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About University of Galway
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Business & Industry
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
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International Accounting and Analytics (MSc)—Pathway A Autumn Intake
International Accounting and Analytics—Pathway A (MSc)
Course Overview
Our programme responds to the recent 22nd Annual Global CEO Survey compiled by PwC which notes that ‘A lack of analytical talent is impeding data adequacy.’ The ICAS and FRC report on Auditor Skills in a Changing Business World (in 2016) also notes the importance of analytics skills for accountants and calls for educators to include practical courses on data interrogation and analytics. Our MSc in International Accounting and Analytics is the first programme of its kind in UK and Irish Universities to offer practical hands-on modules in audit analytics tools for accountants.
Advance your accounting career with the MSc in International Accounting and Analytics. Develop insights, and technical knowledge of tools and techniques for driving organisational performance, and understanding of corporate finance theory and practice. Gain an understanding of and expertise in accounting and business analytics through taught modules and our practitioner led Summer School.
For General Business Graduates who now wish to specialise in Accounting & Analytics
Pathway A Full-Time
This is an intensive 10 –11 month degree programme for high calibre business related/commerce graduates who have not specialised in accounting and who now wish to pursue a professional career in Accounting.
Our team of academics and practitioners provide in-depth practical, technical and research grounded knowledge of key business areas required for success in today’s business environment. This post-graduate programme is taught over two semesters and is followed by two summer schools in May/June. This final element of the programme provides an important capstone to the technical skills you will have developed over the course of the first two semesters.
Students taking the year-long programme starting in September secure substantial exemption from the examinations of the ACCA. As a graduate of this MSc in International Accounting and Analytics you will be exempt from papers F1, F2, F3, F5, F7, F8 and F9 of the ACCA. Click here for CPA Exemptions*.
*Please note: exemptions from the examinations of the professional accounting bodies are subject to change of syllabus/content.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
- Summer School (i) International Academic
- Summer School (ii) Big 4 Practitioner Focussed
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
Top Floor
Cairnes Building
NUI Galway
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B.Comm., FCA., PhD
Lecturer Above The Bar Dept. of Accountancy & Finance
Room 351
Cairnes Building
NUI Galway
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BComm., F.C.A, HDip (Ed)
LECTURER BELOW THE BAR E: SHARON.COTTER@nuigalway.ie
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Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Pathway A: For General Business Graduates who now wish to specialise in Accounting & Analytics
A First or Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a commerce/ business degree (or equivalent qualification) will be required. IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
Pathway A: full-time (1 Year)
Next start date
Pathway A: September 2024
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
20 (Pathway A)
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
Course code
Pathway A: MSC-MIAA
Course Outline
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.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Employers of Class of 2017/18 above.
Recognising the importance of analytics skills for accountants, the recent ICAS and FRC report on Auditor skills in a changing business world (2016) called for educators to include practical courses on data interrogation and analytics. Our new MSc is the first programme of its kind in UK and Irish Universities to offer practical hands-on audit analytics tools for accountants.
Our professional development programme which runs throughout the programme is designed to provide support for career development and offers a suite of career events, one-to-one career support and guest lectures from practice.
As a graduate of the MSc. in International Accounting and Analytics, you will have access to a wide range of employment opportunities in Accounting Practice, Industry, Management Consultancy and Financial Services.
You will have developed an understanding of cutting edge design and use of systems and processes to leverage best use of organisational data to facilitate performance management of business organisations. Coupled with your technical accounting skills you will be well positioned to work within the accounting function and management team to lead and manage organisations to achieve their strategic objectives.
