1.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Programme Title
MSc Accounting and Finance
Department and Faculty
Department of Accounting and Investment
Faculty of Business, Law and Sport
Date of most recent (re)validation
May 2010
Date(s) when Programme Specification
revised
May 2015/September 2015
Revalidation due date
Academic year 2015-16
Awarding Institution
University of Winchester
Teaching Institution (if different)
n/a
Programme also accredited by (if
relevant)
n/a
Title of Final Award
MSc Accounting and Finance
Title(s) of Exit Award(s)
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance
Postgraduate Certificate in Accounting and Finance
Language of Study
English
Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time and part-time
Mode(s) of Delivery
Taught
Intake start date(s) and number of
intakes per year
September 2010, one intake per year
Normal Period of Study
One year full-time; two years part-time
UCAS Code
n/a
QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
Master’s Degrees in Business and Management
2.
ADMISSIONS AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Prospective students should consult the latest prospectus and/or course pages online for
programme entry requirements.
Prospective students for Taught programmes should consult the Admissions Policy for Taught
Programmes. Prospective students for Professional Doctorate programmes should consult the
Postgraduate Research Programmes Admissions Policy. Both are available on the University’s public
webpage.
3.
EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
3.1
The aims of the Programme are:
1. Provide students with an advanced study of organisations, their management and the
changing external context in which they operate;
2. Prepare students for, and/or develop, a career in accounting and finance by developing skills
at a professional or equivalent level, or as preparation for research or further study in the
area;
3. Develop students’ ability to apply knowledge and understanding of accounting and finance
to complex issues, both systematically and creatively, to improve accounting and finance
practice;
4. Enhance lifelong learning skills and personal development so as to be able to work with selfdirection and originality and to contribute to business and society at large.
3.2
The Learning Outcomes of the Programme are to:
1. Provide students with a systematic understanding of relevant knowledge about organisations,
their external context and how they are managed;
2. Develop students application of relevant knowledge to a range of complex situations taking
account of its relationship and interaction with other areas of the business or organisation;
3. Develop students’ critical awareness of current issues in accounting and finance which is
informed by leading edge research and practice in the field;
4. Develop students’ understanding of appropriate techniques sufficient to allow detailed
investigation into relevant accounting and management issues;
5. Encourage students’ creativity in the application of knowledge, together with a practical
understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to develop and
interpret knowledge in accounting and finance;
6. Enhance students’ ability to acquire and analyse data and information, to evaluate their
relevance and validity, and to synthesise a range of information in the context of new situations;
Broaden students’ conceptual understanding that enables the student to:
7. Evaluate the rigour and validity of published research and assess its relevance to new situations;
8. Extrapolate from existing research and scholarship to identify new or revised approaches to
practice;
9. Ability to conduct research into accounting and finance issues that requires familiarity with a
range of business data, research sources and appropriate methodologies, and for such to inform
the overall learning process;
10. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, using a range of media;
11. Operate effectively in a variety of team roles and take leadership roles, where appropriate.
c) On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge
and understanding, intellectual and cognitive skills and graduate employability skills and
attributes through:
1. Being able to think critically and be creative;
2. Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions;
3. An ability to conduct research into accounting and finance issues either individually or as part of
a team through research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and reporting;
4. Using information and knowledge effectively;
5. Numeracy and quantitative skills including the development and use of relevant business
models;
6. Effective use of ICT;
7. Effective two-way communication;
8. High personal effectiveness including critical self-awareness, self-reflection and selfmanagement; time management; sensitivity to diversity in people and different situations and
the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience;
9. Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise
individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others;
team selection, delegation, development and management;
10. Leadership and performance management;
11. Ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas and corporate social responsibility issues,
applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices.
A grid is included mapping the Modules to the Programme/Level Learning Outcomes, Appendix 1.
4. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, LEVELS, MODULES, CREDIT AND AWARDS
This section outlines the levels of study, modules and credits required for each programme (where
there is more than one) and for final and exit awards.
