MSc Finance & Accounting
12 months
£47,500
London, UK
Become an indispensable asset to any company with a Master’s in Finance & Accounting
In today's complex and interconnected global economy, skilled finance and accounting professionals are in high demand. Our accredited (ACCA and CIMA) MSc Finance & Accounting will prepare you for success in financial or professional services. With theoretical modules, practical experiences, and industry exposure, previous students have secured roles in major companies such as McKinsey, Citi Group, and EY, highlighting our strong bonds with industry and prime London location.
During the programme you will engage in world-leading corporate finance research, learn from a fantastic array of practitioners, gain practical experiences and build a diverse professional network. Ready to make your mark in the world's leading financial institutions with an accounting and finance degree from Imperial?
Study your MSc Finance & Accounting in London at a global top 10 university
Programme content
Our MSc Finance & Accounting is a one year, full-time intensive programme with classes running Monday to Friday between 08.30 and 21.00. You should expect to attend one evening class per week in addition to other optional activities such as guest lectures or alumni and careers events which may be scheduled in the evening.
The programme combines an in-depth understanding of fundamental financial topics, alongside specialist knowledge, and practical experience. Tailor the programme according to your interests and career aspirations through elective module while studying in London - a global hub for business and finance.
We are pleased to offer an optional extended term, that will allow you to extend your programme duration to 16 months. This will give you the opportunity to commit to a longer Work Placement, gaining deeper work experience, global experience and earning additional credits. Please note, the extended term is subject to an additional tuition fee.
Please note, programme content is subject to change. Candidates that fail to successfully complete this degree are not entitled to a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
Online pre-study modules
Before the start of your programme, you will be expected to complete online pre-study modules, delivered via The Hub, our bespoke virtual learning environment. These include an Accounting Primer module; an online Ethics & Professional Standards module, an online Finance Careers Primer and the Career & Professional Development module. These modules do not, however, contribute to the calculation of the final award.
Induction week
Your MSc Finance & Accounting induction will be spent at our vibrant South Kensington campus in London. You will be invited to a welcome event where you can meet and network with your fellow students, distinguished faculty and dedicated programme staff, forging new connections and getting a taste of life at Imperial.
Foundations in Finance & Accounting
This module develops your confidence with the basics of programming in R and the most important techniques of statistics and probability, tailored to applications in finance, risk management and financial engineering.
It also provides you with the understanding of the main financial instruments including debt, equity and financial derivatives and of the concepts of market efficiency, portfolio risk and diversification.
Advanced Corporate Finance
This module covers corporate financial decision-making. we will examine corporate investment policy and company valuation, financing decisions and capital structure, corporate governance, and the process of raising funds from multiple investors in syndicated loans and in initial public offerings. In-class sessions will include a combination of lectures, case studies and guest speakers.
Applied Econometrics
This module will acquaint you with the range of econometrics techniques which are an essential part of modern advanced empirical research. The model will be taught through a series of formal lectures, classes and computer based experiences. You will learn to analyse data from any source using a wide variety of techniques.
Corporate Finance
Corporate finance is at the heart of investment banking and crucial to running a successful business in any sector. In this module you cover all the key elements of company finance, valuation and risk management. You will learn to understand how to assess individual investment projects, value companies, and evaluate the sources of finance available to companies.
Ethics and Professional Standards in Finance (Online Module)
This online module aims to introduce you to corporate responsibility and professional standards for financial analysts. You will be taken through a review of the key factors and responsibilities for ethical practice in finance. At the end of the module, you will have a compulsory test, which must be passed before you can be awarded the MSc.
Financial Accounting
This module emphasises accounting from the perspective of a user of financial reports. The “user perspective” requires us to consider the uses to which that financial reporting information can and cannot be put, which, in turn, requires an understanding of how accountants prepare corporate financial reports. You will gain a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts underlying financial reporting systems, the role of judgments and estimates in the preparation and interpretation of financial reports, how to read, analyse and interpret financial reports and how to forecast future financial statements and free cash flows.
