DC501 | Postgraduate Full Time
DURATION 12 months
EU FEES €12,200
NON EU FEES €23,500
START DATE September 2026
APPLICATION Closed for Applications
The DCU MSc in Accounting is the leading graduate accounting programme of its kind in Ireland, an innovative partnership of learning which is informed and shaped by the needs of the accounting and taxation professionals of tomorrow. This one-year full-time Masters programme encourages critical and creative thinking, teamwork and communication, and develops a diverse range of professional attributes which equip graduates to excel in the accounting profession and to adopt leadership positions in their professional lives.
The MSc in Accounting at DCU is designed to meet the needs of Honours graduates who have taken major accounting specialisms in their undergraduate studies. The programme offers exemptions from all subjects in the CAP2 Examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), nine papers of Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), Part 1 of the AITI Chartered Tax Advisor Programme and CIMA exemptions.
The DCU MSc in Accounting allows recent graduates to study for a Masters’ qualification and at the same time gain exemptions from professional examinations. It aims to foster the student’s ability to provide professional solutions based on a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the various elements of accounting and the ethical underpinnings of the profession. This is increasingly important in the complex commercial environment, where proposed actions have a wide range of implications for business.
A number of prizes are awarded to students on the MSc in Accounting:
Over the years, several of our graduates of the MSc in Accounting programme have achieved the Top 10 places in FAE, in the past six years, two Graduates of the programme consecutively achieved first place in the FAEs.
Get a closer look at life in DCU Business School through our curated selection of videos and webinars. Hear directly from students, faculty, and alumni as they share their experiences, and gain practical insights into our programmes to help you make an informed decision about your Business Masters journey.
“DCU provided me with focused and practical experience, which I found invaluable when I started my career. That practical experience and staff knowledge meant that my education was both relevant and constructive. I gained a real sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that made my time at DCU really enjoyable”.
Gareth, Senior Tax Executive, KPMG (AF Graduate 2000)
(Top 60 Accounting programmes in Western Europe).
DCU Business School is ranked in the top 95 Business Schools in Europe in the 2022 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.
Learn more about this and other postgraduate programmes by filling out the form below:
Assistant Professor Accounting
Graduates from the MSc in Accounting have a range of professional opportunities available to them in several career sectors including Governance, Accountancy, and Consulting. Graduates are well equipped for their FAEs upon completion of the course and successfully progress their careers in professional services and industry. Excellent financial management and accuracy in tax payments are important for all businesses and there are many opportunities in SMEs, industry, and professional services.
The majority of students, 80%, pursue a Chartered Accounting Ireland (CAI) qualification after graduation in a firm in audit or tax on a training contract. Graduates can stay in the firm or move to industry into a financial accounting role and later a management accounting role. It is also possible to achieve the CAI qualification through training in industry.
Graduates may also pursue the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) qualification, which involves training in industry.
Graduates may also opt for the Chartered Association of Management Accountants (CIMA), which involves training in industry. You will get a good few exemptions through DCU.
Graduates are employed in a variety of roles and sectors in the Irish market, some examples are listed below (this list is not exhaustive). Employers sponsor many graduates on this course, but opportunities outside professional services are readily available to graduates from this degree.
Professional Services / Business Advisory/ Tax
Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG, PwC
Industry/ Public Sector
KWC, Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General
Job Titles of DCU Graduates
Accountancy
Tax
Audit
Assurance
Transaction Services
The Graduates from our MSc in Accounting gain generous professional exemptions such as CAP2 from Chartered Accountants Ireland, Part 1 of the AITI Chartered Tax Advisor Programme. Graduates are equipped for success in the advanced professional examinations such as the Chartered Accountants Ireland final admitting examinations (FAE).
Over the years, several of our graduates of the MSc in Accounting programme have achieved the Top 10 places in FAE, , in the past three years, two Graduates of the programme consecutively
DCU Business School is accredited by AACSB which has an established international reputation for high quality graduates. This programme has an excellent reputation within the accounting profession and other business recruiters.
• Learning from academic experts with high level industry relevant experience ensuring you graduate with the most up-to-date knowledge of theory and practice.
• Close ties with the accountancy and taxation professions ensuring an up-to-date and relevant programme.
• Lecturers who have worked in the accounting profession and have full appreciation of what students need to succeed in their careers.
• Interactive, supportive learning environment.
30 September 2025
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8 November 2024
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22 October 2024
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23 August 2022
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For admission to the M.Sc. in Accounting candidates must hold:
• A 2.1 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or international equivalent, together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland;
OR
• A credit award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
• Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or a Pass award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting (or equivalent), may still obtain a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in core Accounting modules (Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation and Finance) in your programme.
• Candidates who have not received their degree results by the application closing date will receive conditional offers.
NOTE : It is a condition of admission to this programme that applicants are fully exempt from CAP 1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland. All applicants must apply directly to Chartered Accountants Ireland for exemption and provide the University with a certificate of exemption from Chartered Accountants Ireland. A list of Chartered Accountants Ireland accredited courses is available on the Chartered Accountants Ireland website. The deadline for exemption applications to the Institute is normally the end of July (you should check this with the Institute to be sure). Failure to produce proof of CAP 1 exemptions on joining the programme may result in withdrawal of your place on the programme.
International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about English language requirements for DCU Business School can be found here.
All applicants should apply through here.
Here’s a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
• Exemption from CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland
• 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.
Application Deadlines
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.
All programme fees are per annum and subject to an annual increase.
€12,200
€23,500
The Degree and Masters programmes prepared me well for the professional Accounting and Tax qualifications which I completed during my training contract with EY.
To that end, I feel like I owe a lot of my success to the time I spent at DCU both from an educational/professional perspective but also from a personal point of view. I have such fond memories of my years in DCU!
