Master of Professional Accounting
MPA
Duration
15–17 months full-time
Entry times
January or October
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Duration
15–17 months full-time
Entry times
January or October
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Overview
The Master of Professional Accounting is a conversion taught master's qualification that provides graduates with the skills, knowledge, and competencies to be a highly effective accountant in both domestic and international organisations. Through applied research, students will gain an understanding of the theoretical considerations facing the Accounting profession, while developing the confidence to challenge existing practices, and develop innovative new ways to solve issues in the field.
The qualification is aligned with professional accounting bodies in the industry (such as the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), Certified Practicing Accountants Australia (CPA Australia), and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)), allowing graduates to gain provisional membership.
The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) is also part of the Executive Development Programmes, providing opportunitues to pursue new career pathway options. Candidates with a background in any discipline may apply and no prior experience in Commerce or Accounting is required.
The UC Business School | Te Kura Umanga is placed within the top five per cent of business schools worldwide through its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). UC ranks in the top 150 universities in the world for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018).
The Master of Professional Accounting graduate:
- Demonstrates in-depth knowledge and understanding of current theoretical concepts, frameworks, and industry practice within the fields of accounting and business.
- Thinks logically, analytically, and critically with respect to the academic literature and professional journals within the field of accounting and business.
- Plans and carries out independent research that demonstrates critical awareness of issues and challenges in the fields of accounting and business.
- Synthesises academic and professional information and effectively communicates findings to a range of audiences in different ways.
Normally the minimum requirement is a three-year bachelor’s degree from an Aotearoa New Zealand university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to make sure they are of an equivalent standard.
You are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
Specific entry requirements
A degree with at least a B grade average in 300-level courses is required. Candidates must be approved by the Dean of Business, who will take account of the relevance and standard of previous studies and experience.
For the full entry requirements see the Regulations for the Master of Professional Accounting or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
The programme has intakes in January and October.
A special application is required. It is essential that all applicants discuss their application with the MPA Programme Coordinator before completing the application form. See the MPA application process for details of entry requirements, application forms, and start dates.
Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.
The MPA programme consists of 14 courses taught over five terms, in ten-week blocks. The first 13 courses must be completed to an overall B grade average in order to move on to the capstone Research Project (MBAZ 680 Research Project) or Internship course (MBAZ 681 Internship).
The MPA is a 240-point qualification which can be completed in 15–17 months of full-time study, or up to 4 years part-time.
The MPA consists of 13 courses (195 points) from the list of options, followed by one of the capstone courses in either research or an internship (45 points).
Choose 13 courses (15 points each) from the following:
- MBAZ 601 Managerial Accounting
- MBAZ 602 Business Economics
- MBAZ 603 Managerial Finance
- MBAZ 604 Business Research Methods
- MBAZ 605 Business Law
- MBIS 601 Management of Information Systems
- MPAC 601 Professional Accounting Principles
- MPAC 602 Advanced Professional Accounting Principles
- MPAC 603 Advanced Management Accounting
- MPAC 604 Advanced Financial Accounting
- MPAC 605 Taxation
- MPAC 606 Management
- MPAC 607 Information Systems
- MPAC 608 Auditing
And choose one of the following capstone courses (45 points each):
See the Master of Professional Accounting Schedule for the full list of course options and requirements.
Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement, and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
- Our Careers, Internships & Employment team can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit the Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2019 | 240 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $19,090 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2019 | 240 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $50,000 |
Contact us
For full requirements see the Regulations for the Master of Professional Accounting.
For study planning help contact the Executive Development Programmes team or the College of Business and Law:
College of Business and Law | Te Rāngai Umanga me te Ture
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 369 3300
Email executivedevelopment@canterbury.ac.nz