Course Summary
The programme is designed for accounting graduates to combine study for a Master’s degree while gaining exemptions from professional examinations at the same time. The one-year full-time Masters programme encourages critical and creative thinking, teamwork and communication, and develops a diverse range of professional attributes which equip graduates to excel in the accounting profession and to adopt leadership positions in their professional lives.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
For admission to the M.Sc. in Accounting candidates must hold –
A 2.1 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or international equivalent, together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland;
OR
A credit award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or a Pass award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting (or equivalent), may still obtain a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in core Accounting modules (Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation and Finance) in your programme.
Candidates who have not received their degree results by the application closing date will receive conditional offers.
NOTE : It is a condition of admission to this programme that applicants are fully exempt from CAP 1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland. All applicants must apply directly to Chartered Accountants Ireland for exemption and provide the University with a certificate of exemption from Chartered Accountants Ireland. A list of Chartered Accountants Ireland accredited courses is available on the Chartered Accountants Ireland website. The deadline for exemption applications to the Institute is normally the end of July (you should check this with the Institute to be sure). Failure to produce proof of CAP 1 exemptions on joining the programme may result in withdrawal of your place on the programme.
International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.
Application Details
Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:
Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2025.
Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2025.
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.
All applicants should apply through the college website - see Application Weblink above.
• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
• Exemption from CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland
• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.
The programme commences in September 2025
Fees
EU Status Fee €11,300 per annum
Non EU Fee €17,600 per annum
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Career Progression
Graduates of the MSc in Accounting are exempt from all subjects in the CAP2 Examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland. To qualify as chartered accountants, graduates of the programme will be required to pass the Institute's Final Admitting Examination and to serve a training contract of three years.
Graduates are typically employed by the leading international accounting firms, who go on to great success in their professional examinations. Frequent employers of our graduates include Accenture, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, JP Morgan, KPMG and PwC.