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Strategic Accounting and Finance MSc

Distance learning programme

Whether an organisation’s focus is on new opportunities, maintaining its current standing, or simply seeking to survive, they require managers to make strategic decisions, drawing upon a range of criteria, both financial and non-financial. The MSc in Strategic Accounting and Finance (online) programme, provides you with the necessary skills to evaluate accounting and financial data and use those insights to drive business performance through better strategic decisions.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£15,000
£7,500
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£15,000
£7,500
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
All applicants: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A good undergraduate degree from a recognised university normally a minimum of UK Second Class Honours (Upper Division – 2:1). Applicants with a 2:2 may be considered if they have at least three years’ relevant work experience.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Through this online Strategic Accounting and Finance MSc degree, you will acquire and learn how to apply financial expertise to a range of decision-making scenarios. The programme blends theories and concepts with practical applications.  

You will expand your knowledge in the core areas of accounting and finance and their interrelationships with management, delving into the science behind judgement for decision-making, applying insight into financial performance strategies, taking account of risks in the economic and business landscape. This will facilitate the development of a portfolio of abilities that will set you apart as a global leader.  

The personal attributes and professional capabilities you will develop will enhance your career trajectory, setting you up to benefit the organisations you work with now and may in the future.

The programme’s online delivery model means you can study from wherever you are in the world. Additionally, full-time (12-month duration) and part-time (24-month duration) modes of study offer you the flexibility to balance your study and shape your future around your current professional and personal circumstances.

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal for you, if you are looking to develop your accounting and finance skills as an aspiring manager, seeking to take the next stage in developing your managerial career, or even embarking on a new career path. It can also help if are considering starting or expanding your own business.

As this programme is delivered online, we anticipate a widely diverse and global cohort of students. We are looking for unique, highly driven individuals who want to excel in their careers, as well as inquisitive and creative thinkers who are prepared to commit to a rigorous and intellectually demanding academic programme.

You must be prepared to grow your analytical capabilities, lead and work in teams, and contribute to building a strong community of knowledge-holders. 

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This degree offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • Study at UCL, ranked 9th globally in the most recent QS rankings (QS World University Rankings, 2026)  
  • Become a part of a leading department, the UCL School of Management, ranked 2nd in the UK for business and management research, with over 95% of the research at the School has been rated as “world-leading” and “internationally excellent” in the latest REF.   
  • Benefit from the School’s strong relationships with accountants and finance professionals and professional accountancy bodies. 
  • Study for a world-class Master’s degree and build a global network of professionals, from anywhere in the world. The flexibility of the online programme means there is no need to put your career or life on hold. 
  • Collaborate with peers across the globe and benefit from an intimate class size in online seminars to build lasting professional relationships. 
  • Apply your learning on financial strategies and business research in the Strategic Financial Project and build your portfolio with tangible outputs. 
  • Build in-depth, subject-specific knowledge by applying financial ideas, research skills, and models to management challenges. 
  • Develop the practical skills required to apply quantitative and qualitative data to financial decision making, self-reflect and think critically, and effectively communicate complex analyses of challenges and opportunities within and across organisations at all levels. 
  • Acquire and apply financial skills widely sought by employers across all industries and corners of the globe.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates of this programme will feel at ease in a diverse range of types of organisations and roles, including large multinational corporations, SMEs, start-ups, and public sector organisations. You’ll be well prepared to assume key managerial and leadership roles, regardless of your chosen field. 

Employability

There is consistent demand to recruit individuals with a unique blend of accounting, finance, management, and leadership skills.

Upon graduation you will have developed a comprehensive toolkit to demonstrate to employers that you can apply financial ideas within appropriate models for solving management challenges.

Throughout the programme, you’ll develop an excellent understanding of the financial reporting landscape and the nuances of accounting and finance customs and practices in an international context. This, combined with your ability to critically appraise data to inform key organisational decisions, will make you well-suited for roles in a variety of industries. Such industries include technology, manufacturing, service, media, retailing, and not-for-profit.

Networking

The programme offers a variety of networking opportunities.

