Year One

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management
Interim Award
The first year of the MA programme is divided into two
semesters and each semester is devoted to the study of three
key subjects in public management.

Semester One
- Economics
- Managing Human Resources
- Finance

Semester Two
- Organisation and Strategy
- Research Methods
- Managing Service Delivery/Managing in Europe

Year Two

Semester One

Financial Strategy
On completing this course, students will understand the theory and practice of financial strategy and be able to apply the theories of corporate finance to the Irish and international financial environment. The course focuses on capital investment decisions and risk, capital structure, financial planning, the management of working capital, derivatives and corporate governance.

Public Sector Finance
The size and role of government activity in an economy effect every citizen in the State. This course explores the level, trend and economic consequences of such activity. Among the specific topics addressed are public/private partnerships, costing and pricing, expenditure reviews, the economics of tax and debt, and international developments in public sector finance.

Governance and Audit
This course is concerned with governance and audit and the related issue of risk management. With reference to modern governance scandals, it explores reform in the Irish public service around governance and accountability, regulatory frameworks, financial reporting requirements in the public and private sectors, internal audit, internal control systems and risk management.

Semester Two
In the second semester of year two, students write a dissertation on a specific financial management issue. Students must successfully complete the taught courses before moving to the dissertation phase.