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BA FINANCE

Qualification : BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)

CAO/PAC code : MH401

CAO Points : 350

Closing Date : 01 July 2024

View QQI details

Finance is central to the operations of every multinational firm, small business, government, household and individual.
Study Finance and give yourself a head start in life and in your 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.

  • Why choose this degree?
    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. Additionally, you 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.

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 and 5 – maximum one per group. See BA groups table.

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) Switch to the BA Accounting and Finance degree (MH403).
MH401 is a sister degree to MH403 BA Accounting and Finance, with many modules in common. Side steps between the two degrees are allowed at the end of 1st year, depending on the 1st year optional modules chosen.

Students can switch to MH403 Accounting and Finance degree at the end of first year provided 22.5 credits of Accounting are taken in 1st year and you attain 60% if you did not have the required CAO points for entry to MH403. Those who are reasonably certain they wish for a career in Accounting should consider MH403 or MH407 both of which maximise Accounting exemptions. However modules such as Money and Banking, and Financial Institutions are not available to specialist Accountants (MH403). Some exemptions are available to those who choose to study Financial Accounting in all three years through MH401.

Course Duration: 3 or 4 years

Options after graduation?
Finance graduates have strong numeracy skills, coupled with an ability to think critically and analytically – invaluable assets in a wide range of professions. Graduates can be found in the banking and financial services industry, economic consultancy, finance units of public and private sector organisations, financial research, journalism and teaching. Many of our students continue to further postgraduate study in a very wide range of Business subjects at Maynooth University or another leading university in Ireland or abroad.

Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about postgraduate options.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.
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. 

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2024 to the Access Office. 

Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline. 

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

01 February 2024

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 2023: 350

Transfer option available into MH401 from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

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
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