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University College Dublin

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 Financial Times (34 in 2016).

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 a business-related background to combine working life with study. However, if you are in full-time employment, employer support is essential to undertake the part-time option as it requires class attendance during the working day.

Entry requirements

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

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.

Duration

12 months full-time, 24 months Part-Time.

Careers or further progression

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.

In 2016, 93% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: First Destination Report 2016)

Potential careers for our graduates include:

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

Further enquiries

Contact details
smurfitschool@ucd.ie
+353 1 716 8934

Subjects taught

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.

Application date

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

Step 2: The Application Process

Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

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.

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 (500 - 1000). Once you have accepted you will then be handled by the programme office who will contact you with further course and start details.

Course fee

Fees Full-Time EU: 17,135 (academic year 2018/2019)
Full-Time Non-EU: 21,700 (academic year 2018/2019)
Part-Time EU: 8,570 per year (academic year 2018/2019)
Part-Time Non-EU: 10,850 per year (academic year 2018/2019)

Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year.