Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £12,440 for the course
International/EU: £20,100 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2026
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Develop transferable skills for national and international business.
- Benefit from relevant work experience opportunities.
- Study global developments in systems, regulations, accounting and finance practices.
- Undertake real-world learning to gain immediate value to your present and potential employers.
The course is designed to meet the growing demand for highly skilled and intellectual professionals in finance and accounting. You’ll develop your ability to research, appraise and critically evaluate current issues in the world of accountancy – plus how they impact our society. There’s also a work experience option you can undertake before your dissertation.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Sheffield Business School accreditation
Sheffield Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and has been awarded the Business School Impact System label by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
How you learn
Many of our staff have industry experience and/or are research active.
Through a combination of teaching methods you’ll develop in-depth knowledge and a range of skills. You’lll implement theories and techniques, problem-solving activities, research and teamwork – taking an active approach to learning and self-development.
You learn through:
- lectures
- tutorials
- IT sessions
- regular formative feedback
- teamwork and group-based learning
- practice-based applied learning
- authentic learning experiences
- engagement with guest lectures
- discussions
- self-managed study
Key Themes
You’ll study corporate finance and data analytics, international corporate reporting and governance, sustainability and strategic management accounting, and international auditing and professional ethics.
You’ll develop your understanding of how and when to apply your subject knowledge – using appropriate techniques, technologies, project management practices and methodologies for problem-solving and research.
We’ll further develop your understanding by introducing you to real-life case studies, business problem scenarios and projects. You’ll work independently and in small teams to identify solutions and produce reports, presentations and recommendations. These experiences will help prepare you for a career in banking and finance, all within a supportive learning environment.
At the final stage of the master’s degree, you’ll undertake a dissertation or an applied business project – applying all your knowledge and skills to successfully fulfil your research objectives.
Course Support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources
- First-class facilities with state-of-the-art equipment
- Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
- Opportunities to secure work experience through a competitive process as part of your course, with access to relevant adverts and support in applications and the selection process.
Applied learning
You’ll develop your employability skills throughout the course, using real-life scenarios and business problems.
‘Knowledge applied’ is the underlying design principle for all our courses and modules. All modules on your course adopt forefront research, updated regulations and standards. Teaching and assessment activities use real-life case studies and business problem scenarios – underlined by a combination of complex regulatory, political, economic, social and environmental factors – all helping to prepare you for a career in accounting and finance.
Live projects
Your research project could be a dissertation – where you carry out an in-depth research enquiry to address existing gaps in knowledge. Or you could undertake an applied business project – an extensive research project to produce insights, solutions and recommendations for a specific client.
As part of this capstone project, you’ll apply all the knowledge and skills you’ve developed throughout the course, while also developing new ones. From the initial stage of generating research ideas to the final stage of writing up your dissertation or applied business project report, you’ll be guided by the module team and a dedicated project supervisor.
Networking opportunities
You’ll have numerous opportunities for career planning and development – from career fairs and workshops to employer presentations, field visits and professional careers advice. All these opportunities can enhance your confidence and skills development – and your employability as a result.
The team delivering the course has strong links with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT)
Work experience
You’ll have the opportunity to source a work placement for up to 12 months, where you’ll apply academic theory and your skills in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience will enhance your professional development and help you to make informed career choices after graduation. Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported to reflect on your experience and contribution to the organisation you work for. You'll also share your progress and achievements with your Placement Academic Supervisor as part of your final assessment.
Work placements are competitive and will require you to make formal applications to employers and be successful in securing an opportunity. The application process for placements takes place while you are a student with us. To support you in applying for placements, you’ll complete an additional placement preparation program that introduces you to the UK employment landscape and prepares you for the recruitment and assessment activities you will experience during that process. We also maintain a large database of placement offers that you can search to find opportunities most relevant to your course that you can apply for.
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Caroline Zagonel Linhares
Senior Lecturer in Accounting/ Course Leader MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Forensic AccountingCourse Leader for MSc Accounting and Finance and MSc Forensic Accounting, and Senior Lecturer in Accounting
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
This module equips learners with advanced knowledge of corporate finance and data analytics, focusing on strategic value creation. You will learn to integrate financial theory with analytical techniques to support executive-level decision-making in complex business environments.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Portfolio Theory and Capital Asset Pricing Model
- Advanced sources of finance (e.g. leases and convertibles)
- Financing strategy and capital structure
- Dividend policy and theory
- The valuation of companies, overseas projects and foreign direct investment
- Risk and investment appraisal techniques
- Data analysis techniques to identify trends
- The possibility of false-positive results in data and their consequences
- Introduction to a data science approach
This module explores the role of audit and assurance in both UK and international frameworks. You will learn the importance of ethical standards and regulatory compliance. You will also learn to evaluate audit processes and uphold professional integrity.