Key Features of the Programme
The design and structure of this programme was motivated following consultation and advice from industry, professional bodies, accounting practitioners and regulators. This programme enables early to mid-career accountants advance their accounting careers, develop insights, and technical knowledge of tools and techniques for driving organisational performance. In addition to the core academic modules, students are exposed to a variety of learning technologies to develop their skills for practice and the global business environment, including:
- Internationally recognised
- KPMG-led Summer School on Audit and Accounting Analytics
- Disruptive Technologies in Accounting and Finance Summer School, via partnership with UI Path
- Guest lectures from expert practitioners
- Exposure to a range of data analytic tools
- The development of professional skills for the workplace
| Sample of Recent Input of Contribution to Programme Learning Outcomes by: | Contribution |
| ACCA, CIMA, CPA | Professional Exemptions and access to Professional Development Programmes for Graduates |
| KPMG | Practitioner-focused skills workshops and lectures on developments in audit and accounting analytics |
| Medtronic | Site visit – life on the ground in global firm |
| Irish Stock Exchange | Lecture on developments in financial technologies |
| 30% Club | Seminar on 30% Club goal to achieve better gender balance at all levels in leading Irish businesses. |
| PWC | Seminar on Risk Management in Practice |
| EY | Team based workshops on Communication, Branding and Strength Based Interviews |
| External Consultant | Programme Specific Workshops with a Focus on Self-knowledge: Resilience and Wellness Workshops (2 x 2 = 4 hours) aimed at student personal and professional development |
Professional Development Programme:
In collaboration with our industry advisory group, we developed a new module Analytical and Communication Skills Development to enhance students’ skill set. This includes an even greater focus on analytics skills development through Excel for Analytics and Tableau for Analytics. Both of these focus on manipulation of data sets to extract greater value from existing organizational data. Quality data visualisation is critical to enhancing visual communication which facilitates improved organizational strategy formulation leading to competitive advantage. This new module teaches students how to create various visualisations of data allowing trends and patterns to be revealed thus allowing organizations to extract greater value from their data. Recognising the importance of good oral communication skills, this new module affords students additional opportunities to make individual and group presentations and prepares you to take your place as a professional in the corporate world.
Industry Collaboration
Our team of academics and practitioners provide in-depth practical and research grounded knowledge of key areas in today’s business environment. This final element of the programme provides an important capstone to the technical skills you will have developed.
The MSc (International Accounting & Analytics) class are pictured with Laurence May (KPMG Director) and Professor Breda Sweeney (University of Galway).
In November 2019, University of Galway announced a new partnership with leading enterprise Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software firm UiPath, making the University the first in Ireland to offer robotic process automation content to accounting and finance students.
The partnership features as part of an innovative 'Disruptive Technologies in Accounting and Finance' Summer School offered to students on the MSc in International Accounting & Analytics programme. Students will develop practical skills in Robotic Process Automation (RPA), mapping of workflow processes, Data preparation and Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€11,140 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€11,000 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€19,500 p.a. (€19,640 p.a. including levy) 2024/25
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2023/24). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.
Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.
Find out More
Programme Director
Dr Patricia Martyn
E: patricia.martyn@universityofgalway.ie
Programme Administrators
Ms Sharon Gilmartin and Ms Tracy Coloe Cloonan
E: accountancy@universityofgalway.ie
Quick Links
- Accommodation Office
- International Students
- Postgraduate Funding—Scholarships
- Student Support and Resources
Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.
What Our Students Say
Floressa Colette Aranha | Current Scholar MSc International Accounting & Analytics
The M.Sc. in International Accounting and Analytics course offers a perfect blend between accounting and digital-oriented modules such as R programming, SQL, Python, Tableau and more. This course is well designed to equip students with the required accounting and IT skills, crucial to stand out in today’s fast-paced environment. These modules are taught by excellent faculties who are very approachable and engaging with students. With no doubt, University of Galway provides an exceptional learning experience both on and off campus such as through industrial visits. Moreover, Galway is a great city to live, explore and enjoy during leisure times thus making one feel at home. As a scholarship recipient of this course, I would like to give credit to the J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics for providing me with a well-rounded international student experience in Ireland. For students who are interested in an accounting and analytical career, I would highly recommend this course to you.
George Mathew Mohan | Grant Thornton •FAAS •Certified Management Accountant
I find MSc International Accounting & Analytics in NUIG quite unique as it different from a typical accounting course. The subjects in this course are diverse and future oriented. This course focus on relevant subjects and technical knowledge. The modules of this subject are well structured and are delivered by excellent faculty. The lecturers are open and friendly and always willing to help with any questions. The course also helps to get exemptions in professional accounting programs such as ACCA and CPA Ireland. Apart from academics, the University also provides opportunity to get involved various activities. There are a lot of societies where you can be a part of. Overall, this course aids in the career and personal development. I am so grateful to NUIG for providing me the Postgraduate Merit Scholarship to pursue this course.
