Aims and philosophy
The central aim of the Masters programmes in Accounting and Finance at Lancaster is to familiarise you with principles and techniques from the accounting and financial sector, enabling you to develop the knowledge, flexibility and skills base needed for employment in a range of finance-related careers.
“The course was rigorous and challenging, and I will take back with me state-of-the-art analytical and creative problem-solving skills.”
Kuntal Shah
MSc Finance, 2005
The emphasis is on a critical and analytical approach to learning, which requires you to engage deeply with material, develop strong analytical skills and challenge some of your own preconceptions. Various styles of learning are used on the programme – not only lectures and individual study but also a variety of group- and team-based activities.
By the end of the programme, we expect that the knowledge you will have gained will enable you to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills
- Relate cutting-edge research to recent and prospective developments in practice
- Demonstrate skills that are immediately transferrable to the workplace (e.g. a small portfolio of applied coursework assignments)
However, subject knowledge is only part of the story – effective managers and employees also need a complement of other important skills. In terms of the transferable skills which are looked for by employers, the programme is designed to enable you to demonstrate and enhance your capability in areas such as:
- Defining and solving complex problems
- Planning and executing research projects
- Writing clear and succinct reports
- Time management, planning and scheduling
- Working effectively in teams
- Communicating and negotiating with others, and working successfully with people from other cultures
Our programmes also receive 