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At NUI Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Corporate Finance (MSc)
Course Overview
The MSc in Corporate Finance is a one-year, full-time programme that prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the financial sector.
This programme is designed to equip you with analytical and decision-making skills relevant to the finance industry. It combines specialist knowledge, practical insight and an advanced understanding of corporate finance theory and practice. Potential careers include roles in investment banking, commercial banking, fund management, insurance, corporate finance services, and in finance divisions of firms in other industries and sectors.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
A H2.1 undergraduate honours degree (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) in:
(a) Business/Commerce to include a number of quantitative subjects such as Economics or Finance; or
(b) A quantitative-based degree such as Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Economics.
Applicants should have demonstrated strong academic ability (a H1 or H2.1, or equivalent) in a number of quantitative modules in their degree, such as mathematics, statistics, or econometrics. IELTS score of 6.5, or equivalent, if applicable.
Additional Requirements
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2022
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
30
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
Offers are made on a rolling basis. Please refer to the review/closing date website.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
Course code
1MRF1
Course Outline
Indicative list of Modules
- Accounting and Financial Analysis
- Intermediate Corporate Finance
- Accounting for Management
- Intermediate International Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Business & Society (Ethics)
- Applied Portfolio Management
- Advanced Corporate Finance
- Accounting for Management Control
- Advanced International Financial Reporting
- Global Economics for International Managers
- Derivatives & Risk Management
Summer Schools X2
- Managing Organisational Performance
- Analytical and Communications Skills Development
Or
- 12 Week Work Placement*
*We will secure internship opportunities, but it is at the discretion of employers as to whether they shortlist and offer a position to applicants. In case a student cannot secure an internship, two summer schools must be completed.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Careers include roles in investment banking, commercial banking, fund management, insurance, corporate finance services, and in finance divisions of firms in other industries and sectors.
Chartered Accountants Ireland - Professional Examination Exemptions
CAI have granted CAP 1 exemptions in three CAP 1 papers*:
- Paper 1—Finance
- Paper 2—Management Accounting
- Paper 3—Financial Accounting
*Subject to achieving a minimum overall degree award of a 2.2 (second class honours grade two) and minimum examination performance in specified subjects.
CFA Institute Affiliation
The MSc (Corporate Finance ) is participating in the University Affiliation Program (UAP) run by the CFA Institute. This affiliation demonstrates that our curriculum is closely tied to the practice of investment management and is helpful to students preparing for the CFA Program exams
ACCA Exemptions
MSC in Corporate Finance has been awarded exemptions from six ACCA subjects:
Accountant in Business, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Performance Management, Financial Reporting and Financial Management.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Apply effective decision making to global business problems.
Identify, analyse and solve applied problems in individual and team-based settings.
Evaluate and apply tools in the core business disciplines of Finance, Accounting and Economics to solve technical problems and contribute to solving strategic problems.
Analyse and evaluate corporate finance and investment problems using appropriate techniques, practices, and theories.
Critically analyse and interpret how global financial markets and investment firms operate.
Develop analytical, ethical, and communication skills to contribute to both personal and organisational development.
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Note to no-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.
Find out More
Programme Director
Dr Patricia Martyn
E: patricia.martyn@nuigalway.ie
Programme Administrator
Ms Melissa O’Hea
T: +353 91 492308
E: Accounting@nuigalway.ie
Quick Links
Feedback from Industry

Austin Sammon | Partner, Audit & Business Advisory, Mazars
We live in a world where non-traditional sources of finance are becoming mainstream in developed economies – the ability to speak their language and interpret financial information is paramount to accessing this finance. Knowledge of a company’s industry to decide on the ideal debt / equity mix and building of a network gained from colleagues taking part in the MSc in Corporate Finance are valuable tools which will elevate you from a traditional accountant and ensure your progression to executive level with key strategic decision making powers

Bruce Waldron | Corporate Finance Executive, JPA Brenson Lawlor
I was delighted to hear of the introduction of the MSc in Corporate Finance at NUIG. Corporate Finance is an extremely rewarding career path where you will learn fast, develop a strong network and help clients fulfil their financial and strategic goals. Corporate Finance professionals are often at the centre of a deal, liaising with all parties invoved from bankers to lawyers and thereofre it is critical to have a strong mix of technical and non-technical skills. No two days are the same and you will often be preparing Information Memorandums, Valuations, Business Plans, Financial Modelling, and Pre/Post Contract Due Diligence reports. Due to the growing economic acitivty here in Ireland, oppourtunities in the Finance indusry are on the rise and the MSc in Coporate Finance at NUIG will equip graduates with an excellent skill-set to seize these oppourtunies.

Kathy Joyce | Senior Associate, Talent Team, EY
We at EY are delighted to hear about NUI Galway’s unique new MSc in Corporate Finance launching this year. We have worked closely with NUIG and their masters' students over the last number of years and it is very evident that the skills these students learn and built upon through studying at NUI Galway are highly transferable in today's working world. This new MSc in Corporate Finance is coming at a great time where we here at EY need trusted business advisers in our Corporate Finance sector due to the incredible growth in the area and numerous opportunities arising from this.

Ronan Murray | Partner, Corporate Finance, Deloitte
At Deloitte, success is about protecting, enhancing and realising value for our clients. That is how our Corporate Finance team makes a lasting impact that matters. Our market-leading team offers a full range of services from M&A advisory to due diligence, valuation, debt advisory and restructuring services. Our team has been growing strongly over the last number of years, and we have been at the forefront of a number of significant transactions with major Irish clients. We seek Corporate Finance trainees eager to develop their analytical and decision making skills to deliver innovative, effective solutions tailored towards our clients’ specific requirements. The new MSc in Corporate Finance offered by NUI Galway will offer graduates an opportunity to equip themselves with the essential tools and techniques necessary to develop a career in Corporate Finance.

Chris Ball | Corporate Finance Partner, RBK Chartered Accountants
Developing a career in Corporate Finance involves so much more than the technical application of accounting standards and reporting. Being able to make a positive difference to clients in their decision making means being able to absorb and analyse data across the business, the industry sector and the wider economy, whilst also being aware of the global macro-economic factors that affect a client’s business. Applying this analysis to practical business and investment decisions, which are becoming more and more complex, is a critical skill for our team. The programme and course content of the MSc in Corporate Finance offered by NUIG contains the tools and learning points that will give graduates a head start in pursuing a career in this field.

Aengus Burns | Partner, Advisory Services, Grant Thornton
At Grant Thornton we offer hands-on commercial and strategic advice for businesses, working with management teams to deliver sustainable improvements and accelerated growth in shareholder value. The NUI Galway MSc in Corporate Finance comes at a time when Corporate Finance professionals are in increased demand for M&A, Fundraising, Transaction Advisory and Valuation support. We welcome the MSc in Corporate Finance and recommend it to those interested in pursuing opportunities in this area."