MSc Accounting and Finance (CIMA Gateway)

Join one of the few programmes in the UK to provide an accelerated route to becoming a chartered accountant.

Course detail

Start Date

January,September

Duration

Full-time: 12 months (Sep start) or 16 months (Jan start) | Part-time: 24 months (Sep start) or 28 months (Jan start)

Award Title

MSc

UCAS Code

Apply Direct

APPLY FOR SEPT 2025 REGISTER INTEREST

Programme Overview

Designed in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), this programme will prepare you for a successful career in finance by enhancing the skills you need to succeed at management and strategic level within any organisation.

Financial experts with the knowledge and critical decision-making skills to add value to organisations are in high demand. Top-level financial skills combined with leadership ability, business, technical and people skills are often a prerequisite for boardroom positions.

On joining this programme, you will:

Develop a thorough and contemporary knowledge of the accounting and financial processes of an organisation and the ability to forward plan and effectively manage risk.
Gain knowledge of environmental challenges and trends, the opportunities and constraints these create, and how they impact on organisational decision-making and resource allocation.
Build on key skills associated with employment in high-performance organisations.
Work towards a Management Accountant qualification while completing your master’s degree.
Gain a significant opportunity to pursue the CIMA qualification. Your programme fees will cover your first year's CIMA subscription fees, one attempt at the CIMA Management Case Study Exam, and access to CIMAstudy.com.

This Accounting and Finance MSc is one of the few programmes in the UK to provide an accelerated route to becoming a chartered accountant, whilst delivering insight into how to master all of the qualities and skills mentioned above.

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Applicants should have:

An undergraduate accounting degree (2:2 or better). Students who have an ordinary degree and are CIMA accredited to ‘Operational Level’ or above are also eligible for entry.
A desire to focus on management accounting and progress towards a professional qualification with CIMA.

Applicants with a business-related honours degree who have studied some accounting will be considered for entry. Applicants who have professional accounting qualifications are eligible for entry on successful completion of ACCA papers F1-F9 or the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants from across the world. Please select the country of your qualification from the searchable list below to view entry requirements. If you have different qualifications to those listed, please contact us using the form below.

