Postgraduate programmes in
Professional
Accountancy 2021
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy
With academic
direction from: World class. Worldwide.
Gain a University of London
degree, wherever you are
1 Make the most of your professional qualifications
ACCA members and affiliates can use their professional
qualification as credit towards completing this degree.
2 Study without relocating
You can study wherever you live and gain a prestigious
qualification. In many countries, you can take classes
at local teaching institutions.
3 Quality of learning
The programme has been designed by academics at UCL’s
School of Management. UCL ranked 8th in the world’s top
universities in the 2020 QS World University Rankings.
4 Employability
Our degrees are internationally recognised and open
doors to lucrative careers in finance, accounting, law,
business, politics, education and other industries.
5 J oin the World Class
On graduation, you’ll join a global community
of influential alumni, from leaders of business
and industry to Nobel Prize winners.
2 Postgraduate programmes in Professional Accountancy
“In a fast changing
environment of
worldwide access
to higher education,
a University of London
degree continues
to offer a guarantee
of quality, value and
intellectual rigour.”
Professor Wendy Thomson
Vice-Chancellor,
University of London
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy 3
Your prestigious University
of London qualification
About your qualification
When you graduate with a degree, diploma or certificate from
the University of London you will receive two important
documents – your Final Diploma (the parchment you
receive on graduation) and a Diploma Supplement.
The Final Diploma
• Indicates that you were registered with the University
of London and awarded a University of London degree.
• Gives the name of UCL as the member institution that
developed the syllabus and provided assessment.
• Features the University of London crest and
the Vice-Chancellor’s signature.
The Diploma Supplement
• Describes the nature, level and content of the programme
you successfully completed.
• Includes the transcript of courses taken, marks achieved
and overall classification.
• States the role of UCL and the method of study.
4 Postgraduate programmes in Professional Accountancy
Contents
Postgraduate programmes in
Key dates Professional Accountancy
Gain a University of London degree, wherever you are 2
Your prestigious University of London qualification 4
Application deadlines: Why study for a University of London degree? 6
30 November 2020 Online-supported distance learning 9
7 June 2021 Programme structure 13
Entrance requirements and how to apply 14
Registration deadlines:
14 December 2020
21 June 2021
Please note: compulsory
induction courses are provided
after you are fully registered
and must be completed before
the programme starts.
Programme starts:
11 January 2021
12 July 2021
Final assessments take place
week commencing:
7 June 2021
6 December 2021
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy 5
Why study for a University
of London degree?
Lynsie has a track record of delivering accounting
and finance in an innovative way and has won
four awards for the quality of her teaching.
Lynsie is co-editor/co-author of six Pearson custom textbooks
and engages in scholarship research on an international
basis. She is one of the School’s e-learning champions and is
undertaking a Doctorate focusing on Teaching and Learning
Technologies. She is also involved in the design and delivery
of international executive education and CPD delivery. Lynsie
Associate Professor Lynsie Chew is a Faculty Advisor at Harvard Medical School and on the MSc
Professional Accountancy she is the module leader for the
Programme Director ‘Strategic Financial Project’ as well as Programme Director.
UCL programme team
“This MSc offers teaching informed by research and
insights into real-world issues. It will offer practical
solutions to the challenges of making organisations
work as they should, not least in the financial context.”
Alan is Professor of Financial Education at University College
London (UCL) where he is School Deputy Director (Education)
and Lead of the Finance, Accounting and Economics Teaching
Team. He has extensive experience of curriculum planning and
design and works regularly with international companies on
Professor Alan Parkinson (FCCA) a consulting basis, and on Executive Education programmes.
He is Visiting Professor at Ecole des Ponts in Paris, and a
Deputy Programme Director Faculty Adviser at Harvard Medical School. Alan is the MSc
UCL programme team Professional Accountancy Deputy Programme Director.
6 Postgraduate programmes in Professional Accountancy
A trusted name in
global education
Founded in 1836, the University of
London is one of the oldest and
most prestigious universities in the
UK. The University of London has
been delivering accessible higher
education around the world since
1858. Many of our past students have
shaped the world we live in, including
six Nobel Prize winners and leaders
of business, industry and science.
