-
Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
-
University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
-
About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
-
Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
-
Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
-
Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
-
Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
-
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Financial Analysis (HDip)
Course Overview
**Human Capital Initiative (HCI) graduate conversion programme available to business and non-business graduates**
The Higher Diploma in Financial Analysis is a graduate conversion course funded by the Government’s Human Capital Initiative programme.
This programme is free or 90% for candidates who meet HCI eligibility criteria. Further details available at Springboardcourses.ie
Graduates equipped with skills drawn from the dual disciplines of accounting and economics will play increasingly key and impactful roles in financial, banking and business sectors in the future. The goal of the Higher Diploma in Financial Analysis is to introduce students to and equip students with the applied analytical skills they need to secure future employment in the financial, banking and business sectors.This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles and analytical methods of accounting and economics in addition to modules from other business related disciplines.
Upon graduating, course participants will be equipped with a foundation of knowledge and skills that will prepare them for further studies and future careers in this field. The long-term employment prospects for graduates from this course are extremely good. In terms of further study opportunities, graduates will be equipped to progress to MSc level programmes, such as the MSc Corporate Finance and the MSc International Finance at University of Galway. In terms of career opportunities, graduates may take up a range of positions in the financial, banking and business sectors.
Students of this programme secure exemptions from some of the examinations of the accountancy bodies ACCA and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA).
The ACCA grants exemptions from exams in three subjects to all graduates, and from the exam Financial Management if students have completed modules AY872 Financial Management I and AY875 Financial Management II.
The CPA grants exemptions from three subjects at their foundation exam level, and one subject at their professional exam level.
Applications and Selections
Application via Springboard Courses website.
Who Teaches this Course

Dept. of Economics
First Floor, St. Anthony's
NUI Galway
View Profile

E: jonathan.levie@universityofgalway.ie
View Profile

E: SHARON.COTTER@nuigalway.ie
View Profile

J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics
University of Galway
Galway
View Profile

J.E.Cairnes School of Business & Economics
View Profile
Requirements and Assessment
Semester One exams: December.
Semester Two exams: April/May.
A range of assessment methods are applied throughout the programme. These include essays, projects, reports, presentations and case studies.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
University of Galway entry requirement: The programme is open to degree holders from a university or other recognised degree-awarding body. Applicants should hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification or equivalent; IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.
To be considered eligible for a place on this HCI funded course, you must:
- be living fulltime in the Republic of Ireland
- have your own, valid PPS Number
- meet the nationality/visa requirement
- You are an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss national or:
- You have Stamp 4/Stamp 4 EU FAM, Stamp 5, or Stamp 6 on your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. This includes those resident here on Stamp 4 on the basis of:
- having permission to remain in Ireland as a family member of an EU citizen or;
- having official Refugee/Subsidiary Protection status in Ireland /being here on the basis of refugee family reunification or;
- having been granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain in the State (prior to the Immigration Act 1999) or;
- having permission to remain following the Minister’s decision not to make a deportation order.
- have lived in either the EU, the EEA, the UK, Switzerland for at least 3 out of the last 5 years
- Any period the Department of Justice can count towards Citizenship can count towards residency (except stamp 2 & 2 a).
- If you have Refugee/Subsidiary Protection status in Ireland, residency is counted from the date you applied for International Protection.
Note 1: Applicants who are in receipt of an eligible DSP payment are not expected to demonstrate that they meet the Nationality/Visa requirement or 3 of the previous 5 years EU/EEA/UK/Swiss residency requirement.
Note 2: The process for determining eligibility is undertaken by the third level institution to which the student is attending.
- have completed a level 8 degree or have recognised equivalent prior learning if applying to a level 8 or level 9 course.
Additional Requirements
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2023
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
30
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
Check Springboard for details.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
60
Award
CAO
Course code
Course Outline
Students on this programme study 12 modules, made up of 11 core modules and one elective module. The core modules consist of four modules in Accounting and Financial Analysis, three modules in Economics, two modules in Management, and one module each in Marketing and Management Information Systems. In semester Two, students choose one elective module. Currently, the elective modules are AY209 International Financial Reporting, EC362 Economics of Financial Markets, EC3100 Economics and Philosophy and MS319 Enterprise Systems (may be subject to change).
Students will take these modules alongside other business students in the Higher Diploma in Business Studies (Semester 1)
Semester 1 (30 credits) *All core, compulsory modules
EC5133: Principles of Economics for Business
AY5123: Accounting and Financial Analysis
AY872: Financial Management I
MG524: Management
MK204: Marketing Principles
MS873: Management Information Systems I
Semester 2 (30 credits) *Core, compulsory modules
EC2101: Macroeconomics and the Business Environment
EC247: Introduction to Financial Economics
AY874: Accounting For Management Decisions
AY875: Financial Management II
SBE3001: Innovation: Creativity and Enterprise
*Optional modules. Choose one module:
EC362: Economics of Financial Markets
EC3100: Economics and Philosophy
AY209: International Financial Reporting I
MS319: Enterprise Systems
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
Required MS873: Management Information Systems I - 5 Credits - Semester 1Required MG524: Management - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required MK204: Marketing Principles - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC5133: Principles of Economics for Business - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required AY872: Financial Management I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required AY5123: Accounting and Financial Analysis - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL030: Recognised Prior Learning - 30 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL025: Recognised Prior Learning - 25 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL020: Recognised Prior Learning - 20 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL015: Recognised Prior Learning - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL010: Recognised Prior Learning - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional RPL005: Recognised Prior Learning - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional AY209: International Financial Reporting I - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC3100: Economics and Philosophy - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC362: Economics Of Financial Markets - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MS319: Enterprise Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required MG3109: Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC247: Introduction to Financial Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC2101: Macroeconomics and the Business Environment - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required AY875: Financial Management II - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required AY874: Accounting For Management Decisions - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
The finance industry is highly competitive, and having this Diploma will give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs. It demonstrates your commitment to the field and your proficiency in analysing financial data, which is a crucial skill in many finance-related roles. You can expect to secure a position in the financial, banking or business sector.
If you are already working in the finance field, the Diploma in Financial Analysis can open up opportunities for career advancement. It can help you specialise in areas such as investment analysis, financial planning, risk management, or portfolio management. Employers often seek candidates who possess advanced financial knowledge and expertise.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
*A 10% course fee contribution (€600) for graduate conversion courses is applicable for employed participants and recent graduates.
The formerly self-employed not in receipt of a DEASP payment must also pay 10%. This is payable directly to the provider.
There are no tuition fees for DEASP customers or Returners but any subsequent costs such as travel, and course materials must be borne by the participant.
For further details see https://springboardcourses.ie/faq
Find out More
Application via Springboard website. Information on how to apply: here.
Further information contact us:
E: HCIBusiness@universityofgalway.ie
Programme Director:
E: stephen.mcnena@universityofgalway.ie