From 2025 the programme is replaced with Master's programme in Accounting and Auditing.
The programme is suitable for you who are aiming to pursue a career in accounting and auditing. You learn to understand companies and to use financial information to develop their operations. You also get a good understanding of the rules and standards governing the conduct of accounting and auditing. Sustainability and internationalization is an integral part of the educational environment.
From 2025 the programme is replaced with Master's programme in Accounting and Auditing.
The programme is offered by the AACSB accredited Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics.
"I like the fact that there are many real life cases for the students to work with"
The first year the focus is partly on developing the knowledge in accounting and partly on broadening the knowledge through the choice of elective courses. During the first semester the focus is on developing the knowledge in accounting and the teaching covers financial statement analysis, valuation, performance measurement, the financial reporting in publicly traded companies and auditing. A solid theoretical and practical foundation in auditing is provided.
The teaching focuses on international financial reporting and auditing standards meaning it is relevant for international students. Ethical issues and sustainability issues, relevant for decision making and reporting, are also stressed at the program.
You also have the opportunity to choose elective courses among which internship is one.
During the second year you are given the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in one other area in the field of business administration. This year also includes a research method module and a module in current trends in business administration research. You will develop your writing, analysis and research skills through writing a master's thesis. During this year it is also possible to study abroad one semester.
Within Accounting, we have a broad interest in auditing. Our auditing research focuses, for example, on audit quality, audit teams, auditors’ going concern reporting and audit fees. We also do sustainability research, financial reporting research and research about intangibles in firms.
Read about some of our researchers in Accounting
In our programmes and courses we focus on competencies that are needed for your future professional life.
You have the opportunity to do an internship for ten weeks in Sweden or abroad. This possibility is only available at a few business schools in the country. The internship gives you a good opportunity to put theoretical knowledge and experience into practice and show off your skills to potential employers. You will arrange your internship yourself in a company you find interesting. This way you are able to find an internship position that meets your expectations and provides more opportunities for you to use the internship as an entry to the labour market.
Studying abroad is not only fun and challenging for you as a student but also a welcomed experience with future employers. Internationalization is an important area for us and we are working continuously to offer you as a student many opportunities for an adventure in Europe or further away on another continent. In our programmes you therefore have the opportunity for studies abroad for a semester or two.
We have about 60 partner universities, mainly in Europe, but also in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and China - all of them selected especially for our students. Students who would like to study farther away can avail themselves of Umeå University's university-wide agreements in North America, Oceania, and Asia.
Read more about studies abroad
Sustainability get a whole lot bigger attention in today's firms and organizations and we lifted these questions up early in our educational programmes. Together with our students are we working for a more sustainable business school and to revise the courses to improve the education about, and for, sustainable development at the program. Our work on sustainability takes as a starting point the 17 sustainable development goals and Agenda 2030.
We are certified by the environmental management system ISO 14001 and we are members of the international networks GBSN, PRME and SDSN.
Read more about our work on sustainability
The business school collaborates in many different ways with companies and organizations. For example internships, guest lectures, company visits, guest lectures, essay assignments and cases from companies.
As a student you might perhaps do an internship with one of our corporate partners. Professionals outside the university are invited as guest lecturers and teachers. Our researchers will in turn contribute with new knowledge to society. A group of advisors consisting of corporate and community representatives are also linked to the business school and they contribute with their knowledge and experience.
You are eligible for doctoral studies after the two years programme with a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits). You are also eligible for doctoral studies if you chose to end the programme already after one year with a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits).
Semester 1
Accounting Auditing and Control D, 30 cr.
Semester 2
Alternative A. Elective courses 30 cr. Alternative B. Elective courses 15 cr. and Master's thesis in Business Administration I 15 cr.
Semester 3
Current trends and a minor in Management/Finance/Marketing/Business Development 30 cr.
Semester 4
Alternative A: Master's thesis in Business Administration III 30 cr. Alternativ B: Elective course 15 cr. and Master's thesis in Business Administration II 15 cr.
For a more detailed overview see flow chart.
The programme is suitable especially for you who are planning to work at public accounting firms or companies´ accounting departments. The programme's international character provides good opportunities for a career abroad. The programme gives you eligibility to apply for PhD positions.
"Try to get work experience during your studies! It is possible to do advanced internship during a semester that is rewarded with 15 study points"
"As a Ph.D. candidate, I need to focus on my research area and write for publications"
"I frequently use my Finance /Accounting knowledge for my everyday tasks in my job as a Sustainability controller"
"I was offered the possibility to carry out my studies in a foreign country and I thought USBE suited me perfectly"
The programme leads to a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits), Major: Business Administration, Specialisation: Accounting.
It is also possible to end the programme after one year with a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits), Major: Business Administration, Specialisation: Accounting.
Both degrees are on advanced level.
What are the language skills required?
Students are required to have proficiency in English equivalent to English course B/6 from Swedish upper Secondary School (high school). Proficiency in English can be proven by test scores from a number of internationally recognised tests.
What selection criteria is used?
The first selection criteria is the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) result. You need to indicate Umeå University to mba.com and also upload a copy of the result to universityadmissions.se If you have no GMAT result you are still eligible to apply for the program but will be ranked after applicants with a GMAT result and according to the number of academic credits you have.
Are there any tuition fees?
Citizens outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland will have to pay application fee and tuition fee.
Can I get any scholarships?
Yes some scholarships are offered by the Swedish Institute and some by Umeå University.
Do I need to send in CV, Motivation letter or Recommendation letters?
No, none of those documents are required. If you send them anyway they will not be considered.
Which electives are offered for the 2nd semester at the program?
During the elective term you can study any subject at any level as long as it is university level courses. You also have to meet the eligibility requirements of the course.
You are however only guaranteed a seat at courses given full-time on campus in the following subjects: Business Administration, Economics, Statistics, Law and Economic History.
Programs and courses at the Department of Business Administration
All courses available in English at Umeå University
Check the type of studies (full-time for a guaranteed seat) and eligibility requirements.
Manager of the programme is Tobias Svanström.
