Program Overview

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BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance

Course Instance ID:

Description: BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance
Duration: 3 years
NFQ Level: Level 8
CAO Course Code: NC022
Location: IFSC Campus
Start Date: 14/09/2026

About the Course

NCI's BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance offers a comprehensive curriculum that blends specialized accounting and finance subjects with general business topics. This program equips students with a strong foundation in leadership and management and fosters critical and methodical problem-solving and decision-making skills in financial contexts.

Graduates of this program will possess a robust understanding of the theory and practice of accounting and finance, as well as comprehensive knowledge across various business domains. This prepares them for careers in general management, accounting, and related fields, with eligibility for professional accountancy body exemptions.

Work Placement Opportunity

Students may have the opportunity to engage in a year-long, accredited work placement between their second and third years. This placement is credit-bearing and extends the degree program to four years. Access to these placements is competitive.

Course Content

Year 1

• Financial Accounting 1
• Economics in the 21st Century
• Academic Management Skills
• Mathematics for Business and Finance
• Business Law for Accounting and Finance
• Fundamentals of Management
• Information and Communications Technology in Accounting and Finance
• Quantitative Methods
• Introduction to Financial Markets
• Marketing for Accounting and Finance

Year 2

• Financial Accounting 2
• Management Accounting 1
• Corporate Finance
• Taxation 1
• Quantitative Methods in Finance
• Company Law for Accounting and Finance
• Business Economics
• Collective Investments
• Corporate Governance and Ethics

Students intending to undertake the Work Placement Year will study a Career Development Skills module.

Year 3

• Management Accounting 2
• Financial Reporting
• Law and Regulation
• Portfolio Analysis
• Derivatives and Risk Management
• Contemporary Issues in Finance and Accounting
• Financial Statement Analysis

Electives

• Taxation 2
• Taxation 3
• International Financial Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Research Project
• Audit and Assurance

Electives may include prerequisites, are subject to change, and availability is contingent upon class sizes.

Course Structure and Award

This undergraduate program leads to a three-year honours degree (four years with the placement option). The course spans six semesters, involving continuous assessment and final examinations each semester. Students achieving an overall average of 70+ are awarded the Dean's Award. Graduates receive a QQI BA (Honours) Degree in Accounting and Finance at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Career Prospects

Graduates find employment as trainee accountants and tax advisors in various leading accounting firms, alongside opportunities in industries and financial services. Notable employers include EY, Deloitte, BDO, Grant Thornton, JPA Brenson Lawlor, JP Morgan, and many others.

Further Study Options

Upon successful completion of the BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance, graduates may pursue postgraduate options at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications, such as the MSc in Finance and MSc in Accounting or seek professional accountancy qualifications (ACA, CPA, ACCA, or CIMA).

Admission Requirements

The minimum entry criteria include:

• A grade H5 or above in two higher-level subjects.
• A minimum of O6/H7 in four other subjects, including a minimum of O6/H7 in English and a minimum of O5/H6 in Mathematics.
• Applicants from a PLC/further education course must possess a full level 5/6 award with three distinctions and meet CAO points requirements.

Laptop Requirements

Students must adhere to a Bring Your Own Device policy, ensuring their laptop meets the following specifications:

• Processor: Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 / i7 or AMD 5000 Series or newer, Ryzen 3 / 5 / 7
• RAM: 16GB or greater
• Storage: SSD 256GB or greater
• Wireless Card: 802.11 n/ac/ax capability
• Operating System: Windows 11; later versions of macOS are acceptable (Chromebooks are not recommended).

Tuition Fees

• Domestic Students: This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and the Student Grant Scheme.
• International Students: Effective from September 2026, the programme fee is €14,000 per year.

Professional Recognition

Graduates may apply for exemptions from certain professional accountancy examinations based on completion of the course, including:

• Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Ireland

Conclusion

The BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance at the National College of Ireland is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a dynamic career in accounting and finance, equipping them with the requisite skills and knowledge to excel in a competitive landscape.