Higher Diploma in Finance

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This is a one year full time programme. The course provides an accelerated route to the equivalent of an honours degree in Finance.  A performance of 60% or better in the diploma guarantees a place on our Master’s programme.

Modules taken depend on the academic preparation of the student and must be ratified by the Head of Department or the course coordinator.

Entry Requirements

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.

Career and Postgraduate Opportunities

Career options:

Banking, Financial Services, Treasury Management, Accountancy, Civil Service or other policy making institutions

Postgraduate Options:

A performance of 60% or better in the diploma guarantees a place on our Master's programme.

How to Apply

All Applications must be made on-line through PAC http://www.pac.ie/NUIM

Non NUIM students should submit a copy of their birth certificate or valid passport, official transcripts and two academic references in support of their application.

Contact Information

Department of Economics Finance & Accounting, NUI Maynooth

Programme Director: Margaret Hurley

Tel: (01) 708 3787  (01) 708 3681

E-mail: Sandra.Doherty@nuim.ie

Website: http://economics.nuim.ie/

Course Structure

A comprehensive range of modules in Finance, including Corporate Finance, International Financial Markets, Derivatives, Financial Accounting, and a broad range of optional modules.

Students take six compulsory modules and six optional modules. All modules are 5 credits each. The compulsory modules are the same every year.

A required module is a compulsory module which must be passed without compensation
(i.e. a mark of 40% achieved)

  • FN305     Portfolio Selection and Analysis
  • FN307     Derivatives I: Forward and Futures
  • FN308     Derivatives II: Options and Swaps
  • FN309     International Finance
  • EC306     Econometrics
  • EC599     Economic Research

The optional modules taken vary greatly, depending on the background and interest of the individual student. Students discuss which modules would be best for them with the course co-ordinator at the start of the year, and are helped to devise the optimal programme of study for themselves. At least one Accounting module must be taken - AC210 is not available to those with previous knowledge of Accounting.

The list of modules available varies slightly from year to year. Students who wish to take a module from another department may do so, subject to the permission of that department. Not all combinations of modules may be available, due to timetable considerations.  Following is the list for 2010/2011

  • FN306     Introduction to Capital Markets
  • FN310     International Financial Markets
  • FN398     Economics and Finance Risk
  • FN211     Financial Modelling
  • AC210     Accounting for Non-Accountants
  • AC201     Financial Accounting III
  • AC202     Financial Accounting IV
  • AC311    Advanced Financial Accounting
  • EC301     Topics in Microeconomics
  • EC302     Topics in Macroeconomics
  • EC305     Advanced Quantitative Economics
  • EC307     Irish Economy
  • EC211     Money and Banking
  • EC214     Public Economics
  • EC215     Strategic Behaviour and Game Theory
  • EC217     European Economics
  • EC308     Competition and Regulation
  • EC318     International Trade
  • EC319     Labour Economics
  • EC321     Growth and Development
  • EC326     Political Economy
  • EC327     Economics of Sport
  • MN480    Law and Governance