MSc Accounting and Finance


Key information
- Duration
- 1 year (full-time)
- Start of programme
- September
- Attendance mode
- Full-time
- Location
- Russell Square, College Buildings
- Fees
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Home student fees: £14,550 per year
Overseas student fees: £24,750 per yearPlease note that fees go up each year.
See postgraduate fees for further details. - Entry requirements
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We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a relevant subject.
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Afghanistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 80% or 3.3/4.0
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Argentina: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo / Grado de Licenciado
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10
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Australia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or Credit or 65%
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Austria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/5.0 and overall Pass (Bestanden)
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Bahrain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Bangladesh: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor’s from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology or Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 60% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Belgium: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licentiaat or Licencié
Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20 or 65%
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Botswana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (5-year) or Master's from University of Botswana
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.5/5.0 or 65% or B- or Good
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Brazil: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Bacharel / Título de Licenciado (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10 or 70%
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Brunei: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Honours with 50% overall
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Bulgaria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.3/6
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Cameroon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme d'Ingénieur/ Diplôme d'Études Supérieures de Commerce (5-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 12-13 assez bien (fair); 70-74; or B+
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Canada: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 74-77% or overall B
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China Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii:
73% or 2.6/4.0 (C9 unis)
75% or 2.8/4.0 (Double First unis)
80% or 3.25/4.0 (all other unis) -
Colombia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado / Titulo (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0
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Croatia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Baccalaureus / Baccalaurea (Bachelor degree)
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall score 3/5
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Cyprus: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10
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Czech Republic: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 1.75/4.0 or High C 'dobre’ (good)
Information for prospective students from the Czech Republic
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Denmark: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/12 or 8/13 or grade C
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Egypt: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 3.0/4.0
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Estonia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaurusekraad / University Specialist's Diploma / Professional Higher Education Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.0/5.0
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Finland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor / Kandidaatti / Kandidat (180 ECTS credits)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3/5 or 2/3
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France: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence or Diplôme from a grande école
Equivalent to 2:ii: 11.5 out 20
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Gambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree (2-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.3 or 64% or B
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Germany: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.6/5
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Ghana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (Second Class Lower Division) or GPA 3.25/5.0 or 60%
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Greece: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.50/10
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Hong Kong: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Upper second class or GPA 2.7/4.0 or 75% or B Minus
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Hungary: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (Alapfokozat) or Diploma (Egyetemi Oklevél)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0
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Iceland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (Baccalaureus or Bakkalarprof)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7.0 out of 10
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India: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA: 55-60% or 5.5/10 - 6.0/10
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Iraq: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (Licence/Karshani)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 0.7
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Israel: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or C+
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Italy: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Laurea (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 100/110
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Japan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or C+ or 3.0
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Jordan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0 or 70%
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Kazakhstan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors (Bakalavr Diplomi) or Specialist Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or GPA 4.0/5.0 or B
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Kenya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or 60%
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Kuwait: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/
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Latvia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaura Diploms (Bachelor's) or Profesionālā Bakalaura Diploms
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10
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Lebanon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree / Licence
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or Grade B-/C+ or GPA 2.8/4.0 or 14/20
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Liberia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or 2.8/4.0
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Libya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor Degree from selected institution
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Lithuania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors / Bakalauro (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7.5/10
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Malawi: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Malaysia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0 or B (Class 2 Division 2)
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Malta: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class with 65% or Category IIB
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Mexico: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo de Licenciado
Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/10 or 80%
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Morocco: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence / Licence d'Etudes Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle
Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20
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Nepal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree / Bachelor degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70%
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Netherlands: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10 or GPA 3.0
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New Zealand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Majority of credited modules B- or above
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Nigeria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class or 55% or GPA 3.0/5.0 or 2.5/4.0 or 4.0/7.0
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Norway: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors / Bachelorgrad (180 ECTS) or Candidatus /a magisterii
Equivalent to 2:ii: Grade C (with at least 80 ECTS) at grade B or 3.2
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Oman: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0
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Pakistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year) / Master's from HEC recognised institution
Equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA 2.7 or 65%
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Philippines: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master’s from recognised institution or Centre of Excellence / Bachelor from prestigious institution or Centre of Excellence
Equivalent to 2:ii:
Prestigous Universities: GPA 3.3/4.0 or 1.75/5.0 or Grade B or 83%
Recognised Universities: GPA 3.5/4.0 or 2.0/5.0 or Grade B or 87% -
Poland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licencjat or Inżynier (3-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.25/5
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Portugal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 15/20
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Qatar: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 or 70% or 7/10
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Romania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplomă de Licenţă / Diplomă de Inginer / Diplomă de Urbanist Diplomat
Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/10
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Russia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom Bakalavra or Specialist Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.8/5.0
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Rwanda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Honours or 65-69% or 14/20
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Saudi Arabia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 or overall 70%
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Singapore: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: CAP 3.5/5.0 or 3.0/4.0
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Slovakia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalár / Bachelor
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 2.0 overall or C
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South Africa: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 60%
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South Korea: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.7/4.0 or 3.0/4.3 or 3.3/4.5
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Spain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Grado / Título de Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Titulo de Arquitecto
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10 or GPA 1.75/4.0
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Sri Lanka: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor Special Degree or Professional Degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 55% or 2:2 or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Sudan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (5-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 65%+ or B
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Sweden: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree / Kandidatexamen / Yrkesexamen
Equivalent to 2:ii: B (90 credits) and C (90 credits) or Very Good (70 credits) and Good (110 Credits) or C (180 credits)
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Switzerland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom / Diplôme / Lizentiat / Staatsdiplom / Diplôme d’Etat
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall 4.5/6 or 7/10 or 2.5/5
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Syria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence / al-ijaza-fi / Bachelor
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70%+ or 'Good'
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Taiwan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 68-70% or GPA 2.8/4.0-3.0/4.0
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Thailand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0
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Tunisia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme National d'Ingénieur / Diplôme National d'Architecture / Licence / Maîtrise
Equivalent to 2:ii: 12 out of 20
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Turkey: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Lisans Diplomasi
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.6/4 from the top universities and 3.0/4 from all others
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Uganda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (Lower Second) or B or GPA 3.0/5.0
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Ukraine: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/12 or 3.8/5
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United Arab Emirates: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/5.0
Information for prospective students from the United Arab Emirates
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United States of America: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0
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Vietnam: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall score of 6.5/10
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Yemen: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall 'Good' (71-77%) or Aden University 80-83% (or 3.0/4.0)
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Zambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 65% or B or Credit or GPA 1.7/2.5 or 3.3/5.0
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Zimbabwe: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or 65%
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In addition to degree classification in a relevant subject we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.
