General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

A 2:1 or above achieved in a relevant subject at Undergraduate level. Your Undergraduate studies should contain substantial elements of accounting and finance, as well as some quantitative modules and preferably some microeconomics.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Financial Markets
This module aims to explore and formalise the fundamental relationships between investors’ decision-making in the presence of uncertainty (“risk”) and the cross-sectional and inter-temporal properties of the prices and returns of financial assets.

Management Accounting & Control
Discover more about the tools and techniques which are well established and used by management accountants in organisations to aid planning, decision making and control.

Financial Accounting: Theory and Context
Build on the financial reporting knowledge gained in your undergraduate programme. You will develop awareness of the contingent and powerful nature of technical accounting.

Financial Reporting & Financial Statement Analysis
The main objective of the module is to provide you with the tools to analyse firm financial performance from an equity valuation perspective and to carry out a business valuation building on this analysis.

Corporate Financial Management
Gain an introduction to the principles of corporate finance and how the basic tools and techniques can be applied to analyse and improve the decisions of a firm.

Research Methods in Accounting
The main goal of the module is to introduce you to quantitative research methods, providing you with the knowledge and skills (critical and analytical) to understand how these methods are applied in accounting research.

Dissertation

A 12,000 word dissertation gives you the opportunity to develop, test, practice and apply the techniques and theories you have gained through your studies.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

Auditing & Assurance
Gain an understanding of the social importance, nature and objectives of the audit function.

Corporate Governance and Financial Reporting
Discuss the position of governance in corporate contracting and how it helps align the actions of managers with the interests of shareholders.

Derivative Securities
Develop an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of different classes of derivative securities.

Financial Risk Management
Understand the need for financial risk management, the techniques to measure financial risks according to the regulatory framework, and tools for the management of risk exposure.

Judgement & Decision Making
This module will introduce you to the psychology of human judgement and decision making.

Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Control
This module is designed to introduce you to the basic issues in mergers and acquisitions.

Read the module descriptions for this course on the Warwick Business School website.Link opens in a new window

Teaching

You'll study six core modules and two optional modules of your choice, one of which must be from Accounting. Finance modules are taken from our very successful MSc in Finance – one of the UK’s top finance courses, as ranked by the Financial Times’ Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2022.

Class sizes

The class size for this course is around 40 students.

Typical contact hours

Students on this MSc will typically receive between 26 and 30 contact hours per module in the form of lecture, seminars, and lab sessions.

Assessment

Assessment is a mix of exams and coursework with your 12,000 word dissertation bringing all your learning together at the end.

Your dissertation

A 12,000 word dissertation gives you the opportunity to develop, test, practice and apply the techniques and theories you have gained through your studies. You will be supervised and supported throughout by one of our academic staff or teaching associates and will usually submit your dissertation in early September.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, core and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your core modules will be registered for you and you'll be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

There may be events taking place in the evenings. Classes may run up to 7pm and other events, such as careers presentations may take place later or on weekends. Occasionally, classes and exams may be held on weekends. We will notify you in advance if this is the case.

This is a full-time course, so there are no holidays as such. However, the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year are guaranteed to be free from lectures. There may also be weeks free over the Easter period (check with your programme team). Resit exams may take place outside of standard teaching periods.

Your career

We have our own dedicated careers team at Warwick Business School called WBS CareersPlus. You will have access to one-to-one career guidance appointments, CV checks and tailored mock interviews.

Personalised support

The WBS CareersPlus team will support you and help you to understand yourself and your strengths. They can help you to identify possible career paths, and to set and achieve your career ambitions. This helps to boost your employability and helps you prepare for your career.

You can take advantage of personalised careers coaching and advice. Our one to one careers appointments can help you if you have a question about writing applications, wish to explore your career options, or need to prepare for interviews and assessment centres.

Discover our graduate destinations brochure here.

Warwick Business School

If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?

Find out more about us on our website.

The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.

MSc Finance

• 4^th in the UK and 16^th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
• 6^th in the UK and 19^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Management

• 1^st in the UK and 18^th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
• 2^nd in the UK and 28^th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
• 3^rd in the UK and 18^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Marketing & Strategy

• 2^nd in the UK and 9^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Business Analytics

• 2^nd in the UK and 14^th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

MSc courses

• Accounting and Finance (MSc)
• Business Analytics (MSc)
• Business and Finance (MSc)
• Business with Marketing (MSc)
• Business with Operations Management (MSc)
• Finance (MSc)
• Finance and Economics (MSc)
• Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
• International Business (MSc)
• Management (MSc)
• Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MSc)
• Marketing and Strategy (MSc)
• Mathematical Finance (MSc)

MBA

• MBA (Accelerator)
• MBA (Executive)
• MBA (Global Online)
• MBA (Full-time)

Executive Diplomas

• Advanced Management (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Behavioural Science (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Digital Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Marketing Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategic Leadership & Change (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategy & Innovation (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Business and Management (MRes/PhD)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Finance and Economics (MRes/PhD)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course