Download or Print

1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Finance (Corporate Finance)

Course Fact File

Code	MSCFCF
Duration	1 Year Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
EU Fees	€10,800 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Non-EU Fees	€19,700
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	7 September 2026

Course Outline

The MSc Finance (Corporate Finance) is designed for high-achieving graduates seeking to fast-track their careers in the global financial sector. This intensive programme delivers rigorous theoretical training alongside applied, industry-focused projects, preparing you for roles in investment banking, private equity, corporate advisory, and strategic finance. Developed and reviewed in partnership with an active Industry Advisory Board, the curriculum bridges academic excellence and the practical skill demands of top-tier employers.

Professional Accreditation

In today's dynamic economic landscape, where upskilling and professional credentialing are essential for career resilience, this programme is strategically designed to deliver immediate professional value and recognition.

· The MSc Finance (Corporate Finance) is an affiliated partner of the CFA Institute University Recognition Programme, signalling alignment with globally recognised investment analysis standards.

· The University is a designated CAIA Academic Partner, a status awarded to programmes that integrate at least 60% of the CAIA Association’s Core Knowledge Outline into their curriculum.

· The degree is formally recognised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Graduates receive exemptions from the following ACCA papers: Accountant in Business (AB), Management Accounting (MA), and Financial Accounting (FA), with the potential for an additional exemption in Financial Management (FM) contingent on elective module selection.

These modules are supported by modules based on continuous assessment:

The Professional Development (FI6006) module is an innovative program that runs throughout the year, focusing on enhancing students' communication, presentation, and IT skills. This module offers an excellent opportunity to refine and improve your networking, communication, and presentation abilities. It is further supported by a Research Skills module, which helps students develop the competencies needed to tackle the research and analysis challenges they may face in their future careers, as well as familiarize them with professional IT systems. The Professional Development module provides essential training in industry-relevant skills, including effective presentation techniques and advanced Excel proficiency. Collaboration is emphasized, as several modules include team-based projects and assessments.

During the third semester, students are presented with the option to engage in either a corporate finance project or a corporate internship. Those selecting the internship route will be required to navigate a competitive recruitment process, which includes interviews with potential employers. In contrast, students who opt for the project will collaborate under the supervision of an academic mentor. The corporate internship offers students the opportunity to explore diverse career options, thereby facilitating informed decision-making concerning their professional trajectories.

The programme is taken in two parts:

Part I consists of a combination of examinations and coursework in a set of specified taught modules to the value of 60 credits.

Part II consists of a Research Project or a Corporate Internship to the value of 30 credits. In total students take 90 credits as follows:

PART I

• AC6101 International Project Finance (5 Credits)
• AC6102 Investments (5 Credits)
• AC6103 Capital Markets (5 Credits)
• AC6105 Risk Management in International Financial Institutions (5 Credits)
• AC6106 Corporate Restructuring (5 Credits)
• AC6113 Financial Analysis and Forecasting (5 Credits) 
• AC6412  Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility for International Firms (5 Credits)  
• FI6001 Treasury Risk Management (5 Credits) 
• FI6002 Regulation and Compliance in Capital Markets (5 Credits) 
• FI6005 Equity Valuation (5 Credits)
• FI6006 Professional Development (5 Credits) 

And either

AC6108 Venture Capital and Private Equity (5 Credits)
Or
AC6030   Python and Machine Learning for Finance (5 Credits)

PART II

• AC6128 Research Project or
• AC6129 Corporate Internship 

Integrated Research Project/Corporate Internship 

The concluding component of the course is held during the summer term, during which students may choose between an integrated research project and an internship.

• In the research project option, participants have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers under the guidance of an academic mentor, focusing on a corporate finance topic. This initiative is designed to strengthen both analytical and professional skills, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

• Alternatively, those opting for the internship will apply their financial knowledge in a professional environment, facilitating experiential learning and the development of critical writing and analytical skills by utilising the corporate internship as a platform for inquiry, research, and reflection. Students will undertake internships with relevant organisations aligned with the programme's focus. To secure an internship position, students must navigate a competitive recruitment process that includes interviews with prospective employers.

