Students on the BComm (Accounting) have two programme pathways available to them, a three-year and a four-year:

• Complete their degree over three years of study (which may include the optional Summer Accounting Internship); or
• Apply to take the optional Global Year and complete their degree over four years.
• Whether students opt for the three-year or four-year pathway, they can enrol in our Accounting Summer Internship module as part of their final year.

The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) is a specialised degree focused on developing future-ready accountants and finance professionals. You’ll gain a strong foundation in business and deepen your expertise in accounting, finance, and taxation. You can also choose to extend to a four-year degree by adding a Global Experience year, giving you valuable international and industry exposure.

Small class sizes allow for a more personal learning experience and strong interaction with lecturers.

Year 1: Laying the Foundations

In first year, you’ll build your core knowledge across business disciplines, with a strong focus on accounting and quantitative skills. Modules include:

• Introduction to Financial Reporting
• Introduction to Management Accounting
• Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
• Mathematics and Statistics for Business
• Management and Enterprise

Year 2: Developing Technical Expertise

In second year, accounting becomes more technical and specialised, while you continue to broaden your knowledge in finance, economics, and operations. Modules include:

• International Financial Reporting II and III
• Management Accounting I
• Taxation I
• Auditing, Assurance and Governance
• Business Finance I
• Business Law II
• Inferential Statistical Methods for Business

Optional Year: Global Experience

BComm (Accounting) students can extend their degree to four years by taking the Global Year, which combines a semester studying abroad with a professional work placement in accounting or finance. This optional year offers valuable international exposure and practical skills development, strongly encouraged to enhance career prospects.

• Spend one semester studying abroad at top universities in Europe, North America, Asia, or Australia.
• Complete a semester-long professional work placement in an accounting or finance role.
• Earn academic credit for both global study and work placement. 
• Graduate with a BComm (Accounting – Global Experience).
• Many students secure graduate job offers following their placement.

Final Year: Professional Preparation

In final year, you’ll refine your technical skills and apply your learning to real-world business contexts, preparing for your future career or professional exams. Modules include:

• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting II and III
• Taxation II
• Business Finance II
• Advanced Business Law
• Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise

You’ll also choose from a selection of business electives to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.

 

Curriculum Information

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

• Exemptions from professional accounting and taxation exams (including full CAP1 and two CAP2 exemptions for eligible students)
• Option to complete the degree in three years or extend to four with a Global Experience Year.
• Small class sizes that promote personalised learning and strong engagement with lecturers.
• Opportunity to gain real-world experience through a professional summer internship or work placement
• High employability – many placement students are offered graduate contracts before they even finish final year.
• Real-world application – hands-on learning through Skills for Business (Year 2) and Innovation, Creativity & Enterprise (Final Year) modules.
• Strong industry connections – guest lectures and input from professionals keep the course up to date with the latest developments in accounting and finance.
• Pathways to postgraduate study - progress to the Master of Accounting or MSc (International Accounting & Analytics) at University of Galway.

A BComm (Accounting) degree from University of Galway is your gateway to a high-demand, high-reward career in accountancy, finance and beyond.

Where our graduates work:

• Major professional services firms (e.g. EY, KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, Grant Thornton, Moore Ireland, Mazars, and Crowe Howarth).
• Banks, investment firms, and insurance companies.
• Multinational corporations across tech, pharma, and more.
• Public sector and non-profit organisations

Typical graduate roles:
Trainee Accountant, Tax Associate, Audit Associate, Financial Analyst, Business Consultant

After qualification, many progress to senior roles such as:
Audit Manager, Tax Specialist, Financial Controller, CFO

This degree develops not only technical expertise, but also critical thinking, communication, and digital skills—qualities employers value highly. Many students secure job offers before graduation, especially those who complete a placement or internship.

Next steps after graduation:
Graduates typically enter training contracts with professional bodies like Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA, or CPA Ireland. The BComm (Accounting) programme offers generous exemptions, helping fast-track professional qualification. Some continue to postgraduate study, including our Master of Accounting or MSc in International Accounting & Analytics.

Accounting is a future-focused career with excellent salaries, high employability, and global opportunities.

Students on the BComm (Accounting) who take the optional Global Year spend a full semester studying abroad, combining their business education with an international experience. This is your chance to explore a new culture, study accounting and business in a different environment, and develop valuable global insights that will set you apart in the job market.

When does this happen?

• Semester 1 of the Global Year (Year 3)

Where can you go?

We have a growing list of international partner universities across:

• Europe – including France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the Nordics.
• North America – including Canada and the United States.
• Asia and Australia – selected partner institutions in major business and tech hubs including Hong Kong and South Korea.

All modules are taught through English, so language is not a barrier.

What will you gain?

