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

Course Fact File

Code	MSCAPA
Duration	12 Months Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
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

Our MSc Accounting and Performance Analytics (formerly the MSc Management Information and Managerial Accounting Systems) is a full-time conversion programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules from September to May, followed by a graduate placement, or the completion of a group-based applied research project, commencing from June onwards.

This MSc is a challenging postgraduate degree course. The employment record for our graduates is excellent and many are currently employed in a variety of positions, including: management consultant, project manager, business analyst, business intelligence analyst, management accountant and financial accountant.

The programme includes the possibility of a three-month industrial internship and you will also take modules in a variety of subjects relevant to both accounting and Information Systems (IS).

The IS modules will give you an appreciation of how technology can be used to support the operations and transactions of modern organisations. The management accounting modules will provide you with a thorough understanding of management accounting concepts and techniques and how these can be used to support managerial decision-making.  The course also carries exemptions from three major accounting bodies: CIMA, ACCA and CAI.

Programme content

Students take 90 credits as follows – 60 credits of taught modules (Part I) and 30 credits of research modules (Part II)

Part 1: Students take 60 credits as follows - all listed core modules 50 credits and 10 credits of elective modules:

Part I - Core Modules

• AC6002 Accounting Information Fundamentals (5 credits)
• AC6412 Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility for International Firms (5 credits)
• AC6419 Principles of Cost Management (5 credits)
• AC6420 Advanced Managerial Accounting (5 credits)
• AC6421 Performance Management, Risk and Control for International Firms (5 credits)
• FI6006  Professional Development (5 credits)
• IS6125  Database Analysis and Design (5 credits)
• IS6200  Programming for Business I (5 credits)
• IS6218  Understanding Global Business Processes (5 credits)
• IS6219  Enterprise Data Reporting and Visualisation (5 credits)IS6217  Programming for Business II (5 credits) or AC4407 Financial Reporting 1

ELECTIVE MODULES

• IS6217  Programming for Business II (5 credits) or AC4407 Financial Reporting 1
• IS6126  Databases for Management Information Systems (5 credits) or AC4408 Financial Reporting 2 

Part II - Students take 30 credits as follows:

• AC6016 Placement (30 credits) or AC6017 Industry Report (30 credits)

The MSc Accounting and Performance Analytics is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules from September to May, followed by either the completion of a group-based research project or a graduate placement commencing from June onwards.

Students undertake taught modules to the value of 60 credits and an industrial placement or industry report to the value of 30 credits. In the event of a placement not being secured an unplaced student will undertake project work of an equivalent credit value as specified by the Head of Department.

Exit Award

Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and performance analytics

Candidates who pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits in Part I may choose to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9, Major Award).

Course Practicalities

This course consists of traditional classroom-based lectures in addition to a series of computer practical sessions. You will also gain experience of seminars, industrial site visits, guest lectures, student presentations to (and feedback from) leading industry experts etc. On average, you can expect 25 contact hours per week (i.e. lectures/practical sessions) with the remainder of your time spent researching and completing projects and assignments.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used during this course. In addition to the traditional end-of-year written examinations, you will undertake a series of individual and group assignments and projects during the year in the areas of both management accounting and information systems.

Who teaches this course?

This course is taught by a team of dedicated and experienced academics who all have relevant industrial experience, either in management accounting and/or information systems. The majority of the teaching team also have PhDs which facilitates them in guiding your research efforts.

Why Choose This Course

This course is unique in being the only master’s level course in Ireland that focuses on both accounting and information systems. The course content is tailored to industry requirements, with frequent site visits, guest speakers, and case studies. The graduate placement opportunities are unparalleled in Ireland in terms of the profile of the companies, the international scope, and the full-time positions open to students on completion. It is an invaluable launch pad for careers in international business and entrepreneurship.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

There are national and international placement opportunities available. The Accounting and Performance Analytics course is unique in having cultivated an international reputation for the calibre of our students, and we have strong relationships with placement companies and employers in Ireland, the UK, and Europe. Across the Atlantic, students have been placed in organisations in New York and Seattle. Strong links are maintained with the financial services industry in Luxembourg. Post-graduation, a growing contingent of Chinese students has opened up the possibility of careers in China.

Skills and Careers Information

You will acquire the skills to steer organisational performance and monitor financial health, analyse historic data to predict future trends, and budget and forecast. In parallel, you will learn to design and build information systems from a process, database and user interface perspective. You will be introduced to business intelligence and data analytics, and you will gain important communication skills.

Accounting and Performance Analytics students become business analysts, accountants, auditors and information systems professionals.

Requirements

The MSc Accounting and Performance Analytics is a conversion programme designed for applicants who have not previously studied Accounting or Software Development. As such, the course is not suitable for graduates from degrees with high levels of software development and accounting content (e.g. BSc Business Information Systems, BSc Accounting).

This course is open to graduates of all disciplines (but not for graduates from degrees with high levels of software development and management accounting, as stated above) with a minimum Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8). Applicants who do not meet the Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) standard may be admitted to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) on the basis of significant practical or professional experience as deemed appropriate by the Head of Department and subject to the approval of the School of Business.

It is important to apply early as this programme is often over-subscribed. If your application is successful at this stage you will receive an offer or (if you have not yet received your final exam results) a conditional offer.  If you meet the application requirements but the course is full, you will be placed on the waiting list.  Students on this waiting list get priority over later applicants. If the course has not been filled in the first round, or by the first round waiting list, and your application is successful, you will receive an offer or a conditional offer. If you meet the application requirements but the course is full, you will be placed on the waiting list. 

 

Fees and Costs

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.

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