Master of Professional Accounting (Extension)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 2 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 8415
- CRICOS code 055635K
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $40,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $82,000*
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $59,500*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $124,000*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
-
CPA Australia Specialisation
-
Internship opportunities
-
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- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & scholarships
Overview
Benefit from the best an MPA has to offer in foundational Accounting knowledge, alongside the option to enrol in the CPA Program through our combined specialisation with CPA Australia.
The Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) follows the core structure of the Master of Professional Accounting as well as the option to take additional electives or CPA Program subjects. This provides you with the opportunity to complete additional electives to align with your interest or undertake the CPA Program, meaning you can graduate having completed the educational component of the CPA Program as well as with a Master of Professional Accounting.
You'll gain a strong foundation in business with a clear accounting focus. In this postgraduate degree, you'll learn accounting principles, their applications and other relevant knowledge in economics, finance, information systems and law
Within our new combined specialisation with CPA Australia you’ll receive additional support to undertake the CPA Program, meaning you graduate with all the educational requirements of a CPA that employers are looking for. With our close ties to industry, our fingers are on the pulse of graduate knowledge and skill requirements when it comes to getting a job.
Key features
The freedom of choice
You'll have the freedom to choose either CPA program subjects or degree electives that are relevant to your interests and career aspirations. If you choose to study degree electives we offer over 20 electives including Business Risk Management, Managing Agile Organisations and Reporting for Climate Change and Sustainability.
Here to help
Benefit from extra support when completing the CPA Program, with the guidance of a UNSW academic or tutor. UNSW supports you to excel in your CPA Program exams by teaching the CPA Program material, instead of self-learning.
Core knowledge is a cornerstone of this degree
Build your specialist knowledge to work as a professional accountant by studying core courses including Strategic Management Accounting, Advanced Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance.
Combine Business and Sustainability
UNSW is always updating our degrees to ensure our education is up to the minute and relevant. You can now study a new course, Sustainable Management Accounting with a sustainability and analytics focus embedded into the degree. Take part in the UNSW Tax clinic - a clinic that provides a free taxation advice to disadvantaged members of the community.
Why study at UNSW?
We deliver excellence in student outcomes and teaching. We're ranked #1 in Australia and #22 globally for accounting and finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). You’ll be studying at a Group of Eight institutions, known for outstanding educational experiences.
We are ranked Australia's #1 Business School (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Boss, 2024). That means our business education leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation. In this degree, you can translate learning into workplace experiences to gain on-the-job experience and industry connections while you’re still studying.
Our strong industry connections ensure the knowledge, skills, and experience you gain will be relevant and in-demand. Alongside a rigorous education, you'll grow professionally and socially through Career Accelerator networking, mentoring and internship opportunities and diverse student-led societies.
You’ll have access to world-class researchers and academics, including sessional academics who work in industry and also teach. This degree is academically rigorous, you’ll be learning the best from the best. You’ll join a bright but welcoming community with Master of Professional Accounting students making up a large part of the student body at UNSW Business School.
The most up-to-date accounting technology will be used in your degree, so you’ll be ready to work anywhere in the world after completing your combined specialisation with CPA Australia and receiving a globally recognised accounting accreditation.
Fast-track your education and accreditation to leap into professional accounting. The shortened total study time (degree plus the CPA Program) will allow you to become fully accredited earlier and start working sooner.
Who should choose this degree?
Graduates with minimal prior exposure to accounting who are seeking an enhanced career as an accountant choose this degree.
Want to see more from UNSW Business School?
Entry requirements
Recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have prior studies at Bachelors' level or higher that are relevant to Accounting, you may be eligible for credit that would allow you to take fewer subjects. A maximum of four courses, or 24 Units of Credit (UoC) may be awarded on the basis of complete Bachelor's level study and not all courses may be eligible for credit. You'll be notified of any awarded credits in your official letter of offer.
Recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator.
International Students studying the Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) with CPA Australia should note they are responsible for remaining compliant with visa requirements. This means you must follow the Study Sequence for International Students.
