About Accounting (macc) in University College Cork

This one-year full-time course offers a postgraduate route to a career in professional accounting. It offers you the chance to complete much of the study and examination requirements involved in qualifying as an accountant. Upon successful completion of all requirements of the course, you will gain full exemption from all but the Final Admitting Examination (FAE) of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).

The course offers more than exemptions. As well as intensive tuition in the core technical materials assessed in the professional examinations, you will gain exposure to the emerging contemporary issues in accounting and finance that will shape your working environment and the future economy. Personal competencies and skills in commercial judgment are also developed to give you a competitive edge as you embark on your career in accounting. In addition, M Acc graduates qualify for exemption from all papers in part 1 of the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.

Students take a total of 90 credits. Part I consists of taught modules to the value of 60 credits. Part II consists of 30 credits devoted to the development of independent research skills relevant to the work of a modern professional accountant in practice, industry and financial services.

Why Choose This Course

The course prepares you for employment as a trainee accountant and it has been designed with significant contributions from partners, directors and training managers in major accounting firms.

Each of the “Big 4” firms (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC) has indicated a willingness to support students who wish to complete the MAcc at UCC prior to undertaking professional training.

Skills and Careers Information

• The accounting profession is the largest single employer of graduates in Ireland

• An accounting qualification is a primary entry route to senior roles in general management
• Opportunities in the financial services sector internationally have provided a demand for accountants qualifying in Ireland far in excess of the requirements of professional practice alone
• Irish-qualified accountants are in demand to fill varied roles worldwide

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants should have an honours degree in a related subject.
• Indian applicants will normally be required to achieve a first class/first division mark in their undergraduate programme at a good institution of higher education in India. At the discretion of academic departments, students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta, and the University of Pune, may be accepted with high second class/high second division marks. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

University College Cork Highlights