International Accounting Practice (MSc)
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Programme Description
Want to combine a postgraduate qualification in Accounting with professional exemptions, while preparing for a career in industry, practice, the not-for-profit or public sectors?
The MSc International Accounting Practice is designed to combine technical skills in accounting and business analysis, with the development of key competencies in teamwork, business acumen, effective communication and critical thinking.
Building on the excellent reputation of our Department for producing high calibre accounting graduates, recognised by all of the major accounting practices and other industry partners, the MSc International Accounting Practice will provide students with the skills required to gain a significant number of exemptions from the main international accountancy bodies and coupled with invaluable work experience as part of the programme; will create huge opportunities for subsequent employment – either internationally or nationally.
The International FinTech sector continues to grow, and UCC is placed at the forefront of collaborative research in the sector. The MSc International Accounting Practice now allows students to choose elective modules in information systems and to gain an insight into technologies used in accounting firms worldwide.
The MSc International Accounting Practice is a 12-month programme designed for those preparing to work as accounting professionals, in Ireland and internationally. It is a comprehensive programme, requiring significant student participation and engagement.
Students take 90 credits. Part I consists of 70 credits. Part II consists of 20 credits.
PART I
- AC6400 Principles of Cost Management (10 credits)
- AC6401 Advanced Managerial Accounting, Governance and Control in Organisations (10 credits)
- AC6402 Financial Reporting for Business Entities (10 credits)
- AC6409 Auditing (5 credits)
- AC6412 Financial Management and Business Ethics (5 credits)
- AC6413 Corporate Finance (10 credits)
- AC6414 Consolidated Financial Statements (10 credits)
Electives
- AC6410 Taxation 1 (5 credits)
- AC6411 Taxation 2 (5 credits)
OR
- IS6125 Database Analysis and Design (5 credits)
- IS6219 Enterprise Data Reporting and Visualisation (5 credits)
PART II
- AC6415 Research in Accounting Practices (20 credits) or
- AC6416 Placement (20 credits)
Why Choose This Course
This course is open to applicants of all disciplines.
As well as offering academic qualifications, the course also offers academic credits towards preparing for professional examinations and explicitly developing skills for lifelong learning.
Skills and Careers Information
Upon completion of the MSc International Accounting Practice, you can expect to have excellent career prospects in an accounting role, with a wide range of organisations, including accounting practice, industry, financial services, the not-for-profit and the public sectors.
Alignment to professional accounting syllabi provides you with exemptions which are recognised globally.
Learning Outcomes
For MSc International Accounting Practice (NFQ Level 9, Major award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Communicate and work effectively to a high professional standard;
- Demonstrate advanced analytical and problem solving skills associated with effective practice;
- Engage in advanced application of frameworks and techniques in organisational settings;
- Identify, clarify, evaluate and manage business and financial risk in organisations;
- Demonstrate an appreciation of Accounting Practices in the financial management of business entities.
Practicalities & Assessment
To successfully complete the MSc International Accounting Practice course, you complete an induction week, nine taught modules over two semesters and 20 credits devoted to an accounting placement or group report.
Lectures are scheduled across two semesters. You should anticipate spending up to three hours preparing and studying outside of lecture time, for each hour of lectures. The course is challenging – but rewarding; requiring high levels of student engagement with the materials.
The course employs a variety of assessment mechanisms, blending formal examinations and continuous assessment. This includes:
- Individual and group presentations
- Case-study analysis
- Formal, end-of-semester examinations
- In class examinations
- In class contribution
Feedback is both formative and summative, enabling you to reflect upon and improve your performance, as you progress through the course.
The MSc International Accounting Practice is delivered by a combination of UCC academic staff and invited guest speakers.
The academics are experts in their field. Most hold PhDs and/or have significant industry or professional experience. A number also hold relevant professional accounting qualifications.
In addition, the academic staff members are research-active, engaged with a variety of research areas and publishing in national and international journals.
Full module information is detailed in the section below.
Modules
Part I
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Principles of Cost Management
Part I
Principles of Cost Management (AC6400)
Introduction to the context, theory and practices of cost and management accounting that are applicable to a wide range of both product and service industries.
More Information -
Advanced Managerial Accounting, Governance and Control in Organisations
Part I
Advanced Managerial Accounting, Governance and Control in Organisations (AC6401)
To develop students' understanding of and skills in the use of accounting information, towards the ethical management and governance of organisations.
More Information -
Financial Reporting for Business Entities
Part I
Financial Reporting for Business Entities (AC6402)
To develop an understanding of and practice in contemporary financial reporting practices.
More Information -
Taxation 1
Part I
Taxation 1 (AC6410)
To develop an understanding of the role of taxation in financial decisions.
More Information -
Consolidated Financial Statements
Part I
Consolidated Financial Statements (AC6414)
To develop an understanding of, and competency in, the regulation of, preparation of, and analysis of group financial statements.
More Information - Auditing
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Taxation 2
Part I
Taxation 2 (AC6411)
To provide participants with further knowledge in relation to the practice of taxation.
More Information -
Financial Management and Business Ethics
Part I
Financial Management and Business Ethics (AC6412)
To develop students' appreciation of financial management and business ethics.
More Information -
Corporate Finance
Part I
Corporate Finance (AC6413)
Introduction to theoretical foundations of financial decision-making, with applications; principles and practices of financial management.
More Information
Part II
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Placement
Part II
Placement (AC6416)
To complement classroom based teaching and learning, students will be required to gain practical experience by working in an accounting role in an organisational setting and to submit a report based upon their own particular placement experience.
More Information -
Research in Accounting Practices
Part II
Research in Accounting Practices (AC6415)
This modules allows students to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the MSc. (International Accounting Practice) modules in an action research context.
More Information
For full programme requirements, please refer to the University College Cork Academic Calendar here
Back to topEntry Requirements
To be eligible for consideration, you must have:
- A 2H2 degree [NFQ Level 8] or equivalent OR
- Expectation of graduating with a 2H2 degree [NFQ Level 8] in the year of entry.
If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.
View the grades comparison table
Non-EU Candidates
Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.
For more detailed entry requirement information please refer to the International website .
Application Process
1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to three courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.
2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.
- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
- Any supplementary items requested for your course.
Please log into the online application portal for more details.
4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.
5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates here.
Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Non-EU Applications
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.
For more information please contact the International Office.