-
Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
-
University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose NUI Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at NUI Galway is all about here.
-
About NUI Galway
About NUI Galway
Since 1845, NUI Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
-
Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
NUI Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
-
Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
NUI Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
-
Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at NUI Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at NUI Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
-
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
There are over 90,000 NUI Galway graduates Worldwide, connect with us and tap into the online community.
-
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At NUI Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Accounting (Master of)
Course Overview
Chartered Accountants Ireland Exemptions
This programme has been developed with reference to the Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) syllabus. Therefore, significant exemptions from the CAI examinations are available. Graduates of the M.Acc. are granted full exemption from CAI’s CAP2 examinations, provided that they have full exemption from CAI’s CAP1 examinations before taking the M.Acc..
MAcc. graduates’ success in recent professional examinations
Our graduates consistently achieve very high places in the Final Admitting Examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland and in the final examination of the Irish Tax Institute (AITI). In the recent professional exams, our graduates Aisling Curtin and Sarah Finnegan obtained second and third place respectively in CAI’s Final Admitting Examination and Nora Cosgrove was placed second in the final examinations of the Irish Taxation Institute.
KPMG-led Analytics Summer School
The M.Acc. programme now includes summer school on “Audit and Accounting in the 21st Century: Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Related Technological Tools”.
The class are pictured with Laurence May (KPMG Director) during the KPMG Summer School
Mr. Damien Flanagan, Director R&D Incentives and Capital Allowances Practice KPMG delivering seminar to Masters of Accounting students “Research in Practice: The KPMG Innovation Monitor”.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
The following staff from the Accountancy and Finance Discipline at NUI Galway are involved in teaching the MAcc program:
- Mr. John Currie
- Professor Breda Sweeney
- Professor Willie Golden
- Dr. Emer Curtis
- Dr. Patricia Martyn
- Dr. Emer Mulligan
- Dr. Geraldine Robbins
- Dr. Josephine Igoe
- Ms. Mary Cosgrove
- Ms. Andrea Crean
- Ms. Mary Barrett
- Mr. Frank Conaty
- Ms. Patricia Lenihan
-
Ms. Sharon Cotter
In addition, staff from the Discipline of Management and the Discipline of Business Information Systems each contribute a module to the program.
Visiting lecturers from the accounting profession, industry, and academia also contribute to the program.
Requirements and Assessment
In each module there is a combination of continuous assessment and end-of-semester exam. Depending on the module, the continuous assessment typically consists of interim exam, student presentations, case studies, written reports, and structured debates. The end-of semester exams are held in December and April/May each year.
In addition, students complete EITHER two summer schools (typically held in May/June each year) OR a dissertation (which involves ongoing work with a supervisor throughout the year and a final submission at the end of July).
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement is a H2.1 honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in Business or Commerce, with a significant specialisation in Accounting. Students are required to have full (or nearly full) exemptions from the CAI’s CAP1 examinations before embarking on the MAcc programme.
Additional Requirements
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2021
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
35
Closing Date
Offers are made on a rolling basis.
NFQ level
Mode of study
Taught
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
Course code
1AY1
Course Outline
In addition to the Curriculum below students complete EITHER two summer schools OR a research dissertation. Recent and forthcoming summer schools include:
- Management Control Systems and Innovation.
- Audit and Accounting in the 21st Century: Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Related Technological Tools
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (90 Credits)
Required AY5103: Management Accounting
AY5103: Management Accounting
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
The objective of this module is to facilitate students in developing and applying a comprehensive understanding of the role of management accounting information in business decision-making, especially the analysis of complex and unstructured decision situations in a strategic context.
The module explores the role of management accounting information in supporting the strategic management processes in an organisation, including strategic cost management and strategic pricing. The module also addresses the design and application of costing systems (both traditional and innovative) in ways which recognise context-specific considerations of a technical, managerial, and cost-benefit nature. Furthermore, the module addresses the strategic importance of performance measurement systems which use both financial and nonfinancial measures of performance.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse structured and unstructured business decision situations in a strategic context.
- Apply and critically evaluate the role of advanced variance analysis and standard costing systems.
- Critically evaluate the usefulness of cost management systems (both traditional and activity-based) in business management.
