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. |
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.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
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.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
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.
Apply Now