• Enhanced confidence, independence, and adaptability.
• A broader understanding of global markets and cultures.
• New friendships and international networks.
• A standout CV that shows future employers you’re open-minded and globally aware.

Funding your study abroad

Study abroad students in Europe are eligible for Erasmus+ funding, which helps offset the costs of living and studying abroad. Additional supports may be available depending on destination.

 

Gain Real-World Experience Before You Graduate

Students on the BComm (Accounting) who take the optional Global Year spend a full semester on a professional work placement, combining their business education with experience working with a professional organisation, developing valuable skills in a real-world accounting environment.

This structured work placement has been designed to help students bridge the gap between academic study and the professional world.

Placement Details
• Takes place in Semester 2 of the Global Year (Year 3).
• Students work in professional accounting or finance roles, typically with audit, tax, or advisory teams.
• Most placements are paid, and students are treated as valuable contributors to the team.

Work Placement Partners
Students secure placements with top firms like PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, Moore Ireland, Crowe Howarth, and Mazars, or in other approved professional firms, gaining hands-on experience and developing essential workplace and professional skills boosting their career prospects.

What You’ll Learn
During your placement, you’ll:
• Apply classroom theory to real-life projects and client work.
• Develop key skills employers are looking for - communication, teamwork, analytical thinking, and digital fluency.
• Gain hands-on experience with financial software and reporting, taxation, and auditing systems used across the industry.
• Build your professional network and gain insight into different career pathways within accounting.

Pathway to Employment
Our students often impress their placement employers so much that they’re offered graduate contracts before finishing their degree. It’s a fantastic way to get a foot in the door, make a strong first impression, and launch your career with confidence.

Accounting Summer Internship

Students can choose to take the Accounting Summer Internship module, which involves a six-week internship in a professional accounting work environment during the summer before final year. 

This module is open to all students, including those who have completed the optional Global Year and wish to further build their professional experience. It is especially attractive to students on the three-year degree pathway, offering them an opportunity to experience and build skills within a professional work environment.

The internship is assessed and counts as a full module in the student’s final year.

Professional Recognition

This programme is accredited by leading professional bodies including ACCA, CPA, Chartered Accountants Ireland, the Irish Tax Institute, CIMA, and CIPFA. 

Graduate Opportunities

Graduates benefit from a range of exam exemptions, helping them progress more quickly through professional accounting qualifications and into their chosen careers.

Global Recognition

These accreditations are recognised internationally, giving graduates the flexibility to pursue professional qualifications and careers in accounting and finance both in Ireland and abroad.

List of RIMS profiles to include at a future date:

Natasha Caulfield
Ray Ryan
Johanna Clancy
Michael Campion
Mary Cosgrove
Patricia Martyn
Mary Cosgrove
Brendan Kennelly
Michael Campion
Mary Barrett
Frank Conaty
John Currie
Emer Mulligan

Learning and Assessment

The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) is designed to build the knowledge and skills needed for careers in accounting, finance, and business. You’ll gain a strong foundation in core business areas while specialising in technical accounting subjects as you progress through the degree.

How Will I Learn?

Lectures and Tutorials — You’ll attend lectures to learn key concepts and principles in accounting, business, and finance. Smaller tutorials give you the chance to practise calculations, solve problems, and discuss topics in more depth with lecturers and classmates.

Practical Accounting Work — Modules involve working through financial statements, preparing accounts, and tackling real-world business scenarios. This helps you build technical and analytical skills essential for accounting roles.

Case Studies and Business Projects — You’ll apply what you learn to case studies and business problems, developing your ability to interpret information and make professional decisions.

Accounting Software and Digital Tools — You’ll be introduced to tools and software used in the accounting profession, preparing you for the modern business environment.

Guest Lectures and Industry Insights — Professionals from accounting firms and industry share practical insights into careers, emerging trends, and professional pathways.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Continuous Assessment — Many modules use assignments, class tests, group projects, and presentations throughout the semester. This helps you stay engaged and track your progress.

Examinations — End-of-semester exams test your understanding of key topics and your ability to apply accounting techniques and concepts.

Practical Tasks and Reports — You’ll complete practical exercises such as preparing financial statements, analysing data, and writing reports, helping you connect theory to practice.

Overall, the assessment mix ensures you develop both technical skills and broader business competencies, ready for further study or professional pathways.

New Chartered Accountants Ireland Exam Exemptions

BComm (Accounting) has been granted two additional CAP2 exam exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), on top of full exemptions from all five CAP1 exams.

These exemptions give our students a significant advantage, helping reduce both the time and cost of qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.

Whether you choose the three-year degree (with an optional summer internship) or the four-year Global Experience pathway, you’ll benefit from these extra exemptions—setting you up for a faster and more cost-effective route into the profession.

Students must meet the academic performance standards set by CAI to avail of these exemptions.

