MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-Up)

Course Overview

Our MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-Up) degree is a fast-track master’s course which helps fully qualified CCAB accountants further the professional and academic success they’ve achieved to date.

If you’ve attained qualified accountant status through prior study with the ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, or an equivalent professional body, you’ll be granted six module exemptions (totalling 120 credits) from our standard MSc Accounting and Finance course. This means you’ll need to complete just one module from the course, the final Financial Management Project module (60 credits), to graduate with a full Master of Science award. This provides you with a unique opportunity to gain a full postgraduate qualification at greatly reduced tuition fees and within a much shorter timeframe than studying a full 180-credit MSc course.

The Financial Management Project module will give you the opportunity to undertake an in-depth analysis of the latest technologies in accounting and finance, such as blockchain, fintech, cloud computing, and distributed ledgers. This will help you gain up-to-the-minute skills and knowledge that you can apply immediately to modern business environments – supporting your career development in a wide selection of accounting and finance roles.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-Up), we need to see that you have:

Fully qualified as a member of a professional accounting body (such as the ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, or equivalent professional body) within the past ten years.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
Fee per year:	£3850

Uk Fee	Fee
Total fee:	£3500

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 90; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Apply for the Course

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Course details and modules

You will study just one module, the Financial Management Project, which gives you the opportunity to perform in-depth analysis of innovative technologies in accounting and finance, such as blockchain, fintech, cloud computing, and distributed ledgers. Focusing on these latest technologies will help you gain skills and knowledge that are essential for furthering your career success in the accounting and finance sector.

How do Arden University assess students?

Universities assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Career prospects

Our MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-Up) will help you apply a strategic focus to an area of innovation in accounting and finance that interests you most. Throughout your time spent studying with us, you’ll be encouraged to think creatively and consider contemporary debates around current trends in accounting and finance.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-Up) qualification will support you career development in a number of careers within finance and accounting. Here are just a few of the roles graduates may want to explore further:

Asset Manager
Inventory Management
Business Planner
Business Manager
Technology Analyst
Data Analyst
Financial Analyst
Blockchain Designer
Careers in Fintech

Ultimately, your MSc qualification will help you to advance your career in the financial sector with evidence of continual professional development and in-depth knowledge of emerging technologies. It also serves as a springboard to further study, such as a PhD, or as a route into academia.

What will I gain from this degree?

The MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-Up) course will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your existing skills and knowledge of the sector at postgraduate level, while encouraging you to develop new professional attributes through:

Critically applying accounting and finance theories and principles in strategic and operational business environments
Developing your skills in data analysis, diagnostics, and research
Evaluating relevant accounting and finance theory and practice
Evaluating new developments in accounting and finance theory and practice
Evaluating the challenges presented by new developments in accounting and finance theory and practice

Online learning

How does it work?

Studying your MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-Up) with Arden gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy.

Studying online with Arden University doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.