See international entry requirements and English language requirements
Course overview
MSc Accounting and Finance is for graduates with first degrees in accounting, finance, management, economics and other social science disciplines, including sociology and political science. Graduates with science and mathematical background are also welcome to apply.
The programme is designed to provide a career entry opportunity for full-time students as well as a career development opportunity for accountants, auditors, practicing managers, business consultants and finance experts from various backgrounds, to enhance and develop their accounting and finance skills.
Recent financial crises induced by various accounting scandals necessitate the qualitative training of highly skilled accounting/finance experts for the sustainability of today’s modern business. The programme aims to balance theoretical analysis with practical application to develop a critical and questioning approach to the conceptual underpinnings of accounting and finance.
The School of Finance and Management is excited to continue its collaboration with Practera, building on the success of the previous SFM Virtual Industry Projects. These bespoke work-based learning projects are designed to grow your professional skills and network through working with a team of SOAS students to tackle a real-world business challenge.
Why study MSc Accounting and Finance at SOAS?
- We are ranked 38th in the UK for Accounting and Finance (Complete University Guide 2023)
- We are ranked 6th in UK for graduate employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- We are in partnership with ICAEW as a recognised ICAEW Partner-in-Learning institution
- This programme is at the forefront of fintech and data analytics. Building on the regular weekly seminars, our Centre for Global Finance exposes students to world-class academics in finance, accounting and fintech.
- Through our Reimagining Finance Network Seminar Series, students also enjoy the benefit of the practical application of the theories of accounting and finance to workplace issues, ensuring they graduate with sound theoretical and practical backgrounds in the field of finance.
- We are the hub of bespoke professors in accounting and finance, who have extensive academic and practitioner experiences in accounting, banking, investments, industry, and A-list International Organisations.
- Students will gain the knowledge and skills required to meet the expectations/requirements of modern businesses in dealing with accounting/finance issues. The programme can also serve as a springboard into other careers such as management consultancy.
- This programme is accredited by CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants where you are eligible for the CIMA Masters Gateway – a fast track route for masters in accounting students where you enter CIMA at the Management Case Study bypassing eleven exams.
Finance and Business Network Seminar 2023/24
- This Seminar Series is open to all our UG and PG students. It offers you the opportunity to engage with experts from the worlds of business, finance, banking, and the public sector.
- Listen to leaders within their fields and network with them, fellow students and Faculty over refreshments.
- Most events will be held on campus, but some will be held at industry headquarters. For example, in 2022/23 an event was held at Citigroup’s Canary Wharf Offices.
- The networking part of the seminars will also provide opportunities to engage with practitioners to help foster students’ career visions.
Structure
Students must take 180 credits. These are composed of 120 taught credits comprising core, compulsory, and optional modules and a 60 credit dissertation.
Not all optional modules are offered every year. Also note that where 15 credit modules are selected, these should be balanced between term 1 and term 2.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.
However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Core modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
In addition to the above, students select modules to the value of 30 credits from the below list. It is advised that students select an equal number of modules in each term.
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Green Finance | 15 |
Corporate governance | 15 |
Digital Government and Regulation | 15 |
Emerging Market Finance | 15 |
Risk management | 15 |
Research Methods | 15 |
Teaching and learning
Masters programmes (with the exception of two-year full-time MAs) consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
Contact hours
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study such as reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. Also included is class time, for example lectures, seminars and other classes.
Learning resources
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Scholarships
Employment
Graduates from the School of Finance and Management leave SOAS with a coherent and solid knowledge of management and finance, with skills in statistics and computing, critical reasoning and analytical thinking.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
- Christian Aid
- Dagong Global
- Deloitte
- Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Elbus Group
- Financial Times
- FM Capital Partners
- HM Treasury
- Houlihan Lokey
- Huaxia Bank, China
- IDB (Islamic Development Bank)
- Investec
- J.P. Morgan Asset Management
- KPMG
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Santander
- UBS
- University of Oxford
- White & Case LLP
- World Food Programme
Find out about our Careers Service.