DC511 | Postgraduate Full Time
DURATION 12 Months
EU FEES €11,900
NON EU FEES €23,000
START DATE September 2026 & January 2027
APPLICATION Accepting Applications for Jan 27
The MSc in Finance is an intensive one-year programme designed to deliver a premier European finance education. With January and September intakes, this programme offers a robust curriculum that builds core foundations and advanced knowledge in finance, closely aligned with top professional standards like the CFA and GARP’s FRM. Industry-relevant modules, taught by leading academics, are complemented by practical workshops and guest lectures, equipping you with essential tools for a successful career in finance.
The MSc in Finance programme is structured as a core learning first semester. You’ll complete five foundational modules: (i) Economics for Finance, (ii) Quantitative Methods and Econometrics, (iii) Corporate Finance and Valuation, (iv) Financial Markets and Derivatives and (v) Financial Statement Analysis and Ethics.
During the second semester, you will progress through four advanced modules:(i) Asset Pricing, (ii) Fixed Income Securities, (iii) Financial Risk Management and (iv) Portfolio Theory. Additionally, you may tailor your experience by selecting one optional module, choosing from– Financial Econometrics, Financial Technology & Innovation and Sustainable Finance. Alongside these taught modules, you’ll complete a Dissertation, allowing you to explore a finance topic in depth.
The MSc in Finance programme emphasizes practical skills essential for today’s finance professionals. You’ll gain hands-on experience with tools such as Python and finance datasets including Bloomberg, Refinitiv Eikon, FAME, and MarketLine. To further bridge the gap between academic learning and the professional world, students have the opportunity to participate in prestigious international competitions, such as those organized by CME Group, Rotman, and CFA Institute. These competitions provide invaluable real-world experience in areas like commodities and derivatives trading, portfolio management, and equity valuation. Through AmplifyMe trading workshops, you can also earn a Level 4 Diploma in Applied Finance and develop investment banking skills.
Students in the MSc in Finance programme can join the DCU Investment Society, a student-led club that connects academia with industry. The society introduces members to a range of finance sectors, including investment banking, corporate finance, asset management, private equity, and hedge funds. It also organizes educational events and simulations led by top global financial institutions and provides opportunities to manage a Student Investment Fund.
This programme offers an ideal pathway for graduates in business, economics, or related fields who wish to build a successful finance career. By pursuing the MSc in Finance, you’ll gain a distinguished European postgraduate qualification that reflects your personal career aspirations and prepares you to excel in finance.
Shane O’Doherty, Business Development Manager, Aberdeen Standard Investments, MSc in Finance Graduate:
“The MSc in Finance had the ideal blend of analysis and theory while also keeping students up to date on the fast paced, ever changing finance industry. The course is very challenging, however, I have managed to find my ideal job, and I would not be in my current position without the qualification.”
DCU Finance is ranked #2 in Ireland and ranks with in top 100 globally (Shanghai Global Ranking for Academic subjects ranks 2024)
This programme is ranked among the top 130 MSc in Finance programmes globally (QS Business Master’s Rankings 2025)
DCU Business School is ranked in the top 95 Business Schools in Europe in the 2023 Financial Times Ranking, one of only three Irish Business Schools to achieve this ranking. The Financial Times Ranking for Business Schools is one of the most highly acknowledged and widely cited authorities on the quality and performance of institutions globally.
William May, Senior Vice President – Global Head of Certifications and Educational Programs, GARP:
“GARP is pleased to have Dublin City University part of the GARP Partnership for Risk Education. The MSc in Finance offered by the DCU Business School is a strong program that provides its students with a firm grounding in quantitative and financial analysis. Students who attain this degree should find themselves well prepared for the rigours of the FRM certification program and ready to embark on a career in the global risk management profession.”
Duncan McKeen – Executive Vice President, The Corporate Finance Institute:
“The Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) is delighted to partner with Dublin City University in their mission to educate leaders and professionals for the global marketplace. Through CFI’s Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® program, students gain practical experience in financial analysis and building best-in-class financial models by applying financial and accounting concepts. These models are the most important decision-making tools in the finance sector today. FMVA graduates gain practical skills valuable for rewarding career paths in financial services and beyond.”
Learn more about this and other postgraduate programmes by filling out the form below:
Lecturer in Finance
This programme is designed to prepare ambitious students for the challenges and rewarding career opportunities in the financial services industry. You will be equipped for a career in financial markets and institutions, especially in investment banking and asset management, or in the risk management and corporate finance functions of corporations, as well as regulatory bodies and government offices dealing with the financial industry.
Recent graduates are employed by major financial institutions including UBS, Standard & Poor’s, Royal Bank of Scotland, KPMG, PwC, Boston Scientific, Commerzbank, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Goodbody Stockbrokers, Davy, Geneva Trading, Mercer, Nestle, Citco Fund Services, Standard Life and BNY Mellon.
This one-year Masters programme is designed to produce the kind of professionals in greatest demand in the financial industry. It does so by fostering analytical and decision-making skills and helping you build a set of rigorous competences in financial subjects. You will be exposed to first-class specialist education in financial subjects, develop your quantitative skills, and have the opportunity to learn the latest econometrics and data analysis techniques, which are becoming extremely important for a successful career in the financial industry.
