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 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 & Leasing.



This Master's course is delivered at our dedicated Graduate Business School campus, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, located in Blackrock, 4km from the main UCD Belfield Campus.



What Will I Learn?

• Analyse and model aspects of the aviation industry by drawing on a variety of frameworks, concepts and tools (PG1).

• Articulate and explain current theory and practice underpinning aviation finance (PG1).

• Critically assess the functional aspects of aviation finance and leasing (PG1).

• Decompose a problem to first principles in order to develop a general solution (PG2).

• Effectively negotiate contracts (PG3).

• Identify ways to add value in industry, drawing on the broad skills developed while undertaking the programme (PG4).

• Qualitatively assess the legal, economic and accounting frameworks underlying aviation finance (PG2).

• Quantitatively assess the risk-return relationship underlying aviation finance (PG2).

• Select and use appropriate communication strategies (oral, written & visual) to effectively communicate to peers and effectively engage and contribute in multicultural teams (PG3).

• Synthesise and summarise data, information and results from financial models and professionally communicate outcomes of the analysis & their recommendations to key stakeholders (PG3).

Stage 1 Core Modules

ACC40930 Aviation Tax Autumn 5

BMGT45570 Doing Business Globally Autumn 5

FIN41970 Corporate Finance for Aviation Autumn 5

FIN42040 Capital Markets & Instruments Autumn 5

FIN42050 Quant. Methods for Finance Autumn 5

FIN42240 Applied Derivative Securities Autumn 5

ECON42180 Aviation Economics Spring 7.5

FIN41590 Aviation Asset Management Spring 7.5

FIN41610 Aviation Financing Spring 7.5

FIN42280 Law of Aviation Finance Spring 7.5

FIN41930 Ethics in Financial Services Summer 7.5

FIN42250 Aviation Credit Risk Analysis Summer 7.5



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:

Students will complete 15 ECTS in the summer trimester by choosing either the Internship, the Aviation Finance Project or two 7.5 ECTS modules. Students will be able to register for summer term options in March.



FIN40490 Advanced Treasury Management/Financial Engineering Summer 7.5

FIN41480 Mergers & Acquisitions Summer 7.5

FIN41560 Aviation Finance Project Summer 15

FIN41580 Aviation Industry Internship Summer 15

FIN41950 Financial Technology Summer 7.5

FIN42210 Structured Finance Summer 7.5

FIN42340 Business Communications Summer 7.5

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. 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.



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. https://www.smurfitschool.ie/admissions/internationalapplicants/englishlanguagerequirements/



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. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/





You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

B531 - 1 year full-time

B532 - 2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

B531 Aviation Finance Master of Science Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

(UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)



B532 Aviation Finance Master of Science Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

(UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)

Career Opportunities

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. 89% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in September 2025.



Potential careers for our graduates include:



Credit Risk Analysis

Pricing Analyst

Financial Modeling

Treasury Analyst

Risk Management

Aviation Leasing Marketing and Negotiations