MA Economics from NUI Maynooth. Job Opportunities after that? Help needed urgently!

MAZ1992 · 09-10-2012 06:56PM #1

I plan to do MA Economics from National University of Ireland (Maynooth). I will be having First Class Honours BSc in Accounting from Oxford Brookes University (UK). In addition to this, I will be an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountant) affiliate by the time I attend this programme. Currently I hold Advance diploma in Accounting and Business from the ACCA.

I am sick and tired of studying accountancy and want to do my masters in economics. Best irish universities are not accepting me for MSc or MA Economics because i do not hold a BSc in Economics. I have always loved economics. I scored 3 A stars at my A levels (in subjects like Accounting , Business Studies and Economics) but i went to do ACCA after that. (wish wasn't a mistake though)

But now I feel like doing what I have always loved i.e Economics. If I go for MA Economics (2 years) programme in NUI Maynooth, will there be job opportunities after graduating ?

I am from Pakistan and would have to spend more than 50000 euros for this masters degree but is it worth it? do the MA Economics graduates from NUI (Maynooth) get the job in Republic of Ireland after successfully completing the MA Economics?

donegal11 · 09-10-2012 07:32PM

Do you have a work permit and why do want to work specifically in the republic? In terms of getting a job it's all about experience rather then qualifications. And by the ways it's not a two year masters it's a one year masters with a higher diploma before hand. With the higher diploma you could apply to any other university's master program presuming you score high enough.

MAZ1992 · 09-10-2012 07:43PM

Their website says it to be a 2 years full time programme. As far as job is concerned, I want to apply for jobs after MA Economics in Ireland as back at home, the market is already saturated. Besides NUI Maynooth is recognised more in Ireland than in other countries so thats the reason for making Ireland the first priority. At least some employers would know about it.

I still don't get your answer. I want a work experience after MA Economics as international students studying on study permit cannot work more than 20 hours during their course. Do the MA Economics graduates from nui maynooth get jobs after completing their masters? I am 20 now and if all goes well, I will be a MA economics when I am 23.

donegal11 · 09-10-2012 08:30PM

Ask the course coordinator what all previous graduates did. But to be honest there are plenty of unemployed graduates out there or if working doing so in areas completely irrelevant to there qualification.

Work experience wise, have you any? that could make a big difference in applying for jobs. I presumed since your doing the acca that you would have some practical accounting/Financial experience before doing the masters

MAZ1992 · 09-10-2012 08:34PM

donegal11 wrote: »

Ask the course coordinator what all previous graduates did. But to be honest there are plenty of unemployed graduates out there or if working doing so in areas completely irrelevant to there qualification.

Work experience wise, have you any? that could make a big difference in applying for jobs. I presumed since your doing the acca that you would have some practical accounting/Financial experience before doing the masters

Yes I will have about 6 month of work experience as junior auditor working in Ernst Young

GEKKO135 · 09-10-2012 09:16PM

Why not apply to colleges in the UK? Unemployment in Ireland is almost twice that of the UK so it would make sense to stay there. Considering the amount of money you're willing to pay you should try and keep risk to a minimum, and right now Ireland would be a very risky bet for you.

MAZ1992 · 09-10-2012 09:23PM

Really? I thought If you had a masters degree it's almost very likely to get a job in Ireland? It's not just UK's economy but the stringent immigration rules too. At least Ireland allows international students to stay for a year and look up for the jobs.

GEKKO135 · 09-10-2012 09:56PM

Well there is no doubt a masters increases your chances of finding work but it still extremely difficult given the level of uncertainty that remains in this country. In fact, the unemployment rate for people under the age of 25 with a degree is currently 18%. I don't mean to be pessimistic but things are fairly bad at the moment.

Contact the department if you like, but I'm almost certain they don't keep a record of where their graduates go.

donegal11 · 09-10-2012 11:33PM

^The university used to do graduate destination surveys

Bergkamp 10 · 09-10-2012 11:51PM

I'm not ITK in this field in particular but considering the amount of people currently on the dole with a masters degree or doing low level labour in this country, I would certainly think very long and hard about this step.

You seem to have done your homework on it, if it infact costs you a whooping 50k to complete this degree course, I personally would think that is too much money to risk on something you may not get anything back from.

I dont know your financial situation but in general 50k is an enormous amount of money for any course.

MAZ1992 · 10-10-2012 12:10AM

I heard that Masters in Accounting is still pretty much in demand when considering the employment in Ireland. The Big 4 Auditing and Accounting Firms are still increasingly hiring the accounting grads. Not to forget about the numerous small accounting firms which are there in the market too. But i really do not wish to do accounting any further. I will already be a chartered certified accountant in couple of years once i get the training . My ACCA is almost complete. Just four papers left.

MAZ1992 · 10-10-2012 12:19AM

Actually I wanted an independent opinion about the university graduate employment record. Of Course there could be an inherent bias when asking the university directly!

With a BSc Degree with First Class Honours, I can still get in top universities like UCC,UCD or even NUI Galway but only in the accounting course. I am confused.

