Bachelor of Business (Honours) Finance and Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Atlantic Technological University

Program Overview

Choosing the Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Finance and Economics at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is all about positioning yourself at the intersection of global markets and strategic decision-making. This program is tailor-made for students who have a curiosity for how the world works—from the fluctuations of the stock market to the impact of government policy—and want the high-level quantitative skills to influence those very systems.

Curriculum Structure

In your first year, you will build a rock-solid foundation in the pillars of commerce, ensuring you have the breadth of knowledge needed for any business environment. You’ll dive into core units like Introduction to Financial Accounting and Microeconomics, while also mastering the digital side with Data Analytics for Business to ensure your tech skills are sharp from day one.

As you move into year two, the focus shifts toward more complex organizational dynamics and specialized economic theory. You will explore modules such as Macroeconomics and Probability & Operations Management, while beginning to hone your professional edge through dedicated Career Development Skills sessions that prepare you for the competitive landscape ahead.

Year three is where your classroom learning meets the real world through a significant focus on professional application and advanced analysis. You’ll be tackling Financial Markets & Institutions and have the opportunity to engage in a Financial Data Analysis project, all while preparing for or returning from your immersive six-month industry placement.

Finally, in year four, you’ll step into a leadership mindset, synthesizing everything you’ve learned to solve high-level strategic challenges. Your studies will culminate in sophisticated units like Financial Economics and Economic Policy Issues, where you’ll test theories against contemporary global events like crypto-currency shifts and international trade crises.

Focus areas: Investment Principles, Macroeconomic Policy, Data Analytics, Financial Modelling, and Corporate Finance.

Learning outcomes: Graduates will be able to perform complex financial forecasting, evaluate the impact of global economic policy, utilize advanced data visualization tools, and apply ethical frameworks to corporate decision-making.

Professional alignment (accreditation): This degree is specifically designed around the Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA) qualification, providing graduates with significant exemptions and a direct pathway to becoming a certified professional in the Irish and international financial services sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings): ATU is recognized as a leader in graduate outcomes, with over 90% of graduates securing employment or further study within six months of finishing, and the university ranks among the top in Ireland for employer-student connections (HEA/National Student Survey).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best things about the Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Finance and Economics at ATU is that we don’t just expect you to read about the markets—we want you to be in them. We’ve designed this program so that by the time you graduate, you’ve already handled real-world financial data and solved complex economic problems using the exact same tools the pros use.

You’ll spend a huge portion of your time in our dedicated computer labs, moving beyond theory to master the digital "language" of finance. Whether it's building intricate forecasting models or working through a high-stakes group simulation, the focus is always on giving you the "muscle memory" needed for a fast-paced corporate environment. This practical approach is fully supported by our unique "Learning-by-Doing" philosophy:

Professional Work Placement: A massive highlight is the three-to-six-month accredited work placement in Year 3. You’ll be embedded with industry leaders like KPMG, State Street, or Irish Life, gaining that "day-one" experience that makes your CV stand out.
Specialized Software Suite: You won't just be using basic tools; you’ll become a power user in Microsoft Excel for Financial Modelling, and you’ll dive into R (programming language) for statistical analysis and data visualization.
Industry-Standard Analytics: You will utilize Business Intelligence (BI) tools and SQL for database management, ensuring you can extract and interpret the "big data" that drives global economic decisions.
Collaborative Group Projects: Many modules, such as Management: Enterprise and Society, are built around team-based simulations where you’ll act as consultants to solve real business bottlenecks.
The iHubs & Research Centers: You’ll have access to our Innovation Hubs (iHubs), where start-ups are born right on campus. It’s a fantastic place to network with entrepreneurs and see "Economic Development" in action.
Digital Learning Environments: Through our IT Centre, which boasts over 180 workstations and high-speed multimedia studios, you’ll have the hardware to run complex regression analyses and time-series modeling without a hitch.
Library & Research Facilities: Our award-winning campus libraries offer much more than books; they provide specialized financial databases and quiet research pods specifically for your final-year dissertation work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

It is so great to see you looking into the Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Finance and Economics at Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Honestly, this is one of those degrees that doesn’t just give you a certificate; it gives you a toolkit for the modern world.

Graduates from this program are in incredibly high demand because they possess that rare mix of financial "know-how" and a deep understanding of the global economy. You’ll find our alumni moving straight into high-impact roles such as Economic Analyst, Financial Consultant, Investment Analyst, and Risk Analyst:

ATU Careers Service: Our team is here for you from day one—we don't just help with CVs and cover letters, but we offer a "Career Readiness" digital badge and 24-hour access to online platforms like CareerSet for personalized feedback.
Employment & Salary: While salaries vary based on the specific sector, Level 8 business graduates in Ireland are seeing strong entry-point earnings, with the financial services sector consistently ranking among the highest-paying industries for new graduates.
Industry Partnerships: We take pride in our "applied learning" approach; our lecturers are often examiners for professional accounting and finance bodies, ensuring the curriculum stays perfectly aligned with what firms like Irish Life, State Street, or the Big Four are looking for.
Accreditation Value: This is a QQI Level 8 Honours degree, which carries massive weight globally. It is designed to provide significant exemptions from professional bodies, giving you a massive head start on your professional journey.
Graduation Outcomes: Our focus is on making you "job-ready." Most of our students walk across the graduation stage with multiple job offers already in hand thanks to the networking opportunities hosted on our Galway and Letterkenny campuses.

Further Academic Progression: Once you’ve conquered your Bachelor’s, the door is wide open for you to specialize further right here at ATU. Many of our students choose to transition into our Master of Science in Business Analytics if they love the data side of things, or the Master of Arts in Governance in Financial Services if they want to lead in the world of regulation and risk. We also offer a brand new MSc in Digital Professional Accounting for those aiming for the very top of the corporate world. Whether you want to stay in research or pivot into a niche like FinTech or Sustainability Leadership, we have a Level 9 pathway ready for you.