Accountancy (Advanced Standing) - MSc part-time

Programme Specification http://programmes.bolton.ac.uk/AAL005-P-UOB-MX

What you will learn

By studying on this course you will develop a systematic understanding of the tools and techniques of accounting and financial analysis and gain a critical understanding of the principal research traditions and research methods used in accountancy.

You will learn to apply knowledge and a critical understanding by undertaking a research project in an area of accounting in the global business context. This will help you to develop a comprehensive understanding of research techniques that will benefit you both practically and academically. This will be particularly valuable if you choose to continue on to doctoral-level studies.

The MSc Accountancy will fine-tune your personal effectiveness in terms of self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management, time management, sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations, and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience. The course will enhance your lifelong learning and transferable skills so that you are able to work with self-direction and originality and contribute to business, the professions and society at large.

What you will study

You will study two taught modules at Level HE7 (masters-level):

Research Methods and Study Skills for Accounting and Finance (20 credits);

Research Methods (20 credits).

In addition you will write a research-based dissertation (40 credits at Level HE7) that will contribute to the development of new knowledge in an area of accountancy or financial strategy.

A brief description of these modules follows below.

Research Methods and Study Skills for Accounting and Finance

This module helps you gain the necessary knowledge and skills for postgraduate-level study and provides a foundation for the advanced Research Methods module. You will develop generic research and study skills which you can then apply to academic modules and professional practice. The module will also develop your competence in using a range of technology enhanced learning tools and applications.

Research Methods

This module will enable you to make informed decisions about which research methods are appropriate under particular circumstances and specifically in relation to your own research.

In addition, you will develop a knowledge of, and the ability to utilise and critique, a range of research tools and analytical techniques. These will include a range of approaches to the collection and analysis of data (i.e. qualitative and quantitative paradigms), and the use of software applications (e.g. SPSS, Excel) for analysing primary and secondary data.

It will also provide you with guidance on the structuring of your dissertation, and an opportunity progress in your PDP.

Dissertation

During this module you will undertake an extended and substantial piece of research. You will synthesise the academic knowledge you acquired from the taught MSc modules and produce an evaluative and critical discussion of an accountancy or financial strategy related issue.

You will acquire and demonstrate a high level of autonomy in the critical appropriation and utilisation of knowledge derived from diverse sources to underpin your own professional development. The module will also help you to develop your ability to identify a problem, establish its significance, formulate a hypothesis/proposition, design a means of testing that hypothesis and evaluate the results.