International Accounting and Governance (MSc) starting September 2025 for 1 year
With our MSc in International Accounting and Governance you'll be prepared for the global financial industry. You'll cover specialist topics like international corporate governance, as well as the fundamentals of accounting.
Through this course, you'll develop advanced knowledge and skills in international accounting. You’ll apply the diverse range of skills you learn to many sectors and economies. The experience you build will enable you to contribute to the improvement of financial information systems out in the workplace.
There’s an increasing worldwide interest in governance as it relates to finance, accounting, and management. Finance governance is central to Environmental, Social and Governance principles, which inform United Nations Sustainable Development goals. Governance is also closely associated with Principles of Responsible Management Education. This course will provide you with a valuable understanding of governance and its impact on the financial industry.
On this master's course, you'll have the opportunity to specialise through studying an optional module in either Corporate Governance, Islamic Accounting, or Finance and Governance.
From your studies you can expect to gain:
The course draws on the research and teaching excellence of the Centre for Research in Accounting, Accountability, and Governance (CRAAG). CRAAG focuses on the role of accounting in promoting global development and sustainability.
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
This course is led by Dr Gifty Adjei-Mensah and Dr Peng Wang.
Dr Gifty Adjei-Mensah is a lecturer in accounting based in the Accounting Department at the University of Southampton. Her current research involves exploring the impact of corporate social health reporting on various measures of financial and non-financial performance. You can view Gifty's Staff Profile for more information.
Dr Peng Wang is a Lecturer in Financial Management. His main research area is in corporate finance and corporate governance, and he is also interested in ESG (environment, social, and governance). He has extensive teaching experiences in management accounting and corporate governance. You can view Peng's Staff Profile for more information.
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
This course is based at Highfield.
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
To apply for our MSc in International Accounting and Governance you'll need a 2:1 undergraduate degree. We accept students from a range of academic backgrounds, including:
Equivalent professional accounting backgrounds will also be considered.
We do not accept the following subjects:
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
On this 12 month master's course, you'll study 7 core modules spread over two semesters. You'll also choose one optional module for each semester. These modules allow you to specialise in a topic of your choice.
You'll cover the fundamentals of international finance and corporate governance in your first semester.
There are 3 core modules for you to study, and you'll get to choose one of the following optional modules:
In your second semester, you'll cover a research methods module, which will help you develop your research proposal. This proposal will form the basis of your dissertation. You'll also cover more specialist topics, such as Islamic accounting.
You'll cover 4 core modules in your second semester, and choose one of these optional modules:
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You must study the following modules :
The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choice within accounting, finance and management and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. Essentia...
The level and extent to which corporate executives, especially those of large multinational corporations pay themselves has, and continues to be, a hot and sometimes, controversial re-occurring issue of major interests to governments, regulators, media an...
There are two broad objectives to the module: • The first objective is to introduce students to academic research concerned with social sciences in general and accounting, finance and management research, in particular. The course will therefore enhan...
This module provides a critical understanding of fundamentals of financial accounting. It examines how financial statements are prepared and the concepts and measurement issues underlying their preparation, enabling you to appreciate the way that recordin...
This module provides you with the theoretical background and practical knowledge of management accounting. It introduces fundamental concepts of relevant cost and revenue for decision making and more contemporary management control techniques.
Corporate Governance is an area that has grown rapidly in the last few years fuelled by high profile corporate collapses and financial crisis. The module builds on sound theoretical base to encompass the latest developments in the field worldwide. It tak...
The module is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of accounting, finance and governance of Islamic financial institutions and social financial services. This module will allow students to critically compare the ideal-ethical principles/theorie...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Accounting systems provide useful inputs in the decision-making processes of organisations. The overall aim of this module is to provide an understanding of how accounting processes and techniques are implicated in the management of organisations, be it a...
Students will be introduced to the regulation of financial reporting; the information perspective to financial reporting; the valuation relevance of financial reporting; economic consequences and Positive Accounting Theory; Earnings management.
The module will provide students with an understanding of the nature of accounting practices and taxation of international activities. With respect to accounting it emphasises the importance of a country’s cultural, social, economic, legal and political e...
Traditional accounting is mainly limited to the providing information for decision making by a range of major financial stakeholders, such as managers, investors and creditors. Given the increasing importance of sustainability issues such as climate chang...
This module provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable finance- a rapidly growing area at the intersection of finance and sustainability. The module underscores the significance of sustainable finance, illustrating its potential impact in shaping fi...
The course blends theoretical and practical learning methods, so you'll feel prepared to meet the challenges of the global finance industry.
You'll learn through a combination of:
These will help you to achieve the level of understanding you would expect from a master's course. Your hours spent in class will depend on the modules you choose.
You'll get to test your understanding of international accounting and finance before completing formal assessments. Each module normally contains a practice assessment and you'll gain feedback to help you improve. There are a range of assessment methods used in the course, from class tests and essays to group activities and presentations.
Your dissertation project will involve choosing a topic for independent investigation. You'll then write a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work.
We encourage you to base your dissertation on an issue related to accounting, audit, finance, or management. You could also base it on an area of direct interest to a current or future employer.
You'll be allocated a personal tutor when you begin your studies. They'll be an academic staff member either in your own or a closely related subject. Your tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your course.
You'll also have a dissertation supervisor who will be able to support you in choosing the topic and form of your dissertation project.
The Student Support Hub is also available for any wellbeing, accommodation, or financial concerns.
An MSc in International Accounting and Governance opens up a wide variety of career directions. You can expect to meet the requirements of finance and business sectors, but also find opportunities in the following areas:
The expertise you'll build in corporate governance and sustainable business practices are highly desirable attributes. They'll help you secure your role within the international accounting and finance industry.
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
Fees for a year's study:
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
You'll also need to submit two academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You may also be asked to provide:
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
