Course Overview

The MSc in Corporate Finance is a one-year, full-time programme that prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the financial sector. 

This programme is designed to equip you with analytical and decision-making skills relevant to the finance industry. It combines specialist knowledge, practical insight and an advanced understanding of corporate finance theory and practice.

In addition to the core academic modules, students will be exposed to a variety of learning technologies to develop their skills for practice in a global business environment. The MSc in Corporate Finance is accredited by ACCA, Chartered Financial Analysts and Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Potential careers include roles in investment banking, commercial banking, fund management, insurance, corporate finance services, and in finance divisions of firms in other industries and sectors.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

A H2.1 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in:

(a) Business/Commerce to include a number of quantitative subjects such as Economics or Finance: or

(b) A quantitative-based degree such as Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Economics.

Applicants should have demonstrated strong academic ability (a H1 or H2.1, or equivalent) in a number of quantitative modules in their degree such as mathematics, statistics or econometrics.

IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

30

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Offers are made on a rolling basis. Please refer to the review/closing date website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

MSC-CFIN

Course Outline

Indicative list of Modules

  • Accounting and Financial Analysis
  • Intermediate Corporate Finance
  • Accounting for Management
  • Intermediate International Financial Reporting and Analysis
  • Business & Society (Ethics)
  • Applied Portfolio Management
  • Advanced Corporate Finance
  • Accounting for Management Control
  • Advanced International Financial Reporting
  • Global Economics for International Managers
  • Derivatives & Risk Management     

Summer Schools X2

  • Managing Organisational Performance
  • Analytical and Communications Skills Development 

Or

  • 12 Week Work Placement*

*We will secure internship opportunities, but it is at the discretion of employers as to whether they shortlist and offer a position to applicants. In case a student cannot secure an internship, two summer schools must be completed.

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.
Subject
Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject
A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Careers include roles in investment banking, commercial banking, fund management, insurance, corporate finance services, and in finance divisions of firms in other industries and sectors.

Chartered Accountants Ireland - Professional Examination Exemptions

CAI have granted CAP 1 exemptions in three CAP 1 papers*:

  • Paper 1—Finance
  • Paper 2—Management Accounting
  • Paper 3—Financial Accounting

*Subject to achieving a minimum overall degree award of a 2.2 (second class honours grade two) and minimum examination performance in specified subjects.

CFA Institute Affiliation

The MSc (Corporate Finance ) is participating in the University Affiliation Program (UAP) run by the CFA Institute. This affiliation demonstrates that our curriculum is closely tied to the practice of investment management and is helpful to students preparing for the CFA Program exams

ACCA Exemptions

MSC in Corporate Finance has been awarded exemptions from six ACCA subjects:

Accountant in Business, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Performance Management, Financial Reporting and Financial Management.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply effective decision making to global business problems.
  • Identify, analyse and solve applied problems in individual and team-based settings.     
  • Evaluate and apply tools in the core business disciplines of Finance, Accounting and Economics to solve technical problems and contribute to solving strategic problems.
  • Analyse and evaluate corporate finance and investment problems using appropriate techniques, practices, and theories.
  • Critically analyse and interpret how global financial markets and investment firms operate.
  • Develop analytical, ethical, and communication skills to contribute to both personal and organisational development.

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Placement period is a minimum of 12 weeks. The placement can be any role in Finance that contains an element of exposure to corporate finance. Previous areas of employment are financial services, financial advisory and consulting, banking, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, corporate tax and insurance.

Corporate Finance Placement Partners

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€11,140 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€11,000 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€20,000 p.a. (€20,140 including levy) 2024/25


Note to no-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa 
here

Find out More

Programme Director
Mr John Nolan
E: nolanj@universityofgalway.ie

Programme Administrator
Ms Sharon Gilmartin & Ms Tracy Coloe Cloonan 
E: accountancy@universityofgalway.ie

 

Quick Links


Feedback from Industry

Austin

Austin Sammon |   Partner, Audit & Business Advisory, Mazars

We live in a world where non-traditional sources of finance are becoming mainstream in developed economies – the ability to speak their language and interpret financial information is paramount to accessing this finance. Knowledge of a company’s industry to decide on the ideal debt / equity mix and building of a network gained from colleagues taking part in the MSc in Corporate Finance are valuable tools which will elevate you from a traditional accountant and ensure your progression to executive level with key strategic decision making powers
Bruce

