StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

Accounting degrees in Ireland

Highlighted course

Accounting BSc (Hons)

University College Cork (UCC) Ireland

Find out more

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Bachelor

University of Galway Ireland

Find out more

Accounting and Finance (HETAC) BA (Hons)

Griffith College Ireland

Find out more

International Foundation Studies Programme for Business and Social Sciences International Foundation Programme, Undergraduate Foundation Programme

ONCAMPUS Ireland Ireland

Find out more
All Bachelors Degrees in Accounting

Looking for graduate level options? See Masters degrees in Accounting in Ireland

Study a Accounting degree in Ireland in 2025

Accounting is the process of preparation, presentation and interpretation of financial information. An accountant is responsible for collecting, sorting, summarising and presenting financial data, as well as helping organisations and individuals to make decisions about how their finances are utilised. Businesses will normally work with an accountant when reporting their income, and paying their taxes. You will learn the basics of accounting, as well as how to use the newer technologies to optimise your work.

An undergraduate degree will give you a foundation knowledge of accounting. You will explore the roles of an accountant, and look at how they determine financial stability, wealth, profitability and liquidity. You will gain an understanding of working as a self-employed accountant, as well as working within a corporate organisation.

Your accounting degree will normally be taught mainly through lectures and seminars. You may be given opportunities to take part in group projects, which will give you an insight into how you may deal with a client or account in a work environment. Some universities may offer you the option of a work placement year, but this is not guaranteed.

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. This specialisation can help you to explore which areas of accounting you prefer, and potentially influence your future career path. Common specialisations include:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Taxation
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Fraud Examination

If your degree requires you to write a dissertation, this will give you an opportunity to further research an area of interest within accounting.

The accreditation gained from an accounting degree will depend on where you choose to study, and your specific course. Generally, you can expect to gain a Bachelor of Science, but your course might award a Bachelor of the Arts. This will be influenced by the content of your course. Different countries can also sometimes have different accreditation systems.

As well as gaining your degree, you will most likely also be required to gain some extra professional accounting qualifications before you can become a certified accountant. Some degrees include these certifications, but not all. Two examples of the bodies who accredit degrees and certify accountants are the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Typically, an undergraduate degree in accounting will take three to four years. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years when studied full-time.

Once you have completed your undergraduate degree, you can either seek employment in your chosen field or further your studies. Continuation of your studies could be in the form of a postgraduate degree, such as a masters, an MBA, or a PhD, or a graduate diploma or certificate. As well as this, you can go on to gain professional qualifications in accounting and finance.

Accounting graduates will be able to find work in either the private or public sectors, in a wide range of fields. Many graduates choose to work in roles related to business accounting, such as human resources, financial management and numerical clerkship. As well as these roles, you could take traineeships in accounting and auditing firms as part of your path to becoming an accountant.

Your transferable skills such as analytical thinking, financial competency and accuracy, coupled with your knowledge of business practices and structure mean that you will also be able to find work in other areas. Popular destinations outside of accounting include consultancy work, banker, purchasing manager, budget analyst and risk management.

The modules you study might include financial reporting, corporate finance, economics for business, econometrics, financial markets, and business law. Your degree will be delivered in a mixture of modes. These could include lectures and seminars, as well as group projects. Depending on your course, you may also have the opportunity to take part in a work placement.

Study in Ireland

With a reputation for being one of the worlds friendliest countries, Ireland would be a great choice for an international student. As well as this, there are many highly ranked universities in Ireland, who are welcoming more and more international students into their communities each year. Several of the universities in Ireland are ranked in the QS World University rankings, which displays the country's ability to offer a top quality university education to students from all over the world.

See our detailed guide to studying in Ireland for international students.

Sign up to StudyLink.com

Sign up to StudyLink.com, the home of quality study abroad advice.

Sign up now
Students with books and test tubes

Other Undergraduate Business & Management courses in Ireland

International study advice

Read our selection of advice articles for those looking to start on their study abroad adventure. Covering topics from study visas, applications, funding and choosing the right course and institution:

World map on a blackboard
Deciding to study abroad: The first steps

Read StudyLink's suggestions on your first steps when deciding where to study abroad, with helpful tips to make your decision easier.

A camera, a visa and a world map
International Study Visas

Find out more about international student visas for studying abroad, as well as how, where and when to apply for yours.

Person holding a compass
How to choose the ideal study destination for you

In this article we look at how to approach choosing where in the world you would like to study.

Students reading a book
English Language Testing for International Students

Find out more about English language tests, your options and what is required as an overseas student.

More Advice and Guidance for Studying Abroad