2025 Deloitte Scholarship Awardees

Mark Dempsey, Alison Reilly, and Gráinne O'Malley were named the first-ever recipients of the new Deloitte Scholarship for BComm (Accounting) students.

Awarded to top-performing students after first year, this prestigious scholarship supports recipients throughout their degree, including study abroad opportunities. It’s part of a €550,000 partnership between University of Galway and Deloitte Ireland, aimed at empowering future accounting and finance professionals.

BComm Accounting Students Win Irish Tax Institute Fantasy Budget Competition 2025

Second-year BComm (Accounting) students Mark Dempsey and Micheál Martin Walsh, alongside James Carroll (BComm), secured first place out of 600+ teams in the Irish Tax Institute’s Fantasy Budget Competition.

Their submission analysed key budget measures and proposed an innovative incremental property tax to curb speculative housing investment.

This achievement highlights the practical tax expertise developed in the BComm Accounting programme.

BComm (Accounting) Student Represents Programme in CFA Challenge

BComm (Accounting) student Conor Fogarty was part of the University of Galway team competing in the CFA Society Ireland Investment Research Challenge.

Under the guidance of mentor Cian Twomey, Conor gained valuable experience in financial analysis and investment research. His participation highlights the broad range of opportunities available to BComm (Accounting) students beyond the classroom.

 

Course Queries:
business@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director:
Dr Frank Conaty
Lecturer in Accountancy & Finance
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
College of Business, Public Policy & Law
francis.conaty@universityofgalway.ie

Q: What professional accounting exam exemptions does the BComm (Accounting) offer?
A: You’ll get full exemptions from all five CAP1 exams, plus two CAP2 exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland—saving time and money on your professional qualification.

Q: Will I be able to work abroad as an accountant with this degree?
A: Yes, The degree is accredited by global bodies like Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA, CPA, CIMA and more—so your qualifications are recognised worldwide.

Q: Can I study abroad during my degree?
A: Yes. The optional Global Year lets you study abroad for a semester in Europe, North America, Asia, or Australia and gain valuable international experience.

Q: How does work placement work on this course?
A: If you choose the Global Year, you’ll spend a semester in a professional work placement with top firms like PwC, KPMG, EY and more. You can also take a six-week summer internship before final year.

Q: Are placements paid?
A: Most placements are paid, and you’ll be treated as a valuable team member while gaining real-world skills and connections.

Q: Will I need to speak another language to study abroad?
A: No. Courses at partner universities are taught in English, so language isn’t a barrier.

Q: Can I become a Chartered Accountant with this degree?
A: Yes. This is one of Ireland’s best pathways to becoming a Chartered Accountant, thanks to its high number of exemptions and strong industry links.

 

Minimum Entry Requirements (replace the text below)
Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements
For Leaving Certificate - H4 in Accounting is a requirement
For A-Levels - Grade C in A-Level Accounting

The following information will appear on all UG course pages in the ‘Entry Requirements’ section. You do not need to edit.

Alternative Pathways

The Access Centre at University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programmes. See below some useful links:

• QQI/FET/FETAC Places
• Mature Students
• Access and Foundation programmes
• HEAR Scheme
• DARE Scheme

Other Qualifications
If you are a school leaver presenting results other than Leaving Cert results, please review the entry requirements relevant to you:

• A Level students
• International Baccalaureate students
• EU students

For applicants whose first language is not English, it is important to check our English Language Requirements.

Admissions Office
Our Admissions Office provides additional detail relevant to CAO applicants including key dates, FAQs and instructions for non-school leavers.

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.  

Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry. Further information available here.

QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants page for information on places available and entry requirements,  

 

Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
	All	€2,598	€3,000	€19,000	€140	€3,140	€5,738	€19,140

• Most EU students applying through the CAO will be eligible for the ‘Free Fees Initiative’. You can find out more here.
• If you are eligible for a means tested SUSI grant this may cover 100% of this Student Contribution Charge. If you are 100% eligible SUSI will pay the Student Contribution Charge of €3,000 on your behalf. 
• The Student Levy It is payable by all students and it is not covered by SUSI
• Where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing year fees. This applies to non-EU fees.
• You can find additional detail on the Fees Office webpage including FAQs and how fee status is assessed.

Deloitte Scholarship For Academic Excellence In Accounting
The Deloitte Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Accounting celebrates top performance in the BComm (Accounting) programme. Up to three scholarships are awarded each year to the students achieving the highest overall marks in first year.

The scholarship provides financial support distributed across the remaining years of the degree - covering Years 2 and 3 for BComm Accounting students, and Years 2, 3, and 4 for BComm Accounting (Global Experience) students.

Application Process
Students applying for full undergraduate degree programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply online via Apply to University of Galway. Our application portal opens on the 1^st October each year for each the following September.  

Further Information
Please visit the international application webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.

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