Qualified accountant Ross Beaumont answers questions about his decision to study MSc Accounting and Finance Professional Top Up course online at RGU.

About Me

I qualified as an accountant working in practice in 2011 having completed a globally recognised accounting qualification. I have always been interested in learning new things, and in 2019 I felt that it was time for a new challenge which would not only give me a new qualification beyond my undergraduate degrees, but would also give me credit for my previous accounting studies.  

Why did you choose the MSc Accounting and Finance Top Up at Robert Gordon University? 

The main reason I chose MSc Accounting and Finance Professional Top Up offered by RGU was the convenience that the structure of the programme offered. The fact that the programme was delivered 100% online was a real attraction as I could fit this around working full time and helping to raise a young family. I particularly liked the fact that the programme was centred around the creation of a single written submission which would focus on an accounting topic of specific interest to me. This contrasted with other top-up master’s degree programmes offered by other institutions which required learners to complete a number of modules on accounting subjects, often tested by examinations, less relevant to my interests and role at work. I enjoy writing and researching subjects in greater depth and felt that the essay route offered by the RGU top-up was a great fit. 

How did you find studying with RGU given that the top-up master’s in accounting and finance is delivered 100% virtually? 

As I live and work in southern England travelling to Aberdeen for taught face-to-face sessions would have not been viable. Therefore, the ability to study with a globally focussed, reputable university online suited my needs. The RGU CampusMoodle site which all learners get access to was really easy to navigate and contained all the information and resources that I needed to get started once enrolled. The initial sessions with the lecturers were delivered live online for those able to attend, but for those like me that couldn’t make these sessions these were recorded and could therefore be watched later. A great feature of CampusMoodle is that you can interact with lecturers and other learners by posting questions and comments on the virtual forums. I regularly made use of the links via the CampusMoodle site to RGU’s library webpages which provided extensive databases of virtual articles and publications which could be accessed from the comfort of my home.  

While the accounting and finance CampusMoodle site is great, I found that the real benefit of studying virtually with RGU came from the fact that I (along with every other learner) was assigned a designated supervisor to support me on my study journey. The guidance and support that I received from my supervisor was exceptional.     

Would you recommend the Top Up master’s degree in accounting and finance to others?  

In a word, yes. In my opinion the ability to study a topic of my choosing and to gain a master’s degree from such a well-recognised and progressive university in only 9 months says it all really. 

Ross Beaumont

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Our MSc Accounting and Finance Professional Top Up degree is designed for individuals who hold a Professional Accounting qualification from a recognised Accounting Body such as ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS or other member of the GAA. The 9-month course consists of one module – Capstone – which will provide you with an opportunity to integrate master’s level knowledge and skills by independently working on a dissertation or business consultancy project within a degree related discipline.

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