Loughborough University

What you'll study

The programme covers core topics in financial accounting, management accounting and corporate finance, together with modules in financial markets, quantitative methods and research techniques. Typical taught modules include Financial Reporting and Analysis, Management Accounting and Control, Corporate Finance and Valuation, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Applied Econometrics for Finance. You will also study professional and regulatory issues such as corporate governance, audit and ethical practice, and can choose from elective options that may include forensic accounting, risk management, taxation, or sustainable finance.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, case studies and small-group workshops, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications and employer-facing projects. Assessment mixes coursework, group assignments, presentations, unseen exams and a substantial individual research project or dissertation, which gives you the opportunity to investigate a topic in depth or work on a live consultancy-style brief for an external organisation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, economics, business or a related discipline (typically a UK upper second-class honours or international equivalent). Candidates with a lower-class degree but with relevant professional qualifications or substantial work experience in accounting or finance may be considered.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in academic English. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to attend an interview or provide a personal statement outlining their motivation and suitability for the programme. Admissions decisions take account of academic performance, references and any relevant professional experience.

Career prospects

Graduates progress to a wide range of roles in professional practice, industry and the financial sector. Typical job destinations include trainee and chartered accountant positions, management accountant, financial analyst, corporate finance advisory, audit and assurance roles, internal audit and risk management, and positions in banking and investment management. The programme also prepares students for further professional study and exemptions or partial preparations for professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA or other accounting bodies, as well as for MPhil/PhD research for those wishing to continue in academia.

Students benefit from employer engagement activity, guest lectures from practitioners, and careers support aimed at preparing applications, interviews and professional routes including graduate schemes in the Big Four, banks, consultancies and in-house finance teams.

Why study at Loughborough University

The London campus offers the resources of Loughborough University combined with a central location close to the City of London and major financial and professional services employers. Teaching teams bring academic rigour and practical experience, and the programme places a strong emphasis on employability and professional readiness through applied projects and industry links.

Loughborough provides dedicated careers and enterprise services, a wide alumni network and regular employer events that support networking and recruitment. The London campus environment is designed for postgraduate study, with modern teaching facilities, access to research centres, and opportunities to engage with practitioners and visiting scholars in accounting and finance.