Master's Programme in Accounting and Financial Management – Strategic Management Control

In the Master's Programme in Accounting and Financial Management, specialising in Strategic Management Control, you will gain the skills you need to meet the growing demand for controllers, chief financial officers and consultants who can help organisations effectively manage their resources. This specialisation will prepare you for a successful career in the field, whether you pursue work in the private or public sector, start your own business or continue your academic pursuits.

Expand the information below to show details on entry requirements, programme-specific documents, selection criteria and tuition fees.

Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English

Location

Uppsala

Pace of study

100%

Teaching form

On-campus

Instructional time

Daytime

Start date

2 September 2024

Language of instruction

English

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Also required is 90 credits in business studies and 15 credits in statistics.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Selection

Students are selected based on:

GMAT score
Higher education credits (maximum 285 credits)

Students with a GMAT score have priority.

Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.

Fees

If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First tuition fee instalment: SEK 50,000
Total tuition fee: SEK 200,000

Autumn 2025 Autumn 2025, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English

Location

Uppsala

Pace of study

100%

Teaching form

On-campus

Instructional time

Daytime

Start date

1 September 2025

Language of instruction

English

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Also required is 90 credits in business studies and 15 credits in statistics.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Selection

Students are selected based on:

GMAT score
Higher education credits (maximum 285 credits)

Students with a GMAT score have priority.

Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.

Fees

If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First tuition fee instalment: SEK 50,000
Total tuition fee: SEK 200,000

About the programme

The Strategic Management Control specialisation is designed for those who plan to work or do research in the fields of management and controlling. You will study and analyse both the financial system and its organisational context, that is how to design and use management control systems to formulate and implement strategies.

Programme benefits include:

a cutting-edge approach to digitisation and other management control topics,
Uppsala University's collaboration with the Swedish Research School of Management and IT,
an optional internship and the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities.

The specialisation is run by the Department of Business Studies, home to leading researchers in the areas of corporate entrepreneurship, industrial marketing, institutional analysis, and international business. Furthermore, in the Department leading research is conducted in accounting, financing and strategic management control. The programme offers a curriculum that emphasises both practical training and a deep theoretical foundation. Courses have a varied instructional approach, including student-led discussions and teaching from faculty members who are experts in the field. You will also benefit from Sweden's stellar reputation for social responsibility.

Student profile

You have an interest in strategic business issues related to financial analysis and management. You thrive in an international environment with representatives from different academic, cultural and professional backgrounds.

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics (120 credits) with Business Studies as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Science in Business and Economics (60 credits).

Content

The programme follows a fixed study route, which means that the courses must be taken in the prescribed order.

Year 1

During your first and second semester, you will take courses with all the students in the Master's programme, covering business strategies, accounting theory, scientific methods and more, as well as courses specific to your Strategic Management Control specialisation. Course topics include controlling, financial management philosophies, and change management within organisations. If you choose to finish your studies after one year, you will instead complete a 15-credit Master's thesis.

Year 2

In your third semester, you will choose elective courses at Uppsala University, take exchange studies at one of our partner universities outside Sweden, or do an internship at an organisation in your field.

You will spend the fourth and final semester writing your 30-credit Master's thesis. It is an in-depth study on a topic in the field of management control.

Courses within the programme

First semester

Strategy and contemporary issues, 15 credits
Accounting theory, 7.5 credits
Scientific methods in business research, 7.5 credits

Second semester

Financial statement analysis, 7.5 credits
The role and techniques of a controller/CFO, 7.5 credits
Management control philosophies, 7.5 credits
Leading and controlling organisational change, 7.5 credits

Third semester

Elective courses/Internship/International Exchange, 30 credits

Fourth semester

Master's thesis, 30 credits

Learning experience

You will benefit from a range of teaching methods designed to immerse you in the field of management control, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, and study groups. You will also learn from guest lecturers who are active innovators in their fields, and have the opportunity to lead your own discussions and seminars for a wider audience. The scheduled teaching only takes a small part of the weeks, which means you need to study a lot on your own outside the classroom and take responsibility for your own learning.

The programme is offered in Uppsala and all courses are taught in English.

Career

The Strategic Management Control specialisation prepares you for a variety of roles in the field of organisational development - including controller, chief financial officer (CFO) and management consultant. Knowledge of the link between management control and organisational development is important to facilitate business development. You may choose to work in the private or public sector in the international job market or become an entrepreneur. The programme also lays a good foundation for further research studies.

The companies and organisations where our alumni have found employment include, for example:

KPMG,
PwC,
Nordea,
Swedbank,
Nordnet Bank AB,
Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority,
Vattenfall,
Novacura,
Samsung Electronics AB,
Swedish Transport Administration.

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.