Accounting

The MSc in Accounting has been designed in consultation with industry to provide candidates with key skills alongside a robust theoretical understanding of accounting.



The programme is ideal for those who are interested in accounting but do not have an accounting-related undergraduate degree, as this programme allows those students to pursue a conversion programme, allowing them to gain professional accountancy body exemptions. By doing so, this programme will fast track successful graduates to becoming professional accountants. Candidates will develop a critical and analytical approach to problem-solving and decision-making in an accounting context and develop the ability to interpret, analyse and communicate financial and other information. The learning environment for the course is practical and applied in nature and on completion graduates will be able to think independently, make informed and effective decisions and critically engage with accounting practices and contemporary accounting issues. Candidates will also gain a broader business viewpoint and develop insights into effective leadership practices, corporate governance and ethics issues, in addition to insight into business intelligence to deepen their understanding of data and data governance, gaining the capacity to use quantitative methods and analytics to make more datainformed decisions.



Professional Recognition

Successful graduates may claim the following professional exemptions:



• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA): Various papers at the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels (9 papers in total).



• Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI): Full CAP 1 exemptions.



• Certified Public Accountants (CPA Ireland); Foundational Level (Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Taxation), Professional Level (Financial Reporting, Advanced Taxation, Corporate Law, Audit & Assurance and Managerial Finance).



Exemption criteria are subject to change, students and graduates should check with the relevant professional bodies for the up-to-date criteria.



Who is the course for?

The course is for those wishing to embark on a career in accountancy.

The MSc in Accounting provides students with critical competencies required by a professional accountant in today’s ever-evolving dynamic environment.



Students are required to undertake 6 core modules (5 credit modules) in Semester 1 and Semester 2. The uniqueness of this programme is that students have a choice of deciding between Pathway A (30 credits research methods and final dissertation) or Pathway B (3 x 10 credit modules).



One of the principal objectives of the programme is that graduates will, on successful completion of the programme, have entitlement exemptions from professional bodies such as ACCA, Chartered Accountants Ireland, CIMA and CPA.



Core Modules (5 Credits each)



• Financial Accounting

• Taxation

• Audit and Assurance

• Company Law

• Financial Management

• Management Accounting

• Financial Reporting

• Advanced Taxation

• Advanced Financial Management

• Performance Management

• Corporate Governance and Ethics

• Business Intelligence



AND a choice of Pathway A or Pathway B



Elective Pathway A

• Research Methods (10 Credits – over 2 semesters)

• Dissertation (20 Credits – Semester 3)



OR



Elective Pathway B

• Critical Perspectives in Accounting (10 Credits – over 2 semesters)

• Effective Leadership in the Organisation (10 Credits – Semester 3)

• Accounting in Practice (10 Credits – Semester 3)



Note that all modules count towards the final award classification.



All elective choices are subject to availability.

Applicants are required to hold a minimum of a level 8 qualification (minimum 2:2 Honours) or equivalent on the National Qualifications Framework in a non-accounting discipline. Cognate degree holders will also be considered (those presenting with a minimum 2:2 Honours level 8 award).



Applications may also be considered under the College’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) policy, and this is likely to be particularly germane to the part-time provision of the course. RPEL will be assessed on the learner’s work experience and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).



Laptop Requirement

All students applying to NCI must have access to a laptop that will allow them to attend classes online and, where relevant, to participate in on-campus learning. Some students may be able to avail of the Student Laptop Loan Scheme, subject to eligibility.

Application: Apply online at www.ncirl.ie

Full-time Schedule



September Starts

1 year taught - 2 semesters (Sep-Dec and Jan-May) 3 additional modules (May-Aug) or a final Dissertation (due in August)



Delivery

On-campus face-to-face classes



Indicative Timetable

Students need to be available 09.00-17.00 Mon – Fri. Full-time students may also be required to attend classes after 5pm. Class days and times vary. All modules will be delivered on campus.

Start Date: September 2025.

Award and Progression

The Master of Science in Accounting is awarded by QQI at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications. This award will allow transfer to level 9 research degrees and in some cases progression to taught doctoral courses at level 10 on the NFQ.