Select your country from the searchable dropdown list

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Academic Requirements

Applicants will typically require a minimum Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare/Bachelor degree score of 7.5 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a minimum Specialist/Bachelor degree score of 70% or 3.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a minimum Bachelor degree / Fachhochschuldiplom / Diplom (FH) score of 3.0 on the 5-point scale in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a minimum Bakalavr/Diplomu score of 70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree from BUET of 4 years or more, or a Master's degree, with a minimum score of 60% or 3.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Specialist degree or Master's degree with a minimum score of 7 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Licentiaat / Licencié with a minimum score of 12 or 60% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a minimum Licenciado/Título score of 65% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree (5-6 years) with a minimum score of 70%, or a Master's degree with a minimum score of 60%, in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Título de Licenciado/a or a Título/Título de Bacharel with a mimimum score of 65% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum score of 4.0 (out of 6) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Master's degree with a minimum score of C+, 65% or 2.5 (on a 4-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants wil typically require one of: a 4-year Bachelor Degree/Licence; Diplome d’Etudues Supérieures de Commerce; Diplôme d'Ingénieur; Maîtrise / Master sans thèse; with a minimum score of 11, or a GPA of 2.7 (on a 4-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree/Baccalauréat with a minimum score of 2.5 (4-point scale), 62% or C+ average in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum 70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Licenciado/Título/Maestro with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Baccalaureus / Baccalaurea or Diploma - Visoko obrazovanje (4- 6 years) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Título de Licenciado/ Arquitecto/ Doctor/Ingeniero/Máster with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 6.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bakalář degree with a minimum score of 2.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree / Candidatus Philosophiae / Professionsbachelor with a minimum score of 7 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Título de Licenciado or Título with a minimum score of 70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree (from a university) with a minimum GPA of 65% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Licenciado, Título or Título de Maestro/Maestria with a minimum score of 6.5 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bakalaurusekraad (Bachelor degree) or Rakenduskõrgharidusõppe Diplom (Professional Higher Education Diploma) with a minimum score of 3 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants from an Ethiopian university will typically require a Master's degree with a minimum score of 2.75 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree / Kandidaatti / Kandidat with a minimum score of 1 (4-point scale) or 2.5 (5-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diplôme d'Ingénieur / Licence / Grade de Licence / Licence Professionnelle / Grade de Licence Professionnelle with a minimum score of 12 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree or Specialist degree with a minimum score of 70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor or Fachhochschuldiplom / Diplom (FH) with a score of 3.5 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (4-point scale), or 50% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Ptychio (AEA or TEI) degree with a minimum GPA of 6.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Graduate Diploma or Master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Alapfokozat (Bachelor degree) or Egyetemi Oklevél (University Diploma) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Baccalaureus / Bakkalárpróf with a minimum GPA of 6.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor of Arts / Science / Commerce / Professional Subject with a minimum GPA of 2.9 (4-point scale) or 55-65% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor Degree Sarjana I (S1) with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor Degree with a minimum score of 13 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 65% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a 2.2 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diploma Accademico di Primo Livello, Diploma de Mediatore Linguistico, Laurea, or Licenza de Accademia de Belle Arti with a minimum score of 94 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 55%, 2.0, or grade C in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree or Advanced Diploma with a minimum GPA of 60% or 2.2 (4-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 65% or 2.5 (4-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree/ Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum GPA of 70%, 2.3 (4-point scale), or 3.6 (5-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA percentage of 50% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 2.6 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.6 (5-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bakalaura Diploms with a minimum score of 6 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree/Licence with a minimum GPA of 2.8 (4-point scale), score of 12 (French 20-point scale), or 70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bakalauro Diplomas with a minimum overall score of 7 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor (Honours) degree with a minimum overall score of 14 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically be require a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.4 (4-point scale), 4.5 (6-point scale) or 50% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants with a professional Bachelor's degree may be considered, though this must be in a related subject area.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor (Honours) degree with a minimum score of 55% (lower second classification) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Título de Licenciado/Titulo or Grado/Título de Maestro/Maestría with a minimum GPA of 7.5 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diploma de Licenta (Bachelor degree) or Diploma de Magistru (Master's degree) with a minimum score of 8.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Grau de Licenciado/a with a minimum score of 14, or Grau de Maestre with a minimum score of 12 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor Honours degree / Professional Bachelor degree (competed after 2009) or Master's degree with a minimum score of 60% or grade C in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a 4 year Bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 70%, or Master's degree with a minimum score of 60% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree with a minimum grade of 6 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or 50% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelorgrad (Bachelor degree) or a Candidatus/a Magisterii with a minimum overall grade C in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.3 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree (4-5 years) with a minimum GPA of 2.6 or 60% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or 70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Grado Académico de Bachiller or Título de Licenciado / Título (Profesional) with a minimum score of 12 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree from a well-ranked university with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (5-point scale), 2.5 (4-point scale), or 82% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Licencjat / Inżynier with a minimum score of 4 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Licenciado with a minimum score of 14 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diplomă de Licenţă (Bachelor degree) with a minimum score of 7 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor degree (Honours) with a minimum score of 12/20 or 60% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (4-point scale), 3.25 (5-point scale), or 73% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diplomirani (Bachelor's degree) with a minimum GPA of 7 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor (Honours) degree with a minimum GPA of 2.7 (4-point scale) or 3.5 (5-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bakalár (Bachelor's degree) with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (4-point scale) or 72% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (University Degree) with a minimum GPA of 7.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor (Honours) degree or Professional Bachelor degree with a minimum score of 60% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Título Universitario Oficial de Graduado / Título Universitario Oficial de Licenciado with a minimum GPA of 6.0 (10-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor (Honours) degree with a minimum score of 60% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a good Bachelor's degree / Kandidatexamen / Yrkesexamen with a majority of credits at G in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diploma/Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (6-point scale), 6.0 (10-point scale), or 3.0 (reverse 5-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 60-70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Specialist Diploma or Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.8 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 50% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.6 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (4-point scale) or 65% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Yokary bilim Hakynda Sahadatnama (Diploma of HE) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (5-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Specialist degree or Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (4-point scale) or 4.0 (5-point scale) in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.6 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Diplomi (Specialist Diploma) with a minimum GPA of 70% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Master's degree with a minimum GPA of 56%, or grade C+ in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Applicants will typically require a Bachelor Honours degree with a minimum GPA of 60% in the field of accounting, finance and business.

