Finance (BSc (Hons))
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Programme Description
The BSc Finance is based equally on the subject areas of corporate finance and financial economics. This combined approach provides graduates with a thorough grounding in each area.
Finance is concerned with the operation of financial markets and the valuation of financial assets, in particular in stock, bond, foreign exchange and interest rate markets. Movements in financial markets are driven by information, risk and uncertainty, which in turn provide the foundation for understanding strategic business decision-making.
You will gain a specialised knowledge of:
- Financial and monetary systems
- Investment and securities analysis
- Financial markets and institutions
- Strategy
- Information systems
- Accounting
- Quantitative techniques
- Research methods
Recruitment of UCC finance graduates remains exceptionally high among leading firms nationally and internationally. Employment prospects are excellent with nearly 100% of recent (2017 & 2016) graduates in employment (64% average) or further study (34% average). Graduates are highly sought after by financial companies in Ireland, primarily but the BSc Finance degree also has international applicability.
Modules
Year 1 Modules (all 5 credits):
AC1103 Financial Accounting Fundamentals; AC1104 Accounting for Partnerships and Companies; AC1105 Investment Analysis; AC1106 Introduction to Asset Valuation; AC1109 Management Accounting:Principles and Concepts & AC1115 Management Accounting: Cost & Control Systems (5 credits each); EC1200 & EC1211 Quantitative Techniques for Economics I and II (5 credits each); EC1209 Understanding and Interpreting Data; EC1210 Skills for Analysing Economic Data; EC1213 Microeconomic Reasoning & Practice; EC1214 is now Macroeconomics: Tools of Analysis
Year 2 Modules:
International Financial Reporting I; Consolidated Financial Statements and Reporting; Introduction to Taxation; Data Analysis, Business Reporting & Process Automation; Placement Plan; Corporate Financial Policies; Business Econometrics and Forecasting; The Macroeconomic Environment in the Short Term; The Macroeconomic Environment in the Long Term; Microeconomics and the Individual; Microeconomics and Macroeconomic Outcomes
Year 3 Modules:
Multinational Finance; Governance, Regulation and Control of Financial Organisations; Case Studies in Corporate Finance; Economic Consulting; Time Series Analysis; Principles of Insurance for Finance; Advanced Data Analysis for Finance; Placement and Research Report; Introduction to Corporate Information Systems
- Economics and Markets after the Crisis
- Governance, Regulation and Control of Financial Organisations
- Insurance for Finance
- Corporate Information Systems
You will also spend six months on placement in a financial organisation in Year 3. This internship, which is arranged by UCC, is in a designated financial institution or related organisation located in Ireland or the UK.
Year 4 Modules:
Core
Financial Information Analysis; Corporate Valuation; Securities Analysis; Money Credit and Banking; International Finance; Economics of Corporate Strategy; Economics of Strategic Behaviour; Finance and Capital Markets; Portfolio Analysis
Electives
Taxation: Income Tax and VAT; Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax; Management Accounting; Empirical and Behavioural Finance; Entrepreneurial Finance; Derivatives Valuation
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Derive and apply solutions to financial issues from knowledge of finance, economics,
accounting, and information technology - Apply theory to estimate the value of economies, industries, companies, capital projects
as well as financial assets and derivatives - Identify financial problems, analyse their impact, and formulate solutions that will
withstand critical examination - Work effectively as an individual, and as a finance professional, in teams and in multi-
disciplinary settings - Communicate and interact effectively with professional financial services bodies, the
broader financial community, and with society at large.
See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules or a more detailed description of programme modules.
Why Choose This Course
Graduates are highly sought-after by financial companies in Ireland, primarily the IFSC, and by companies in the City of London.
In addition, the BSc Finance degree has international applicability. Recent graduates have gone onto careers in places such as Zurich, Buenos Aries, London, Sydney, Mexico, Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia.
Skills and Careers Information
The BSc Finance degree prepares you for a career in the financial markets and financial services sector. In Year 3 you will spend six months on placement in a financial organisation, during which you will gain a valuable mix of both academic and practical skills, which are highly valued by employers.
The degree will provide you with a range of interesting career opportunities. Graduates from the course have gone on to work in:
- investment banking
- securities trading
- stock broking
- financial consultancy
- corporate banking
- fund management
- fund accounting
- insurance
- accountancy
These career paths have taken them to both national and international financial services centres where they have been highly successful.
Study Abroad
All students in the BSc Finance degree go on a six-month work placement during Year 3 of the course. This internship, which is arranged by UCC, is in a designated financial institution or related organisation located in Ireland or the UK.
