mix of people provides a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and build friendships that stretch across the globe.
We also encourage students to take part in our global student programme, Go Global, by participating in an Inter-Campus Transfer, Exchange or Erasmus+ for a semester or year of their degree.
A world-class reputation
We are world-renowned for excellence in teaching and research. We are ranked 235th in the world and 32nd in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024), and almost 90% of our research outputs are classed as world-leading and internationally excellent (REF 2021). View our rankings.
Strong links to business and industry
Our taught programmes and research are informed by the needs of business and industry. We actively facilitate collaborations and partnerships, building strategic alliances and promoting knowledge transfer.
Globally employable graduates
Global companies actively seek out our graduates as they are work-ready. Our programmes are designed to ensure that students receive a relevant, careerorientated education. As a result, more than 95% are in employment or further study six months after completing their programme.
Worldwide network
When you join Heriot-Watt you become part of a global family. We have around 123,000 alumni worldwide. The Watt Club was founded in 1854 and is the oldest graduate club in the UK. Lifetime membership is automatic upon graduation from Heriot-Watt and is free to all graduates of the University.
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BA (Hons) Communication Design
BA (Hons) Design for Textiles (Fashion, Interior, Art)
BA (Hons) Fashion
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MA (Hons) Applied Modern Languages and Translating
MA (Hons) BSL and Applied Language Studies
MA (Hons) British Sign Language (Interpreting, Translating and Applied Language Studies)
MA (Hons) Modern Languages (Interpreting and Translating)
MA (Hons) Modern Languages for Business Management
MA (Hons) Modern Languages, Communication and Culture
Business and Management (6)
BBA (Hons) Bachelor of Business Administration
MA (Hons) Accountancy
MA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance
MA (Hons) Business and Finance
MA (Hons) Economics
MA (Hons) Economics and Business Management
MA (Hons) Economics and Finance
MA (Hons) Finance
MA (Hons) International Business Management
MA (Hons) Marketing
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BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering
BEng (Hons) Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems
BEng (Hons) Structural Engineering
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Data Science)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Games Programming)
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering)
BSc (Hons) Computer Systems
BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Games Programming)
BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management
BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production
BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
MEng Aerospace Engineering
MEng Architectural Engineering
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MEng Robotics, Autonomous and Interactive Systems
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BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Cell and Molecular Biology)
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Human Health)
BSc (Hons) Psychology
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BSc (Hons) Psychology and Marketing
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Management
MBiol Biology
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BSc (Hons) Brewing and Distilling
BSc (Hons) Chemistry
BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics
BSc (Hons) Geography
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
BSc (Hons) Mathematical Physics
BSc (Hons) Mathematical, Statistical and Actuarial Sciences
BSc (Hons) Mathematics
BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Finance
BSc (Hons) Mathematics with French
BSc (Hons) Mathematics with German
BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Spanish
BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Statistics
BSc (Hons) Physics
MA (Hons) Geography, Society and Environment
MChem Chemistry
MMath Mathematics
MPhys Physics
Social Sciences and Management (6)
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
BSc (Hons) Statistical Data Science
Heriot-Watt is one of the world’s leading universities with strong links to international business and industry driven by our established reputation as a top research-led institution. Heriot-Watt is world-renowned for conducting ground-breaking research which is relevant to business and industry. We aim to find radical innovations and solutions to real world challenges for the benefit of society.
We offer over 180 Postgraduate courses that will provide you with the knowledge to solve real world challenges. There are around 2,400 postgraduate students studying at our Edinburgh Campus. It is a friendly, welcoming place, where you will have the opportunity to meet with students from all over the world.
Heriot-Watt is regarded as a top UK university across a range of subject areas. The QS World’s University Rankings ranked Heriot-Watt 302nd in the world, 39th in the UK and 7th in Scotland.
The international outlook of our university has been ranked 37th in the world, 13th in the UK and 3rd in Scotland by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019. This is based on the percentage of the university's international staff, the level of international co-authorship of academic papers and the percentage of international students studying with the university. The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide named Heriot-Watt University ‘International University of the Year 2018’.
REF 2014 named Heriot-Watt in the top 25% of UK universities, with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. We ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact. View our rankings.
