Accounting & Finance
>Embark on the route to become a professional accountant – a job which offers a rewarding career with international mobility and high earning potential
>Become a highly sought-after graduate possessing accounting, finance and transferable skills required of future business leaders
>Engage with expert faculty, who foster an engaging, friendly, supportive and dynamic learning environment
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 years (4 years with placement or Erasmus/Study Abroad)
Placement Option: Yes* (*see Course Structure for details)
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate:
2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & O4/H7 Mathematics
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.
All Leaving Certificate subjects carry equal points with the exception of *Mathematics (details below). Points are awarded for your six best subjects in any one year. These do not have to include subjects needed to meet general minimum entry requirements. Minimum entry requirements and course requirements may be satisfied by an accumulation of subjects over more than one year. As well as achieving the required points, you must have a minimum of six subjects in your Leaving Certificate, with two Higher Level papers at grade H5 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade O6/H7.
The requirements for each course are shown above.
* 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for a Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics grade H6 or higher.
The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant’s best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.
Foundation level Mathematics is accepted for matriculation (i.e. can be counted as one of the six subjects required - grade F6 or higher), but does not meet the requirement for degrees where Mathematics is a special programme requirement. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Foundation level Irish is not accepted for matriculation. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points are awarded as follows:
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Applicants can use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their best six subjects for the purpose of calculating points, but the Link Modules do not qualify as a subject for minimum entry requirement purposes.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Click on the 'QQI FET Applicants Information link' below for specific course entry requirements.
QQI FET General Information Link
Careers / Further progression
Options after graduation? While graduates are likely to be primarily focused on a professional accountancy qualification, the numeracy skills, coupled with an ability to think critically and analytically, which are developed on this programme, are invaluable assets in a wide range of careers. Graduates have successful and rewarding careers in accounting, banking and financial services generally.
Many of our students continue to further postgraduate study in a very wide range of Business subjects at Maynooth University.
Further information
Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to over 70. Up to 200 mature students begin their studies here each year. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.
The Mature Student Office is committed to supporting the learning experience of our mature students. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate courses. We offer a range of supports for mature students including an advisory service, tailored information sessions during Orientation/Welcome Week, academic advisors, the Student Budgeting Advice Service and a technology skills programme. There is also a Mature Student Society on campus providing a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.
See the Mature Student handbook for detailed information about applying as a mature student. Call, email or drop in to meet us in MAP Lodge on the North Campus or to request a mature student information pack. If the opportunity to return to education has presented itself to you, we hope you’ll choose Maynooth University.
Emer Sheerin, Mature Student Officer
+ 353 1 708 3307
emer.sheerin@mu.ie
2023: 90
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Why choose this degree?
To become a professional accountant, you need to successfully complete three levels of professional exams as well as on-the-job training. If you successfully complete the BA Accounting and Finance, you will be exempt from the first level of these professional examinations (CAP1 examinations Chartered Accountants Ireland and equivalent examinations from ACCA, CIMA and CPA professional accounting bodies).
You will learn how to compile, analyse, interpret and communicate essential information about the operations of a business – whether that business be a small firm, a publicly traded corporation or an NGO (non-governmental organisation).
You will have the opportunity to pursue a four-year degree with a work placement in a leading accounting firm or study year abroad, thus combining what you learn in Maynooth University with insights into industry or another culture.
Maynooth Education
Critical Skills Option see page 22 (of UG Prospectus 2024)
Course structure
Accounting is the major element studied with Finance and Economics.
1st year
Students are introduced to the fundamentals of accounting and finance in year 1 with no prior knowledge required, as we teach accounting from first principles. Students develop key analytical, technical and numeracy skills which create a solid foundation to build upon in subsequent years.
2nd and Final year
In second and final year you will expand and deepen your knowledge of all areas of accounting and finance as well as gain an understanding of the financial environment in which businesses operate.
Some students may choose to complete a work placement or study abroad year between 2nd and final year and graduate after the 4th year.
(*The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive).
Possible topics
1st year
Financial Accounting
Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting
Economics
Mathematics
Professional Development modules
2nd year
Financial Accounting
Management and Cost Accounting
Taxation
Corporate Finance
Economics
Final year
Advanced Financial Accounting
Advanced Management Accounting
Ethics and Corporate Governance
Law
Finance (Investments, Derivatives and Markets)
Dr Hilary Qualter, Programme Director
Maynooth University School of Business, TSI Building, North Campus
+ 353 1 708 3609
business@mu.ie
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/business
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