MSc in International Finance and Management
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Taught Masters
- Code
- F39
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Made up of
- 180 credits
Description
Please note that this qualification is only available until 31 December 2014. In order to claim this qualification you must have completed the required 180 credits by this time. This qualification is not available to new students. If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification please contact the Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
A specialist masters degree course, designed for accountants in industry and commerce who want to broaden their perspectives by adding international accounting and finance knowledge and wider management skills.
The MSc course starts with a one-year module on management that reflects a wide range of contemporary practices and challenges. Then there are two modules, one developing the management theme with a module on strategy, and the other the finance theme with a module on financial strategy. The programme culminates with studies of financial and investment decision-making in an international context, and of international financial reporting and international capital markets. Its approach is analytical rather than computational.
The programme is intended to build competencies to equip people working in the finance and financial reporting functions of companies to perform senior management roles in an international context. The degree course assumes basic accounting and financial reporting knowledge and its unique selling points are management, strategic finance and reporting to the international capital markets.
The Open University Business School is accredited internationally by the European Foundation for Management Development, through its EQUIS programme; and by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Planning your studies
All entrants to this MSc in International Finance and Management must have a minimum of three years’ experience in a managerial, professional or technical role. Usually this means that they are at least 25 years old.
They are normally expected to have some experience of working in the accounting or finance functions of an entity. If you need advice about entry to the programme, please ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
The MSc in International Finance and Management is in two stages. You must expect to successfully complete Stage 1 before you enrol on Stage 2.
Stage 1
There are four routes through Stage 1.
Route 1 – if you already have a bachelors level qualification
To follow this route, you must have at least a bachelors level qualification from a recognised university in Europe, the Commonwealth or rest of the world or the equivalent. If you are eligible for this route, you can complete Stage 1 with either the discontinued module B713 or, if your qualification is in the business studies area, you can study the discontinued Professional Diploma in Management module B700. Both B713 and B700 involve 600 hours of study over 12 months.
Route 2 – if you already hold the Professional Diploma in Management or a postgraduate qualification; or have partly completed some postgraduate study
If you have our Professional Diploma in Management (D64) you can count this as Stage 1 of the MSc.
If you have already passed any of the constituent modules of this MSc degree, probably taken as part of an MBA or MPA degree, they can also be counted towards this qualification. The minimum amount of new study required for this MSc is 60 credits.
Alternatively, if you have a postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma in accounting, finance, management or business administration, or a masters degree in a related area from elsewhere, or have partly completed such a degree, you can apply to transfer credit. You should do this urgently because, if your application is successful, it may mean that you can count the credit you are awarded at the MSc Stage 1 – permitting you to continue to Stage 2. Alternatively, or even in addition, it may result in some credit for Stage 2, reducing the amount of study needed at that stage. Not applying promptly may mean that you end up studying a module unnecessarily. You are advised to look at our Credit Transfer website.
Route 3 – if you are experienced in managerial work
If you are experienced in managerial work but not eligible for Route 1 or 2, you can take our Professional Certificate in Management (C31) prior to entering Stage 1. When you complete that Certificate, you are then eligible to study our Professional Diploma in Management (D64) as Stage 1 of the MSc. The Certificate followed by the Diploma will take two years.
Route 4 – if you took the Professional Certificate in Accounting
If you do not qualify under the three routes above, but have passed the discontinued B680, you are then eligible to study our Professional Diploma in Management (D64) as Stage 1 of the MSc. The Certificate followed by the Diploma will take two years.
If you need advice about entry to the programme, please ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Stage 2
There are four compulsory Stage 2 modules. Financial strategy (B821) and the discontinued B820 (or version BZX820) should be completed before B853 and B854. You must have pass the modules required for the qualification during a period not exceeding ten years. You must complete all the required modules to gain your MSc, passing at least one module every two years. If you fail or withdraw from a module you are allowed to retake it only once. We cannot guarantee that the same programme of modules will continue to be available throughout your study period but we are committed to providing suitable equivalent modules at all times.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Career relevance and employability
There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
Modules
For this 180-credit masters degree you require:
Stage 1 – 60 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B700, B713, BZX700, BZX713
Stage 2 – 120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Postgraduate compulsory modules | Credits | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | May 2012 FINAL |
Subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B820, B853, B854, BZX820
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. Please see our Credit Transfer site for details. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules, so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded an MSc in International Finance and Management, entitling you to use the letters MSc Int Fin Mgmt (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Qualification Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Qualification Regulations
- Introduction to the Qualification Regulations
- General Qualification Regulations
- MSc in International Finance and Management
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
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A postgraduate qualification.
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