Sorry, we're still working on entry requirements for qualifications from your country. Please contact us using the form below and give details of your qualifications and which Abertay course you are interested in, and we'll get back to you.

Applicants should have a desire to focus on management accounting and progress towards a professional qualification with CIMA.

If your academic qualifications aren't listed above, or if you have any further questions, please contact our international team using the form below. There is also lots of useful information for international applicants on how to apply, visa information, and studying in Scotland on our international pages.

English Language Requirements

All courses at Abertay University are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements. Accepted English language qualifications include:

IELTS - overall score of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5

TOEFL - overall score of 78 (individual elements: L-17, R-18, S-20, W-17)

Cambridge FCE/CAE/CPE - overall score of 169 on Cambridge Grading Scale

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English language if you are a national of certain countries. Please see English Language Requirements for the full list of accepted qualifications and further details.

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Abertay International Team

Information for International Applicants

Learn more about Abertay's English language requirements, as well as visa information.

English Language Requirements

Explore English language requirements for entry to Abertay University.

Find out more

Visa Information

All the information you need about visa requirements for studying here at Abertay University.

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International Students

Find everything you need to know about applying to Abertay as an international student.

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Scotland's first Adobe Creative Campus

All Abertay students have access to Adobe Express, empowering you to enhance digital skills with industry-leading tools.

In late 2024, Abertay proudly became the first institution in Scotland to achieve the designation of Adobe Creative Campus.

The Adobe Creative Campus programme is an initiative involving a select group of colleges and universities dedicated to empowering staff and students across all disciplines with essential digital skills for success in both the workplace and the classroom.

Adobe Creative Campus

How the Course Works

Learning and Assessment

Guest lectures are a significant feature of the programme. Topical, international case-based and research material will be used to encourage learner autonomy, empowerment, the development of higher order thinking skills and cooperative group activities, such as team presentations. At the start of modules, you’ll be given more directed tutor support and will be encouraged to provide peer support and constructive feedback.

Traditional lectures, seminars and tutorials will also feature throughout the programme.

Those that would prefer to work can study part-time and complete the qualification in two years.

Accreditation

This is a one-year Masters degree programme for which on successful completion you'll receive a Masters degree in Accounting and Finance. It allows you to receive significant exemptions from CIMA professional examinations, resulting in a fast-tracked route to the Strategic Level of the CIMA Qualification Framework.

To explain further, with our Masters degree you would then take the Management Level Case Study exam which would award the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting and, 11 exemptions (out of 15) from 15 CIMA qualification exams.

You are then part CIMA qualified and free to sit the remaining Strategic Case Study exams.

In summary, if you are an international student, you will typically complete a qualification in one year that would take 3-4 years in your home country. The ability to leapfrog contemporaries and save on study and living costs are compelling reasons to choose this programme.

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On Graduating from the Programme, You Will Know How To:

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Critically understand the underlying principles and theories of financial reporting and analysis in the international context and demonstrate extensive knowledge with the recent development of international accounting and reporting standards and practices
Assess current developments in strategic financial accounting, management accounting and social, environmental and sustainability accounting in theoretical, practical and historical contexts
Critically understand the principles and underlying theories of corporate finance and equity investments
Apply appropriate strategic management accounting techniques for strategic planning, control and performance management and analyse a business project and identify where improvements could have been made
Identify, conceptualise and define a research question(s) and justify its relevance to practice and its significance as a potential contribution to existing knowledge
Critically evaluate a range of complex scenarios and generate evidence-based solutions using contemporary research methods/methodologies in the context of relevant accounting and finance theories and sound organisational management principles, especially in the area of financial and management accounting
Interpret, assess and communicate knowledge and information effectively using a range of analytical tools for presenting, communicating and assessing financial and accounting strategies with academic, professional or practical contexts, both as an individual and as part of a team

Assessment

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'Live' business problems with a wide range of organisations across different market sectors will be used as assessments in several of the modules and you’ll be required to provide recommendations.

