Postgraduate Diploma in Business in Accounting

Applications are open for September 2024. 

Please click here for a brochure and statements from graduates whose undergrad degrees ranged from English to Exercise Science to Hotel & Catering and see the great careers in accounting that they have developed since graduating with this postgraduate diploma.  

• The Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting (PDA), which has been running in ATU since 2010, is designed to fast-track graduates who wish to pursue careers in Accountancy or Taxation. 
• It is a one year “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 course. The small class size facilitates greater interaction for students with lecturers who are experts in their respective fields; this results in an excellent learning environment. Click here to see lecturer profiles.
• 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.
• Accountancy offers a defined career path, while offering a range of employment options.
• Accountancy 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.

Students undertake an induction course commencing 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.

• This course is primarily designed for those who wish to pursue a career in Accountancy, although you may choose to utilise your accounting knowledge in conjunction with your primary degree.
• The course prepares you 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.  
• 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.

Click here for graduate testimonials.

Entry requirements:

A minimum of a 2:2 in a L8 degree of any denomination.

Applications:

EU students apply online HERE

Or, if you are an International student, apply online HERE.

Upon successful completion of this course you may be entitled to exemption from the CAP 1 stage of the Chartered Accounting Ireland qualification and seven of the nine fundamental papers with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Click here for details on exemptions.  Guidance is provided in relation to the professional accounting bodies and their requirements.
This programme is a full-time programme with approximately 25 class contact hours per week.  

This programme includes practical training in computerised accounting packages.

A number of prizes are available to graduates of this programme:  

• Grant Thornton awards a prize to the best overall student
• The Irish Taxation Institute recognises the best tax student
• BDO Limerick sponsors the prize for the best student in the financial accounting module
• DHKN Limited sponsors the prize for the best student in the management accounting module

Click here for a brochure and to see graduates from a wide range of undergraduate degree backgrounds who have completed this programme.

Contact Us

Michael Gill,

Head of Department of Organisational Development

Email   michael.gill@atu.ie