Note: This degree is designed for graduates with no or limited accounting studies. If you have studied a Bachelor of Accounting or completed an Accounting major, you are not advised to apply and enrol into this degree.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have prior studies at Bachelors' level or higher that are relevant to Accounting, you may be eligible for credit that would allow you to take fewer subjects. A maximum of four courses, or 24 Units of Credit (UoC) may be awarded on the basis of complete Bachelor's level study and not all courses may be eligible for credit. You'll be notified of any awarded credits in your official letter of offer.
What will I study?
Program structure
This degree extends the structure of the Master of Professional Accounting by allowing you to complete a more comprehensive program beyond the core professional knowledge areas required to complete the CPA Program. You can choose to study advanced resource management or the expanding role of the accountant in a dynamic global environment.
You’ll learn Business thinking on a global scale as well as problem-solving, business communication and responsible business practice keeping up to date with the expectations of accounting professionals in today’s professional landscape.
The degree is made up of compulsory courses including:
- Financial Accounting
- Corporate Accounting and Regulation
- Corporate Finance
- Business and Company Law
- Accounting Information Systems
Students have the choice to undertake our CPA Pathway specialisation or additional electives including:
- Business Analysis and Valuation
- Business Risk Management
- Managing Agile Organisations
- Reporting for climate change and sustainability
- Business for Social Impact
- Industry Experience Program
- UNSW Tax and Business Advisory Clinic
- Taxation Law
Combined specialisation with CPA Australia
In this pathway you’ll benefit from UNSW academics teaching CPA Program subjects, which leads to you graduating having completed the educational component of the CPA Program. This specialisation is available for domestic students across Term 1, 2 or 3. International students may only enrol in this specialisation in Term 1 or 2. Please note, additional fees payable to CPA Australia are required for CPA Program exams.
Future careers
UNSW Business School's Career Accelerator portfolio offers students exclusive access to a suite of for-credit, co-curricular and business experience opportunities to kick start your career.
Accreditation
Meets the educational requirements of accounting bodies including CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), ACCA (Accounting) and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
Potential careers
- Auditor
- Business Risk Manager
- Chief Financial Officer
- Financial Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Insolvency and Reconstruction Specialist
- Management Consultant* Treasurer
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Please note, international students may only enrol in the CPA Australia specialisation of this program in Term 1 or 2.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
CPA Program fees
Students planning on undertaking the combined masters with CPA Australia will need to pay the CPA Australia membership fees and the CPA Program subject enrolment fees that cover exams and course materials.
In addition to the program fee, students must also enrol and pay for CPA Australia exams and membership. Students applying to CPA Australia for associate (ASA) membership will be liable for the following fees:
2023 Application fee: $200
First-year membership: Associate (full year): $355
First-year membership: Associate (half year): $177.50 *only relevant for students who commence their studies in term 2
Total: $555 (full year) $377.50 (half year)
In the following years, ASAs will pay an annual membership fee of $355. This annual fee pricing relates to 2023 only. Pricing for 2024 is not currently available.
Students will also be liable to pay CPA Australia subject enrolment fees which includes the cost of the examination and study resources. The subject enrolment fee is $1420, however we would encourage students to enrol during the early bird time period to receive a reduced enrolment fee of $1260.
For more information, visit CPA Australia fees.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
CPA Program fees
Students planning on undertaking the combined masters with CPA Australia will need to pay the CPA Australia membership fees and the CPA Program subject enrolment fees that cover exams and course materials.
In addition to the program fee, students must also enrol and pay for CPA Australia exams and membership. Students applying to CPA Australia for associate (ASA) membership will be liable for the following fees:
2023 Application fee: $200
First-year membership: Associate (full year): $355
First-year membership: Associate (half year): $177.50 *only relevant for students who commence their studies in term 2
Total: $555 (full year) $377.50 (half year)
In the following years, ASAs will pay an annual membership fee of $355. This annual fee pricing relates to 2023 only. Pricing for 2024 is not currently available.
Students will also be liable to pay CPA Australia subject enrolment fees which includes the cost of the examination and study resources. The subject enrolment fee is $1420, however we would encourage students to enrol during the early bird time period to receive a reduced enrolment fee of $1260.
For more information, visit CPA Australia fees.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025
Crunchbase venture capital start-up data, 2021
The learning culture at UNSW, which challenges the status quo, helped set me apart from others.
