Asset Management, MSc, University College Cork (UCC)

About Asset Management, MSc - at University College Cork (UCC)

Overview

Do you want to prepare for a career in international financial services while completing finance professional exams?

The MSc Asset Management is designed to prepare students for careers in the international asset management and finance industry. As a participant on the course, you will focus on developing your analytical and professional skills, culminating in an applied quantitative research project. Uniquely this finance MSc programme provides the opportunity for candidates to study for the CFA® level I and/or CAIA® level I exams at the same time as the MSc Asset Management.

This finance course has been designed in conjunction with industry to ensure it meets the skills needs of employers. Upon completion of the MSc in Asset Management, you can expect to have excellent career prospects with investment management, insurance, proprietary trading, pension funds, and finance firms.

Course Details

Run by the Department of Accounting Finance and Information Systems the MSc Asset Management is a 12 month Finance programme designed for those wishing to work in the international financial services industry, either in Ireland or abroad.

Students on the programme have access to a dedicated lab with Datastream and other financial and hedge fund databases.

The programme is structured as follows

Induction Week The course begins with an induction week [which commences 5th September, 2016]providing you with the necessary preparation for the Core Modules in Semester 1. Here, the focus is on: team-building skills; IT skillscommunication and presentation skills.

Core Modules The core modules take place mainly in Semester 1 (September to December) and two running in Semester 2. These modules provide you with the in-depth knowledge to analyse and apply solutions to topics such as Valuation, Project Finance and Analysis of Debt Instruments. These modules:focus on analysis and application;have a quantitative element; include regular student presentations.

Core Modules

Specialised Modules

The specialised modules begin in Semester 2 (January to March) and here you will learn and apply this knowledge to areas of real relevance to your future career such as aircraft leasing, risk management and funds. The modules here: focus on understanding and application; are case study and lecture driven; employ analysis using business IT systems.

Specialised Modules

Business Leader Series

In this innovative module beginning midway through Semester 1 and finishing in Semester 2, you will get the opportunity to interact with senior executives and industry leaders from both the financial services sector. This module provides the perfect opportunity to hone your networking, communication and presentation skills.

-a weekly session will be chaired by industry experts.

-each week a different student group hosts the sessions.

-members of the student groups present the case study solution.

-the expert then gives feedback and advice to the class.

Professional Exams

In this element of the programme you pursue a course of independent learning, under the supervision of an academic mentor, towards the CFA® level I and/or CAIA® level I exams. Guidance will be provided by our CFA® and CAIA® faculty representatives on the best approach for you to prepare for these examinations.

Research Project

The final element in the course takes place over the summer. You will get the opportunity to work, under the supervision of an academic mentor on an asset management research project. Each student will initiate, research and write a report on the asset management issue. The output from this project will include a detailed report and final presentation. This form of project will give you an opportunity to develop both analytical and professional skills.

Fact File

Course Code: CKL40 Full-time & Part-time

Course Title: Finance - Asset Management

College: Business and Law

Duration: 1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time

Teaching Mode: Full-time, Part-Time

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Qualifications: MSc

NFQ Level: Level 9

Costs: 2017/2018 Irish/EU Fee EUR 10,500 full-time. The part-time course fee is half the full-time fee in the particular year of study. In addition students will have to pay registration and examination fees with the CFA Institute and/or CAIA and for study notes. For 2014 these fees and expenses would be approximately EUR 2,000 for level I of each professional qualification. There are a limited number of CFA and CAIA scholarships available which will be awarded based upon academic results.

2016 Entry Requirements: Minimum 2.1 primary degree or equivalent in a business course, or expectation of graduating with a 2.1 primary degree or equivalent in a business course in the year of entry, or a 2.1 primary degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline (see Detailed Entry Requirements)

Closing Date: See details in application procedure section below

Next Intake: 11 September 2017

Course Practicalities

For the MSc Asset Management degree, you'll complete an induction week [which commences 5th September, 2016], 10 course modules, 5 core courses and 5 specialised modules, an industry lecture series and a quantitative research project. While on the program you will have the opportunity to complete the CFA® level I and/or CAIA® level I exams. You can do the course full-time over 12 months, or part-time over 24 months.

Assessment

To meet the development objectives of the programme the MSc Asset Management is assessed by a blend of formal examination and continuous assessment. Each module contains a minimum of 30% continuous assessment.

Continuous assessment is in the form of class contribution, individual assignments, group case study analysis and presentations.

It is important that you learn to communicate effectively and contribute in class so your lecturers will keep a record of who asks (and answers) questions in class, and allocate marks accordingly. You and your classmates will also be divided into different groups for each semester. This allows you an opportunity to get to know, and work with, all of your colleagues. While we understand some students may have concerns about being assessed in groups, the ability to work with, and lead others, is a skill which has been highlighted as being essential for a successful career in industry. Finally, presenting is one of most important professional skills and so we also incorporate this into the assessment.

The final element of the MSc Asset Management is a quantitative research project. This represents one eighth of the marks for the masters programme.

Application Procedure

Application for this programme is on-line at www.pac.ie/ucc. Places on this programme are offered in rounds. The closing dates for each round can be found here. For full details of the application procedure click How to Apply.

Please note that you will be asked to fill in a supplementary form as part of the application process for this programme. A copy of this form is available hereCKL40 Supplementary Form (135kB)

All required documentation must be either uploaded to your online application, or sent in hard copy to The Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1, Courthouse Square, Galway, immediately after an application is made.

Notes about fees for this course

Costs: 2017/2018 Irish/EU Fee EUR 10,500 full-time. The part-time course fee is half the full-time fee in the particular year of study. In addition students will have to pay registration and examination fees with the CFA Institute and/or CAIA and for study notes. For 2014 these fees and expenses would be approximately EUR 2,000 for level I of each professional qualification. There are a limited number of CFA and CAIA scholarships available which will be awarded based upon academic results.

2016 Entry Requirements: Minimum 2.1 primary degree or equivalent in a business course, or expectation of graduating with a 2.1 primary degree or equivalent in a business course in the year of entry, or a 2.1 primary degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline (see Detailed Entry Requirements)

Closing Date: See details in application procedure section below

Next Intake: 11 September 2017

Entry requirements for this course

Contact University College Cork (UCC) to find course entry requirements.

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