Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Course details

The Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting (PDA) is designed to fast-track graduates who wish to pursue careers in accountancy or taxation.

It is a “conversion programme” aimed at non-accounting graduates from disciplines such as arts, computers, education, engineering, and science. Business or commerce graduates who have not majored in accountancy may also find the programme beneficial.

The PDA is a dedicated post-graduate programme. The small class size facilitates greater interaction between student and lecturer, and this, combined with lecturers who are leading experts in their respective fields, results in an excellent learning environment.

Successful completion of the course will give graduates full CAP1 exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland, seven of the nine Fundamental ACCA papers and three of the four-part 1 Irish Tax Institute papers.

Programme Modules:

Students undertake an induction course commencing in the first week in September and a total of 8 modules, ranging from 5 credits to 15 credit modules. Lectures are held throughout the week, with total weekly contact hours ranging from 25-28 hours. Due to the intensive nature of the programme significant additional self-study is also required of students. Students study Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation, Financial Management, Law, Business Ethics & Corporate Governance.

Career Opportunities:

This programme is primarily designed for those who wish to pursue a career in accounting, although some graduates may choose to utilise their accounting knowledge in conjunction with their primary degree.

The programme prepares students for employment in the accounting function of industry and with firms of professional accountants, as well as with other financial services employers. There are many different types of accounting roles, and accountants today play a very strategic role within business.

Accounting offers a clearly defined career path, but yet offers a range of employment options. The main types of accountants are professional accountants (who work in private practice) or management accountants (who work in companies), but there are many specialist roles such as auditors and taxation consultants.

Accounting professionals are consistently in demand in private and public organisations. Training as an accountant offers increasingly varied roles within organisations at the heart of business development.

Follow-on Studies:

Graduates may progress to a Master of Accounting programme, or to the examinations of the professional bodies.

Entry Requirements:

Minimum entry requirement is a H2.2 in a non-accounting Level 8 degree, or an approved equivalent non-accounting qualification.

Students who have an Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8) or equivalent in accounting achieved outside Ireland are also eligible to apply.

International students are required to meet an English language standard equivalent to TOEFL (560) / IELTS (6.0).