Aviation Finance

The MSc in Aviation Finance aims to advance students’ understanding of all aspects of aviation finance, with a specific focus on the practical features of global aviation markets. It encourages students to develop creative and analytical approaches to problem-solving in the aviation finance and leasing sphere and to enhance interpersonal and leadership skills.



It is the only MSc Aviation Finance Degree in Europe and is supported by leading aircraft leasing companies through internships, scholarships and research projects.



It is suitable for graduates from a wide variety of disciplines including business, economics, finance, engineering and science who want to pursue a career in the highly dynamic sector of aviation finance and leasing.

The one-year full-time and two-year part-time formats of this course comprise core modules covering many aspects of econometrics, finance management and asset assessment.



To complete the programme, students must complete 12 core modules. In the Summer Trimester students must also complete a research project OR two option modules OR in a small number of cases, apply for a limited number of possible internships. With any possible internship opportunity students have to go through a competitive recruitment process, including interviews with employers, to be selected.



Autumn Trimester

Core modules

Quantitative Methods For Finance

Corporate Finance for Aviation

Aviation Tax

Doing Business Globally

Applied Derivative Securities

Capital Markets & Instruments



Spring Trimester

Core modules

Aviation Financing

Law of Aviation Finance

Aviation Asset Management

Aviation Economics



Summer Trimester

Core modules

Aviation Credit Risk Analysis

Ethics in Financial Services



Plus one Pathway



Pathway A

Structured Finance

Financial Technology

Mergers and Acquisitions

OR

Pathway B

Aviation Industry Internship

OR

Pathway C

Aviation Finance Project



This reflects the 2023/2024 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Please be advised that option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years. Summer taught modules are delivered in blocks over one or two weeks.

An honours bachelors degree in:



a. Business/Commerce to include a number of quantitative subjects such as Economics or Finance

or

b. a Finance-related-area, Mathematical Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering or Physics



with a minimum 2.1 award at NFQ Level 8 (or international equivalent) in a. or b. above.



Applicants should have demonstrated strong academic ability (a 1.1 or 2.1) in a number of quantitative modules in their degree, such as mathematics, statistics, or econometrics.



Candidates may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) subject to individual application.



We can also consider candidates with an Honours 2.1 primary degree with a minimum of three years appropriate work experience in the aviation industry.

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

End August 2024

The MSc in Aviation Finance from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School gives you the specialised skills and knowledge you need for a career in the aviation finance and leasing sector. 90% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in December 2022.)



Potential careers for our graduates include:



Credit Risk Analysis

Pricing Analyst

Financial Modeling

Treasury Analyst

Risk Management

Aviation Leasing Marketing and Negotiations