Fundamentals of Derivatives
In this module you will learn to develop and apply the techniques learnt in the Investments and Portfolio Management module to the pricing of a range of financial derivatives and to the determination of interest rates at different maturities. By the end of the module you will have an in-depth understanding of valuation techniques applicable in a variety of financial markets and sought after by prospective employers.
Investments and Portfolio Management
This module provides you with a critical understanding of techniques used for investments and portfolio management. The module is accompanied by case studies and realistic practical examples that you will solve each week using R. By the end of the module you will be able to implement trading strategies and portfolio construction methods in a wide range of assets.
Management Accounting
This is a cutting-edge module that includes some of the latest thinking and tools to address modern management accounting issues. Modern management accounting comprises techniques for the analysis and improvement of firm performance in four general areas: financial performance, process performance, customer performance, and learning performance. This module will look at methods of performance analysis in all four areas.
Key electives
Banks, Regulation and Monetary Policy
Contemporary Financial Accounting
Corporate Dealmaking
Shareholder Activism & Corporate Responsibility
Corporate Law and Corporate Tax Strategy
Mergers and Acquisitions
Real Estate Investment, Finance and Private Equity
Other electives
Advanced Company Valuation
Applied Quantitative Macro Strategies
Blockchain and Applications
Climate Finance
Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital
Enterprise Risk Management
Innovation and Strategy in FinTech
Insurance
International Finance
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Structured Credit and Equity Products
Sustainable Finance and Investment
Wealth Management and Alternative Investments
Applied project
Most students choose to undertake an Applied Project because it has a practical focus and is designed for those who are interested in a career in a financial institution. If you choose this option, you will also complete an additional elective. The report, of 3,000 words, is due for submission in August.
Work placement (summer)
If you have secured a work placement, you will be able to link your project to the area of finance of the employer organisation. The Programme Director is required to approve the work placement in advance.
Research project
Advised by a faculty supervisor, you’ll identify a topic or issue of interest and then analyse it statistically or numerically. The Research Project is ideal if you wish to follow an academic career and apply to a PhD programme. Your project report, of up to 10,000 words, is due for submission by mid-August.
Extended Work Placement
With the Extended Work Placement you will access additional work placement opportunities, including longer summer internships in the UK and worldwide. You will gain deeper work experience credentials and boost your marketability with potential future employers. The Extended Work Placement contributes to the development of your managerial potential by applying problem solving techniques to a challenging business situation in which you are fully immersed. The focus is on developing your skills in managing real business tasks, drawing on the knowledge and skills achieved in other modules of the programme. Read more about the extended term here.
There will be an additional cost for taking this elective, which is reviewed on an annual basis.
Corporate Finance for Practitioners
This international elective allows you to experience finance in a different economy. It aims to provide the basics that practitioners will require in a wide range of such careers, both in the public and private sectors. Traditional lectures will be complemented by guest speakers, company visits and experiential learning activities. Previous students have travelled to Singapore.
Admissions
Applications for 2025 entry are open.
Discover our admissions process for the MSc Finance & Accounting including entry requirements, how to apply and key dates and deadlines.
This programme is highly competitive, so early application is advised; this will put you in a stronger position to be considered for a scholarship, and provide access to exclusive admitted students events.
Fees and funding
Choosing to pursue a Master's is one of the most important decisions you will make and is a substantial investment in yourself.
Many of our students fund their studies through multiple funding sources. We offer a wide range of awards, including a number of scholarships to the most talented applicants. We’ve also provided information about the different financing options available to you.
What our students say
“My main motivation to study MSc Finance & Accounting was to enhance and develop an all-rounded skillset. Imperial College Business School offers programmes that are at the cutting edge of finance, leveraging the power of technology and smart business to create the business leaders of the future.”
Class of 2024-25
Meet the classFinance Masters' Information Session
26 November 2024
13.00 - 14.00
Online
Unlock your future in finance at Imperial College Business School! Explore the cutting-edge world of finance at one of the top business schools globally. Join us for an exclusive virtual Information Session where we dive deep into our suite of Finance Master's programmes designed to fast-track your career and open doors to endless opportunities.