Back in my country, forget about BSc / MSc grads, nearly every other person turns out to be an ACCA.
ACCA are so much in surplus back in my country, pakistan!

In Pakistan, Bachelors or Masters in Accounting even from a top university is valueless unless you're a professional accountant. Too much competition

MAZ1992 · 10-10-2012 12:23AM

GEKKO135 wrote: »

Well there is no doubt a masters increases your chances of finding work but it still extremely difficult given the level of uncertainty that remains in this country. In fact, the unemployment rate for people under the age of 25 with a degree is currently 18%. I don't mean to be pessimistic but things are fairly bad at the moment.

Contact the department if you like, but I'm almost certain they don't keep a record of where their graduates go.

You're actually correct. I have been hearing a lot of stuff like this from not just you but many folks out there. The only general consensus is about the accounting graduates which apparently are still enjoying a safer career prospect. I guess supply of accountants is limited in ireland.

MAZ1992 · 10-10-2012 12:26AM

Bergkamp 10 wrote: »

I'm not ITK in this field in particular but considering the amount of people currently on the dole with a masters degree or doing low level labour in this country, I would certainly think very long and hard about this step.

You seem to have done your homework on it, if it infact costs you a whooping 50k to complete this degree course, I personally would think that is too much money to risk on something you may not get anything back from.

I dont know your financial situation but in general 50k is an enormous amount of money for any course.

No doubt 50K is an enormous amount. I really do not wish to invest 50K in acquiring skills (read economics) which cannot earn me a decent return.

donegal11 · 10-10-2012 12:36PM

MAZ1992 wrote: »

You're actually correct. I have been hearing a lot of stuff like this from not just you but many folks out there. The only general consensus is about the accounting graduates which apparently are still enjoying a safer career prospect. I guess supply of accountants is limited in ireland.

There are thousands qualifying as accountants here every year so I don't think there that limited. Anyway with an Economics degree what do you plan to work at exactly that your accounting qualification wouldn't allow you too? or are you doing it just for the visa year after graduation( in which case there are cheaper courses)?

seanog91 · 27-10-2012 11:08PM

Hey man I did my undergrad in Finance and economics in maynooth. Got into the MA in Economics but turned it down for a job and I am now doing the ACCA exams. Strange how we are in the opposite side of things. My friends did this MA and they all got jobs before completing it, but to be honest most of the jobs out of this are either accounting or finance related. If I was you I would look into the financial risk and economics degree Maynooth do.

Anyway the MA in very intense. you must be good at maths as although it is an MA and not an MSC you do a lot of econometrics. With regards top universities NUIM is up there with UCD and TCD.

if you want to know anymore just let me know.

Oh and a lot of people do not last in this course. 25 registered and paid fees last year when my friend did hers and only 5 finished it.

adamabyss · 29-10-2012 10:36AM

With your sort of qualifications and the amount of thought you seem to have put into it I would be surprised if you didn't get a job at the end of it. If you really want to do the MA, just go ahead and do it. Think positively and you'll easily find a job afterwards. There are plenty of opportunities around despite the current economic climate. Good luck!

MAZ1992 · 30-10-2012 01:36PM

seanog91 wrote: »

Hey man I did my undergrad in Finance and economics in maynooth. Got into the MA in Economics but turned it down for a job and I am now doing the ACCA exams. Strange how we are in the opposite side of things. My friends did this MA and they all got jobs before completing it, but to be honest most of the jobs out of this are either accounting or finance related. If I was you I would look into the financial risk and economics degree Maynooth do.

Anyway the MA in very intense. you must be good at maths as although it is an MA and not an MSC you do a lot of econometrics. With regards top universities NUIM is up there with UCD and TCD.

if you want to know anymore just let me know.

Oh and a lot of people do not last in this course. 25 registered and paid fees last year when my friend did hers and only 5 finished it.

Thanks a lot buddy. Which ACCA exams are you taking up in this session? I will be taking p2 p3 and p7....

seanog91 · 30-10-2012 07:23PM

MAZ1992 wrote: »

Thanks a lot buddy. Which ACCA exams are you taking up in this session? I will be taking p2 p3 and p7....

I am taking f6 and f8 but I am really struggling with f6 as there is so much to learn and trying to work also means my study time is cut big time. Any suggestions at how to get through would be great. Best of luck in those

MAZ1992 · 31-10-2012 11:15PM

seanog91 wrote: »

I am taking f6 and f8 but I am really struggling with f6 as there is so much to learn and trying to work also means my study time is cut big time. Any suggestions at how to get through would be great. Best of luck in those

Hey, I know f6 can be pain on ass. I scored 79 though. Just understand the concepts and read the BPP book. I did the UK version but I guess you will be doing the Irish version. I still remember how I messed up capital allowances... No one can learn each and every rule. Just understand the concept and work through examples. Read BPP if possible.

As for f8, practise as much possible. I just cleared my F8 in last semester with 77 marks. I just loved it.

MA Economics from NUI Maynooth. Job Opportunities after that? Help needed urgently!

Comments