Course Summary
This programme develops your ability to contribute to business and society by using best practice methods in reporting, performance management, finance, sustainability, artificial intelligence and analytics.
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
An honours bachelor business degree with a minimum 2.1 award at NFQ Level 8 (or international equivalent) AND have demonstrated strong academic ability (a 1.1 or 2.1) in their accounting and finance modules at undergraduate level.
Exceptional applicants with strong academic results (a 1.1 or high 2.1) in a degree (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Economics, or another quantitative discipline may be considered.
Note: Candidates may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) subject to individual application.
Application Details
Step 1: Collating Documentation
The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application. Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order.
These can include but are not limited to:
TRANSCRIPTS AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
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.
Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email [email protected].
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.
*Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order
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.
*Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order
Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.
Start date: September 2024
Fees
Full-Time Non-EU: €22,600 (academic year 2024/2025)
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
The programme positions its graduates to compete for careers in the finance teams of leading global companies and equips students for employment in these key areas:
(1) Finance Teams
Large Irish and multinational companies have many opportunities in their finance teams. Students who have completed a UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School degree are considered by many employers to have developed their accounting and financial management knowledge and skills to a level that means they can make an immediate contribution. The analytics, sustainability and technology expertise that can be developed on the programme gives graduates a significant advantage with organisations that need those skills combined with accounting and finance skills.
(2) Accounting Practice
Many roles are open in accounting practice to graduates of this programme. Leading accounting services firms will recognise the knowledge and skills developed in this programme, especially the analytics, AI and sustainability skills.
(3) Funds Accounting/Administration
There are many opportunities in the Dublin International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) for graduates of this programme in fund administration and accounting roles.
93% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in December 2022.) Many of the graduates go on to join the accounting profession as professionally qualified accountants due to the exemptions available.*
* Subject to module choice and approval from awarding professional bodies. More information will be available in summer 2024.
Note: This programme is designed to prepare students for a career in professional accountancy or financial services. Applicants should note that it is not a suitable preparatory programme for PhD studies.