Financial Analysis (HDip)

HDip (Financial Analysis)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
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Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Financial Analysis is a graduate conversion course.

Graduates equipped with skills drawn from the dual disciplines of accounting and economics will play increasingly key and impactful roles in financial, banking and business sectors in the future. The goal of the Higher Diploma in Financial Analysis is to introduce students to and equip students with the applied analytical skills they need to secure future employment in the financial, banking and business sectors.This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles and analytical methods of accounting and economics in addition to modules from other business related disciplines.

Upon graduating, course participants will be equipped with a foundation of knowledge and skills that will prepare them for further studies and future carers in this field. The long-term employment prospects for graduates from this course are excellent. In terms of further study opportunities, graduates will be equipped to progress to MSc level programmes, such as the MSc Corporate Finance and the MSc International Finance at University of Galway. In terms of career opportunities, graduates may take up a range of positions in the financial, banking and business sectors.

Students of this programme secure exemptions from some of the examinations of the ACCA accountancy body. The ACCA grants exemptions from exams in three subjects [Financial Management; Business & Technology; Management Accounting] to all DFA graduates. Students have the opportunity to receive a fourth exemption in Financial Accounting, provided that they choose module AY209 in Semester 2.

ACCA Accredited

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Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Dr Ashley James Piggins

BA(HONS), MPHIL, PHD, PGCHET

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Mr Cian Twomey

B.COMM., M.ECON

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Dr Jason Harold

BA,MA,PhD

Lecturer Above The Bar
School of Business & Economics
University of Galway
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Dr. Gerard Turley

Phd

Lecturer Above The Bar
Dept. of Economics
First Floor, St. Anthony's
NUI Galway
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Dr Aidan Kane

BA (Mod.) PhD

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Ms. BREDA LALLY

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Prof Jonathan Levie

PhD

Professor of Entrepreneurship & Regional Development
E: jonathan.levie@universityofgalway.ie
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Dr Jason Harold

BA,MA,PhD

Lecturer Above The Bar
School of Business & Economics
University of Galway
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Ms Sharon Cotter

BComm., F.C.A, HDip (Ed)

LECTURER BELOW THE BAR
E: SHARON.COTTER@nuigalway.ie
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MS MAURA O'CONNELL

B.Comm, H.Dip in Ed, MBS

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Mrs Geraldine Grady

Dip., MBS

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DR LORRAINE MORGAN

Dip, MSc., PhD.

Professor
School of Business & Economics
University of Galway
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Dr Murray Scott

B.A., M.A., H.Dip Sys Anl., M.Comm, PhD

Lecturer (Above the Bar)
J.E.Cairnes School of Business & Economics
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Requirements and Assessment

Semester One exams: December.
Semester Two exams: April/May.

A range of assessment methods are applied throughout the programme. These include essays, projects, reports, presentations and case studies.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

The programme is open to degree holders from a university or other recognised degree-awarding body. Applicants should hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification or equivalent; IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for entry may be considered. Applicants who do not have the required academic qualifications for entry purposes, but have relevant work experience in the financial, banking or business sectors, may be entitled to apply under the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website.

Recognition of Prior Learning for module exemptions is not available on this programme due to external professional accreditation requirements.

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Offers are made on a rolling basis.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

Higher Diploma

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

Students on this programme study 12 modules, made up of 11 core modules and one elective module. The core modules consist of four modules in Accounting and Financial Analysis, three modules in Economics, two modules in Management, and one module each in Marketing and Management Information Systems. In semester Two, students choose one elective module. Currently, the elective modules are AY209 International Financial Reporting, EC362 Economics of Financial Markets, EC3100 Economics and Philosophy and MS319 Enterprise Systems (may be subject to change).

Students will take these modules alongside other business students in the Higher Diploma in Business Studies (Semester 1)

Semester 1 (30 credits) *All core, compulsory modules

EC5133: Principles of Economics for Business
AY5123: Accounting and Financial Analysis
AY872: Financial Management I
MG524: Management
MK204: Marketing Principles
MS873: Management Information Systems I

Semester 2 (30 credits) *Core, compulsory modules

EC2101: Macroeconomics and the Business Environment
EC247: Introduction to Financial Economics
AY874: Accounting For Management Decisions
AY875: Financial Management II
SBE3001: Innovation: Creativity and Enterprise

*Optional modules. Choose one module:

EC362: Economics of Financial Markets
EC3100: Economics and Philosophy
AY209: International Financial Reporting I
MS319: Enterprise Systems

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

- No prior knowledge of business is required

- Students are exposed to a broad spectrum of modules across accountancy, economics and management

- Excellent career opporunities in finance, accounting and fintech

- The advanced financial knowledge and expertise learned on this programme are highly sought after by employers.

- A unique opportunity to gain a highly sought after Level 8 qualification for free or at a highly discounted rate

- Exemptions from ACCA examinations

The finance industry is highly competitive, and having this Diploma will give graduates an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs. It demonstrates one's commitment to the field and one's proficiency in analysing financial data, which is a crucial skill in many finance-related roles. Graduates can expect to secure a position in the financial, banking or business sector.

For graduates already working in the finance field, the Diploma in Financial Analysis can open up opportunities for career advancement. It can help them specialise in areas such as investment analysis, financial planning, risk management, or portfolio management.

Who’s Suited to This Course

This programme will suit both business and non business graduates.

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€6,000 p.a. 2025/26*

Fees: Tuition

€5,860 p.a. 2025/26*

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€€15,000 p.a. (€15,140 including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.

Find out More

Further information contact:

Programme Director:
E: natasha.caulfield@universityofgalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Mary McLoughlin | Junior Business Banking Manager, PTSB

I am delighted to have completed the H Dip in Financial Analysis. By having a background in Banking before starting this course it has given me a better understanding of the sector I work in whilst also broadening my career aspects. The course was very well structured and the continuous assessment aspect throughout the year meant the pressure at end of year exams was eased. Modules such as Accounting and Financial Management underpinned the course - while modules such as Innovation: Creativity & Enterprise gave students a chance to complete a hands-on group project throughout the semester. I thoroughly enjoyed my time completing same and would recommend this course to anyone looking to progress a career in Financial Services or Accounting.

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