- Utilise financial and nonfinancial performance measures to critically evaluate organisational performance.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (85%)
- Continuous Assessment (15%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- JOHN AUSTIN CURRIE: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- TERESA LYDON: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5104: Investment and Financing Decisions
AY5104: Investment and Financing Decisions
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
The objectives of this module are to facilitate students in developing and applying a comprehensive understanding of the role of corporate finance in investment and financing decision-making, especially the analysis of complex structured and unstructured decision situations in a strategic context. The module explores the role of finance theory and corporate finance tools and techniques in supporting the strategic capital investment and financing decision-making processes in an organisation.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse current and proposed, structured and unstructured capital investment, working capital, and financing situations in a strategic context and offer corporate financial decision recommendations to senior management teams to facilitate the realisation of corporate strategic goals.
- Understand and apply a range of corporate finance tools and techniques to assist in making investment and financing decisions.
- Critically evaluate the usefulness, relevance and limitations of corporate finance theory in supporting investment and financing business decision-making.
- Apply, and critically evaluate the relevance of financial and non-financial information in a range of investment and financing decision-making situations.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (75%)
- Continuous Assessment (25%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- JOHN AUSTIN CURRIE: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- GERALDINE ROBBINS: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5116: Auditing I
AY5116: Auditing I
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
The objective of this course is to give students a professional understanding of the role and function of the External Auditor, the principles that underpin modern auditing and the fundamental core processes involved in the audit of the Financial Statements of a corporate entity. As well as focusing on the role of Auditing in a business and societal context, this module will introduce students to the domestic and European legal and regulatory auditing environment and the challenges for auditing in the modern era.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of auditing in society, the background, context, and scope of the core audit opinion and audit report.
- Display a comprehensive understanding of the audit environment including the ethical and regulatory framework and legal environments.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the audit process (from planning the audit to issuing the audit report) and the practical application of ‘Auditing Standards’.
- Formulate an appropriate audit strategy and planned audit procedures for differing audit objectives and differing organisations.
- Critically assess differing auditing environments and suggest appropriate auditor responses in terms client acceptances and continuance, audit planning & processes, and appropriateness and relevance of audit evidence.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (80%)
- Continuous Assessment (20%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- FRANCIS CONATY: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5118: Advanced Financial Reporting I
AY5118: Advanced Financial Reporting I
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
The objective of this module is develop students’ understanding of the regulatory framework for the international financial reporting. They will build a conceptual understanding of advanced problems of financial reporting together with the ability to apply complex international financial reporting standards (IFRS) to practical situations. Students will consolidate their ability to prepare and analyse complex financial statements.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Describe and evaluate the framework for financial reporting applicable locally and internationally.
- Demonstrate the processing of typical accounting recurring transactions and posting journal entries for complex transactions.
- Critically evaluate the conceptual problems posed by accounting for the IFRS covered on this module
- Explain the requirements of the IFRS and sections of FRS 102 covered on the module and apply them to practical financial reporting and financial analysis problems
- Synthesise the requirements of multiple IFRS in the preparation and analysis of a set of financial statements.
- Analyse a complex set of financial statements, including preparation of a univariate ratio analysis and an insightful commentary on company performance.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (80%)
- Continuous Assessment (20%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- JOHN AUSTIN CURRIE: Research Profile
- EMER CURTIS: Research Profile
- PATRICIA LENIHAN: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- Andrea Crean: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5100: Taxation I
AY5100: Taxation I
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
The objective of this course is to provide an insight into and appreciation of the impact of taxation on business and business decisions. It will assist students to understand and apply the legislation, procedure and practices governing Capital Gains Tax. It will also provide an understanding of the theoretical basis for taxation and address ethical, and international aspects of taxation.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Be able to apply the general principles of capital gains tax to prepare a computation for both individuals and companies and identify the timing and manner of payments required.
- Understand the rules relating to various reliefs and exemptions to capital gains tax computations and, in particular, apply the rules and reliefs relating to development land, retirement relief, entrepreneur relief, transfer of a business to a company and acquisition by a company of its own shares.
- Understand the rules which apply to share transactions and calculate gains arising on shares acquired by direct purchase, under a rights issue, a bonus issue or a scrip issue and employee share option schemes.
- Understand how capital gains are taxed in companies and within groups of companies.
- Understand and apply the general principles of stamp duty to prepare a computation and identify the timing and manner of payments required.
- Understand the circumstances in which various reliefs and exemptions apply and be able to apply the rules, in particular in relation to associated parties and the transfer of a business.