  • Join a global network of talented School of Management alumni and benefit from various possible mentorship opportunities.
  • Tap into the Department's extensive network of practicing accountants and finance professionals through a series of speaker events. 
  • Engage with accomplished alumni representing the diverse portfolio of School of Management programmes through a spectrum of online and in-country networking and employer events. 
  • Attend periodic optional non-credit bearing, online or in-person Immersion Events during the year to connect with peers, academics and industry leaders and build your global professional network.
  • Attend the School of Management’s latest New Technologies & Innovation Speaker Series and Business Leader Speaker Series, designed with the support of UCL’s global network to help you develop a deeper understanding of the world of business, its challenges and opportunities, and learn directly from the experience of others at the forefront of their fields.

Accreditation

UCL School of Management is proud to be AACSB accredited - a global mark of excellence that recognises our commitment to innovative, research-led teaching, rigorous academic standards, and preparing students for impactful global careers in business and management.

Teaching and learning

Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) on Moodle gives you access to a range of engaging learning content, from study materials to revision guides, and forums to connect with your tutors and fellow students, allowing you to engage in self-reflective and collaborative experiences.  

This programme is delivered through 10-week modules comprising an interactive mix of online videos, digital readings, problem-based learning challenges, case studies, quizzes, forum peer discussions, presentations, team-based activities, and weekly online live seminars.  

Teaching and learning are assessed throughout the programme, with a variety of assessment methods, drawn from individual/group presentations, individual and group coursework, video presentations, mini-projects, essays, and online problem-solving tests, and the Strategic Financial Project.  

You can expect 3 equivalent contact hours for each 15-credit module per teaching week, typically meaning between 6-12 contact hours a week. This varies by module and term. The equivalent contact hours comprise of up to 90 minutes of video content and 90 minutes live online seminars. We expect you to complement this with between 6-12 hours of guided independent study per week.

Modules

The programme is run in a structured framework consisting of 10 (15 credit) compulsory modules, followed by a double-weighted (30 credit) project. There are no optional modules on this programme.
 

On the full-time programme, you will typically study four prescribed modules in each of Terms 1 and 2, two prescribed modules in Term 3 along with research methods for the strategic financial project, and then continue working on that project over the summer period for submission at the end of September. 

The programme is run in a structured framework consisting of 10 (15 credit) compulsory modules and a double-weighted (30 credit) project, over two years. There are no optional modules on this programme.

In your first year of the Part-time study mode, you will complete up to 30 credits (two modules) in each of Terms 1, 2 and 3 in a prescribed order. In your second year of study, you will continue with two prescribed modules in Terms 1 and 2, then in Term 3 you will study research methods for the strategic financial project, and then continue working on that project over the summer period for submission at the end of September. 

Compulsory modules













Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Strategic Accounting and Finance MSc

Welcome to the UCL School of Management's online series of talks on postgraduate study in Finance, Accounting and Law. Discover how our unique programmes prepare students to lead with expertise in finance, accounting, law, data science, risk management and more, setting them up to thrive in global careers. You'll hear from programme directors, with alumni and student insights, career pathways, and a chance to have your questions answered.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £15,000 £7,500
Tuition fees (2026/27) £15,000 £7,500

Only available for Distance Learning.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

If you wish to attend non-credit bearing immersions or in-person extracurricular activities/events are responsible for all travel, accommodation and spending fees associated. Please note these activities are optional, so you are not required to attend.

Should you choose to join, the costs of these activities will vary greatly depending on personal travel and incidental preferences. 

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Scholarships are available through UCL for all years of study. Competition for scholarships is fierce, however, and to stand a chance of being chosen you will need to show evidence of commitment and the potential for high achievement.
 

Application for scholarships and bursaries must be made when confirming your place before the start of your studies.
 

For more information on scholarships and financial support, please visit Funding and Scholarships.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 25 June 2026
Value: Tuition fees plus £17,096 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • Your professional aspirations and a critical analysis of your past experience in line with the content of this programme, i.e. why this programme, and why you?
  • How will you apply the skills learned on this programme to your future career and/or study aspirations?
  • What tangible steps have you taken to prepare yourself for this programme?  
  • How do you approach challenges, uncertainty, and risk? What are the key areas you consider and why?  
  • Why UCL, why the School of Management, and why this online mode of study?

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Applicants who meet the entry requirements and provide an appropriate professional statement will be reviewed. Some applicants may receive an offer based on a combination of academic qualifications and personal statement. Others may be invited to an online video interview. 

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

UCL School of Management
UCL School of Management

Mgmt-saf@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.