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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Accounting

Course Fact File

Code	MCAC
Duration	1 Year Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MACC
NFQ Level	Level 9
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	8 September 2025

Course Outline

This one-year full-time course offers a postgraduate route to a career in professional accounting. It offers you the chance to complete much of the study and examination requirements involved in qualifying as an accountant. Upon successful completion of all requirements of the course, you will gain full exemption from all but the Final Admitting Examination (FAE) of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).

The course offers more than exemptions. As well as intensive tuition in the core technical materials assessed in the professional examinations, you will gain exposure to the emerging contemporary issues in accounting and finance that will shape your working environment and the future economy. Personal competencies and skills in commercial judgment are also developed to give you a competitive edge as you embark on your career in accounting. In addition, MAcc graduates qualify for exemption from all papers in part 1 of the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.

Students take a total of 90 credits. Part I consists of taught modules to the value of 60 credits. Part II consists of 30 credits devoted to the development of independent research skills relevant to the work of a modern professional accountant in practice, industry and financial services.

Modules ~ Part I 

AC6200 Financial Reporting for Groups (5 credits)
AC6210 Management Accounting 1 (5 credits)
AC6211 Management Accounting 2 (5 credits)
AC6212 Corporate Finance 1 (5 credits)
AC6213 Corporate Finance 2 (5 credits)
AC6214 Auditing, Assurance, and Professional Ethics (5 credits)
AC6215 Advanced Auditing and Assurance (5 credits)
AC6216 Advanced Taxation 1 (5 credits)
AC6217 Advanced Taxation 2 (5 credits)
AC6218 International Financial Reporting 1 (5 credits)
AC6219 International Financial Reporting 2 (5 credits)
IS6210 Analytics for Accountants (5 credits)

Modules ~ Part II

AC6220 Accounting Research Report (30 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting - NFQ Level 9, Major Award
Students who successfully achieve the pass standard in Part I may opt not to proceed to Part II and may opt instead to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting.

Course Practicalities

Lectures take place Monday-Thursday in Room 3.14, O’Rahilly Building, UCC.  This dedicated room in the department is available to MAcc students for individual and group work on Fridays and at weekends.  Occasional seminars, site visits and other professional training activities also take place on some Fridays.

There is also a significant commitment in terms of assignments, case study preparation and individual study. The workload reflects the demands expected in the early stages of a professional career and students should plan their year on the basis that this is a full-time course.

There may be opportunities for students to act as undergraduate tutors.

The academics who teach this course are all experienced professionals who have worked in a variety of major accounting firms, financial institutions, and leading industrial companies both nationally and internationally.  All hold accounting qualifications and/or have significant industry experience.  Our academic staff are also actively engaged in professionally relevant research and publication.

Examinations

Assessment for the taught modules is by a combination of end-of-year written exams and continuous assessment in the form of interim exams and projects. For a fuller description of these, please see the Book of Modules.

Why Choose This Course

The course prepares you for employment as a trainee accountant and it has been designed with significant contributions from partners, directors, and training managers in major accounting firms.

Each of the 'Big 4' firms (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PwC) has indicated a willingness to support students who wish to complete the MAcc at UCC prior to undertaking professional training.

Skills and Careers Information

• The accounting profession is the largest single employer of graduates in Ireland
• An accounting qualification is a primary entry route to senior roles in general management
• Opportunities in the financial services sector internationally have provided a demand for accountants qualifying in Ireland far in excess of the requirements of professional practice alone
• Irish-qualified accountants are in demand to fill varied roles worldwide

Requirements

Applicants must have:
 
at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) with a significant accounting specialisation and expect to qualify for exemption from the CA Proficiency 1 examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).
 
Applicants who do not meet the exemption requirement in full by the registration date may only be admitted in exceptional circumstances following approval by the Programme Board and the School of Business.  
 
Applicants who meet the requirement in full, with the exception of CAP 1 Taxation, may be admitted but must fulfill the Taxation requirement by taking specific elective modules during the programme. 

Fees and Costs

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:

• Please upload evidence of CAP1 exemptions already achieved and/or supporting documentation for any subject exemptions that are outstanding.  See MAACC CAP 1 form.

 

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.

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