Finance

You will acquire the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as the skills required for a career in the financial services industry - in investment banks, commercial banks, fund management, insurance companies, securitisation and trading houses, stock brokers, and in finance divisions of firms in other industries.

The focus on empirical and theoretical finance research nurtures the desire to conduct independent research beyond completion of the programme, enabling graduates to remain up-to-date with changes in international financial markets.

The MSc in Finance receives special recognition from the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA). As our programme contains at least 70 percent of the CFA body of knowledge, you will benefit from a head start towards the internationally recognised CFA qualification.

The programme can be undertaken on a part-time basis, thus enabling current professionals with the relevant background to combine working life with study, however this is dependent on students’ employment commitments. Note that this is not a dedicated part-time programme and students will be required to attend lectures, tutorials and complete group assignments in conjunction with the full-time cohort, for whom the schedule is primarily during working hours for a block of hours on several days a week. Modules in autumn trimester will be delivered in a compressed format meaning that modules are taught intensively over two 6 week periods, requiring additional attendance at lectures and tutorials. Employer support is therefore essential.

Acquisition of applied theoretical research and the essential practical skills for a future career in financial services. Particular emphasis is placed upon the study of corporate finance and investment markets.

The 1 year full-time and 2 year part-time formats of this course comprise core modules covering many aspects of finance management and capital markets.

Students must complete 10 core modules in the Autumn and Spring Trimesters.

In the Summer Trimester, students must complete 1 core module, plus 1 of 3 pathways as outlined below. In a small number of cases, students may apply for a limited number of possible internships. With any possible internship opportunity students have to go through a competitive recruitment process, including interviews with employers, to be selected. Places on summer modules will be made available for online registration in March.

Autumn Trimester
Capital Markets and Instruments
Derivative Securities
Financial Analysis
Financial Econometrics
Financial Theory
Quantitative Methods for Finance

Spring Trimester
Strategic Finance
Empirical Corporate Finance
Portfolio and Risk Management
Equity Asset Valuation

Summer Trimester
Core Module
Ethics in Financial Services

Choose one pathway:
Pathway A
Banking and Financial Institutions
plus 2 option modules

Financial Technology
Structured Finance
Mergers and Acquisitions

Pathway B
Banking and Financial Institutions
plus
Summer Internship

Pathway C
Research Dissertation

Please be advised that the above reflects the 2023/2024 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change.

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.

An honours bachelors degree in:
a. Business/Commerce to include a number of quantitative subjects such as Economics or Finance
or
b. Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or a Finance-related-area

with a minimum 2.1 award at NFQ Level 8 (or international equivalent) in a. or b. above.

Applicants should have demonstrated strong academic ability (a 1.1 or 2.1) in a number of quantitative modules in their degree, such as mathematics, statistics, or econometrics.

Candidates may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) subject to individual application.

If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.

Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

12 months full-time, 24 months Part-Time.

Fees Full-Time EU:
€18,205 (academic year 2020/2021)

Full-Time Non-EU:
€23,950 (academic year 2020/2021)

Part-Time EU:
€9,105 per year (academic year 2020/2021)

Part-Time Non-EU:
€9,950 per year (academic year 2020/2021)

Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year.

Starting End August 2024

The MSc in Finance from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School gives you the specialised skills and knowledge you need for a career in the financial services sector. 90% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in December 2022.

Potential careers for our graduates include:
Stock Brokerage
Portfolio Management
Corporate Finance Consulting
Investment Banking
Venture Capita
Trading
Regulation
Senior Treasury Analyst