An individual research dissertation of 15,000 words (plus/minus 1000 words, exclusive of appendices of no more than 10% of the wordage of the document or 10 pages, which is the greater and at no less than 12pt size text except where impracticable).

The module facilitates the exploration and critical review of a substantial individual research enquiry within the field of Accounting and Finance. It demonstrates individual knowledge, skills and competency development - offering experience of producing a competent research based piece of work including some empirical work. The module facilitates the exploration and critical review of a substantial individual research enquiry within the field of Accounting and Finance. It demonstrates individual knowledge, skills and competency development - offering experience of producing a competent research based piece of work.

The module comprises supervision.

The majority of the module is conducted through independent learning and reference to an assigned supervisor, who will convene at mutually agreed intervals. Communication between both parties can be, if agreeable, through face-to-face, e-mail and telephone.

Library Text and Electronic Resources.
Computer with internet connection and appropriate software.

It is a special condition that to register on this Dissertation module, candidates must have studied the postgraduate 'Business Research Methods' module.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A., 2007, Research Methods for Business Students, London, FT Prentice-Hall.

Other assigned contemporary text deemed appropriate dependent on the focus of the student’s dissertation research.

In the third and final semester of your MSc Course you select a suitable topic for your research based dissertation. Topics will be wide ranging drawing on different aspects of accounting/finance but all aiming to address a specific challenge or problem within the area of your study. Ideally, they should involve external sponsorship to facilitate and support data collection and independent study and hence aim to generate robust conclusions and recommendations with real benefit and added value. The process of choosing a topic might start very early on in consultation with your tutor/ potential supervisor. The assessment requires a 15,000-word Dissertation submission.