Overview
Accounting and finance roles have increasingly taken on an international dimension. With growing globalisation and the convergence of international accounting practices, this course meets the business world’s demand for graduates educated to Masters level in International Accounting and Finance.
The course provides specialised training in international accounting and finance, and helps you develop the reporting and analysis skills needed by organisations worldwide. It also enables you to gain an appreciation of international investment issues from a range of perspectives.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to offer employers an understanding of international reporting standards which have an increasing global relevance, along with an advanced awareness of international financial markets.
We are AACSB accredited
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education. This puts the University of Stirling Management School among the top 6% of business schools globally.
Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF)
Our students have established a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), with support of our academics within the Accounting and Finance Division. The SMIF allows you to gain practical
AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp
The course also includes our week-long AmplifyME Trading Boot Camp run by our partner, AmplifyME. This won the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Innovative Delivery of Education (IDEA) global award and gives you the chance to participate in highly realistic computer-based simulations that replicate the experience of trading in financial markets. By letting you trade in a simulated environment with virtual money, the boot camp bridges the gap between an academic understanding of financial markets and how they function in practice.
Preparing business leaders of the future
Postgraduate education at the University of Stirling Management School goes beyond text books and lecture rooms, we also focus on your personal and professional development.
Our unique Flying Start Leadership Programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career. These range from practical skills, like effective public speaking, to developing ways to work under pressure in difficult situations and manage conflict. Find out more about Flying Start.
The MSc International Accounting and Finance is accredited by
Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)
Our ACCA
Association of International Accountants (AIA)
Our accreditation from AIA enables graduates to benefit from exemption from
The University of Stirling is accredited by AACSB International in recognition of our excellence in business education.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The MSc International Accounting and Finance is a one-year, full-time course. You’ll undertake up to ten taught modules over two 15-week semesters, followed by a supervised dissertation.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching is carried out through lectures, small group seminars, workshops, problem-solving classes, computer labs and practical case study exercises.
Many of our staff are publishing world research in leading international journals and engaged in developing new policy and practices within the finance profession as well as delivering innovative teaching.
Guest lectures
As a student on the MSc International Accounting and Finance you’re given the chance to participate in regular guest lectures. These are typically held on a Wednesday afternoon and are delivered by eminent speakers drawn from leading financial institutions, think tanks, regulatory and professional bodies. Previous speakers include:
- Russell Napier - Co-founder and Chairman of ERIC (Electronic Research Interchange)
- Ross Lorrimer - Client Service Associate at State Street
- Maxim Skorniakov - Investment Manager at Walter Scott Global Investment Management
- Richard Dunber - Head of Economic and Thematic Research at Aberdeen Asset Management
- Kweku Adoboli - Former Trader at UBS
- John Goodwin - Executive Vice-President and CFO at Lego
- Colin McLean - CEO at SVM Asset Management
- Kim Catechis, Head of Global Emerging Markets Equities at Martin Currie Investment Management
- Lorna Blyth, Head of Investment Solutions at Royal London
- Nicholas McLoughlin, Senior Investment Strategist at HSBC Global Asset Management
- Michael Nicol, Investment Manager at Kames Capital
Assessment is through a combination of multiple choice and written class tests, written assignments, presentations including group assignments and written exams.
Dr Fredrick Changwony, Course Director
MScIntAccFin@stir.ac.uk
Fees and funding
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
From the very beginning of the course, your future career is our focus:
- Our Flying Start Leadership Programme helps you to develop self-awareness about your strengths and acquire new skills in a supportive environment.
- You’ll take part in an innovative week-long global financial trading and training boot camp run by AmplifyME.
MSc International Accounting and Finance graduates work around the world in countries such as Malaysia, China, UK, Ethiopia, Italy, Oman, Kazakhstan and Taiwan.
Since the introduction of the course in 2007, our graduates have gone on to build their careers in a variety of sectors including investment banks, universities, car manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. Some of the roles that our alumni currently hold include:
- Head of Internal Audit, University of Putra (Malaysia)
- Accountant, Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd (China)
- Multi-Functional Financial Analyst, Lockheed Martin (UK)
- PhD Students in Universities around the world
- Relationship/Business Development Manager, BGL Plc. (Nigeria)
Stirling Management School has a dedicated Employability Manager and from the very beginning of the course your career is our focus.
Everything you do while studying here is designed to help you build the personal skills that will make you stand out to future employers. You’ll start your Masters course on our Flying Start Leadership Programme which will challenge your perspective of culture and develop your self-awareness, as well as team-working, problem-solving and presentation skills.
You also have the chance to take part in real work experience opportunities through our week long masterclass in trading.
During your studies you'll have the chance to go to regular guest lectures. These are typically held on a Wednesday afternoon and are delivered by eminent speakers drawn from leading financial institutions, think tanks, regulatory and professional bodies. Previous speakers include:
- Russell Napier - Co-founder of ERIC (Electronic Research Interchange)
- Nick Bartlett - Director of Education at CFA Society of the UK
- Ross Lorrimer - Client Service Associate at State Street
- Maxim Skorniakov - Investment Manager at Walter Scott Global Investment Management
- Richard Dunbar - Head of Economic and Thematic Research at Aberdeen Asset Management
- Kweku Adoboli - Former Trader at UBS
- John Goodwin - Executive Vice-President and CFO at Lego
- Colin McLean - CEO at SVM Asset Management
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