Course Outline
The MSc Finance (Asset Management) is a one-year programme developed to prepare students for careers in the international investment, asset management, finance and banking industries. Students focus on developing the analytical and professional skills necessary for a career in finance. The course aims to produce graduates who can contribute to the industry from their first day in employment.
The course has been designed in conjunction with industry to ensure its graduates have the skills to match the needs of employers. On completion of the MSc Finance (Asset Management), you can expect to have excellent career prospects within investment management, banking, insurance, proprietary trading, wealth management and alternative investments.
The MSc Finance (Asset Management) programme is a member of the CFA® Institute University Affiliated programme and is a CAIA® Association Academic Partner. These partnerships ensure the programme content remains up to date and relevant to the requirements of employers.
The programme is structured as follows:
Induction Week: The course begins with an induction week. After introducing the incoming class to UCC, the students begin their professional development with classes on communication and presentation skills.
Core Modules: These modules provide you with the in-depth knowledge to understand and analyse the core topics in finance, such as equity and bond valuation, asset allocation and project finance. These modules focus on:
analysis and application
have a quantitative element
include regular student presentations
Specialised Modules: These modules cover areas of specific relevance to your future career, such as venture capital, private equity and risk management. The modules here:
focus on understanding and application
are case study and lecture-driven
These are supported by two modules based on continuous assessment.
Professional Development is an innovative module operating across the year, where students work on developing their communication, presentation and IT skills. In addition, students get the opportunity to interact with senior executives and industry leaders. This module provides the perfect opportunity to hone your networking, communication and presentation skills. This is complemented by the Research Skills module which allows students develop the skills needed to meet the research and analysis challenges they will encounter in employment along with familiarity with professional IT systems.
Professional Examination: In this element of the programme you pursue a course of independent study, under the supervision of an academic mentor, towards the CFA, CAIA, QFA or equivalent relevant professional examination. Guidance is provided by our CFA and CAIA faculty representatives on the best approach to select and prepare for these examinations. As a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliated programme and as a CAIA® Association Academic Partner, faculty award a number of scholarships for these exams each year.
Research Project/Internship The final element in the course takes place over the summer. Students get the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained over the year to prepare an applied research report. Under the supervision of an academic mentor, students will research and write a detailed report on a topical issue. The report will be practical in nature and students can expect to use professional analysis techniques and IT systems. Alternatively, students may undertake a relevant internship and complete their report on an issue that arises from or is informed by that role.
Why Choose This Course
The MSc Finance (Asset Management) is focused on preparing students for successful careers in the international investment, asset management, finance and banking industries. Graduates gain an understanding of the theory of financial markets while developing a combination of analytical, practical and professional skills sought by employers. Specific reasons to choose this unique course include:
It is a one-year course with small class sizes.
A syllabus aligned with the leading professional bodies ensures graduates have the up to date knowledge valued by employers.
Practical focus ensures graduates have the skills needed to contribute immediately to their employer.
Strong emphasis on the development of professional skills, including interview and presentation skills, which combined with a professional examination, provide students with a head start in the job market.
Excellent employment prospects on completion of the course
The first programme in the world to award academic credit for studying toward and sitting relevant career-enhancing professional examinations, CFA, CAIA, QFA or equivalent.
Scholarships are available for students for CFA and CAIA examinations.
Students have the opportunity to secure a relevant industry internship or produce an applied research project.
Faculty with significant industry experience.
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Course Practicalities
For the MSc Finance (Asset Management) degree, you will complete an induction week, which commences 2nd September 2019. Over two semesters, students complete 10 modules, 5 core and 5 specialised modules, assessed by examination (and typically 30% continuous assessment). These are complemented by two modules, professional development and research methods, examined entirely by continuous assessment. In the final semester, students complete the professional examination module and undertake a quantitative research project or internship.
Effective communication and the ability to work in teams are essential skills for a successful career. Our continuous assessment is designed to allow students to develop and practice these skills and can take the form of class contribution, individual assignments, case studies, group reports or presentations.
Who teaches this course?
The MSc Finance (Asset Management) is delivered by UCC academic staff, generally from the Department of Accounting and Finance.
The academics who teach on the course are experts in their field most holding PhDs. In addition to teaching, they are engaged in high-level research with involvement in UCC's research centres, consulting for industry and publishing regularly in international finance journals.
Alongside academic qualifications, many of the faculty have significant industry experience having worked at leading investment banks (UBS, HSBC and Lehman), stockbrokers (Davy and NCB), business advisory firms (Ernst and Young) and hedge funds. A number of the faculty are CFA charter holders.