- Understand the philosophy of taxation and appreciate its implications for social policy, development and governance.
- Have an overview of tax policy, design and legislation and understand ethical perspectives on taxation.
- Have an overview and understanding of tax risk management principles and practice.
- Have an overview of key international tax principles.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (80%)
- Continuous Assessment (20%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- EMER MULLIGAN: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- MARY COSGROVE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY518: Research Project
AY518: Research Project
12 months long | Credits: 20
The objective of this module is to familiarise students with a range of contemporary global issues that influence how businesses operate, and how management both accounts for the stewardship of the business, and, assesses the management of organisational performance. This module will involve opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of these matters and be able to critically assess the implications these issues have for businesses and performance measurement. The module also aims to broaden students’ skills in assessing organisational performance.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate a range of contemporary global issues in accounting & finance.
- Appraise the opportunities and challenges these issues pose to businesses (either generally or specific to the circumstances outlined in a given scenario) in accounting for the stewardship of the business, and, in measuring performance.
- Examine and synthesise ways in which businesses (either in general or specific to a set of circumstances outlined in a given scenario) could deal with the opportunities and challenges presented by specific global contemporary issues.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- MARY BARRETT: Research Profile
- FRANCIS CONATY: Research Profile
- JOHN AUSTIN CURRIE: Research Profile
- EMER CURTIS: Research Profile
- PATRICIA MARTYN: Research Profile
- EMER MULLIGAN: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- GERALDINE ROBBINS: Research Profile
- BREDA SWEENEY: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- TERESA LYDON: Research Profile
- Andrea Crean: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5117: Auditing II
AY5117: Auditing II
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module will build on the module Auditing I’ which is a prerequisite to this module. The module will extend students understanding of approaches to auditing addressing complex areas such as ‘Going Concern’ and audit completion obligations and challenges. Further, the nodule will address the preparation of complex and qualified audit reports, and the auditor’s responsibilities to report to relevant bodies other than the organisation’s members especially in cases of fraud. Finally, the module will cover approaches to auditing in IT settings and approaches to sampling in an auditing context.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Display an advanced understanding of the audit environment including the ethical and regulatory framework and the interrelationship with the legal environment. Understand the legal dynamics of professional negligence and duty of care.
- Prepare a standard audit report. Be capable of assessing the implications for the audit report of circumstances that may impinge on the opinions expressed in the report and whether and what qualification or other amendment would be appropriate.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the auditor’s responsibilities in assessing going concern, for fraud detection and for the consideration of laws and regulations relevant to the auditee.
- Understand the role of sampling in the audit process and the appropriateness of differing sampling techniques.
- Formulate appropriate responses to the challenge of auditing in complex IT environments.
- Appreciate contemporary issues in the auditing profession and environment and their implications.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (80%)
- Continuous Assessment (20%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- FRANCIS CONATY: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- TERESA LYDON: Research Profile
- SHARON COTTER: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5105: Corporate Finance
AY5105: Corporate Finance
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
The objectives of this module are to facilitate students in developing and applying a comprehensive understanding of the role of corporate finance in strategic financial decision-making contexts in particular in financing and valuation decisions giving detailed consideration to risk. The module focuses on decision-making under conditions of uncertainty and requires consideration of theoretical and real world conditions in financial decision-making in a strategic context. The module explores the role of finance theory and corporate finance tools and techniques in supporting the strategic investment, financing and related decision-making processes in an organisation.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse current and proposed, structured and unstructured investment, financing and risk management situations in a strategic context and offer corporate financial decision recommendations to senior management teams to facilitate the realisation of corporate strategic goals.
- Understand and apply a range of corporate finance tools and techniques to assist in making valuation, financial and strategic decisions under conditions of uncertainty
- Critically evaluate the usefulness, relevance and limitations of corporate finance theory in supporting corporate investment, valuation, risk management and financing decision-making.
- Apply, and critically evaluate the relevance of financial and non-financial information in a range of corporate finance decision-making situations.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (80%)
- Continuous Assessment (20%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- GERALDINE ROBBINS: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- TERESA LYDON: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5101: Taxation II
AY5101: Taxation II
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
The objective of this course is to provide an insight into and appreciation of the impact of taxation on business and business decisions. It will assist students to understand and apply the legislation, procedure and practices governing Corporation Tax and Capital Acquisitions Tax. It will also build on the content covered in Taxation I (AY5100) to aid students in assessing and evaluating tax policy.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Be able to apply the general principles of corporation tax to prepare a computation and identify the timing and manner of payments required.