Course Practicalities

The MSc Finance (Corporate Finance) may be taken full-time over 12 months. 

Assessment: To meet the development objectives of this programme the degree is assessed by a blend of formal examination and continuous assessment. A number of modules contain up to 30% continuous assessment. The final element of the MSc programme is either a research project or a corporate internship. This represents one-third of the marks for the masters programme.

Who teaches this course

The instructors for this course are distinguished experts in their respective fields. Each lecturer holds a PhD and/or possesses extensive industry experience. The faculty members possess not only academic qualifications but also substantial industry experience, having been employed by prominent institutions such as UBS, HSBC, and Lehman Brothers in the investment banking sector, as well as notable stockbrokers like Davy and NCB. Their expertise extends to all areas of Finance, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), business advisory firms such as EY, and hedge funds such as Old Mutual Asset Managers and Aphelion Capital. Furthermore, several faculty members hold the esteemed CFA charter.

The academic staff at Cork University Business School actively engage in research and are affiliated with various research centres at University College Cork. They consistently publish their findings in respected international finance journals, including Applied Financial Economics, the Journal of Trading, the Journal of Business, the International Review of Financial Analysis, and Finance and Accounting.

Why Choose This Course

Transform your potential into expertise with our intensive, one-year MSc Finance (Corporate Finance). Designed in partnership with industry leaders, this program equips you with the advanced analytical skills and comprehensive knowledge to make an immediate impact in the corporate finance sector.

• Accelerated Career Launch: Gain a competitive master’s credential in just one year, backed by a 15-year legacy of success an outstanding record of graduate employment.
• Practical, Applied Learning: Apply your learning through a dedicated research project or accelerate your professional network with an internship.
• Foundational & Specialised Skills: Master a complete corporate finance syllabus while developing essential business research and analytical capability
• Learn from the Market: Our curriculum is built with industry, for industry, keeping you at the forefront of current practice.
• Join a Global Alumni Network: Tap into a powerful community of graduates in Ireland and internationally who have shaped their careers on the strength of this program since 2009.

Skills and Careers Information

The MSc Finance (Corporate Finance) provides targeted preparation for leadership roles across the financial sector. This program provides a direct pathway to high-impact careers across the financial landscape. Go beyond theory and into the roles that define the financial landscape. Our graduates are equipped to excel in roles that demand strategic insight, rigorous analysis, and expert financial management.

Core career destinations include:

• Investment Banking & Capital Markets: Launch your career executing major transactions, including mergers & acquisitions (M&A), leveraged buyouts, and capital raising through equity and debt issuances.
• Corporate Finance & Strategy: Step into roles driving financial planning, treasury operations, investor relations, and strategic development within multinational corporations.
• Business Advisory & Professional Services: Join leading firms to provide expert counsel in financial due diligence, transaction services, business valuation, and management consulting.
• Asset Management & Investment Research: Build a career analysing markets and securities, managing institutional portfolios, or conducting equity research for investment funds and sell-side firms.
• Venture Capital & Private Equity: Engage in the full investment lifecycle from sourcing and evaluating high-growth companies to supporting portfolio value creation and managing exits.
• Financial Regulation & Risk Management: Contribute to market integrity and stability by pursuing opportunities with regulatory bodies, central banks, or within corporate compliance and risk functions.
• Fintech & Corporate Development: Pioneer innovation at the intersection of finance and technology or lead strategic initiatives like M&A and partnerships from within a company's corporate development team.

Our curriculum is meticulously designed to build the precise technical acumen and commercial awareness required to secure and succeed in these competitive fields from day one.

Requirements

Applicants must normally have a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in:

· A business-related programme (e.g. Commerce, Law, Business Studies, Economics, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Information Systems etc.) or

· A programme with a significant quantitative element (e.g. Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Science, Computing etc.)

Applicants who achieve a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in either a business degree or a degree in a cognate discipline with a quantitative element and applicants from other degree disciplines with at least a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) will be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) on a case by case basis.

 

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €10,800.

The Non-EU fee for this course is €19,700.

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants): Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following question:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• What is your current occupation/speciality?

 

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Apply Now