In recent years, the MSc Finance and Investment (Professional Accounting) programme (MPA) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China has achieved an exceptionally high employment rate among its graduates. We recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Song Huimin, the programme director, to gain insight into the factors contributing to this success.
"The distinguishing feature of our programme is the enrichment of the learning journey with internships, immersing students in both real-world and classroom learning environments," said Dr. Song.
This full-time two-year postgraduate degree aims to foster expertise in accountancy, finance, and management, with specialized modules in corporate finance and strategic business management.
Explaining the programme's philosophy, Dr. Song emphasized educational innovation, evident in the curriculum's design that seamlessly incorporates workplace experiences.
"We uphold a robust global orientation, aligning the content with international standards while maintaining strong ties to British, Chinese and international accounting qualifications. Meanwhile, through programme reviews, we ensure that the curriculum is not overly UK-focused when such a focus is not relevant," added Dr. Song.
The MPA programme prepares students for careers as corporate finance and accounting professionals, with the potential to ascend to senior executive positions. Notably, partnerships with leading accounting firms significantly enhance students' learning experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of concepts and their practical applications in real-life business contexts.
With the programme currently enjoying its highest enrollment and employment figures, Dr. Song's goal is to sustain this level of stability while actively seeking opportunities for continued improvement.
"We plan to collaborate with more accounting firms offering internships. Additionally, we are committed to offering support and resources to faculty members interested in enhancing their pedagogical approaches, which may include promoting case-based learning within the classroom," stated Dr. Song.