Programme:
MSc Accounting and Finance (full-time and
part-time)
7
Core/Mandatory/
Credits
Optional:
(CATS/ECTS):
Mandatory
20 / 10
Level:
Module Title:
AN7900 Contemporary Issues in
Accounting and Finance
AN7901 Corporate Finance
Mandatory
20 / 10
AN7902 Financial Analysis and Valuation
Mandatory
20 / 10
AN7903A Financial Strategy
Optional
10/5
AN7903B Corporate Governance
Optional
10/5
AN7907 Investment Appraisal
Optional
10/5
AN7904 Investments and Behavioural
Finance
BS7916 Principles of Responsible
Management
Mandatory
20 / 10
Mandatory
20 / 10
Exit Award
Postgraduate Certificate in Accounting and Finance
60 / 30
Exit Award
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance
120 / 60
BS8001 Research Methods in Business#
Mandatory
20 / 10
BS8801 Dissertation*
Mandatory
40 / 20
Exit Award
MSc in Accounting and Finance#
180 / 90
# The Research Methods in Business module is a taught module requiring 36 hours of class contact.
This must be successfully completed before students can progress to the Dissertation stage.
*For students joining the programme at the beginning of Semester 2 the Dissertation module will
commence at the beginning of Semester 2 following the year of entry.
#Students who have achieved professional accountant status and hold qualifications such as ACCA,
ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS (or their international equivalents) are eligible for entry on to the MSc with
advanced standing. Accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) may be available to suitably
qualified applicants up to a maximum of 100 credits. The remaining credits (depending on entry
qualifications) will consist of 40 credits of independent study and a minimum taught component of
40 credits which must include 20 credits of Research Methods in Business.
Glossary
Core = modules must be taken and passed
Mandatory = modules must be taken but may be eligible for compensation
Optional = modules may be selected by students, subject to availability
5.
LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
5.1
Means of delivery:
The following means of delivery are included in the programme, with the Key Information Set (KIS)
activity type indicated in brackets:
In additional to the more traditional forms of module delivery such as lectures (KIS: lecture),
workshops (KIS: practical classes and workshops) and tutorials (KIS: tutorial) a greater variety of
teaching and learning methods will be employed. These may include:
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computer assisted learning (KIS: practical classes and workshops)
guest speakers (KIS; lecture)
small group learning activities (KIS: seminar)
individual and group presentations (KIS: seminar)
simulations and role play activities (KIS: practical classes and workshops)
case-study analyses (KIS: practical classes and workshops)
independent research projects (KIS: guided independent study)
Overall, students’ intellectual skills are developed throughout the programmes with individual and
group–based problem solving exercises that require planning, analysis, design and evaluation within
a theoretical and practical context.
5.2
Types of assessment employed:
The following types of assessment are included in the programme, with the Key Information Set (KIS)
activity type indicated in brackets:
Essay (KIS: essay)
Individual report (KIS: report)
Presentation/Conference paper (KIS: oral assessment and presentation)
Critical Evaluation (KIS: written assignment)
Case Studies/simulations (KIS: written assignment)
Time-constrained assessment (KIS: exam)
Research Based Project (KIS: dissertation)
Wherever possible, tasks are set in order to balance the developmental (formative) and judgemental
(summative) aspects of assessment. Early formative assessment is used to provide students with
feedback that will be crucial for the development of their understanding. Students receive both
explanatory and diagnostic feedback, as well as grades. Assessments are anchored in clearly
articulated learning outcome and assessment criteria that will be distributed to students at the
outset of each module. Feedback will aim to foster motivation by identifying both strengths and
weaknesses, being constructive in how strengths and weaknesses may be improved upon, and in so
doing develop the student’s capacity for reflection and self-assessment.
In all assessments there will be a balance between the practical and theoretical aspects of the
subjects. However, the precise forms of assessment will vary between according to the subject area
and the specific learning outcomes of the module.
A grid detailing the assessments by module is available in Appendix 2.