- Understand the rules relating to corporation tax loss relief and how to calculate and utilise losses
- Be able to identify groups for tax purposes and manage group reliefs including loss and payments relief.
- Understand the implications of close company rules and their consequences for both the company and for participators/directors.
- Understand how foreign taxes may be relieved for companies and be able to advise on the taxation of non-resident companies.
- Be able to apply the general principles of capital acquisitions tax to prepare a computation and identify the timing and manner of payments required in relation to gifts and inheritances.
- Understand the territorial scope of capital acquisitions tax and identify the circumstances in which gifts and inheritances will be taxable.
- Understand the circumstances in which various reliefs and exemptions apply and in particular to be able to apply the rules and reliefs relating to agricultural and business property.
- Understand and apply the general principles of stamp duty to prepare a computation and identify the timing and manner of payments required.
- Understand the circumstances in which various stamp duty reliefs and exemptions apply and be able to apply the rules in particular in relation to associated parties and the transfer of a business.
- Understand how Capital Gains Tax interacts with Capital Acquisitions Tax
- Communicate tax related material in a concise, professional manner and have an understanding of some challenges of working on tax matters as part of a team
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (85%)
- Continuous Assessment (15%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- MARY COSGROVE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5102: Management Control Systems
AY5102: Management Control Systems
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
The objectives of this module are to facilitate students in developing an ability to critically evaluate the conceptual and practical issues in the design of managerial control systems, including: distinctive budgetary and non-budgetary mechanisms, divisional performance evaluation, and strategic performance management.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Design and critically evaluate control mechanisms for use in divisionalised organisations, including alternative transfer pricing mechanisms.
- Apply various performance measurement techniques to prepare information for decision making.
- Establish the challenges of measuring and managing the multiple dimensions of performance that need to be reported within contemporary organisations.
- Appraise the various techniques available to manage organisational performance and their behavioural implications.
- Critically evaluate budgetary control systems and the alternatives to budgetary control.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (60%)
- Continuous Assessment (40%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- JOHN AUSTIN CURRIE: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- TERESA LYDON: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY5119: Advanced Financial Reporting II
AY5119: Advanced Financial Reporting II
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
The objective of this module is develop students’ conceptual understanding of advanced problems of financial reporting and their ability to apply international financial reporting standards (IFRS) to practical situations. Students will consolidate their ability to prepare complex group financial statements
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Discuss the conceptual problems posed by accounting for the IFRS covered on this module
- Explain the requirements of IFRS and sections of FRS 102 covered on the module and apply them to practical financial reporting and financial analysis problems
- Synthesise the requirements of multiple IFRS in the preparation of complex group financial statements
- Critically evaluate the potential for error and misrepresentation of financial statements
- Appraise the ethical considerations that are important to international financial reporting
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (80%)
- Continuous Assessment (20%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- EMER CURTIS: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- TERESA LYDON: Research Profile
- Andrea Crean: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required AY537: Skills for Accounting Research and Practice
AY537: Skills for Accounting Research and Practice
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
The objective of this module is to develop students’ skills for a transformed accounting and finance profession. While technical skills remain critical, accountants are increasingly expected to demonstrate robust communication, presentation and analytical skills. This module is designed to address these requirements and thus develop students’ employability skills. Excel is extensively used within the accounting profession, however many users only use a limited range of features. Covering more advanced Excel techniques makes users more productive and efficient enabling manipulation of large complex data sets into useful insights. Advanced Excel skills is a key business proficiency in contemporary organisations, facilitating faster and better decision making.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse complex data sets and present data professionally using Excel.
- Present complex data in a visually compelling an insightful manner using Excel.
- Analyse data and present insights in a professional format.
