Download or Print

1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Finance (Investment and Asset Management)

Course Fact File

Code	MSCFIA
Duration	1 Year Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	See Fees and Costs for full details.
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

Our MSc Finance (Investment & Asset Management) is a one-year programme that will provide you with a broad range of theoretical, technical, and professional skills required to develop a career in international finance. Our graduates have excellent prospects and take on roles such as investment manager, financial consultant, investment consultant, trader, risk manager, quantitative analyst and portfolio construction analyst with Irish and international financial institutions.

The programme is designed for graduates with any business background who want to specialise in investment management and STEM students who want to apply their skills in the field of finance. As the programme is designed and run by experienced industry professionals it has a significant practical bias and focuses on developing the skills required by the industry. The syllabus is constantly evolving to incorporate new developments in industry practice and employer requirements.

We recognise the importance of professional qualifications in career development and award academic credit to students sitting a professional examination while on the programme. The programme is a member of the CFA® Institute University Affiliation Programme and a CAIA® Association Academic Partner and incorporates the curriculum of both. This ensures the programme stays current with industry developments and provides students with the knowledge necessary to pass their examinations. 

The programme is structured as follows:

• Core Modules: Core modules provide you with the in-depth knowledge to understand and analyse the core topics in finance, such as equity and bond valuation, asset allocation and project finance. These modules focus on analysis and application and have a quantitative element.

• Specialised Modules: Specialised modules cover areas of specific relevance to your future career, such as venture capital, private equity and risk management. The modules here focus on understanding and application and can be case study-based and/or lecture-driven.

These modules are supported by modules based on continuous assessment: 

• Professional Development (FI6006) is an innovative module operating across the year where students work on developing their communication, presentation and IT skills. This module provides the perfect opportunity to hone your networking, communication and presentation skills. This is complemented by a Research Skills module which allows students to develop those skills needed to meet the research and analysis challenges they will encounter in employment along with familiarity of professional IT systems.
• Professional Examination: In this element of the programme you pursue a course of independent study, under the supervision of an academic mentor, towards the CFA®, CAIA®, QFA or equivalent relevant professional examination. Guidance is provided by our CFA® and CAIA® faculty representatives on the best approach to select and prepare for these examinations. As a member of the CFA® Institute University Affiliated programme and as a CAIA® Association Academic Partner, the faculty award a number of scholarships for these exams each year. CFA Charter holders are exempt from this requirement, other professional qualifications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Research Project (AC6127)/Internship (AC6129): The final element in the course takes place over the summer. Our students get the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained over the year to prepare an applied research report. Under the supervision of an academic mentor, students will research and write a detailed report on a topical issue. The report will be practical in nature and students can expect to use professional analysis techniques and IT systems. Alternatively, students may undertake a relevant internship and complete their report on an issue that arises from or is informed by that role.

In total students take 90 credits:

PART I

• AC6031 Issues in Modern Finance (5 credits)
• AC6101 International Project Finance (5 credits)
• AC6105 Managing Financial Institutions (5 credits)
• AC6113 Financial Analysis & Forecasting (5 credits)
• AC6116 Quantitative Analysis (5 credits)
• AC6119 Capital Markets & Funds Industry Regulation & Ethics (5 credits)
• EC6005 Derivatives for Risk Management (5 credits)
• FI6004 Analysis of Debt Instruments (5 credits)
• FI6005 Equity Valuation (5 credits)
• FI6006 Professional Development (5 credits)

And either

AC6030 Python and Machine Learning for Finance (5 Credits)

Or

AC6108 Venture Capital and Private Equity (5 Credits)

PART II

• AC6126 Professional Examination Report (5 credits) And Either
• AC6127 Asset Management Research Report (30 credits) Or
• AC6129 Corporate Internship (30 credits)

Course Practicalities

Over two semesters, students complete ten modules, five core, and five specialised modules, assessed by examination (and typically 30% comprising continuous assessment). These are complemented by two modules, professional development and research methods, examined entirely by continuous assessment.  In the final semester, students complete the professional examination module and undertake a quantitative research project or internship. 

Effective communication and the ability to work in teams are essential skills for a successful career.  Our continuous assessment programme is designed to allow students to develop and practice these skills and can take the form of class contributions, individual assignments, case studies, group reports, or presentations.

Who teaches this course?

Our MSc programme is delivered by UCC academic staff, generally from the Department of Accounting and Finance. Alongside academic qualifications, many of the faculty have significant industry experience having worked at leading investment banks (UBS, HSBC, and Lehman), stockbrokers (Davy and NCB), business advisory firms (Ernst and Young), and hedge funds (Old Mutual Asset Managers and Aphelion Capital).  A number of the faculty are CFA charter holders.

Connected Curriculum

Our teaching approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research, and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as management, marketing, and business.

Why Choose This Course

This MSc Finance (Investment & Asset Management) programme is focused on preparing you for a successful career in the international investment, finance and banking industry. Our graduates gain an understanding of the theory of financial markets while developing the combination of analytical, practical, and professional skills sought by employers.  Specific reasons to choose this unique course include: 

• It is a one-year course.
• A programme designed and run by faculty with significant industry experience, with a focus on employability and the knowledge and skills required for a career in finance.
• A syllabus aligned with the leading professional bodies ensures graduates have the up to date knowledge valued by employers.
• Practical focus ensures graduates have the skills needed to contribute immediately to their employer.
• Strong emphasis on the development of professional skills, including interview and presentation skills, which combined with a professional examination, provide students with a head start in the job market.
• Excellent employment prospects on completion of the course
• The first programme in the world to award academic credit for sitting a career-enhancing professional examination, CFA^©, CAIA^©, QFA or equivalent.
• Scholarships are available for students for CFA^© and CAIA^©
• A constantly evolving curriculum aligned with developments in the finance industry ensures the programme stays relevant, new topics include coding and machine learning.
• Students have the opportunity to secure a relevant industry internship or produce an applied research project.

 

Skills and Careers Information

Upon completion of the MSc Finance (Investment & Asset Management), you can expect to have excellent career prospects with the international investment, asset management, finance and banking industries. Our students have gone on to work for the following companies:

• Abbey Capital, Advantage Futures (Chicago), Bank of Ireland Treasury, Colonial First State (Sydney), Core Financial Partners (Los Angeles), Davy Stockbrokers, Deutsche Bank, Emerge Capital, Fidelity Investments, Goldman Sachs (New York), Goodbody Corporate Finance, HSBC (Shanghai), JDX Consulting (London), Mitsubishi UFG Fund Services, Morgan Stanley, Northern Trust (Chicago), PwC Wealth Management, Rubrics Asset Management, SMBC Aviation Capital, TOBAM Asset Management, Willis Towers Watson.

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) but meet all other requirements 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.

Applicants with a primary honours degree who have passed all three levels of the CFA programme are also eligible to apply.

Fees and Costs

In addition, students will have to pay registration and examination fees for their professional exam, this is typically in the range of €500 to €1,000, depending on the examination selected. The faculty offers a number of CFA and CAIA scholarships, based on academic results, to defray this cost.  We offered twenty-three scholarships in 2020-2021 but the number can vary from year-to-year.

How To Apply

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