It will allow you to gain first-hand experience of financial institutions and enterprise, to make informed career decisions and to acquaint employers with the high-quality nature of the specialised graduates of the BSc Finance course, all of which will enhance your career prospects.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Communicate and work effectively to a professional standard;
- Demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills associated with effective practice;
- Engage in the application of frameworks and techniques in organizational settings;
- Demonstrate a wide range of capabilities in Corporate Finance, Financial Economics and Accounting;
- Identify financial problems, analyse their impact and formulate solutions using knowledge of Finance, Economics, Accounting and Information Technology.
Practicalities & Assessment
Expected lecture hours: You will have approximately 12 lecture hours per week, with additional tutorial and practical hours.
Full module information is detailed in the section below.
Assessment
Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment.
Modules
Year 1
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Investment Analysis
Year 1
Investment Analysis (AC1105)
To introduce students to the theoretical foundations of corporate finance with some applications.
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Management Accounting: Cost & Control Systems
Year 1
Management Accounting: Cost & Control Systems (AC1115)
Introduction to the context, theory and practice of Management Accounting in the areas of performance management and the costing of products and services.
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Quantitative Techniques for Economics 1
Year 1
Quantitative Techniques for Economics 1 (EC1200)
To introduce the mathematical techniques used in economic analysis using appropriate applications.
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Understanding and Interpreting Data
Year 1
Understanding and Interpreting Data (EC1209)
To acquire the data collection and analysis skills and techniques required for economic analysis and examining economic theory.
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Skills for Analysing Economic Data
Year 1
Skills for Analysing Economic Data (EC1210)
To acquire the data collection and analysis skills and techniques required for economic analysis and examining economic theory
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Quantitative Techniques for Economics 2
Year 1
Quantitative Techniques for Economics 2 (EC1211)
To introduce the econometric techniques used in economic analysis using appropriate applications.
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Microeconomic Reasoning and Practice
Year 1
Microeconomic Reasoning and Practice (EC1213)
To develop an understanding of the methods of economic reasoning in the business context.
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Macroeconomic Tools of Analysis
Year 1
Macroeconomic Tools of Analysis (EC1214)
To develop an understanding of the methods of economic reasoning in the business context.
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Year 2
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International Financial Reporting 1
Year 2
International Financial Reporting 1 (AC2100)
AC2100 To develop an understanding of contemporary corporate financial reporting.
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Consolidated Financial Statements and Reporting
Year 2
Consolidated Financial Statements and Reporting (AC2101)
AC2101 To develop an understanding of contemporary corporate financial reporting.
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Introduction to Taxation
Year 2
Introduction to Taxation (AC2115)
AC2115 To develop an understanding of the role of taxation in financial decisions.
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Data Analysis, Business Reporting & Process Automation
Year 2
Data Analysis, Business Reporting & Process Automation (AC2118)
To develop an understanding of the use of computing in financial decision making.
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Placement Plan
Year 2
Placement Plan (AC2119)
To ensure students are fully prepared for placement in a company.
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Corporate Financial Policies
Year 2
Corporate Financial Policies (AC2121)
To further study corporate financial management principles and practices.
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Business Econometrics and Forecasting
Year 2
Business Econometrics and Forecasting (EC2206)
EC2206 The use of economic theory and econometric methods to understand and evaluate the economic environment of business.
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The Macroeconomic Environment in the Short term
Year 2
The Macroeconomic Environment in the Short term (EC2214)
EC2214 To discover the impact of government policy on the macroeconomic business environment.
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The Macroeconomic Environment in the Long term
Year 2
The Macroeconomic Environment in the Long term (EC2215)
EC2215 To discover the impact of government policy on the macroeconomic business environment.
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Microeconomics and the Individual
Year 2
Microeconomics and the Individual (EC2219)
To examine the role of the individual consumer in a competitive market process.
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Microeconomics and Macroeconomic Outcomes
Year 2
Microeconomics and Macroeconomic Outcomes (EC2220)
To examine the role of the firm and the government in a competitive market process.
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Year 3
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Multinational Finance
Year 3
Multinational Finance (AC3020)
To further study financial management principles and practices.
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Governance, Regulation and Control of Financial Organisations
Year 3
Governance, Regulation and Control of Financial Organisations (AC3022)
AC3022 To introduce students to issues underlying the internal and external controls on financial organisations.
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Case Studies in Corporate Finance
Year 3
Case Studies in Corporate Finance (AC3025)
To apply theory of Business Finance Principles and Practices.
