Accounting

Course Outline

This one-year full-time course offers a postgraduate route to a career in professional accounting. It offers you the chance to complete much of the study and examination requirements involved in qualifying as an accountant. Upon successful completion of all requirements of the course, you will gain full exemption from all but the Final Admitting Examination (FAE) of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).



The course offers more than exemptions. As well as intensive tuition in the core technical materials assessed in the professional examinations, you will gain exposure to the emerging contemporary issues in accounting and finance that will shape your working environment and the future economy. Personal competencies and skills in commercial judgment are also developed to give you a competitive edge as you embark on your career in accounting. In addition, MAcc graduates qualify for exemption from all papers in part 1 of the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.



Students take a total of 90 credits. Part I consists of taught modules to the value of 60 credits. Part II consists of 30 credits devoted to the development of independent research skills relevant to the work of a modern professional accountant in practice, industry and financial services.

Modules ~ Part I

AC6200 Financial Reporting for Groups (5 credits)

AC6210 Management Accounting 1 (5 credits)

AC6211 Management Accounting 2 (5 credits)

AC6212 Corporate Finance 1 (5 credits)

AC6213 Corporate Finance 2 (5 credits)

AC6214 Auditing, Assurance, and Professional Ethics (5 credits)

AC6215 Advanced Auditing and Assurance (5 credits)

AC6216 Advanced Taxation 1 (5 credits)

AC6217 Advanced Taxation 2 (5 credits)

AC6218 International Financial Reporting 1 (5 credits)

AC6219 International Financial Reporting 2 (5 credits)

IS6210 Analytics for Accountants (5 credits)



Part II

AC6220 Accounting Research Report (30 credits)



Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting - NFQ Level 9, Major Award



Students who successfully achieve the pass standard in Part I may opt not to proceed to Part II and may opt instead to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting.

Requirements

Applicants must have:

at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) with a significant accounting specialisation and expect to qualify for exemption from the CA Proficiency 1 examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).



Applicants who do not meet the exemption requirement in full by the registration date may only be admitted in exceptional circumstances following approval by the Programme Board and the School of Business.



Applicants who meet the requirement in full, with the exception of CAP 1 Taxation, may be admitted but must fulfil the Taxation requirement by taking specific elective modules during the programme.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.



- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 year full-time.

Start Date: 8th September 2025.

Skills and Careers Information

- The accounting profession is the largest single employer of graduates in Ireland

- An accounting qualification is a primary entry route to senior roles in general management

- Opportunities in the financial services sector internationally have provided a demand for accountants qualifying in Ireland far in excess of the requirements of professional practice alone

- Irish-qualified accountants are in demand to fill varied roles worldwide