Finance & Accounting MSc

  • Postgraduate taught
  • MSc

Finance and Accounting

Become a leader in the financial sector.

Learn from our globally respected Department of Finance faculty, leaders in their field

ACCA and CIMA accredited, a head start to your career

97% of our class of 2022 were employed within three months of graduating

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MSc

  • Duration

    1 year

  • Start date

    August 2025

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £47,500
      Extended placement: £49,000 Home

    • £47,500
      Extended placement: £49,000 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

Minimum entry standard

  • First or 2:1 in a quantitative subject such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Prepare yourself for a career in financial or professional services with MSc Finance and Accounting, a one-year, full-time programme accredited by both ACCA and CIMA.

You will gain a strong theoretical grounding and learn from some of the world's best research in corporate finance. Highly applied, the programme will bolster you to find solutions to real-world business and valuation challenges in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and real estate. Many lectures are delivered by highly regarded practitioners, and you will have the option to attend programming workshops, complete an Applied Project, or take part in a work placement.

Tailor your learning with our wide range of cutting-edge electives, enabling you to align your studies with your career aspirations.

You'll get the opportunity to meet and network with leading global organisations, thanks to our London location and ongoing relationships with major employers in the finance sector.

You also have the option to complete a four-six month work placement (internship) as part of your programme, extending the programme to 16 months and graduating with 120 ECTS. Please note that additional tuition fees apply.

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

Before the programme begins you will complete pre-study modules delivered through The Hub, Imperial College Business School’s online learning environment.

These modules will be available to students who have accepted an offer of admission from July onwards, and are designed to give you a basic knowledge of areas which will be covered by the programme throughout the academic year.

You will study one foundation module in September that introduces the tools of modern finance and enhances your career development skills.

  • Foundations in Finance & Accounting

Core modules build rapidly on previous experience while introducing new and challenging disciplines.

  • Advanced Corporate Finance
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Corporate Finance
  • Ethics and Professional Standards in Finance (Online Module)
  • Financial Accounting
  • Fundamentals of Derivatives
  • Investments and Portfolio Management
  • Management Accounting

Electives allow you to personalise your programme to match your own interests. You will take either three (if you do the Research Project) or four (if you do the Applied Project) from the elective modules.

All students will be required to take at least one key elective.

In the spring and summer terms, you will choose between undertaking two types of projects, in order to develop specialist skills and subject knowledge to benefit your future career.

You can either pursue an Applied Project together with an additional elective, or a traditional Research Project. If you have secured a work placement, with approval you will be able to link your Applied Project to the area of finance of the employer organisation.

  • Applied Project
  • Work Placement
  • Research Project
  • Extended work placement

If you wish to take a longer (four-six month) internship as part of your programme, you can take an extended work placement with the approval of the Academic Director. This is particularly relevant for (but not exclusive to) internships in France, Germany, and other European countries that require students to have student status for the duration of their internships. Please note that additional tuition fees apply.

Professional accreditation

We are among a handful of business schools worldwide to achieve triple accreditation:

We have also been recognised for our work in tackling gender inequality in higher education with a Bronze Athena SWAN award.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning methods

  • Case studies
  • Equipment/technique demonstrations
  • Presentations and seminars
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • Recorded lectures available online
    Lecture recordings
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical classes
  • Work placement opportunity
  • Workshops

Assessment methods

  • Case studies
  • Person completing coursework
    Continuous assessments
  • Essays
  • Formal presentations
  • Multiple choice tests
  • Person participating in classroom discussion.
    Participation
  • Papers from a written report
    Reports
  • A person completing a written exam
    Written exams

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

How to apply

Apply online

If you are applying to the Business School, you may be considered for one course per admissions cycle. If you are applying for a Finance Master's, we will take your areas of interest and eligibility into account when considering you for alternative programmes.

Application deadlines – Round 2 closes on Thursday 9 January 2025

Tuition fees

Tuition fee

2025 entry

£47,500 12 months

Extended work placement option

2025 entry

£49,000 16 months

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

With the programme accredited by both ACCA and CIMA, you'll be prepared for a career in financial or professional services.

Our expert Career Consultants will help you develop your CV by offering tailored advice on job applications and career paths that are ideal for you.

With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.

Investment banking, asset and investment management, and general finance are just some of your options.

Other potential career paths include consulting, M&A, asset management, sales/trading, or private equity.

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications