Financial Analytics
Financial analytics arms decision makers with the tools to make sense of an increasingly complex world. By combining internal financial information and operational data with external information such as social media, demographics and big data, financial analytics may address critical business questions with unprecedented ease, speed, and accuracy.
The Master of Science (MSc) in Financial Analysis has been designed to meet the growing need for financial professionals with the practical skills required for a rapidly evolving data driven financial function. Upon completion of this programme, graduates will understand the core principles of finance, be equipped to utilise data analytics, machine learning, and visualisation tools, apply the appropriate financial analytic models, and acquire enhanced understanding of business decision making in an ethical and cyber context.
Both full time and part time programme options are designed to facilitate learners with a Mathematic/Economic/computing/technology background who wish to upskill in this new and emerging area of Financial Analytics. Students can opt to take the theory and practical modules only and not complete the dissertation.
Information & Library Management (LAI accredited)
Learners complete the taught component of the MSc. in Information and Library management by working through ten core modules gaining subject knowledge and practical skills that are synthesised and applied in the capstone Research Dissertation module. This programme, and the progression of the modules, facilitates the learner in firstly gaining a solid theoretical and practical foundation in essential information retrieval and management in the ten credit Information Organisation and the five credit Records Management and Information Law.
These foundational modules are complemented in the first semester with the forward-looking and issue-raising Teaching Librarian and Information Technologies modules. In the second semester, learners get the opportunity to apply the foundational theory and practice in such modules as Open Librarianship and Information Architecture. The Management for Information and Library Professionals and the Personal Development and Organisational Analysis modules also offer the learner an applicable window for the theory and skills addressed in earlier modules. The Research Methods module in Semester 2, prepares learners for the capstone research dissertation in Semester 3.
In the capstone Dissertation/Applied Research Project module, the learner then synthesises their learning in an area of focused interest, critically analysing relevant literature, using suitable research methods and research design in the production of a written thesis or report and artifact appropriate to a Level 9 standard.
FinTech
The Master of Science in Financial Technology (90 ECTS, Level 9) was developed as an innovative programme intended to develop learners’ skills in the area of Financial Technology. The integration of finance and technology has resulted in one of the most rapid and profound shifts in skills requirements within an industry in recent times. This rapid change required current and future employees in financial services to develop a capacity in the areas of finance, technology, regulation and data science to be able to effectively operate in the industry.
Moreover, employers continue to value employees that have developed advanced critical thinking, writing and research skills, and throughout the programme, learners have many opportunities to develop these important skills so that they emerge from the programme job-ready.
The taught component of this programme comprises core modules in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship in FinTech, Quantitative Financial Modelling, FinTech Regulation, Information and Cybersecurity Management, Distributed Ledger and Asset Tokenisation, Data Analytics and Machine Learning, Applied Financial Analysis and Research Methods one and two.
To graduate with an MSc in Financial Technology the learner must complete 9 required modules (varying between 4 and 10 ECTS) and choose one of the capstone options, namely the Applied Research Project, the Dissertation or the Placement, each of which is 30 ECTS.
Information Systems with Computing
The MSc in Information Systems with Computing is an innovative programme with an integrated delivery from end-to-end covering a wide range of information systems and computing topics. The programme is designed to create a deep level of knowledge and understanding in core areas such as programming, databases, web technologies and security while also offering practical skills in contemporary topics such as data analytics, distributed systems and mobile and social computing. In addition, the programme allows students to explore the issues around the management of information technology in business and industrial contexts. The programme was designed with significant input from industry and reflects the driving ethos of DBS to provide learners with career-focused programmes to enhance graduate’s employability.
International Accounting & Finance
Technological innovation has created a wave of disruptive activity that will change the shape of the global economic and financial system over the next decade. Digitisation and ever-increasing volumes of data has led to a demand for graduates (employees) from programmes specifically tailored to the skills required for a changing and increasingly competitive and globalised business landscape. In order to meet this demand, this industry-aligned, strategically-focused and highly-applied programme focuses on accounting, quantification of data, treasury functions and corporate finance. It is designed to appeal to graduates seeking to gain exposure to data-driven financial decision-making roles.
The MSc in International Accounting and Finance is a one year full-time or two years part-time programme. This broad programme with an integrated delivery from end‐to‐end covering a range of skills applicable to a wide range of accounting and finance functions. The programme aims to develop learners’ knowledge of the theory and practice necessary for them to secure employment and perform in a variety of areas in a broad range of companies.
The programme focuses on practical skills in core areas such as the role of capital markets, quantitative financial modelling, treasury risk management, international financial reporting, and advanced financial management. Its aim is to create a critical understanding of core accounting, financial, and quantitative principles whilst also enhancing the practical technical skills of the learners.
Management Practice
The MSc in Management Practice is a new specialised and innovative programme which has been created to meet the needs of graduates who seek to develop and expand their knowledge of the exciting field of Management at an advanced level. The broad objective of the MSc in Management Practice programme is to produce managers. The applied nature of the programme delivery ensures graduates are equipped to play a vital role in the management of any organisation. They will be equipped to interpret and synthesise information to confidently resolve complex issues which face today’s organisations. Graduates will gain a deep level of knowledge and understanding of current issues within Management and then will apply this knowledge to real work situations to gain experience of practical applications.
The aim of the programme is to provide students with a rigorous academic foundation and a systematic understanding of core business disciplines, with a focus on management practice and a contemporary skill set central to applied management.
Health Psychology
The Master of Science in Health Psychology (NFQ Level 9, 90 ECTS) is a one year full-time programme that provides learners with the theoretical background and practical skills to apply their psychological knowledge efficiently and productively to effect positive change in the world in the pursuit of health promotion and illness prevention. The programme covers a wide range of specialist topics that provides learners with the knowledge of theories and concepts relating to the contribution of psychological processes to health and illness and helps them understand how this knowledge can be applied in a variety of contemporary settings at individual, community and global levels. For the full-time delivery, in Semester 1 learners will begin three, 10 ECTS linear modules, Personal Development and Stress Management, Survivorship and Professional Issues and Ethics in Applied Psychology in addition to three, 5 ECTS modules in Advanced Quantitative Research Methods and Analysis, Advanced Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis and Addiction and Rehabilitation. All of these modules are assessed by a range of continuous assessments across the 24- or 12-week period.
In Semester 2 learners will continue with the linear modules while taking an additional three, 5 ECTS modules in Public and Community Health, Global Health and Occupational Health Psychology. The continuous assessment for the linear modules is completed in Semester 2. The 5 ECTS modules are assessed by continuous assessment across the 12-week semester with Public and Community Health and Global Health also assessed by a terminal exam during the scheduled examination period.
Information Systems
The DBS MBA (Information Systems), awarded by QQI, focuses on strategic business information systems knowledge as well as disruptive technologies and the innovation that occur in this field. It brings learners up to speed on the knowledge and current trends in technology and how best to use them for enhanced judgement and strategic business performance. The development of IS skills in learners enables them to select operate information systems which will support the extraction and use of organisational information to aid strategic decision making. Skills Ireland have published their expert group report Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitisation on Ireland’s Workforce (2018) where it is detailed that digitalisation is now a major driver of productivity growth and drives the improvement of process efficiency and the quality of products and services provided by organisations. The adoption of technologies is disrupting traditional roles and transforming the world of work where each organisation shall embrace the flexibility and competitive advantage offered by new technologies. Furthermore organisations will need to balance the needs of enterprises and employees and digital transformation necessitates an engaged workforce possessing a responsive skills set to ensure effective and strategic planning for the world of work and future skills needs.
MBA
This unique programme allows you to study the pure MBA, or choose a specialist route for your MBA award within the following programmes: HRM; Project Management; Finance; Information Systems; Cloud Computing or Marketing. This ensures students are afforded the widest choice of specialisms from which to choose. A practitioner focus is part of this programme, and industry-led workshops and guest lecturers keep information current and applied.
The MBA will include:
• Personal, academic and professional development.
• Lectures and assessment methods that apply the business knowledge required for students to perform as an effective manager in any organisation.
• Through, extensive study of key issues in business theories students will be capable of evaluation and application of important global management issues which impact on organisational effectiveness and performance.
• Knowledge and understanding of global business, most especially on issues such as globalisation, standardisation and customisation of products and services.
• Skills and knowledge to inform you how an organisation is best managed in a changing world.
With these in mind, the programme is designed to provide you with relevant knowledge, so that you are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to business management and development.
Project Management
This specialism provides innovative knowledge on one of the key skills of the modern business world. A deep understating of the theories and practices of Project Management enables graduates to discuss and share new insights to identify new problems and challenges essential to project management and the overall success of an organisation. This pathway carefully links and aligns the programmes mandatory modules such as Managerial Financial Analysis, Global Issues for Management, Applied Strategic Management, Research Methods and Dynamic Leadership Development with Project Management Frameworks and Project Management Practices culminating with a dissertation which, ensures learners scrutinise social norms and employ tools and techniques of enquiry and producing something new which adds value to the business world. Indeed, Professor Darren Dalcher, Professor of Project Management and founder of the UK National Centre of Project Management, believes that the role of project management will continue to grow with a need for more project managers with project managers becoming “more involved in some of the strategic conversations” and he further states that “the management of project holds the potential to link strategy, stakeholders, benefits, usage of assets, facilities and capabilities…with the link between strategy and the management of resources [key] to effective project management and organisational success” (Institute of Project Management Ireland (www.projectmanagement.ie).