The interests of students with protected characteristics will be taken into consideration and
reasonable adjustments to assessments will be made provided that these do not compromise
academic standards as expressed through the learning outcomes.
6.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT
6.1
Mechanisms for review and evaluation:
Quality assurance and enhancement at Module Level
Students provide feedback to module tutors through Module Evaluation Forms, reviews and other
responses. The tutor collates the evaluation forms and produces a response for discussion at
Programme Committee. The response identifies good practice and proposes remedies for any points
of concern. The response is made available to students at the next running of the module.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Programme Level
The Programme Committee evaluates the success of the programme, paying particular attention to
student feedback and student representatives. Minutes from the Programme Committee and the
External Examiners report will inform the Annual Programme Evaluation which is submitted for
approval to the Faculty Academic Development Committee. Issues for attention are identified and
included in the action plan for the following year.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Department Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Department for discussion and to draw out
department objectives.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Faculty Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Faculty Academic Development Committee
which has oversight of learning development in the Faculty, including via the Peer Observation of
Teaching.
Quality assurance and enhancement at University Level
The quality of the programme is monitored by an External Examiner appointed by the University’s
Senate Academic Development Committee. The External Examiner’s Report is distributed to the
Vice-Chancellor, First Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Director of Academic Quality and Development, the
Faculty Dean and Faculty Head of Quality. A summary of all external examiner reports is received at
Senate Academic Development Committee. An annual audit of Faculties is conducted by Senate
Academic Development Committee.
Quality assurance and enhancement for Staff
The quality of learning and teaching is supported by the Peer Observation of Teaching and Staff
Development, by Staff Development and Review, by attendance at conferences and curriculumfocused staff development, by external involvement such as external examining and by involvement
in research and knowledge exchange activities.
6.2 Indicators of Quality and Standards
External Examiner Report(s)
Annual Monitoring process
Student feedback including the National Student Survey or Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey
Student representation at Faculty level and University level committees
Programme Revalidation
Higher Education Review
7.
7.1
THE REGULATORY & POLICY FRAMEWORK
The programme conforms fully with the University’s
Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes
7.2
No exemptions from the Academic Regulations are required.
7.3
External Professional Statutory Regulatory Body Accreditation
None
7.4
Engagement with UK Quality Code and Subject Benchmarks
Validation and Revalidation assure the University of the Programme’s continued engagement with
FHEQ and appropriate consideration of subject benchmarks. Between validations external examiners
assure the University that this engagement remains active and evident.
7.5
None
Engagement with Work Based Learning and Placements Approved Procedures
AN7900 Contemporary
Issues in Accounting and
Finance
AN7901 Corporate Finance
AN7902 Financial Analysis
and Valuation
AN7903A Financial Strategy
AN7903B Corporate
Governance
AN7907 Investment
Appraisal
AN7904 Investments and
Behavioural Finance
BS7916 Principles of
Responsible Management
BS8001 Research Methods
in Business
BS8801 Dissertation
Appendix 1
Grid mapping Modules to Programme/Level Learning Outcomes
LO1
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LO2
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LO3
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LO4
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LO5
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LO6
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LO11
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LO7
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LO8
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LO9
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LO10
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Appendix 2
Grid mapping Assessments
Each column is headed by the name of assessment type, as defined by the Programme (not KIS), eg
blog, essay, portfolio.
Research Based
Project
%
50
Time-constrained
Assessment / Set
exercises
%
50
Case Studies /
Simulations
Critical Evaluation
%
Presentation /
Conference Paper
%
Individual Report
Modules Studied
AN7900 Contemporary Issues in
Accounting and Finance
AN7901 Corporate Finance
BS8801 Dissertation
AN7902 Financial Analysis and Valuation
AN7903A Financial Strategy
AN7903B Corporate Governance
AN7907 Investment Appraisal
AN7904 Investments and Behavioural
Finance
BS7916 Principles of Responsible
Management
BS8001 Research Methods in Business
Essay
Assessment Type 
%
%
%
50
50
100
50
50
30
20
50
100
100
100
50
70
80