Qualification : BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
CAO/PAC code : MH401
CAO Points : 361
Closing Date : 01 July 2025
Degree Overview
>Finance is central to the operations of every multinational firm, small business, government, household and individual. Studying Finance gives students a head start in life and in their career.
>Finance is a growing industry in Ireland and across the globe. Finance graduates can pursue many challenging and rewarding careers.
>Learn how the financial system works how assets are traded, international markets are linked, government policy decisions affect financial markets.
>Finance is a multi-disciplinary field, offering a broad range of specializations, in investment banking, financial planning, risk management and corporate finance.
>Learn how to use financial market data and analysis tools in platforms including Bloomberg to perform in-depth analysis.
>Opportunity to take a work placement in a multi-national or Irish firm (subject to availability) to gain hands-on experience. Students also have the option to study abroad, thus having the opportunity to learn within another culture.
>The program offers our students a fantastic opportunity to build their professional network through academic engagement, guest lectures and industry guidance.
>There is a possible transfer option to this degree in second year for students who have completed the first year of the Bachelor of Arts degree (MH101). See BA Degree for details.
Duration: 3 years (4 years with optional placement or Erasmus/Study Abroad)
1st year
Finance and Economics are the major elements of your degree. Study of Finance begins in 2nd year as students first require an introduction to the principles of hw markets work and how money and finance interact with the economy.
15 credits of Economics
7.5 credits of Accounting
7.5 credits of Mathematics
Option to take a further 7.5 credits of Mathematics
Optional (but recommended) extra 7.5 credits of Accounting in the 2nd semester
Choose 1 subject, which may include Critical Skills, from Bachelor of Arts groups 1, 2 or 5 maximum one per group. Subject Groups.
Maynooth Education: Critical Skills Option / Elective Option
2nd year
Students choose from these options (a) or (b):
(a) Choose between the Single Major and Major/Minor routes to degree level.
Single Major: about 50% of modules are compulsory and are in Finance and the parts of Economics important to Finance. There are a lot of optional modules in Economics, and depending on your choices in the 2nd semester of 1st year you may take further modules in Financial Accounting and/or Mathematics.
Major/Minor: approximately 33% of your time is spent with the Minor subject, and you take fewer modules in Finance and Economics, though the core modules are still compulsory. Minor subjects to choose from include Business, Computer Science, Criminology, Geography, German, History, Law, Mathematical Studies, Music, Philosophy, Sociology or Spanish. You must have completed 15 credits in the subject in 1st year to be eligible for the Major/Minor. Some students may choose to complete a work placement or study abroad year between 2nd and final year and graduate after the 4th year - the University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive.
(b) At the end of year 1, students who attain a 60% average in the 15 credits of Economics, a 60% average in the 15 credits of Mathematics and a 60% average in 15 credits of Computer Science (when taken as the extra subject in year 1), can transfer to MH402 BSc Quantitative Finance.
At the end of year 1, students who do not wish to continue with Finance can side step to a number of our BBS Business degrees, provided they pass year 1 and take a Business subject from Group 2 as their extra subject in year 1.
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Department of School of Business
Department of Hamilton Institute
Department of Innovation Value Institute (IVI)
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| Subject | Required | Ordinary Level Grade | Higher Level Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| English | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| Language | No | N/A | N/A |
| Math | Yes | O4 | H7 |
| Science | No | N/A | N/A |
International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements
Mature Students
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21.
Mature applicants who have a disability
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any required written exercise/interview which may form part of your application assessment please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2025 to the Access Office. Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline.
01 February 2025
Additional Information
Leaving Certificate Applicants
Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7, O6/H7 in Irish, English & O4/H7 Mathematics. MH401 Round 1 Points 2024: 361
HEAR and DARE
DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.
HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.
The Maynooth Education
Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.
APPLY TO THE CAO - WWW.CAO.IE
The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.
Categories of applicant:
- School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
- Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
- EU/EFTA/UK students
- International students (outside the EU)
- QQI (Further Education) students
- Transferring students
- Deferring students