Semester one – postgraduate certificate

Forensic accounting
You acquire and develop an appreciation of forensic accounting work including the nature and extent of financial crime and financial dispute resolution. You develop forensic accounting techniques including the identification and quantification of admissible evidence. You also participate in identifying problematic situations and inherently weak systems in organisations and design and recommend solutions to minimise risks arising. You gain an understanding of the methodologies used by organisations and individuals in the management of risk associated with financial exposures.

International auditing and assurance
This module examines the basic theories, principles and frameworks upon which modern auditing and assurance is based. You develop your ability to carry out audit and assurance risk assessment procedures and to identify appropriate audit approaches and techniques.

International corporate reporting
You explore the nature and purpose of corporate reporting both in the UK and internationally and gain an understanding of the basic theories and principles upon which modern corporate reporting practices are based. You examine the pressures and influences on the internationalisation of corporate reporting and the political and economic context within which corporate reporting evolves. You have the opportunity to formulate and discuss your own views on the possible future direction of corporate reporting.

Methods of enquiry
You gain analytical and technical research and consultancy skills. You develop knowledge and a reflective understanding of methodological and philosophical issues in research and consultancy with specific reference to finance.

Semester two – postgraduate diploma

Corporate finance
This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental theoretical principles of corporate finance. You enhance your appreciation of the practical application of these principles when formulating financial strategy, both at a domestic and an international level. The module develops your ability to understand and offer a critique of financial theory as well as developing your technical problem solving abilities through a number of numerically-based scenarios.

Consultancy project 1
This module introduces you to the process, theories and approaches to consultancy. You gain work experience from working for a sponsoring firm on a focused live international market research and development problem requiring consultancy assistance. By placing you into a live company environment you can apply the theoretical and conceptual knowledge developed within the course. It also improves your skills in cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

Strategic management accounting for performance enhancement
As the business environment becomes more complex and global, there is an increasing need for managers to understand the role that management accounting plays in supporting strategy and driving performance.

This module explores how management accounting and control practices and systems are shaped by cultural political, institutional, technological, competitive and environmental factors. You critically evaluate a range of management accounting practices and systems and the specific contexts within which they operate and evolve. This understanding enables you to recommend future change to organisations in order for them to remain competitive.

Options
One from • advanced portfolio management • corporate governance and ethics • financial analysis • innovation in the digital enterprise • understanding markets • international treasury management*

* Successful completion of the international treasury management module gives you an additional professional qualification awarded by the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). If you choose this module there is an ACT registration fee of £500 in addition to your course fees, you will be invoiced separately for this.

Semester three - MSc

Research methods
This module develops your abilities to critically evaluate published research and develop your own research skills. It provides the key steps in developing your understanding of the nature of the postgraduate dissertation and approaches to undertaking one. After completing the module you are able to draw up research proposals and undertake your own dissertation research project.

Dissertation
You complete a major research-based project on a topic relevant to your future career development or academic interest. It enables you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have gained on your course and develop research skills.