Richin Thomas | Financial Analyst at CMS Distribution
Before choosing this course, I had an opportunity to chat with one of the professors, Breda Sweeney, who helped me to understand that it is not just education development at NUI Galway that is helping students to have a bright future. It is also the focus on personality development, career development skills, curricular activities, societies, and many more things which impact so much on student life. The course, MSc. in International Accounting and Analytics, was the perfect course for me. There are no other universities who have courses focused on accounting with the combination of great modules like Corporate Finance, Strategic Management, Business Intelligence with SAP and Big Data Analytics which makes the programme so interesting. The impact of the skills developed from these modules prepares you for a career in industry. I am proud to say that I was a student of NUI Galway who has been offered a 50% scholarship. I enjoyed this course so much, being the class representative as well. It was one of the best decisions of my life.
Nitin Gupta | Assistant Finance Controllers at Generator Hostels
The M.Sc. in International Accounting and Analytics at NUI Galway is an innovative programme that provided me with excellent understanding of both advanced accounting concepts and practical knowledge of analytical tools used in accounting and finance. The modules were very relevant and were delivered by Faculty who are top-notch academics and practitioners in their respective fields. The data analytics modules such as Big Data and SAP BW certification prepared me for the transformation that the accounting profession is witnessing right now. The small class environment provided for individual attention with various group activities making learning an enjoyable experience. The level of support from the Professors both in the class and outside was unparalleled. The core modules over semester one and two were supplemented by the Big Four practitioner led summer schools and guest lectures from industry providing us with the latest industry insights. Studying in the scenic campus bustling full of activity of a top ranked University combined with the vibrant and lively culture of Galway city has been one of the best experiences of my life.
Sean Dunne | Fund Accountant Associate at HedgeServ
I am certain I made the right choice taking on this unique MSc in International Accounting and Analytics in the welcoming community of Galway. As someone with a background outside of Accounting, I was intimidated by the subject in September. Thankfully, the combination of intermediate and introduction level modules in the first semester helped to build a foundation that quickly brought me up to speed. Networking with other international classmates and attending the various guest lectures have introduced me to career pathway options that I don't think I would have learned about through personal research online.
Sri Charan Nallabala | Trainee Accountant at Arthur Bell Limited(Merged with Cohen)
The MSc in International Accounting and Analytics programme is well designed to meet the changing business requirements and, to enhance the students functional as well as technical skills which are very necessary for this data age. Learning how to use data by applying various analytical tools is very crucial for an accountant to make effective decisions and to ensure transparent corporate reporting. SAP module helped me a lot to understand how business intelligence can help to resolve real-world reporting issues. This programme has equipped me with all the skills which are necessary and trained me to kick start my accounting career with one of the leading Hedge Fund Audit Firms.
Sonal Sail | Accounts Assistant at Planet (formerly Fintrax group)
I believe that the MSc in International Accounting & Analytics is an ideal programme which places a strong emphasis on understanding current business needs whilst equipping us with analytical skills required for employment in business. The professors and the course director especially are very supportive and provide plenty of guidance throughout the course, about career paths. The KPMG Summer School offers an excellent platform to acquire hands on experience of accounting and analytical tools and techniques used in big 4 accounting firms. For me, this NUI Galway MSc programme is a stepping stone towards an exciting and successful career opportunity
Zhiwei Mao | Deloitte, Dublin
Studying the MSc International Accounting and Analytics (Pathway A) in NUI Galway is the one of the wisest career decisions I’ve ever made. I have gained professional knowledge from both intensive accounting modules and the practical summer schools which involve cooperation with KPMG and leading international academics. Through learning about big data and taking a SAP module, I have gained insights into and critical skills for managing big data and data analytics. I have to say that the learning experience of the entire MSc International Accounting and Analytics programme in NUI Galway has played a significant role in landing job offers from the “Big Four” for me. I really enjoyed and am so grateful for my time studying here!