Programme direction
Academics within UCL’s School of
Management provide the programme Stand out from the crowd Dual recognition
direction for the MSc, designing the
modules, developing the learning This programme will be of value to ACCA members and affiliates can
content, and setting and marking accountants aspiring to senior roles and complement their professional
the assessments. Therefore, you will enable you to stand out from the qualification with this MSc by
benefit from UCL’s academic expertise crowd in terms of your qualifications. completing two University of London
and cutting-edge research. modules. The University of London
Boost your career with this master’s
recognises the learning that has taken
In the 2020 QS World University programme by developing key
place as part of the ACCA journey and
Rankings, UCL is ranked 8th in the research skills and exploring current
applies this as credit towards the MSc.
world’s top universities. Its prestigious issues within the profession. This
School of Management has an complements the ACCA professional The University of London will
excellent reputation for high-quality qualification, preparing you for a recognise ACCA exams as
research and teaching. The School wealth of opportunities. Graduates are counting towards the MSc.
underpins that research and teaching negotiating new contracts within their
with a focus on operations, data current organisations and exploring
analytics, innovation and enterprise. new career avenues overseas.
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy 7
“Being out of the
classroom setting, you
become persistent,
determined and
persevere. You just have
to stick to the study
and stick to a timetable,
but you also need to
have a little fun while
you’re studying.”
Jesse Sylvester
British Virgin Islands
8 Postgraduate programmes in Professional Accountancy
Online-supported
distance learning
Network with
professionals worldwide
The University’s Virtual Learning
Environment (VLE) enables you
to network with other professionals
in your tutor group worldwide. You
will be able to share perspectives,
compare approaches and gain
a truly global viewpoint.
Web-supported learning
You can choose the web-supported
study option, which provides you
with an Online Tutor and Student
Fit studying around Comprehensive Relationship Manager to support
you in your studies. They will
your schedule and interactive introduce the key content at the
You can set your own pace and
study resources start of each module, guide you on
the assessment, participate in online
complete the masters in under a year, or forums and respond to your queries.
You study using materials developed
take longer if that is more convenient. for online learning, provided in a
Each module takes 22 weeks to choice of formats for use with different Getting started
complete and you will need to types of computers, including mobile
allow about 12–15 study hours per devices. Study materials include As soon as you register, you can
week, which includes time spent on videos, readings, computer software, start on the orientation module.
coursework and revision. There are fixed case studies and more. Interactive This will help you get up to speed
deadlines for submitting coursework. exercises and quizzes with automated with the programme concepts and
To help you meet these, you are feedback are embedded throughout. help you hone your study skills.
provided with a clear structure There are links within the modules to
for your learning and online tools the University of London Online Library
to plan and manage your time.
and study resources. You do not need
Modules run twice a year. to purchase any additional textbooks.
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy 9
Local teaching support Student Relationship and using the VLE, progressing
through studies and understanding
As an alternative to the web-supported
Managers the regulations. SRMs are on hand
learning option – depending on where to assist you with the day-to-day
Student Relationship Managers (SRMs) management of your studies, preparing
you live – you may be able to take face- are a key point of contact and support you for the practical steps needed to
to-face classes at a local teaching for you throughout your journey undertake tasks such as submitting
centre for an additional fee. We are with the University of London, from coursework and entering for exams.
establishing a network of centres registration through to graduation.
in the locations where students are SRMs are there to ensure the best
Working collaboratively with colleagues
planning to study. These centres have possible student experience for you. You
from across the University, SRMs
been recognised by the University will be able to contact and interact with
provide you with information on a
of London for the quality and your SRM through a variety of methods.
wide variety of topics relating to the
standards of their teaching. The list These include VLE forums, our enquiry
management of your student journey.
of centres is on our website: management system and by telephone.
bit.ly/recognised-centres Classes may Some of these key areas include SRMs also participate in regular online
be held on a part-time or block basis. registration for modules, accessing question-and-answer sessions.
10 Postgraduate programmes in Professional Accountancy
Assessment
The degree is assessed through a
combination of methods, including
coursework and projects. The grade
you achieve for each module is based
on all the elements of assessment.
You can submit coursework and
projects online through the VLE.
Celebrating your
graduation
Mark your achievement with your
friends and family at the annual
graduation ceremony in London,
which is usually presided over by
the University of London’s Vice-
Chancellor or the Chancellor,
HRH The Princess Royal.
