Masters in Finance in Ireland: Fees , Top Colleges, Placement and salaries

Ireland has actually become one of the destinations to study a Master of Finance because of its robust financial services environment, world-class business locations in Dublin and Cork, and internationally recognised universities. Courses like MSc Finance in Trinity Business School, UCD Smurfit, UCC, NUIG, DCU and UL offer industry exposure, coupled with exposure to employers and combine them with hard academic study.

The international students enjoy a 2-year post-study work visa and various scholarship opportunities. This blog provides a realistic, evidence-based account of the cost of programs, eligibility, and occupational results that are informed purely by official data and that have been tested by students.

Masters in Finance in Ireland: Course Overview & Highlights

Key details at a glance:

Irish programs typically span 90 ECTS credits and include core finance modules, electives (e.g. risk, treasury, corporate finance), and often a capstone consultancy project or internship opportunity.

Masters in Finance in Ireland: Eligibility & Admission Requirements

Academic and Test Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Mathematics, Engineering, or related fields.
• A minimum of second-class (2.1) honours or ≈ 6.5 CGPA/65% or equivalent.
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL ≈88–96+, depending on university.
• GMAT/GRE: may be requested at Smurfit if quantitative background is insufficient; not mandatory for most schools.

Documents & Applications

• SOP (~500–700 words), CV, 1–2 LORs, academic transcripts, test scores, and passport.
• Application fee: typically €50–75.
• Applications via university portals (e.g. TCD, UCD, NUIG)—early submission is recommended.

Masters in Finance in Ireland Fee Structure & Living Costs

Tuition Fees (2025–26)

• Note: Estimates can differ a bit due to how they are converted to currency. Trinity and UCD are more expensive, whereas TU Dublin and NCI are more affordable.

Living & Miscellaneous Costs

• Student living expenses in Dublin The expense of living in Dublin The average student spends 1,000-1,500/month (~12,000-18,000/year) on their rent, food, utilities, and transportation.
• It is cheaper in Cork or Galway, €7,80010,400/a in Cork, and 5,0008,000 in smaller cities.

Masters in Finance in Ireland: Top Institutions & Features

Trinity College Dublin (Trinity Business School)

• Triple accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS; ranked within Top 25 European Business Schools.
• Offers MSc Finance with the affiliation of CFA and CAIA, corporate finance electives and a high degree of student selectivity.
• Salaries could be very low (~35-40k) at the beginning but imo it can be improved with networking and performance and simple career growth.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

• Ranked 22nd among European business schools (FT).
• Fees: €19,900 (EU) and €23,170 (non‑EU).
• Offers MSc in Finance with strong emphasis on quantitative modules; GMAT may be requested.
• Reddit discussion: freshers target Big 4, corporate finance, investment banking after graduation, though masters alone doesn’t guarantee entry.

University College Cork (UCC)

• Offers MSc Banking & Risk Management and Corporate Finance.
• QS ranking ~303; tuition ~€19,300 for non‑EU.
• Reddit says: internships are available, but investment banking roles are rare in Cork—most roles are in fund administration or accounting.

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

• Provides MSc in Finance or Corporate & International Finance.
• QS ranked ~270; tuition ~€20,000.
• Placement rate ≈ 96%; average starting salary estimated at €50,000–70,000 (~₹27 L) with top recruiters including Deloitte, Google, IBM, EY, and PwC.

Dublin City University (DCU)

• Offers MSc Finance (~€17,600 non‑EU).
• Known for strong employer linkages; common recruiters include eBay, Google, Oracle, Deloitte, Intel, and UBS.

University of Limerick, TU Dublin, NCI

• Provide reliable but less-known finance programs, with fees €13,500–18,722 and a smaller intake.
• TU Dublin and NCI offer a blend of academic and practical finance education at comparatively lower cost.

Masters in Finance in Ireland Placements & Salaries

Placement Rates

• NUIG: ~96% placement within ~6 months of graduation; salary ranges €50k–70k. .
• Trinity & Smurfit: reputed for high employability, though raw statistics are less public. Reports suggest many enter Big 4 roles, corporate finance, or global firms like Havas, Merrill Lynch..