Next steps
Career impact
At Imperial College Business School, your career is our priority. Our dedicated Careers team is committed to helping you achieve your personal and professional goals. With close links to industry and a busy calendar of events, workshops and personal development programmes, you will be prepared for career opportunities in a highly competitive recruitment market. Our MSc Finance & Accounting students have secured positions in the finance, consulting, technology and engineering sectors. They have been hired by renowned companies such as Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC.
Employment outcomes below refer to the class of 2023.
employed within six months of graduation
employed in UK
employed in the finance sector
“The compulsory career workshop that all students attend was the most useful for me. We got the chance to talk to people who are experienced and the workshop was structured more like a chat, sharing updates about recent events and ask for any kind of help if needed.”
Meet your Faculty
Imperial College Business School has a tradition of research excellence in quantitative finance. Our faculty has international research reputations, consult for global corporations and advise financial firms.
James Sefton
Rajkamal Iyer
Start your Master's journey
Frequently asked questions
All applications to our postgraduate programmes are made online – we do not accept paper applications. Please refer to the ‘How to apply’ section of each programme page to see what documents you are required to submit with your application and to view the selection process.
All of our programmes are academically rigorous and include a quantitative component so all candidates are expected to be familiar with a basic level of mathematics before the start of the programme. The quantitative experience statement provides an opportunity to demonstrate this to the selection committee.
In the quantitative experience statement, you need to list up to five of the most quantitative modules or elements of your studies to date. You should list the main topics of study (eg: algebra, probability etc) as well as the level of study (eg: high school, undergraduate degree, short course etc) as this will allow the selection committee to have an understanding of your quantitative experience to date.
Quantitative experience is a key selection criterion for our more quantitative programmes (MSc Finance, MSc Finance & Accounting, MSc Financial Technology, MSc Investment & Wealth Management, MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering, MSc Business Analytics, MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance and MSc Economics & Strategy for Business) so please be sure to check the entry requirements for your programme of interest to ensure your background is sufficiently quantitative. For other programmes, candidates are advised to review both the programme content and the pre-study modules to see what the numerical content of the programme includes before they submit an application.
Yes, you can. Our finance programmes at Imperial College Business School are highly rigorous, and our students are required to have a high level of quantitative skills. If you are considering applying for a programme within our finance Master’s portfolio, we advise you to take our online maths test to test your quantitative ability and determine if you are suitable to apply for the programme.
Please note, this maths test is most relevant to candidates considering the MSc Finance, MSc Investment & Wealth Management, MSc Financial Technology and MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering programmes.
You can apply to be considered for one programme each year. We will take your areas of interest and eligibility into account when considering you for alternative programmes.
While it is not compulsory to submit the results of an approved English language test with your application, it is strongly encouraged and will add weight to your application if you are able to show that you have met the language requirement prior to applying. You can find detailed information regarding the Business School’s language requirements and the tests that we accept here.
As part of your application, you will be asked to provide the contact details of two referees. Your referees will be contacted by email once you have completed and submitted your application, and the email will contain instructions on how they can submit your reference via our application system.
Please ensure that each reference letter that is submitted has been sent from an academic or professional email address. We cannot accept references sent from personal email addresses, such as Gmail, Hotmail, 126, 163, Sina, QQ, and Yahoo.
Our electronic application service is provided by an external provider, so there may be a delay before the receipt of your references is confirmed on your student application account.
If you receive confirmation that your references have been received but this still isn’t confirmed on your account a week after receiving the confirmation, please contact the Central Admissions team at business.admissions@imperial.ac.uk.
If you submit a complete application by the stated round deadline, we will ensure you receive an outcome by the corresponding decision deadline. However, delays in receiving your references or missing documentation required to progress your application may mean we are not be able to guarantee a decision by the deadline.
If the requested information is not received within five working days, we may be unable to guarantee a decision by the round deadline.
If you have received confirmation that your references have been submitted but this is not reflected in your account after a week, please contact the Central Admissions team at business.admissions@imperial.ac.uk.