You’ll study topics such as:
- The regulatory framework of audit and assurance
- Ethical issues including IESBA Code for Ethics in Professional Accountants
- The role of internal audit in corporate governance
- The individual stages of the risk-based approach to audit
- Internal control and test of control
- Substantive procedures
- Computer-based audit techniques
- Audit reporting
- Auditor liability
This module critically examines corporate reporting and governance, exploring the development and impact of reporting standards, stakeholder engagement, and ethical considerations in a global context. You will gain analytical skills to evaluate reporting practices and governance structures.
You’ll study topics such as:
- The Annual Report and Accounts: financial reporting
- Research and enquiry techniques related to financial reporting
- International Financial Reporting Standards
- The Annual Report and Accounts: narrative reporting
- Research and enquiry techniques related to narrative reporting
- The UK Corporate Governance Code
- International corporate governance
- Ethical issues in corporate reporting and society
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of, and reflection on meaningful work experience.
A work experience will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course.
Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
Provide students with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs.
Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
In this module, students will undertake a work experience (minimum duration and expectations as per HESA regulations – clarified on assignment brief/Blackboard) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies and appropriate for their level of study.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their work experience and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
This module explores how management accounting supports strategic and sustainability-driven decisions across organisations.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Strategic management theories and practices
- Links between environment, strategy and accounting
- Organisational accountability and decision-making
- Sustainability accounting tools and techniques
- Strategic management accounting and control systems
- Application of tools in real-world contexts
Final year
Elective modules
This module develops your consultancy skills through a live project with a real client. You’ll investigate a specific organisational issue, apply research methods, and deliver practical insights. Alongside the project, you’ll reflect on its broader relevance to professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Defining project scope with your client
- Applying relevant theoretical frameworks
- Choosing appropriate research methods
- Addressing ethical research considerations
- Conducting a focused literature review
- Analysing and interpreting research data
- Drawing evidence-based conclusions
- Communicating findings clearly and professionally
- Managing your project effectively
- Reflecting on consultancy in professional practice
This module strengthens your critical research skills as you explore a current issue within your discipline. You’ll design and carry out an independent research project, generating insights that contribute to both academic knowledge and professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Defining your research question and focus
- Applying theoretical frameworks effectively
- Selecting appropriate research methods
- Addressing ethical research considerations
- Conducting a structured literature review
- Analysing and interpreting research data
- Drawing meaningful, evidence-based conclusions
- Managing your dissertation timeline
- Writing clearly and persuasively
- Reflecting on research in professional contexts
This module will enhance your critical research and analysis skills as you explore and reflect on a specific issue in relation to your work experience. You will investigate an organisational issue and provide valuable insights for organisational stakeholders, and you will also consider wider relevance to professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
- Working with stakeholders to formulate research purpose and focus
- Theoretical frameworks to inform research design
- Research methods including ethical considerations
- Literature review
- Analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of data
- Writing up/managing your research project
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- accounting
- finance
- auditing
- business consulting
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- PWC
- KPMG
- Deloitte
- EY
- Shell
- HSBC
- Barclays
- Chinatrust Commercial Bank
Equipment and facilities
The new Sheffield Business School building will be net-zero ready, with state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities and social spaces.
On this course, you’ll work with and have access to:
- our virtual learning environment – Blackboard sites
- updated office software
- accounting software
- Bloomberg terminals
- our financial trading floor
- a physical and online library
- digital books, journals, newspapers and magazines
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
Normally one of the following in a relevant subject*
• a good honours degree
• a recognised postgraduate qualification
• an equivalent recognised professional qualification
* Relevant subjects include • accounting • banking • economics • finance • financial services.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills, is the standard for non-native speakers of English.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £12,440 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. For this work experience route, your fees will be payable over two years, divided into two annual payments based on credits studied. The fee includes dedicated employability support to help you prepare for and secure work experience. It does not guarantee you a placement and if a placement is not secured the work experience fee will still be charged. If a placement is not secured you will transfer to the standard version of the course to complete your remaining credits, where the balance of your course fees will be due in year one in line with completing the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £20,100 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. For this work experience route, your fees will be payable over two years, divided into two annual payments based on credits studied. The fee includes dedicated employability support to help you prepare for and secure work experience. It does not guarantee you a placement and if a placement is not secured the work experience fee will still be charged. If a placement is not secured you will transfer to the standard version of the course to complete your remaining credits, where the balance of your course fees will be due in year one in line with completing the course.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Business School (PDF, 278.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
