MSc in Finance

Overview

The MSc in Finance is designed to give you advanced specialist knowledge and a practical understanding of finance theory and practice relevant to the financial services industry. The programme is suitable for graduates with an educational track record in business, economics, finance or any degree with a significant quantitative element.

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 is ranked 53rd in the world in the prestigious 2024 Financial Times Masters in Finance rankings and is top ranked in Ireland for career progress.

The programme can be undertaken on a part-time basis, thus enabling current professionals with the relevant background to combine working life with study, however this is dependent on students’ employment commitments.  Note that this is not a dedicated part-time programme and students will be required to attend lectures, tutorials and complete group assignments in conjunction with the full-time cohort, for whom the schedule is primarily during working hours for a block of hours on several days a week.  Modules in autumn trimester will be delivered in a compressed format meaning that modules are taught intensively over two 6 week periods, requiring additional attendance at lectures and tutorials. Employer support is therefore essential.

Scholarships and Awards

• The PWC Maitiú Breathnach Award, amounting to €1,000, is presented to the student on the MSc Finance programme with the best overall performance in semester 1.

• Musgraves award a prize of €1,000 to the top student each year.