Salary Expectations

Average starting salary often lies between €45k–55k in cities like Dublin; in Cork and Galway, hiring at slightly lower entry salaries is common, rising rapidly with experience.

Why Choose a Masters in Finance in Ireland?

Financial Hub & Global Exposure

Ireland hosts over 400 international financial institutions in its International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), employing 35,000+ people and handling trillions in funds.

International Accreditation & Network

Places such as TCD and UCD Smurfit are triple-accredited institutions that have an international ranking and a worldwide network of alumni, which increases their employability.

ROI & Career Growth

The salaries after a couple of years are excellent, though entry-level earnings can be small due to crushing living costs. ROI ramps up quickly with advancement, especially when the graduates get placed in a position such as treasury, corporate finance or investment bank. The affordability is also increased by scholarly consumption.

Also Read :

Other Popular Countries for Studying Masters in Finance

Masters in Finance in Ireland Scholarships & Financial Aid

Deadlines generally range from March to July before the intake year. Applying early enhances scholarship chances.

Masters in Finance in Ireland Career Scope & Recruiters

Core Industries & Recruiters

Financial services, fintech, consulting, asset management and employers JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, KPMG, Bank of Ireland, Fidelity, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Accenture, among others.

Growth Trajectory

As a finance graduate, the most common career path is to begin as a Financial Analyst, Risk Analyst or Consultant. Having 3-5 years of experience and certifications (CFA, ACA), one can participate in higher jobs like Treasurer, Finance Manager, or an actual CFO-level job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: How long is MSc Finance in Ireland and what is its format?

Ans: The programme is 1 -years full-time MSc (90 ECTS). It will include some core modules which include corporate finance, derivatives, econometrics, risk management, and electives, followed by a capstone project or live consultancy placement. Other universities have industry-related modules or internships.

Ques: What is the cost of living in Ireland and studying?

Ans: Tuition with different institutions varies between 13,500 euros and 27,450 euros. Then there are costs to live in Dublin, 1,000-1,500 euros/month (12-18k / year) and Cork or Galway, 7,800-10,400 euros/year. Joined as a whole, the annual amount of money by the non‑EU students may amount to 30k to 40k euros.

Ques: Will I have an opportunity to work in Ireland after MSc Finance?

Ans: Yes. With successful human graduation, they are issued a 2-year Stamp 1G post-study visa. A €44,000+ salary is necessary to be issued with a Critical Skills Employment Permit post-January 2025, and experience or higher-paying jobs are necessary for fresh graduates.

Ques: Which are the best universities to do MSc Finance in Ireland?

Ans: The very best public schools: Trinity College Dublin (TBS), UCD Smurfit, NUIG, UCC, DCU, University of Limerick which provide AACSB/EQUIS accreditation, solid corporate connections, and international placements. The remaining institutions NCI and TU Dublin provide cheaper options with acceptable results. 

Ques: How much will an international MSc graduate in Finance earn?

Ans: Salary levels at the entry-level are around the mark of 45,000-55,000 euros/ year at such a job as a financial analyst or a risk consultant. Development in management or the financial sector will yield up to seven thousand and above in 3 to 5 years. Older positions like CFO or investment manager can amount to more than 100,000 euros.

Ques: Does one need previous job experience to apply?

Ans: Previous work experience is not necessary. New graduates are recruited with good academic credentials (2 1 honours or so). Those applicants who have poor academic credentials might require quantitative coursework or pertinent internships to bolster their applicant profile. The waiver policies of GMAT also depend on universities. 

Ques: Which jobs are available to me after I graduate?

Ans: Typical entry jobs are either Financial Analyst, Risk Analyst, Corporate Finance Consultant, or Portfolio Manager. As graduates gain experience, they can progress to senior jobs such as Finance Manager, Investment Banker or CFA-level job in asset management or fintech.