You’ll also be assessed using a variety of other methods, including report and essay writing and closed book examinations.

Modules

Year 1

Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis (ANF511)

This module seeks to deepen and broaden students’ ability to prepare, analyse and critically interpret financial statements. It will enable students to explore in depth, the principles and theories of international financial reporting and analysis and introduce them to recent critical debate on the sufficiency of conventional financial accounting practices.

Advanced Management Accounting for Decision Making (ANF512)

This module extends the techniques of management accounting in its role in shaping short and long-term decisions, in analysis, planning and control and reporting to management.

Case Studies in Management Accounting (ANF513)

Students are expected to undertake practical research in response to a current business need of a real company and produce a suitable management report with recommendations.

Advanced Performance Management (ANF517)

This module examines contemporary theories and developments in Strategic Management Accounting in organisations, explores new concepts and techniques and the impact of these in support of strategic decision making.

Project Management (BMT530) (BMT530)

The complexity of project management and the tools and techniques to support successful management. Carry out an investigation into a project failure and recommend alternative actions which could have been taken. Module content: Project analysis and planning; Managing projects; Project management methodologies.

Research Methods (ANF514) (ANF514)

This module is designed to introduce you to research methods and statistical analysis. Theoretical, historical and statistical concepts are taught in lectures, with hands-on practical lab sessions using both quantitative and/or qualitative techniques that allow you to put theory into practice.

Accounting and Finance Dissertation (ANF520)

A module in which the student demonstrates analysis and critical evaluation/discussion of a self-selected area of interest in the field of Accounting and Finance.

Career Opportunities

In the current financial climate there has been an increase in demand for accountants with a detailed knowledge of the environment in which a business operates and the ability to forward plan and effectively manage risk.Your qualification will be the gold standard of financial expertise and recognised globally. Should you wish to work overseas, within the UK or locally, you will be highly sought after by employers in the public, private and third sectors.

The knowledge, understanding and skills developed on the programme will enable you to understand key issues, which relate to strategic decision-making within business and provide essential input for the success to global organisations.

We provide a range of support services for career development.

find out more here

Fees & funding

Please note: this course will run over 16 months full-time and 28 months part-time if you begin your studies in January.

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. Visit the links below and scroll down to find the Postgraduate section.

More information

Find out about grants, bursaries, maintenance loans and living costs in our postgraduate taught fees and funding section.

Scholarships

The scholarships below are open to international students and those applying from England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a 2.1 or above for a postgraduate course.

Abertay Postgraduate Taught rUK Scholarship

This £1,000 award is open to all prospective new postgraduate students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

International Postgraduate Abertay Scholarships

This £3,000 award is open to all prospective new international postgraduate students at Abertay University.

Graduate School

Our Graduate School is a dedicated facility located at the heart of the University, providing support, training and professional development opportunities to our vibrant postgraduate community and researchers.

Learn more about our Graduate School

Join us as a Postgraduate

When you join us as a postgraduate student or researcher, you’ll join a community of creative like-minded scholars. You will be working in our dedicated study and social spaces – a forum in which you can meet, work and learn with other researchers and postgraduates from across the University.

You’ll benefit from training and professional development opportunities, as well as support with funding applications, placement opportunities, teaching support, public engagement and outreach activity.

Explore our Dundee Campus

Abertay is conveniently located on a city centre campus, with all of its buildings within a quarter of a mile of each other. Shops, recreational facilities and the main bus and train stations are a short walk away.

Our Campus

Why Abertay?

We're proud of our students and graduates, and we believe there's no better place to study if you're looking for a degree that helps you stand out as an exceptional candidate in an increasingly competitive job market.

Why Abertay

Living in Dundee

Dundee is a city of contrasts. It's vibrant and cosmopolitan, but also friendly, compact and affordable. The first UK city to be awarded UNESCO City of Design status, Dundee has a rich history of innovation and creativity, and, in recent years, has become a hub for the digital industries.

Living in Dundee & Scotland