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Economics and Markets after the Crisis
Year 3
Economics and Markets after the Crisis (EC3208)
To explore, evaluate and use concepts and theories to analyse and explain the functioning of markets and economies in the context of the global financial crises of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
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Time Series Analysis
Year 3
Time Series Analysis (EC3209)
To study modern techniques used to examine trends in, and between, financial time series data. Such techniques are commonly used in both risk management and forecasting in Finance.
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Principles of Insurance for Finance
Year 3
Principles of Insurance for Finance (EC3210)
To introduce the fundamental concepts in risk, uncertainty and insurance with applications to financial markets.
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Advanced Data Analysis for Finance
Year 3
Advanced Data Analysis for Finance (EC3211)
To understand and apply research and data analysis skills required in conducting business economic and financial surveys.
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Placement and Research Report
Year 3
Placement and Research Report (FI3001)
To complement classroom teaching with exposure to institutional work processes in financial services and other relevant organisations.
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Introduction to Corporate Information Systems
Year 3
Introduction to Corporate Information Systems (IS3318)
To provide students with an introduction to the role of computers and information in business.
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Year 4
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Financial Information Analysis
Year 4
Financial Information Analysis (AC4009)
AC4009 To provide students with the conceptual background and practical skills for financial information analysis.
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Corporate Valuation
Year 4
Corporate Valuation (AC4010)
AC4010 To provide students with the conceptual background and practical skills for valuing corporations
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Management Accounting: Planning and Control
Year 4
Management Accounting: Planning and Control (AC4100)
To discuss issues in the design of accounting systems for advanced manufacturing and service settings.
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Management Accounting: Performance and Decision Making
Year 4
Management Accounting: Performance and Decision Making (AC4101)
To discuss issues in the design of accounting systems for advanced manufacturing and service settings.
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Securities Analysis
Year 4
Securities Analysis (AC4119)
AC4119 Exploration of pertinent issues in investments.
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Money, Credit and Banking
Year 4
Money, Credit and Banking (EC3213)
The objective of this module is to provide students with a theoretical and practical appreciation of the relationships between money, credit provision and the banking system in a modern capital markets setting.
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International Finance
Year 4
International Finance (EC3214)
The objective of this module is to provide students with a theoretical and practical toolkit for analysing activity and key events in international capital markets.
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Economics of Corporate Strategy
Year 4
Economics of Corporate Strategy (EC3215)
Formulation of strategic business decisions using economic theory and business cases.
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Economics of Strategic Behaviour
Year 4
Economics of Strategic Behaviour (EC3216)
Formulation of strategic business decisions using economic theory and business cases.
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Finance and Capital Markets
Year 4
Finance and Capital Markets (EC3217)
To further develop concepts and frameworks in the study of financial markets.
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Portfolio Analysis
Year 4
Portfolio Analysis (EC3218)
To further develop concepts and frameworks in the study of financial markets.
More Information
For full programme requirements, please refer to the University College Cork Academic Calendar here
Back to topEntry Requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements:
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English |
Irish |
Maths |
Other Language |
O6/H7 |
O6/H7 |
O6/H7 |
O6/H7 |
Mature students: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest and may be required to attend for interview. Leaving Certificate Maths is recommended. Approximately eight places are available on this programme for mature applicants.
Find out about the mature entry requirements here.
International Students should visit the International Education website.
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
EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.
Mature Applicants: Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.
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.
Work Placement Information
Work Placement Details:
Benefits of work placement include:
- Practical experience in industry
- Improved job opportunities
- Experience in teamwork and development of interpersonal skills
- Awareness of current developments in the sector
For furthur Information , visit UCC Work Placement Website
UCC Quercus Scholarship Awards
UCC Quercus Scholarship Awards Ceremony 2016/2017
Included in the picture are: BSc Accounting Students Avril Bergin and Finbarr Cagney; and BSc Finance Students Sinead Buckley, Anna Harte (Robert Hyde absent) who were awarded on the night; and BSc Accounting Course Co-Director Dr. Sandra Brosnan and BSc Finance Course Co-Director Dr. Steve O’Callaghan
New Leaving Cert Scale
Revised Common Points Scale for Entry into Higher Education
The revised scale, which has been developed collaboratively by the universities and institutes of technology, builds on the package of reforms announced by the Minister in April, and will apply to students who sit the Leaving Certificate from 2017.
The main features of the new scale are that:
- it maintains the current alignment between the points awarded for achievement at Higher Level and the points awarded for achievement at Ordinary Level;
- the difference in the points awarded for each grade varies, reducing the probability that students will achieve the same overall points score. This will help to minimise the allocation of places in higher education by random selection;
- it will encourage the take-up of Higher Level subjects through the introduction of points for the new H7 grade.
- it continues to award Bonus Points for Higher Level Maths