If you are interested in becoming a professional accountant but your undergraduate degree is not accounting related then this is the programme for you.
This 2-year intensive conversion course effectively incorporates the Higher Diploma in Professional Accounting in year 1 and the 1 year MA Accounting in year 2. First year students are required to achieve an average of at least 60% in their first year modules to remain on the course. One of the principal objectives of the programme is that graduates will, on successful completion of the programme, have entitlement to CAP1 and CAP2 exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland, from LW, PM,TX, FR and FM and AA of the ACCA professional examinations, and equivalent exemptions from other Accounting Bodies.
We continually review and modify course content to ensure that the content and direction of all course modules also help prepare students for the final stages of the professional accounting examinations.
In addition to the exam exemptions mentioned above, students are guided in developing key competencies required by a professional accountant in an ever changing business and ethical environment.
Career options
While graduates are likely to be primarily focused on a professional accountancy qualification, our accounting programmes prepare students for a variety of careers both in the private and public sectors in every industry. Graduates are typically employed by the leading accounting firms. Career options include accountant in industry, finance director, managing director, management consultant, liquidator/receiver, financial analyst, stockbroker, tax consultant, treasury consultant and teacher.
Course Duration - 2 years The modules are timetabled Monday to Friday. For details on module overviews, learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods and assessment
The first year will follow the course structure of the Higher Diploma in Professional Accounting. On completion of this programme students will have
A knowledge and appreciation of the audit and assurance process in the context of the professional regulatory environment.
An understanding of advanced financial and management accounting skills with particular reference to medium/large corporate entities.
An ability to prepare financial statements for corporate entities and groups in accordance with IFRS and relevant legislation.
Developed knowledge and skills to deal with routine issues in corporation tax, capital acquisitions tax, capital gains tax, income tax, stamp duty and VAT.
Completed a 9,000-word thesis entailing original research on a topic in Accounting or a related field.
An understanding of key areas of the current financial environment in which accountants operate through exploring real life working scenarios.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
Expected June 2025
More details
Start date
Expected September 2025
Maynooth University
Maynooth University, Maynooth,
MAYNOOTH,
Kildare,
W23 F2H6, Leinster, Republic of Ireland
A 2.2 undergraduate degree in any subject. No prior knowledge of accounting required. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.
IELTS - 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band; TOEFL internet-based test iBT: 90 with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in all other sections; Pearson Test of English - 63 with no less than 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section; Duolingo English Test (DET) - 120 with no less than 110 in literacy, conversation, and comprehension subscores and no less than 95 in production. (This lower production subscore applies to non-EU applicants only), Cambridge Proficiency Cert. - 176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English. Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); Cambridge Advanced Cert. - 176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); ETAPP - C1 or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); Oxford Test of English - 140 with no less than 125 in each skill; Trinity College London ISE - ISE III with at least merit in each skill category.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Maynooth is an internationally esteemed ‘young’ university with a rich heritage, offering an excellent student learning experience.