Bruce Waldron |   Investment Banking - Goodbody

I was delighted to hear of the introduction of the MSc in Corporate Finance at NUIG. Corporate Finance is an extremely rewarding career path where you will learn fast, develop a strong network and help clients fulfil their financial and strategic goals. Corporate Finance professionals are often at the centre of a deal, liaising with all parties invoved from bankers to lawyers and thereofre it is critical to have a strong mix of technical and non-technical skills. No two days are the same and you will often be preparing Information Memorandums, Valuations, Business Plans, Financial Modelling, and Pre/Post Contract Due Diligence reports. Due to the growing economic acitivty here in Ireland, oppourtunities in the Finance indusry are on the rise and the MSc in Coporate Finance at NUIG will equip graduates with an excellent skill-set to seize these oppourtunies.
Kathy

Kathy Joyce |   Senior Associate, Talent Team, EY

We at EY are delighted to hear about NUI Galway’s unique new MSc in Corporate Finance launching this year. We have worked closely with NUIG and their masters' students over the last number of years and it is very evident that the skills these students learn and built upon through studying at NUI Galway are highly transferable in today's working world. This new MSc in Corporate Finance is coming at a great time where we here at EY need trusted business advisers in our Corporate Finance sector due to the incredible growth in the area and numerous opportunities arising from this.
Ronan

Ronan Murray |   Partner, Corporate Finance, Deloitte

At Deloitte, success is about protecting, enhancing and realising value for our clients. That is how our Corporate Finance team makes a lasting impact that matters. Our market-leading team offers a full range of services from M&A advisory to due diligence, valuation, debt advisory and restructuring services. Our team has been growing strongly over the last number of years, and we have been at the forefront of a number of significant transactions with major Irish clients. We seek Corporate Finance trainees eager to develop their analytical and decision making skills to deliver innovative, effective solutions tailored towards our clients’ specific requirements. The new MSc in Corporate Finance offered by NUI Galway will offer graduates an opportunity to equip themselves with the essential tools and techniques necessary to develop a career in Corporate Finance.
Chris

Chris Ball |   Corporate Finance Partner, RBK Chartered Accountants

Developing a career in Corporate Finance involves so much more than the technical application of accounting standards and reporting. Being able to make a positive difference to clients in their decision making means being able to absorb and analyse data across the business, the industry sector and the wider economy, whilst also being aware of the global macro-economic factors that affect a client’s business. Applying this analysis to practical business and investment decisions, which are becoming more and more complex, is a critical skill for our team. The programme and course content of the MSc in Corporate Finance offered by NUIG contains the tools and learning points that will give graduates a head start in pursuing a career in this field.
Aengus

Aengus Burns |   Partner, Advisory Services, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we offer hands-on commercial and strategic advice for businesses, working with management teams to deliver sustainable improvements and accelerated growth in shareholder value. The NUI Galway MSc in Corporate Finance comes at a time when Corporate Finance professionals are in increased demand for M&A, Fundraising, Transaction Advisory and Valuation support. We welcome the MSc in Corporate Finance and recommend it to those interested in pursuing opportunities in this area."

Meet our Students & Graduates

Hiral

Hiral Mehta |   Financial Advisory Intern - Deloitte

The MSc in Corporate Finance at NUI Galway provides a perfect combination of technical and practical knowledge. It provided multiple opportunities for career development since, along with the knowledge of the core modules, one also has an option for a 12-week work placement, the USP of this course. The course modules cover all the accounting and financial aspects opening doors to choose from as a career objective. Moreover, the curriculum also offers global exposure providing exemptions from ACCA which is globally recognised. The programme size is small with a mix of national and international students in the class giving an opportunity to bond with our classmates and make good connections. NUIG is one of the best universities in Ireland and its ranking and reputation is exceedingly impressive. It has been my privilege to be graduate of this institution. The teaching faculty of the programme is very professional, friendly and easily approachable. The transition from applying to the course, getting accepted, being a scholarship recipient to arriving in Galway to attending in-person classes in the middle of the pandemic was very smooth.

AACSB - Global Accreditation

AACSB - Global Business Accreditation 2

AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide

Learn More >‌

ACCA Exemption Accreditation

ACCA Exemption Accreditation

CFA Institute Affiliation

CFA Affiliation - MSc Corporate Finance