Accounting - Advanced

This popular vocational programme is designed to meet the needs of accounting graduates with CAP1 exemptions who wish to pursue a career as an Irish Chartered Accountant. It is an academically challenging programme which attracts high calibre accounting graduates. It allows students to combine a postgraduate master's qualification with study for professional examinations.

Year one

International Corporate Reporting

Audit, Assurance and Professional Ethics

Strategic Financial Management

Advanced Tax Planning

International Group Reporting

Advanced Taxation

Strategic Management Accounting

Research Methods for Accounting



Optional:

Dissertation

Data Analytics for Business Decisions

Entrants will normally possess a good second class Honours degree (currently 2.1) in an accounting discipline and must also be exempt from all CAP1 subjectsof Chartered Accountants Ireland.



Students who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (currently with commendation) and gained full CAP1 exemptions are also invited to apply. English language competence: minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent.



Prior to admission to this course, students must provide the University with a certificate of exemption from Chartered Accountants Ireland. Exemption Application Forms are available at www.charteredaccountants.ie and the deadline for applications is 31 July.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

This programme grants successful graduates exemptions from all CAP 2 level subjects of Chartered Accountants Ireland permits students to progress directly to the final admitting examinations (FAE) of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

Over the course of one academic year, lectures and seminars are scheduled during the University working day, and typically spread over three/four days per week during each semester. Typically 15-18 contact hours per week with the remainder of the time allocated to independent study.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

Employment prospects for students completing this programme are excellent, with most students securing training contracts with Chartered Accountancy firms. The programme is highly regarded by employers, with many of the large and medium sized chartered accountancy firms sponsoring students on the programme.



On successful completion of the programme, students not only gain a postgraduate qualification but also full CAP2 exemptions. With high pass rates, students only have to complete the final FAE examinations in order to qualify as a Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Ireland.



The goal of the programme is to produce high-calibre graduates who will progress quickly through their professional training and advance to senior management positions within the accountancy profession.



Career opportunities for Chartered Accountants have never been better. Typically, two thirds of CAI members work in industry, business or finance. Many leading companies in Ireland have a Chartered Accountant as their Financial Director or Chief Executive. A third of members typically work in practice. International recognition brings global mobility for CAI members with over 3,500 members working outside Ireland (e.g. Australia, USA, Canada, Caribbean).