Financial Statement Analysis and Ethics
Semester 1:
This module provides an intensive introduction to the analysis of reported financial statements and the use of accounting information. Financial statement analysis examines publicly available financial statements produced by entities and the use of accounting information from a financial manager’s perspective. The students will be equipped to understand certain key dimensions of a few International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and comparison of financial information and disclosure within and across industries with the help of key financial analysis tools.
(7.5 credits)
Financial Markets and Derivatives
Semester 1:
This course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on the structure, function and role of the global financial system. The course will cover financial markets, financial intermediaries and financial instruments. It will provide an overview of the operations of equity, fixed-income, foreign exchange, and commodity markets. The course will also focus on the working and valuation of important derivative instruments, viz., forwards, futures, options and swaps. It will cover derivatives trading strategies for speculation, arbitrage and hedging.
(7.5 credits)
Quantitative Methods and Econometrics
Semester 1:
This module is an introduction to the theory and practice of econometric inference using social science data. The emphasis is on the application of statistical methods to analyze observational data typically used in finance. Students will develop knowledge and skills in applying relevant statistical methods to analyze data, use appropriate statistical software to analyze data, interpret results from conducting statistical inference such as testing hypotheses and/or making predictions, and critically evaluate empirical results reported in journal articles.
(5 credits)
Corporate Finance and Valuation
Semester 1:
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an understanding of how firms make financing and investment decisions. Concepts such as corporate objectives, business risk, financial risk and the valuation of a firm are studied. Major policy areas of the firm covering investment appraisal, optimal capital structure, dividend payout and treasury policy are also examined. Decisions relating to long-term managerial policies, M&A strategies and the integration of corporate finance with other areas of finance are also covered.
(5 credits)
Asset Pricing
Semester 2:
This module introduces the foundations of financial asset pricing theory and relates them to the paradigms of neo-classical theory and behavioural finance. It appraises these perspectives on asset pricing and explores how they are applied to securities traded on international markets. It explores how the classic theory of finance relates to the paradigms of ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible investing.
(5 credits)
Financial Risk Management
Semester 2:
The purpose of this module is to provide students with a core body of knowledge of financial risk management, to assess, measure, and monitor risk for industries and individuals. The module will explore the concepts of market, credit, liquidity and operational risk and quantitative methods such as Value-at-Risk and Expected Shortfall. The students will be exposed to the use of software and case studies of real-world situations. The module is built to closely align with the GARP FRM requirements.
(7.5 credits)
Portfolio Theory
Semester 2:
The objective of this module is to apply theoretical and analytical concepts to the investment management process. The course covers the theoretical and practical basis of portfolio management. It builds on the modern portfolio theory and focuses on the topics that are important for the practice of fund management. The course includes quantification of the relationship between risk and return, security valuation, asset allocation decisions, portfolio optimisation, performance measurement, portfolio analysis, implementation and computing technology that enhances fund management. The emphasis is on providing students with analytical skills that have an application value. The course aims to give students (1) a deep understanding of the investment management process, (2) be able to apply modern techniques to asset allocation and investment management, and (3) evaluate the performance of portfolio investments.
(7.5 credits)
Sustainable Finance
Semester 2, Optional:
This course aims to impart knowledge and skills in Sustainable Finance and investing. The module aims to provide a working knowledge of appraising green investment products and identifying and measuring climate risk. Further, the student will be able to critically appraise the carbon market and emissions trading. The Module further introduces various regulations and frameworks that guide sustainable financing and investments. In addition, the modelling climate risk, ESG cashflows, and portfolio ESG scores will be discussed.
(5 credits)
Financial Technology and Innovation
Semester 2, Optional:
Advances in information and communications technologies are transforming how businesses operate and interact with their customers. Key enabling technologies, such as cloud computing, social media, mobile, big data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, are disrupting all aspects of the finance value chain and facilitating unprecedented levels of innovation in financial services. In this dynamic environment, professionals need to be agile and informed in order to keep pace with the rapid development of financial technology (FinTech) and its adoption and application in the financial services industry. This course explores the interaction of finance and technology and its impact on the financial services industry.
(5 credits)
Financial Econometrics
Semester 2, Optional:
The course module will help the students understand the basics of Financial Econometrics and its application to Financial Data. It will further include conceptual underpinnings of Regression Models, Financial Time Series Analysis, and their application in the Financial World. The course uses data analysis tools to further strengthen the student’s capability to enter the workforce and will thus enhance their employability.
(5 credits)
The key aims of the overall program are to:
25 August 2026
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11 July 2025
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27 June 2025
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6 February 2025
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7 January 2025
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23 August 2024
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11 April 2024
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9 October 2023
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27 September 2023
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1 August 2023
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19 October 2021
Read MoreFor admission to the M.Sc. in Finance candidates must hold:
• A 2.1 Honours degree in a Business discipline, or equivalent international qualification
OR
• A 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant non-business discipline eg. Engineering, Physics, Maths, or Computer Science or equivalent international qualification.
• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
To apply for this programme, please click here.
Here is a quick step by step guide to making an application.
• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
Application Deadlines
January Intake
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:
January 2027 Applications are now open:
September Intake
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2026 and January 2027.
All programme fees are per annum and subject to an annual increase.
€11,900
€23,000
Studying at Dublin City University has provided me with the necessary skills and knowledge to progress in my chosen career, the guidance, extra curricular activities and relevant coursework have given me the ability to improve and advance both personally and professionally
