Accounting and Finance with CIMA MSc

Do you currently work in accounting and finance and want to gain a master’s qualification and an accelerated route to chartered status? Or do you have a business-related degree and want to move into a career in accounting and finance? This MSc in Accounting and Finance with CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) could be for you.

With recent changes in the business and financial world, the demand for management accountants is on the increase. Business success relies upon key individuals with a detailed knowledge of the environment in which the business operates and the ability to forward plan and effectively manage risk. This MSc Accounting and Finance (with CIMA) offers you postgraduate level study of the theory, knowledge, analytical and practical skills required for understanding the implications of decision making within organisations. It has been developed in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Available full time or part time, this course allows students to obtain a master’s degree along with part qualification as management accountant, with significant exemptions from the CIMA professional examinations. There is also study support available from CIMA.

Why QMU?

This course is designed in collaboration with a professional body which qualifies you both academically and professionally: Our collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) offers the opportunity for students to obtain a master’s degree, a prestigious professional qualification (CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting) and the maximum 11 exemptions from CIMA’s certificate, operational and management level examinations.

Teaching expertise and care: The course is taught by professionally qualified chartered accountants and academics with industry and research expertise. As we offer smaller class sizes than many other universities, you will be able to learn from a caring team of finance professionals who will prioritise your career development. Our recent (2023), QSS* results rated postgraduate teaching quality on MSc in Accounting and Finance (with CIMA) at over 97%. (*QSS is an internal survey of QMU’s students).

Diverse career opportunities: Our collaboration with CIMA opens the door to a wide range of role opportunities within in a professional capacity - you are not obligated to becoming a chartered accountant. This management accounting qualification is broad enough to lead to key roles in the areas of information management, consultancy, operations, commercial, executive as well as, of course, finance.

Strong professional links: The Queen Margaret Business School is a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) and a signatory member of The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). This course is designed in close collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the largest management accounting professional body in the world. The course allows its students the maximum level of exemption offered by CIMA to the Management Level Case Study in their global syllabus.

Great location: QMU is located in the UK’s second largest financial centre. Not only does this pave the way for career opportunities on graduation, but also enables us to offer field trips and enlist guest speakers to enhance your learning experience.

Access to our on-campus Startup Studio: This provides business incubation space for student/graduate-led start-up companies with access to: desk space; a QMU business address; meeting facilities; Business Gateway support and advice; a profile for your company on the QMU website; support with marketing materials; and access to entrepreneurial networks within QMU and other universities, for example, Enterprise Campus, Scottish Institute for Enterprise, Sporting Chance and Converge Challenge.