The world’s first integrated MSc in Professional Accountancy is being made available in Pakistan thanks to a partnership between the University of London and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).  

For the first time, this ground-breaking programme, delivered by two world-leading institutions, will allow students to study for the MSc in Professional Accountancy at the same time as taking their professional accountancy qualification with the ACCA.

Students the world over, including  Pakistan, will make use of online learning resources, including a comprehensive set of readings, multimedia content, formative assessments and learning activities. Students will have the choice to either benefit from face-to face tutorials at a local teaching institutions in Pakistan, or through the University of London’s online tutors.

A number of teaching institutions in Pakistan are currently lined up to offer support to students on the MSc in Professional Accountancy (see notes for editors).

The launch event for the programme took place on Thursday 28^th April at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad and was attended by people from the business and finance sectors.  

Speaking at the event, Dr Mary Stiasny OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of London and Chief Executive of the International Programmes said: ‘For students, the benefits of studying this integrated MSc are evident. It is undeniable that an association with two world-leading organisations is hugely attractive to potential employers, and therefore this combined academic and professional perspective gives students an invaluable edge in today’s highly competitive job market.’ 

She added: ‘The flexible structure of the course has been jointly designed by the University of London and the ACCA, to ensure that students can fit their studies around work, family and personal commitments. This flexibility will be of special use to students who take this integrated MSc, as it will encourage them to use their academic work to inform their practise, and of course their practise to inform their academic learning.’

Dr Mary Bishop, Director of Learning for ACCA, also spoke at the launch event in Islamabad. She said: ‘Employability is at the heart of the ACCA Qualification. This partnership brings together high quality professional education and high quality academic provision. The integrated approach is innovative, ground breaking, and the blend of delivery is flexible.  Providing a really innovative, new opportunity for ACCA students, affiliates, and members. I really look forward to developing this offering with UOL partners here in Pakistan.’

- Ends-

Notes to Editors

To arrange interviews in advance, please contact:  Binda Rai, Head of Corporate Affairs, University of London International Programmes; binda.rai@london.ac.uk or 07920 476483

The University of London

·         The University of London was established in 1836 by Royal Charter and its  27 autonomous independent member institutions, including the LSE, UCL and Kings College, are recognised globally, in their own right, as world leaders in higher education.

·         The University of London International Programmes has responsibility for over 50,000 international students studying inter-collegiate programmes in over 180 countries.

·         It is the world’s oldest provider of academic awards through distance and flexible learning, dating back to 1858, when the University of London was awarded its Fourth Royal Charter by Queen Victoria. http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/

·         In 1858 Charles Dickens described the University of London as ‘The People’s University’ when its fourth Royal Charter extended access to degrees to those who could not come to London to study.

·         Today, students of the University of London International Programmes study from a suite of 100+ academic programmes, with some taking the award through self-study or through support from local teaching institutions.

·         Below is a table of the seven teaching institutions in Pakistan delivering the MSC in Public Accountancy, in partnership with the University of London and the ACCA. These institutions are connected to the University of London through its Teaching Institutions Recognition Framework. Institutions are awarded either Register or Affiliate centre status, depending on their levels of compliance with the University of London’s rigorous academic and pastoral standards. Institutions that are in the process of joining this framework are catagorised as Candidate centres.

·         Further information about the University of London is available at http://www.london.ac.uk/

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. It offers business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 178,000 members and 455,000 students in 181 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 95 offices and centres and more than 7,110 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. It believes that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development and seek to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards. ACCA’s core values are aligned to the needs of employers in all sectors and it ensures that through its range of qualifications, it prepares accountants for business. ACCA seeks to open up the profession to people of all backgrounds and remove artificial barriers, innovating its qualifications and delivery to meet the diverse needs of trainee professionals and their employers. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com