MSc in Finance (Investment and Asset Management)

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)