Aviation Finance
The MSc in Aviation Finance aims to advance students’ understanding of all aspects of aviation finance, with a specific focus on the practical features of global aviation markets. It encourages students to develop creative and analytical approaches to problem-solving in the aviation finance and leasing sphere and to enhance interpersonal and leadership skills.
It is the only MSc Aviation Finance Degree in Europe and is supported by leading aircraft leasing companies through internships, scholarships and research projects.
It is suitable for graduates from a wide variety of disciplines including business, economics, finance, engineering and science who want to pursue a career in the highly dynamic sector of aviation finance and leasing.
Subjects taught
The one-year full-time and two-year part-time formats of this course comprise core modules covering many aspects of econometrics, finance management and asset assessment.
To complete the programme, students must complete 12 core modules. In the Summer Trimester students must also complete a research project OR 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
Core modules
Quantitative Methods For Finance
Corporate Finance for Aviation
Aviation Tax
Doing Business Globally
Applied Derivative Securities
Capital Markets & Instruments
Spring Trimester
Core modules
Aviation Financing
Law of Aviation Finance
Aviation Asset Management
Aviation Economics
Summer Trimester
Core modules
Aviation Credit Risk Analysis
Ethics in Financial Services
Plus one Pathway
Pathway A
Structured Finance
Financial Technology
Mergers and Acquisitions
OR
Pathway B
Aviation Industry Internship
OR
Pathway C
Aviation Finance Project
This reflects the 2023/2024 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Please be advised that option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years. Summer taught modules are delivered in blocks over one or two weeks.
Entry requirements
An honours bachelors degree in:
a. Business/Commerce to include a number of quantitative subjects such as Economics or Finance
or
b. a Finance-related-area, Mathematical Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering or Physics
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.
We can also consider candidates with an Honours 2.1 primary degree with a minimum of three years appropriate work experience in the aviation industry.
Duration
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
Enrolment dates
End August 2024
Post Course Info
The MSc in Aviation Finance from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School gives you the specialised skills and knowledge you need for a career in the aviation finance and leasing 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:
Credit Risk Analysis
Pricing Analyst
Financial Modeling
Treasury Analyst
Risk Management
Aviation Leasing Marketing and Negotiations