Qualification : HIGHER DIPLOMA IN ARTS
Award Type and NFQ level : HIGHER DIPLOMA (8)
CAO/MU Apply code : MH26D
CAO Points :
Closing Date : 30 June 2025
Finance is a stimulating and challenging discipline that offers a wide range of exciting and dynamic careers across the financial industry. The finance sector has grown in terms of complexity as it meets the needs of increasingly international, technologically complex and data-driven markets. By studying finance, you will acquire a wide range of skills that can be applied to problems faced by agents ranging from entrepreneurs who need to fund their ideas to investors seeking the best opportunities to grow their wealth, from private investment banks who engineer innovative financial products to regulators tasked with protecting the industry and from individuals searching for a mortgage to multinational firms seeking to finance their operations. The study of finance opens the door to a myriad of diverse career opportunities.
This is a one-year full-time programme. If you have the desire and ambition to forge a successful career in the world of finance, then this is the perfect programme for you. The course provides an accelerated route to the equivalent of an honours degree in finance. Students will cover the basic concepts, empirical methods and applications in investment, derivatives, international finance and econometrics as well as choosing field courses of interest from a range of optional modules such as corporate finance, fixed income markets and financial accounting.
Additional Resources
Please check out the Postgraduate Open Day Page for details on our upcoming open days and postgraduate information and resources shared at previous open days which includes information on fees, funding, scholarships and student life.
Course Commences
September entry
What our Graduates Say
I decided to re-skill myself in the world of finance having enjoyed a successful 22-year career as an IT professional. My ultimate goal at the time was to complete the MSc in Financial Risk Management in Maynooth, however the advice I received was that the Higher Diploma would form an important stepping stone towards this ultimate objective. This turned out to be excellent advice which led me to successfully complete the MSc I wanted.
Research Economist Financial Stability Section of Central Bank MICHAEL WOSSER, HDip Finance, MSc Financial Risk Analysis and PhD Finance
An emphasis is placed on presenting your thesis to your class and lecturers. Workshops aimed at building presentation skills are embedded into the course. I found this exercise both challenging and rewarding and the ability to competently present my thesis to my lecturers increased my confidence. This Master's and the professionalism of Maynooth University have resulted in me securing a financial role in a prominent
international bank and will continue to serve me as my career progresses. Custody Administrator. Société Générale
BRYAN CULLEN, Higher Diploma in Finance, MA Finance.
An honours primary degree in any discipline. Students without any knowledge of economics or finance are strongly advised to have a good background in statistics and quantitative methods and to be prepared to undertake substantial independent study to equip themselves with the expected level of economics and finance. Well-motivated, quantitatively-able honours graduates of any discipline are welcome to apply. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level, a primary degree in any other discipline and have at least 5 years' relevant work experience. In exceptional cases, consideration will be given to candidates who do not hold a primary degree, but who do have at least 10 years relevant work experience, at least three of which are in a management position. These applicants are managed through the Maynooth University Procedure for Non-Standard Entrants and The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.
Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850
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Department of School of Business
Department of Faculty of Social Sciences
Department of International
Department of ICARUS
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Department of School of Business
Department of Hamilton Institute
Department of Innovation Value Institute (IVI)
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Course Duration: 1 year
The course consists of two semesters of taught modules over the nine months of the academic year. A comprehensive range of modules in finance, including corporate finance, fixed income markets, derivatives, financial modelling and a broad range of optional modules. Students take three compulsory modules and nine optional modules during the academic year which will be centrally timetabled by the Timetabling Office. To assimilate students from diverse academic backgrounds, the Programme Director will advise each student on which optional modules to choose to provide them with a solid foundation in finance. For details on module overviews, learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods and assessment please visit Course Finder.
Online application only. To make an application please click here.
To apply for your chosen postgraduate study at Maynooth University, please ensure you have the following documents to make an application:
- Evidence of your primary degree
- Academic transcripts
- A copy of your passport
- A personal statement
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants