Finance

Suitable for graduates with an educational track record in business, economics, finance or any degree with a significant quantitative element, this programme is a top 50 ranked programme by the Financial Times (FT).

This programme is designed to give you advanced specialist knowledge and a practical understanding of finance theory and practice relevant to the financial services industry.

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 that 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.

What will I learn?
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.

A wide-ranging curriculum develops and tests graduates comprehension of management principles, market operations and functions, and the risks inherent in investment management, enabling them to comprehend the entire management and strategic contexts in which financial decision-making is taken.

A firm grasp of financial processes and procedures as well as the knowledge and skills (both professional and personal) necessary for a career in financial services, from investment and commercial banks through to insurance companies and trading houses and stock brokerage.

In the summer term, a choice from a range of summer term modules, or a dedicated research project.

A limited Summer Internship Programme is also offered.

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

To complete the programme, students must complete twelve core modules. In the summer term students can complete a research project, two option modules or in a small number of cases, 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.

Autumn Trimester

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

Spring Trimester

Banking and Financial Institutions
Empirical Corporate Finance
Portfolio and Risk Management
Equity Asset Valuation

Summer Trimester
Ethics in Financial Services

Choose one pathway

Pathway A: Strategic Finance

plus choose any two of the list below:

Advanced Treasury Management
Financial Technology
Behavioural Finance
Mergers and Acquisitions

Pathway B:

Strategic Finance
Summer Internship
Pathway C: Research Dissertation

Please be advised that the above is the curriculum for 20/21. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years but what is offered each academic year is subject to change.

Note that on-campus teaching is delivered under prevailing public health guidelines. In the event of a required change to planned delivery, further information about alternative delivery methods (including online delivery) will be confirmed with prospective and incoming students.

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.

AND

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.

AND

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

The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application*.

These can include but are not limited to:
Transcripts
CV
English Language Test
References
Additional Documentation

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 here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie

You will then be asked to submit your application and pay the €50 application fee. No application can be assessed until the fee has been paid. You can apply for multiple programmes with the one application fee, but please be sure to mark your preferred course.

Once submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before a decision is made on fully completed applications. This time period can sometimes be longer and can vary at different times in the year and in different regions. We may offer you a conditional place based on the completion of a number of criteria, such as degree, English test, or another qualification. This reserves you a place on the course and once you have fulfilled this criteria we will issue you a full offer.

Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.

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 September 2020

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. 82% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in November 2021)

Potential careers for our graduates include:

Stock Brokerage
Portfolio Management
Corporate Finance Consulting
Investment Banking
Venture Capita
Trading
Regulation
Senior Treasury Analyst