News

A world first for ACCA and the University of London

Accountancy students will be at the forefront of ground-breaking change by studying for the world’s first integrated Masters degree programme with the University of London at the same time as taking their professional qualification with the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

Taking both qualifications at the same time has been made possible through a unique partnership between the University of London and ACCA, which is the first truly integrated Masters programme with an accountancy body at professional level. Both organisations subscribe to the access agenda and operate in 180 countries across the globe.

The design of the Masters degree in Professional Accountancy has been customised with two pathways for both ACCA students and its Members/Affiliates, wishing to get ahead in their career.

For current students, the first three essential ACCA professional papers will be credited by the University of London for its Masters degree and at this point they become eligible to register for the degree with the University. In order to successfully pass the Masters degree, students will be required to complete two professional modules, which offer synergy between the University of London and the ACCA examination papers, as well as completing a strategic financial project.

ACCA Members and Affiliates, who will have already completed their ACCA professional qualification, will also be eligible to register for the Masters programme. They will be required to complete two modules, namely global issues for the finance professional and a strategic financial project, to complete the award.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Professor Sir Adrian Smith FRS described the partnership between the University and ACCA as ‘ground-breaking for the benefit of students all over the world’.

Sir Adrian said: “As world leaders in our respective fields of education, both the University of London and ACCA have a long history of widening access across the world. This new Masters degree in Professional Accountancy, will be made available through our global network of teaching institutions and learning partners as well as through supported online learning, all of which will help extend our reach.”

He added: “This University has a very strong tradition of innovation, dating back to the founding of the University in 1836, and I am pleased that in keeping with this tradition of innovation, we have joined forces with such a well-respected professional association, the ACCA, to now deliver the Masters programme for its students, Members and Affiliates.”

Helen Brand OBE, ACCA’s Chief Executive said: “This historic new partnership between ACCA and the University of London means that both our members and the thousands of new students embarking on our qualification now have the option to extend their learning journey by obtaining a Masters degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the world. This ground-breaking agreement links the vocational and academic pathways through education in the first truly integrated qualification of its kind.”

Commenting on the news that an ACCA student or member will have the opportunity to undertake a reduced number of modules to achieve a Masters qualification, Helen Brand said: “I am particularly delighted that this agreement allows us to offer a Masters in Professional Accountancy via an online, flexible platform and at a significantly reduced cost when compared to traditional means of study. It is vital that education is accessible to everyone, no matter their background, and I am proud to say that with the help of the University of London, we can now extend this right up to Masters award level.”

The University of London Masters award will be delivered through the University of London International Programmes, with programme direction being provided by UCL’s world class faculty in the Department of Management Science and Innovation.

Prospective students are encouraged to complete an online Register of Interest Form available on the link http://dmtrk.com/ACCA/47A-ZBY-302DN0X226/MPAcc.aspx and pre-registration will commence on August 1st 2015.

Further information including details of fees is also available at: http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/professional-accountancy-msc-pg-cert
For current ACCA students, the Masters programme will start during the first week in January 2016 and for Members/Affiliates the scheduled start date is July 2016.