What Employers Say
Eamonn Siggins | Chief Executive CPA Ireland
Ireland is currently experiencing a shortage of accountants. This skills shortage facilitates qualified accountants from outside of the EEA who wish to live and work in Ireland. CPA Ireland, through its international agreements with professional bodies who are members of IFAC in countries such as India, South Africa, USA, and many more provide a pathway to dual qualification and to CPA Ireland membership. This programme is equipping international accountants with skills that are in such high demand from Irish employers in every sector as well as providing the opportunity for international accountants adapt to living and studying in Ireland. The strategy for the development of Ireland’s financial services sector “Ireland for Finance” targets employment growth of 5,000 jobs in that sector by 2026. The opportunities for international accountants in Ireland are likely to grow in the coming years. The future in Ireland is certainly bright for alumni of the MSc in International Accounting and Analytics and CPA Ireland stands ready to support those alumni in developing their careers and lives in Ireland.
Laurence May | Principal, KPMG
We are in an age where more data is being created faster than ever before, with less than 1% of data ever being used or analysed. Therefore, the ability to analyse and use this data is a key challenge for all professions, including audit and accounting. The summer school is a mix of lectures and practical breakout sessions where participants will see how KPMG uses its Data & Analytics tools to harness the power of technology and bring greater vigour, precision and meaningful insights to the increasing age of data
Liz Hughes | Head Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ACCA
The good news is that when you join the new MSc (International Accounting & Analytics) at NUIG you automatically become part of the ACCA Accelerate programme, ACCA’s early entry programme to becoming a chartered certified finance professional. Accelerate allows you to leap ahead on your journey to becoming qualified, and provides additional benefits such as discounted exemptions and access to ACCA’s professional network, supplying you with invaluable career advice and support before you even graduate.
Brian Healy | Director, Traded Markets, Operations Irish Stock Market Plc
The well established and proven advantages which a strong finance function brings to a business will need to be reimagined and adapted to the requirements of big data, the burgeoning of digital channel transactions and the increased demand for real-time and predictive analytics. This must complement more traditional financial and management accounting reporting. The accountant of the future can play as vital a role in high performing business as he/she does today but that will involve a transformed relationship with analytics and key aspects of "Platform 4.0" such as adaptive technology and artificial intelligence.
Maria Joyce | Chief Financial Officer, NTR plc
The finance function is a key driver of analytics and plays a leadership role rather than a supporting role.
Gerard Corcoran MBA BFS Chartered Ban | Head of AIB Dublin South | Retail & Business Banking
In a world where business has vast amounts of data available; a critical competence is the ability to leverage this data through analytics, to deliver insights and value for both customers and the organisation itself. Analytics not only help us understand what's happening in our business but also to predict and uncover new opportunities. The NUI Galway MSc (International Accounting & Analytics) has a good balance that equips leaders of the future to understand the insights and support the strategic direction of their organisations.
Conor Clifford | Senior Director of Finance at Medtronic
"Analytics is the key skill that differentiates an accountant from a true business partner, and can ultimately define the career of an accountant as analytics brings more meaning, life and understanding into accounting information".
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Conall McGonagle | COO & Managing Director at KBC Bank USA
There is constant growth in the supply of data. The job market demand, across many career roles, is for your ability to deliver better data insights. We need to speak the language of data analysis. We need to translate and simplify complex data into key message insights and to communicate these in a clear and visual manner. The MSc (International Accounting & Analytics) from NUI Galway is your opportunity to jump on a surfboard and to learn to read the key data waves from the big data ocean.
AACSB - Global Accreditation
AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide
Higher Education Awards 2019
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Shortlisted for Best New Postgraduate Course 2019
Irish Accountancy Awards 2019 & 2020
Irish Accountancy Awards 2019 & 2020.jpg)
About NUI Galway
NUI Galway Is:
- In the top 1% of Universities Worldwide according to data from QS
- Ireland's top University for graduate employability with 98% of our graduates employed or in further study within six months of graduating.
- The largest and oldest university in the west of Ireland.
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