Yes. As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates for our MSc programmes will be invited to complete an interview. Interviews are conducted through Kira Talent, our video interview platform, which you can access online to record and submit your answers.
The interview process typically takes about 20 minutes and does not require extensive preparation. It aims to supplement your written application by providing a further opportunity for you to articulate your suitability for your MSc programme of choice through questions about your previous experience and future aspirations.
If you are invited to submit a video interview, you will be sent details of how to access and use the Kira Talent online interview platform.
Once you have created an account, you will be asked a series of questions, to which you can record your answers as short videos and submit them online.
Please make sure that the invitation doesn’t go to your junk mail by adding kiratalent.com to your list of safe senders. You must complete your online interview by the deadline stated in the email. If the email has gone into a junk, spam, or clutter folder in your inbox, we will not be able to rearrange a new interview for you, and your application will be considered for withdrawal.
Please note: our video interviews are conducted via the Kira Talent platform. As Kira Talent is an independent third party service provider with their own terms and conditions of service and privacy policy, please familiarise yourself with these and ensure you are happy with them before proceeding to use the Kira service and platform.
For all MSc programmes, you can normally expect to receive a decision within 6-8 weeks of having submitted a complete application. Please keep in mind that during busy times and/or where documents are missing from an application, this time may increase.
When an offer is submitted by the Business School, the Central Admissions need to make a number of final checks before it can be formally approved. These may include an additional review of an applicant’s academic background or ensuring the references we have received are valid. Until you have received confirmation of the official offer via the College’s applicant portal, please do not arrange accommodation, book flights or decline any other offers you may be holding. The majority of offers are successfully approved by Central Admissions and you will be able to see full details of your offer conditions once your official offer has been confirmed.
Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm when you will receive a decision on your application but we will be in touch via email as soon as there is an update. Please be aware that you do not need to provide any additional information unless you think that this will add significant weight to your application (e.g. updated transcripts, relevant internships, English language results).
Please email your programme admissions team if you would like feedback on your application. Please note that whilst limited feedback can be provided, the decision of the academic selectors is final and it will not be possible for your application to be reconsidered.
We are unable to assess eligibility before an applicant applies as the academic selection committee needs to review a full application before any decision can be made. Please check the specific entry requirements of the programme you are interested in studying along with our international entry requirements. If you feel you meet our entry requirements you can apply online.
In addition to the guidance available on our website, we also hold regular information sessions both online and on-campus throughout the year where we would be happy to discuss your suitability in more detail.
We accept a wide range of international qualifications for postgraduate study at Imperial.
We've provided general guidance in the country and region index on how qualifications awarded by public institutions overseas may satisfy our minimum academic admission requirements.
We review our requirements annually. Updates usually happen in September each year before the next academic year of entry.
If your country or region is not listed, please contact the relevant Admissions team for further information.
The majority of the MSc programmes require a minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours degree (or international equivalent) to be admitted. While work experience can add weight to an application, this would not be considered in place of meeting the academic requirement, regardless of how lengthy the experience has been.
The exceptions to this are MSc Global Health Management, MSc Business Analytics (online delivery, part-time), and MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time). Please refer to the programme’s entry requirements for more detailed information.
We may consider candidates applying to MSc Business Analytics (online delivery, part-time) with non-traditional qualifications and backgrounds, on the basis of highly relevant work experience or demonstrated interest.
The Business School does not offer pre-sessional English courses or accept attendance of a pre-sessional English course as a means of meeting the English language requirement.
Yes, you can. You can pay your tuition fees in either one or two instalments payable at the start of term, or at the start of term and February, respectively. If you pay in instalments there will be a 2% surcharge of the total amount added to your first instalment. You would be asked to select a payment schedule during the offer acceptance process. Please contact the Student Finance Team if you have further questions about this process.
The Business School offers a variety of different scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria.
All candidates who submit an MSc application before the scholarship deadlines (listed on our website) and receive an offer for one of our programmes will automatically be considered for scholarship(s) relevant to their programme, providing they do not have additional criteria such as a video submission. You can be considered for multiple scholarships at the same time.