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MA Interior Architecture and Design
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MSc Fashion and Textiles Management
MSc Interpreting
MSc Interpreting and Translating
MSc Sign Language Interpreting (EUMASLI)
MSc Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development
MSc Translating
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MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy
MSc Business Strategy, Leadership and Change
MSc Business and Organisational Psychology (online)
MSc Construction Project Management (online)
MSc Digital Marketing
MSc Economics with Data Analytics
MSc Economics, Banking and Finance
MSc Energy and Economics
MSc Finance
MSc Finance and Management
MSc Financial Management (online)
MSc International Accounting and Finance
MSc International Banking and Finance
MSc International Business Management
MSc International Marketing
MSc International Marketing with Consumer Psychology
MSc International Master in Industrial Management (IMIM)
MSc Investment Management
MSc Operations Management
MSc Strategic Project Management
MSc Sustainable Finance with Fintech
Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Business Studies
Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Accelerated)
Engineering and Technology (6)
MDes Games Design and Development
MSc Advanced Computer Science
MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering
MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Application
MSc Advanced Structural Engineering
MSc Advanced Structural Engineering (online)
MSc Artificial Intelligence
MSc Building Services Engineering (online)
MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management
MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management (online)
MSc Civil Engineering with Industry Placement (2 years)
MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying
MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying (online)
MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying with Industry Placement (2 years)
MSc Computational Data Science
MSc Computer Science for Cyber Security
MSc Computing (2 years)
MSc Construction Project Management
MSc Construction Project Management with Industry Placement (2 years)
MSc Data Science
MSc Energy
MSc Energy (online)
MSc Food Process Engineering
MSc Global Sustainability Engineering
MSc Global Sustainability Engineering with Industrial Application (2 year)
MSc Imaging, Vision and High Performance Computing
MSc Information Technology (Business)
MSc Information Technology (Software Systems)
MSc Mature Field Management
MSc Mature Field Management (online)
MSc Mature Field Management (online)
MSc Network Security
MSc Petroleum Engineering
MSc Petroleum Engineering (online)
MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
MSc Robotics
MSc Robotics with Industrial Application
MSc Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering (online)
MSc Software Engineering
Master of Architecture
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MPhil Psychology
MSc Applied Psychology
MSc Business Psychology
MSc Business Psychology with Coaching
MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management
MSc Business Psychology with Intercultural Communication
MSc Sport Psychology
MSc Toxicology
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MSc Actuarial Management
MSc Actuarial Management with Data Science
MSc Actuarial Science
MSc Actuarial Science and Management
MSc Analytical Science for the Biosciences Industries
MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences
MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences with Climate and Environmental Modelling
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MSc Brewing and Distilling with Entrepreneurship
MSc Climate Change: Managing the Marine Environment
MSc Computational Mathematics and Data Analysis
MSc Energy with Entrepreneurship
MSc Global Environmental Change and Policy
MSc International Marine Science
MSc International Marine Science (online)
MSc International Marine Science (online)
MSc Marine Renewable Energy
MSc Marine Renewable Energy (online)
MSc Mathematical Biology, Ecology and Medicine
MSc Mathematics
MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition
MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition (online)
MSc Reservoir Evaluation and Management
MSc Subsurface Energy Systems
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MSc Brewing and Distilling (online)
MSc Human Resource Management (HRM)
MSc Intercultural Business Communication
MSc International Sport Management
MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management
MSc Mathematics of Sustainable Finance
MSc Real Estate
MSc Real Estate (online)
MSc Safety and Risk Management (online)
MSc Social and Behavioural Research Methods
MSc Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development (online)
MSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics (Online)
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MBA Essentials (online)
MBA with a Specialism in Business Analytics (online)
MBA with a Specialism in Finance (online)
MBA with a Specialism in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (online)
MBA with a Specialism in Strategy (online)
Master of Business Administration (online)
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PhD Textile Design and Clothing Manufacture
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DBA Business Administration
PhD Accounting
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PhD Construction Management and Innovation
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PhD Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering
PhD Psychology
Natural Sciences (6)
PhD Institute of Chemical Sciences
PhD Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences
PhD Mathematics
PhD Sustainability and Carbon Management
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PhD Intercultural Research
PhD Logistics