- Develop and give a professional oral presentation based on complex data sets.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- FRANCIS CONATY: Research Profile
- JOHN AUSTIN CURRIE: Research Profile
- EMER CURTIS: Research Profile
- PATRICIA MARTYN: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- EDEL DOHERTY: Research Profile
- TERESA LYDON: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional MG571: Strategic Management
MG571: Strategic Management
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a mastery of the concepts, techniques and theories of strategic management
- Formulate and design strategies, strategic planning systems and strategic implementation activities
- Develop an understanding of the complexities of strategic issues in a real world context
- Demonstrate evaluative and critical strategic thinking by assessing the strategic profiles of firms at business and industry levels
- Apply strategic principles, concepts, theories and frameworks to a wide range of businesses and industry settings
- Develop presenation skills, critical analysis, decision-making and working in a team based environment to solve problems in a strategic setting.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (60%)
- Continuous Assessment (40%)
Module Director
- GERRY CAMPBELL: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- GERRY CAMPBELL: Research Profile
- JOSEPHINE IGOE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional MS5104: Decision Theory & Analysis
MS5104: Decision Theory & Analysis
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the different aspects of decision theory and analysis and specifically how these apply to business.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate the role and types of decision making in enhancing individual and organisational performance.
- Evaluate different decision-making methods, models, tools and techniques.
- Assess and decide upon the best decision making tools to use in situations of uncertainty and risk.
- Appraise the impact of group decision-making techniques to inform leaders during times of uncertainty.
- Present data visualisations and dashboards to influence key stakeholder’s decision-making on new opportunities, innovations, and/or potential threats for an organisation.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Written Assessment (70%)
- Continuous Assessment (30%)
Module Director
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- WILLIAM GOLDEN: Research Profile
- MELISSA O'HEA: Research Profile
- CHRISTINA MULGANNON: Research Profile
- NOEL CARROLL: Research Profile
- Michael Kelly: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Further Education
Exemptions: Graduates of the MAcc are granted full exemption from CAI’s CAP2 examinations, provided they have full exemption from CAI’s CAP1 examination before taking the MAcc.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
A wide range of career choices are open to graduates, in particular in the accounting and tax consultancy professions. Most participants on the programme are sponsored (and subsequently employed) by major accounting firms, such as KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and Ernst & Young
Chartered Accountants Ireland exemptions
This programme has been developed with reference to the Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) syllabus. Therefore, significant exemptions from the CAI examinations are available. Graduates of the M.Acc. are granted full exemption from CAI’s CAP2 examinations, provided that they have full exemption from CAI’s CAP1 examinations before taking the M.Acc.
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics Master of Accounting merit scholarship
Details of our 2021 merit scholarship for the Master of Accounting will be published in Spring 2021.
For more information on the scholarship application process, please contact business@nuigalway.ie
An individual student can only be in receipt of one Scholarship at any given time.
MAcc. graduates’ success in recent professional examinations
Our graduates consistently achieve very high places in the Final Admitting Examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland and in the final examination of the Irish Tax Institute (AITI). In the recent professional exams, our graduates Aisling Curtin and Sarah Finnegan obtained second and third place respectively in CAI’s Final Admitting Examination and Nora Cosgrove was placed second in the final examinations of the Irish Taxation Institute.
KPMG-led Analytics Summer School
NUI Galway collaborates with Big Four industry partner KPMG on the KPMG-led Analytics Summer School entitled “Audit and Accounting in the 21st Century: Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Related Technological Tools”.
The programme runs over the course of semester 2, from January to June where a series of guest speakers come into NUI Galway to talk to students about their experiences incorporating data analytics tools and techniques in industry and practice. Students must complete a reflective learning journal based on a critical analysis of these guest speakers and an individual essay submission. The final element of this course concludes with a six-day summer school programme in June – one day of student group presentations and five days where students gain practical experience in the application of data analytics tools and techniques, gain more insights from guest speakers working in practice and industry and undertake case studies using KPMG software tools. The Summer School uses KPMG tools which were developed to harness the power of technology and bring greater vigour, precision and meaningful insights to the increasing age of data.
Students have heard from a number of guest speakers throughout the programme including: Marie Joyce, CFO at National Toll Roads; Mathieu D'Aquin, Professor of Informatics at Insight Centre for Data Analytics; Joe Smyth, Vice-President of R&D AI Group at Genesys; Mark Gantly, Senior R&D Director Software Defined and Cloud Group at Hewlett Packard Enterprise; and Gearoid Hynes, Head of Product at Orreco.
