The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and Heriot-Watt University (HWU) have launched a new master’s programme intended as a more direct route into the chartered accountancy profession.

The MA (Hons) in Professional Accountancy will be delivered by HWU’s Edinburgh Business School.

It integrates professional training into the academic syllabus, which ICAS and HWU said “fast-tracks” students into the profession.

Teaching is set to begin in September 2026.

The course will run at HWU’s campuses in Edinburgh and Dubai.

Graduates of the four-year degree will receive exemptions from the first two levels of ICAS’ chartered accountant (CA) qualification: Knowledge and Skills.

ICAS said this is the first time it has granted exemptions from the Skills level, allowing students to move directly to the final stage, Integration.

ICAS and HWU said the structure would leave more of the three-year ICAS training contract available for practical workplace experience, while reducing training costs for employers.

The syllabus combines technical accounting with “forward-looking” themes including ethics and technology.

Students will also be able to gain international study experience through HWU’s Go Global transfer programme, which allows a semester or a year in Scotland, the UAE or Malaysia through the university’s inter-campus model.

ICAS CEO Gail Boag said: “The flexibility of our revamped CA syllabus has enabled ICAS to work with Heriot-Watt on a programme that makes our qualification more accessible and adaptable than ever before.”

Edinburgh Business School executive dean Angus Laing commented: “This programme supports our students to pursue a strong academic foundation, professional recognition and practical excellence in professional accountancy.

“Through innovative collaboration and international reach, we are empowering the next generation of accountants to build impactful, globally connected careers and to shape the future of the profession.”