Finance (Banking and Risk Management) (MSc)

The course has an excellent employment track record. Since inception 100%of students on the course gained graduate employment.  For a list of these jobs please see our Programme Brochure at this link here

The MSc Finance (Banking and Risk Management) course in UCC involves an advanced study of the practices of investment, banking and risk management and includes an applied research project, using cutting-edge techniques and software.

The MSc Finance (Banking and Risk Management) is at the top end of graduate study in business/finance in Ireland and is designed for high achievers who wish to pursue high-end careers in financial markets areas such as:

• investment banking
• corporate banking
• trading/dealing
• portfolio management
• asset pricing
• treasury
• capital markets (equity, money, bond, FX and derivatives markets)
• risk management
• financial analysis
• research

MODULES 

Candidates take taught modules with examinations over two semesters and then complete a minor dissertation. The taught modules are as follows:

• Fund Management and Evaluation: studies portfolio management, return and risk evaluation in stock selection, market timing and persistence.
• Fixed Income Securities: examines the term structure of interest rates and yield curve analysis, exotic bond valuation, duration, convexity, immunisation, asset-backed securities and bond portfolio management.
• Asset Pricing: examines models of asset returns, stock price predictability and market efficiency.
• Securities Valuation and Selection: examines risk tolerance, asset allocation, stock valuation models and financial analysis of a firm.
• International Finance: focuses on how economic policy and the behaviour of agents impact international capital flows, exchange rates and global investments. 
• Treasury Risk Management: looks at the measurement and management of risks facing banks and corporations arising from volatility in currency and money markets.
• Financial Institutions and Money Markets: looks at the role of money markets and banks in the economy, focuses on understanding the types of risk facing banks and the management of this risk.
• Derivative Securities: introduces the concepts and mathematical techniques in pricing derivatives including options, swaps, forwards and futures on underlying assets.
• Macroeconomics for Financial Markets: looks at macroeconomics theories, models and techniques relevant to financial markets. Topics include business cycles, economic growth, uncertainty, monetary policy, inflation and the labour market.
• Regulation and Compliance in Capital Markets: covers the guiding principles behind financial regulation and the main differences between the roles and key legal aspects of different regulatory institutions.
• Applied Econometrics: includes regression analysis, OLS, hypothesis testing and specification.
• Applied Time Series Analysis: includes ARIMA models, Box-Jenkins methodology, ARCH-GARCH models, VAR models, unit-root testing and cointegration.
• Research Methods: includes
  • a report writing/economic consulting element,
  • visiting speaker seminar series,
  • research methods training and
  • workshops on recent developments in financial research.

Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar

As well as providing a rigorous grounding in theory and methods, the course will provide you with the practical skills and techniques widely used in financial markets. The course covers much of the CFA Levels 1-3 syllabus and includes regular presentations and workshops from outside practitioners. You will also manage your own simulated asset portfolio on-line throughout the year to put theory into practice.

The course brings you into direct contact with financial markets, their issues and practices through practitioner seminars and visiting speakers throughout the year, across all modules.

In this course:

• you will be trained in financial research, consulting and professional report writing
• you will be taught about the quantitative methods relevant to the financial sector and required for Ph.D. level research
• your interpersonal, organisational and leadership competencies will be developed
• your oral and written communication skills will be improved through assignments, dialogue, exercises, presentations, etc.

The blended learning approach to education combines lectures, projects, seminars, group discussion, presentations and individual and group reports.  

For MSc Finance (Banking and Risk Management) (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 organistaional settings;
• Design and undertake independent research and analysis to be written up in a succinct and readable manner;
• Be globally aware and locally engaged.

For Postgraduate Diploma in Finance (Banking and Risk Management) (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 organistaional settings;
• Design and undertake independent research and analysis to be written up in a succinct and readable manner;
• Be globally aware and locally engaged.

You attend lectures for approximately 12 hours per week. There are additional research workshop hours and you will also attend regular visiting speaker seminars and practical laboratory sessions. 

Assessment

Normally, your work will be assessed by coursework projects (30%) and final examinations (70%). 

Who teaches this course

The current lecturers on the course are listed below:

• Don Walshe  
• O'Sullivan, Niall
• Dr. Geraldine Ryan
• Dr. Ella Kavanagh
• Dr. Meadhbh Sherman
• Dr. Siobhan Lucey

Full module information is detailed in the section below.

The course is open to applicants with a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent in a business subject

OR

Applicants with a 2.1 degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a related subject with a quantitative element such as mathematics, statistics, engineering, science, etc. 

 

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 .

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.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following question:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• What is your current occupation/speciality?

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June

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.