Additionally, there are a number of cross-programme awards and programme specific awards also available. Please check on the scholarships page on your programme of choice for eligibility and entry requirements.
Find out more information about MSc Finance & Accounting scholarships.
Yes, we offer a 10% bursary on programme fees to successful candidates with an undergraduate degree from Imperial awarded at a minimum of upper second class, or Master’s degree awarded with a minimum of Merit. In order to be considered for this bursary, you must submit your application by the scholarship deadline.
If you are being sponsored by an organisation that will be responsible for paying your tuition fees, you must provide acceptable proof of the award.
Satisfactory evidence of sponsorship is usually regarded as an original, dated and duly authorised letter from your sponsor on headed paper which includes the following:
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Your name and College Identifier Number
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The programme for which you have been offered a place
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The amount of fees which will be paid by your sponsor (please report in GBP)
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The address to which the invoice should be sent
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Any Purchase Order Number required
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Confirmation that the fees will be sent directly to Imperial College
Sponsorship letters should be emailed to the Central Admissions team at business.admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Your CAS number holds information about the programme you will study and if you have paid any fees. You will not need a formal letter from the College confirming your offer status for your visa appointment.
For more information about what you will need, see the UKVI website.
If you need any advice about your visa please contact the International Student Support team. Most information can be found on the International Student Support website.
We will start to issue CAS numbers from April. The details of your CAS will appear on your My Imperial record after you have met all the conditions of your offer. Please note that you will need to upload a scanned copy of the photo page of your passport and current visa (if you have recently completed a degree in the UK), before your CAS can be issued. Please upload these documents to the ‘Passport/visa’ section of your My Imperial account.
Once your CAS is ready, you will receive an email confirming that it has been uploaded onto your My Imperial account. If you log into My Imperial you will be able to find your CAS number and the details that have been included in your CAS.
Please note that we cannot provide you with a CAS if you have outstanding conditions on your offer. Please ensure that you allow enough time to meet your conditions and apply for a visa before the start date of your programme of study.
The Business School holds online information sessions throughout the year to give you the opportunity to learn more about the programmes from the Programme Director, current students and alumni. Please refer to the meet us page to find out when the next event is being held for your interested programme(s).
The Business School is located on the South Kensington campus of Imperial College London. Please refer to the location page for our address and guidance on how to get here.
Many students choose to live in private rented accommodation whilst attending the Business School whilst others choose to book accommodation through GradPad. Please refer to the accommodation page for more information regarding the different types of accommodation available to you.
Please note that before you contact us you should also check information on the relevant pages on the Business School or College website. If your question isn’t answered, please contact the appropriate team below.
General application queries
Admissions Team
business.school@imperial.ac.uk
Deposit and tuition fee invoice queries (including refunds)
To check if your payment has been received
Tuition Fees Team
tuition.fees@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 7594 8011
To check if your documents have been received
Queries regarding your CAS number
Central Admissions
business.admissions@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 7594 7258
Career-related queries from admitted students
Careers Team
icbs.careers@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 7594 9617
Visa and immigration queries
International Student Support
+44 (0) 20 7594 8040
Accommodation queries
accommodation@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 7594 9444
General student information and advice
Student Hub
student.hub@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 7594 9444
Advice on budgeting and London living costs
Advice on external scholarships
Student Financial Support
student.funding@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0) 20 7594 9014
If you’ve submitted your application but haven’t received your CID number
Registry Systems
registry.systems@imperial.ac.uk
Password or technical issues with your Imperial Gateway account
IT Service
deskservice.desk@imperial.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 7594 9000
Almost all of the MSc programmes we have available are 12 month, full-time programmes. The only exceptions are our MSc Business Analytics (online delivery, part-time) and MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time) programmes, which are available on a part-time basis.
Yes, we offer an Economics, Finance and Data Science Bachelor's degree, as well as a range of courses at undergraduate level:
- BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science
- BPES Programme
- Joint Honours and Intercalated BSc Programme
- Summer School Programme
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