MPhil Accounting and Finance

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
MPhil
Duration
1 year (Full-time) / 2 years (Part-time)
Entry requirements
  • Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent)
  • Professional qualifications other than a Bachelor's Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to a PhD programme.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For September 2024 entry: 30 June 2024

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MPhil Y Y N N

Programme overview

  • Develop leading research in Accounting and Finance.
  • Join one of the world's most innovative and ambitious doctoral research schools.
  • Ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in 'Business and Management Studies' (REF2021).

Open days

To find out what studying on a postgraduate research programme at Manchester is like, visit our Open days and study fairs page and explore our virtual open week or future on-campus and international events.

We will be conducting our PGR virtual open week in October 2024. Find out more about future events and postgraduate research sessions by signing up for our email alerts.  

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MPhil (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £4,786
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,000
  • MPhil (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £2,393
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Please note for the majority of projects where experimentation requires further resource: higher fee bands (where quoted) will be charged rather than the base rate for supervision, administration and computational costs. The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your project.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School
Contact name
Humanities Doctoral Academy
Email
Website
https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/
School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School was established in 1965 as one of the UK's first two business schools. Today, we are the UK's largest campus-based business and management school, and 'Original Thinking Applied' is at the heart of everything we do. Find out more .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

  • Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent)
  • Professional qualifications other than a Bachelor's Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to a PhD programme.

English language

International applicants must provide one of the following:

  • IELTS test minimum scores - 7.0 overall, 6.5 other sections.
  • TOEFL (internet based) test minimum scores - 100 overall, 25 in all sections.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum scores - 76 overall, 76 in writing, 70 in other sections.
  • To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years.
  • Other tests may be considered.
Please note, CAS statements are only issued when all conditions of the offer have been satisfied, offer accepted, and a PDF copy of passport received.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the programme.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.

The University requires you to reside within a commutable distance from Manchester during your time as a registered student, unless you are on approved fieldwork/a formal placement or are on a period of Submission pending. This is to ensure that you are able to meet attendance expectations and participate in wider research activities within your discipline area and/or School.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For September 2024 entry: 30 June 2024

Advice to applicants

Before you start your application, you should:

  1. Develop your own research proposal and project title.
  2. Find a supervisor by browsing our academics' profiles, and reach out directly to discuss if they are interested in supporting your research.

When you submit your application, you must include each of the below required documents:

  • A 3,000 word research proposal.
  • Copies of the academic transcript and certificate from your Bachelor's degree.
  • An up to date academic CV, detailing your education and qualifications; employment history; publications; and any other relevant information.
  • You must nominate two academic referees (including one from your most recent institution). Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following submission of your application form. You may wish to contact your referees to request they submit your reference in a reasonable timeframe as this forms part of the review process.
  • International applicants you must additionally provide English Language evidence (e.g IELTS).

Interview requirements

As part of the offer making process, applicants will be required to undertake an interview assessment. This may be in the form of an in-person interview or video call.

The interview is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the broad topic area, the viability of your proposed research and its intellectual contribution, alongside the fit of your project with the supervisory team. You also may be asked to identify and address any potential ethical considerations in relation to your proposed research, and discuss how best to progress your ideas in line with University of Manchester ethics guidance.

The interview panel will consist at minimum of your proposed primary supervisor and an independent interviewer.

Deferrals

Deferral requests will not be considered.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard programme entry criteria for that year of entry.

In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen programme.

Programme details

Programme description

A master's level research degree obtained by successful examination of a thesis. The minimum period of study is one year. The Accounting and Finance Division's research themes include:

  • Asset pricing
  • Auditing and accountability
  • Corporate finance and corporate governance
  • Corporate disclosure and capital markets research in accounting
  • Management accounting and information systems
Our research themes are notable for their international coverage and relevance, reaching out to address a wide range of accounting and finance issues in both developed and developing nation contexts. We continue to attract outstanding researchers of the highest calibre and our PGR population is one of the largest in the UK. As a graduate of one of the world's most innovative and ambitious doctoral research schools, you'll be sought after by leading universities, top business schools, government institutes and private sector organisations.

Aims

The MPhil thesis will show convincing evidence of the capacity of the candidate to pursue research and scholarship, and represent original work that is appropriately located by the candidate within a wider field of knowledge and investigation.

Special features

The MPhil programme at AMBS offers an annual entry point of September. Complete applications must be received in the Doctoral Academy by 30 June - please refer to the Entry Requirements information. 

Additional programme information

Humanities Doctoral Academy

Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers.

We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey.

This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research

REF 2021

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) 'Accounting and Finance' was assessed as part of our 'Business and Management Studies' submission. We were ranked 3rd in the UK for research power and top 10 in the UK (by GPA) among the 108 departments assessed.

91% of our research was judged to be in the highest two categories (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'. Our research environment was also judged to be strong, with 100% judged to be (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'. Read more about our research at Alliance Manchester Business School.

EDI

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

All appointments are made on merit. The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Teaching and learning

The MPhil programme does not require students to undertake any Research Training; however students may choose to attend courses from the PhD Research Training Programme subject to availability.

Our research activitiy is grouped by:

Corporate Reporting, Auditing and Business Group (CRAB) - covers reporting financial performance; accruals management and other accounting choices; market based accounting research; financial communication (both formal and informal); accounting based valuation models; the information transmission role of analysts; earnings timeliness and accounting conservatism; accounting policy choice; executive reward structures.

Auditing Group - captures work on the roles and methods of auditing; the contribution of auditing to processes of corporate governance; regulation of the auditing profession; and the contemporary developments in public/private sector auditing, in particular the changing international nature of audit regulation.

Business and Public Policy Group - focuses on management strategy, using political economy to analyse the underlying business and public policy issues; the group has expertise on sectors such as cars and media; studies major corporations such as Ford and GE; and focuses on new styles of public sector management, including the implications of private finance for public services.

Finance Group :

  • Asset Pricing, Market Efficiency and Investment Analysis - empirical research includes the testing of asset pricing models, and the related areas of anomalies, return predictability and behavioural finance; portfolio theory in the presence of background risk, dynamic asset allocation, and performance measurement. 
  • Financial Markets and Derivatives - including research on interest rate models and the pricing of interest rate derivatives; option pricing and techniques; volatility. 
  • Corporate Finance - empirical research in the areas of IPOs, corporate governance, new and emerging stock markets, and venture capital. 
  • Financial Econometrics - research including asymmetric response models, nonlinear models of share price behaviour, extreme value theory, and volatility modelling.

Management Accounting and Information Systems (MAISY) Group - incorporates management accounting and management information systems specialists.

Management Accounting Group - is especially strong in organisational, political economy and social theory approaches to accounting research utilising intensive case study methods. Particular interest is given to management accounting change and implementation.

Information Systems Group - interests include organisational, behavioural, theoretical issues relevant to the design, development, implementation/management of information technology and technological innovations.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on our Humanities PGR blog .

Facilities

Alliance Manchester Business School 

AMBS is one of the largest business and management schools in the UK and part of the UK's biggest university - The University of Manchester. Facilities include:

  • Study zones, quiet areas and break-out spaces to study and relax
  • Inspiring teaching, events and meeting spaces
  • New offices for our academic divisions and research centres
  • Eddie Davies Library with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the bustling Oxford Road Corridor
  • Three catering outlets: The Mill restaurant and event space, Café 65 and The Hive Café
  • Data Visualisation Observatory
  • Behavioural Research Laboratory
  • Three outdoor courtyards where staff, students and visitors can take a well-earned break

The University of Manchester Library

Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.

Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help support you with your goals for the future.