Join a global
alumni network
On graduation, you become a member
of the University of London Alumni
Association. You may participate in our
global events and meet other graduates
in your academic or professional field.
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy 11
“The most rewarding part has
been the learning resources that
were available. Having access to
an abundance of resources really
provided a lot of knowledge.
Also, the opportunity to connect
with other students around
the world is really good. It was
cultural exchange but also
an exchange of knowledge
relating to our studies.”
Pichmolyka Nhek
Cambodia
12 Postgraduate programmes in Professional Accountancy
Programme structure
About the structure
MSc Professional Accountancy
Like the ACCA Qualification, the
MSc Professional Accountancy
has been designed to support ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers
you in developing the high-level
knowledge and intellectual skills and
needed for leadership of the finance You have passed ACCA Strategic Professional Essentials (SBL and SBR)
function in a global context. and
This programme will help you develop Two ACCA Strategic Professional Options
the commercial, strategic and creative from AFM, APM, ATX and AAA
skills to address the challenges
presented by today’s fast-paced,
volatile and interconnected world.
Additional Preparation course must be taken if your last
Key to ACCA Papers: requirements exam was completed more than five years ago
SBL Strategic Business Leader
SBR Strategic Business Reporting
AFM Advanced Financial Management
APM Advanced Performance Complete TWO 30-credit modules
Management Structure
on the MSc programme
ATX Advanced Taxation
AAA Advanced Audit and Assurance
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy 13
Entrance requirements
and how to apply
Entrance requirements Please refer to our website for the You will also need to pay your
English language requirements for ACCA subscription fees as normal
ACCA members or affiliates are the programme: to continue to be eligible to study
eligible to study towards the MSc london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy towards and be awarded the MSc.
Professional Accountancy. Please note: all student fees are net
Qualifications required: How to apply of any local VAT, Goods and Services
Tax (GST) or any other sales tax
• You must be a current ACCA Member You can apply online at: payable by the student in their
or Affiliate with passes in all nine london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy country of residence. Where the
Applied Knowledge and Applied University is required to add VAT, GST
Skills papers, the two Strategic After you have completed the
or any other sales tax at the local
Professional Essentials (SBL and application process, you will receive
statutory rate, this will be added to
SBR) and two Strategic Professional feedback on your eligibility. If you
the fees shown during the payment
options from AFM, APM, ATX and are successful, you will be able
process. For students resident in the
AAA.* If you passed the last of to register and pay for the first
UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.
the ACCA Strategic Professional modules you wish to take.
papers more than five years ago,
you must be able to demonstrate How much will it cost?
that your continuing professional
development (CPD) record is
The full list of annual fees for the
compliant with the ACCA policy on
programmes will be published
CPD since you became a member.
on the Student Fees web
This includes an up-to-date CPD
page once confirmed. Please
declaration for the current year.
visit: london.ac.uk/fees
• One hour of learning on your MSc
Fees are subject to annual revision
will be equivalent to one unit.
and typically may be increased by
• If your last ACCA exam was more up to five per cent per year.
than five years ago, you will also be
You will pay for each module
required to pass the assessment
as you take it. The module fee includes
for our online preparation test.
access to study materials and entry
This takes the form of a MOOC,
into the assessments associated
‘Keeping up with change: issues
with the module (coursework
for the finance professional’, which
and project as applicable).
is available on a regular basis.
*Or earlier forms (e.g. ‘F’ and ‘P’ papers).
14 Postgraduate programmes in Professional Accountancy
The information contained in this
prospectus was correct at the
date of publication but may be
subject to change. The University
does not intend by publication or
distribution of this prospectus to
create any contractual or other legal
relation with applicants, registered
students, their advisers or any other
persons. For the most up-to-date
information, please visit our website.
Published by University of London.
Copyright © University of London,
November 2020.
london.ac.uk/msc-accountancy 15
For further information on the range of programmes we offer,
please visit our website (london.ac.uk) or contact us at:
The Student Advice Centre
University of London
Senate House, Malet Street
London WC1E 7HU View the
United Kingdom Professional
Telephone enquires: +44 (0)20 7862 8360 Accountancy
web page
Online enquiries: sid.london.ac.uk
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