The purpose of this course is to give participants a rich understanding of the use of software and cognitive technologies to analyse audit and accounting data. This programme gives students an opportunity to see how data and analytics are used in a practical setting, bringing meaning, life and understanding into accounting information, giving NUI Galway students a significant advantage when entering the professional accountancy working environment. The programme prepares students for leadership roles in the accounting profession and in business by equipping them with the necessary technical and analytical skills reflecting the growing importance of analytics for a successful career in audit and accounting.
Management of Organisational Performance Summer School
The purpose of this summer school is to give participants a rich understanding of the complexities surrounding the operation of management accounting and control systems in firms that pursue innovation-based strategies. While management accounting and control systems have traditionally been conceived as tools for managers to carry out ex-post verifications to make sure that pre-set objectives (generally financial in nature) have been achieved, the challenge for innovative firms is to effectively use management accounting and control systems to manage the tension between the achievement of pre-established goals and the simultaneous fostering of creative innovation. The course reviews the key ongoing debates regarding the management of this tension and examines the extent to which and how management accounting and control systems are actually used in innovative firms.
Who’s Suited to This Course
The MAcc programme could be for you if you hold (or expect to graduate shortly with) at least a 2.1 honours primary degree with a significant specialisation in accounting and expect to have full (or nearly full exemptions) from the CAP1 examinations of CAI. The majority of students on the program are sponsored by accounting firms who intended to employ them to train as chartered accountants upon graduation from the M.Acc.
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €2,000 towards your tuition. You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay TUITION up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €224.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = tuition (EU or NON EU) + student levy as outlined above.
Note to Non EU students: Learn about the 24 month Stayback Visa here.
Find out More
Programme Director
Mr John Currie
E: john.currie@nuigalway.ie
Programme Administrator
Ms Melissa O’Hea
T: +353 91 492 308
E: accounting@nuigalway.ie
Quick Links
What our Employers Say

Colm Gorman | Head of KPMG
Since its inception, KPMG has sponsored students on the Master of Accounting programme in NUI Galway. We are delighted with the results. In its graduates, KPMG looks for rounded individuals with well-developed thinking and interpersonal skills. We really notice these skills in those who have completed the Master of Accounting in NUI Galway. It is the combined focus on technical skills development and personal development that we believe prepares students well for a career in business
What our Students and Graduates Say

Zhang Xiaolin | CURRENT MASTER OF ACCOUNTING STUDENT
The subjects in this Master of Accounting programme are very appropriate for your future career. You get to develop and practice your presentation and research skills through various assignments. From the programme, you will not only acquire knowledge but you will also develop an ability to solve real world problems. There is a good mix of international and national students in the class. The group work on various courses allowed me to experience working on problems with students from different cultural backgrounds. Staff are all very professional and friendly. The staff know that as an international student you live far away from your family and friends and they try to help and encourage you.

Alphonsa Cherukodath | CURRENT MASTER OF ACCOUNTING STUDENT
This programme has helped me to gain practical knowledge through problem solving in the various accounting and finance modules. It has made me more professionally competent as a result of the presentations, case study analysis and debates that are all part of the programme. The teaching faculty of the programme are very professional and all have industry experience which helps me to understand the topics more easily. Galway is a diversified city with very good infrastructural facilities and people are very friendly. The weather in the city was a completely new experience, but I have adjusted!"

Hanhuz Wang | CURRENT MASTER OF ACCOUNTING STUDENT
Courses arranged in this programme are essential and helpful for my future career in accountancy. I like that this study year is a challenge for me. I believe the year will help me develop my professional knowledge and skills and will greatly improve my job prospects. All staff teaching on this programme have excellent professional knowledge and teaching skills. They are nice, enthusiastic and helpful to me. I enjoy being here and am having a really good time in Galway. I regard Galway as my second hometown.
Ciarán O’Donnell | Associate, Ernst & Young
“I would certainly recommend studying the Master of Accounting degree at NUI Galway. My experience and time at Galway was without a doubt a positive and very enjoyable one. The facilities at the J.E Cairnes Business School are top class and are entirely conducive to an effective study environment. The programme lecturers are very much approachable, friendly, and hardworking. Furthermore the course offers a great platform for developing those skills necessary in progressing in the workplace and also with the professional exams. Lastly it needs to be mentioned that Galway City itself is a fantastic location to study in and the contacts you develop during the program are, in my opinion, invaluable.”

Marie Joyce | Chief Financial Officer, NTR plc
The finance function is a key driver of analytics and plays a leadership role rather than a supporting role.