The aim of this module is to provide students with an insight into to the operation of financial services industry in Ireland and Internationally.

1. Critique the structure of the main markets in the Financial Services Industry in Ireland and Internationally
2. Appraise the role of the main players in financial markets
3. Critically evaluate how the wider macro-environmental factors impact on global and domestic economic activity and influence the financial services industry and its customers
4. Demonstrate strategic insights into the main asset classes i.e. Cash, Bonds, Equity, derivatives and Alternative investments
5. Critically evaluate the impact Fintech and digitisation is having on the financial services sector, i.e. digital and crypto currencies and the future of money
6. Demonstrate an insight into sustainable finance

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding and awareness of the capabilities and limitations of Blockchain enabling learners to assess which business challenges it can address. Learners will also explore the use of  blockchain based initiatives such as tokens, assessing the costs and benefits of employing this technology.

1. Critically evaluate blockchain technologies, their core components, protocols, and use cases
2. Appraise the challenges and disruptive aspects of blockchain technologies
3. Critically evaluate the interaction of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency e.g. Bitcoin
4. Examine Bootstrapping network effects through blockchain technology and cryptoeconomics
5. Appraise the use of tokens to design new types of digital platforms
6. Explore the future of blockchain technology, AI, and digital privacy

Provides an insight into the central concepts of information systems.

1. Appraise the use of Information Systems (IS) within organisations.
2. Distinguish and evaluate how Information Systems supports the business.
3. Critically explore the key characteristics of the various Information Systems found within an organisation.
4. Differentiate the nature and extent of key ICT technologies within an organisation.
5. Assess the Information Security risk/threat landscape within an organisation.
6. Evaluate the tools, techniques and technology in appraising, planning, managing and enhancing Information Security.

The aim of this module is to provide students with an awareness and understanding of the role of governance and regulation in financial services.

1. Appreciate the Irish model of regulation and corporate governance
2. Critique the current consumer protection codes
3. Evaluate the current EU corporate governance codes applicable to financial services organisations
4. Assess the Central Banks Fitness and Probity Framework
5. Apply relevant Governance principles and financial services regulation to practical situations and problems, making recommendations based on best practice

The purpose of this module is to enhance participant knowledge and understanding of work-based research paradigms, methodologies and research methods. It will afford opportunities to examine a range of methodologies and make decisions about their appropriateness in the writing of a research proposal. The module will allow learners to critically examine choice of research paradigm and theoretical assumptions which underpin the use of particular approaches and methods, to develop arguments to justify the selection of specific methodology for a given study, and to identify and design a work-based research study. The module aims to provide participants with a sound knowledge of the methodologies necessary to complete a postgraduate research project.

1. Write a proposal that will serve as the starting point for their research or work-based learning project.
2. Write appropriate and relevant research questions and/or objectives which are aligned to the intended research or work-based learning project.
3. Select and justify appropriate research approaches and methods.
4. Evaluate relevant literature and other sources, using these to inform and develop the proposal.
5. Discuss ethical issues relevant to the learners research

The aim of this module is to provide students with an insight into the main pieces of Financial Services Legislation in the Ireland, the UK and US.

1. Critique the current regulatory architecture from a n Irish, UK and US perspective
2. Critically analyse the main pieces of financial services legislation
3. Evaluate the impact of financial services legislation on the operation of financial services industry
4. Appraise the recent financial crisis and the limitations of regulation which this highlighted
5. Assess the outlook for financial services regulation and the key development areas
6. Judge current legislation from a consumer perspective
7. Critically examine relevant case-studies

To provide the student with skills to understand and appreciate IT security, compliance, data retention and privacy best practices necessary for the successful administration and coordination of an organisation's compliance measures.

1. Critically examine the best practices available for IT Security, including compliance and privacy.
2. Identify the various strategies that are available for IT Security and select the appropriate strategies for a given set of business goals and requirements.
3. Critique compliance with relevant mandatory and best practice standards in enterprise IT.
4. Evaluate the privacy components required in an enterprise IT environment
5. Develop a strategy to design, implement and maintain a suitable Privacy framework program.
6. Appraise the monitoring and management of IT Security, Compliance and Privacy according to best practice.
7. Apply research, information gathering, critical analysis, design and implementation techniques appropriately and effectively

To provide the student with skills to understand, evaluate and appreciate the governance, data retention and risk management drivers required for the successful planning, administration and direction of an organisation's governance and compliance programme.

1. Critically appraise and assess the best practices available for IT governance.
2. Justify the selection of appropri ate governance strategies in order to drive business -related goals and meet stakeholder needs/requirements.
3. Identify , monitor, exploit and manage enterprise IT risks according to industry best practice s .
4. Design and determine an implemen ta t ion plan for common risk infrastructure by leveraging people, process and technology transformation opportunities.
5. Determine and appraise the components of control in an IT environment , including the identification/evaluation of key controls.
6. Critically interpret regulatory requirements to assess and measure organizational compliance , and utilize best practice standards for enterprise IT/data/risk management and governance.
7. Apply research, information gathering, critical analysis, design and implementation technique s appropriately and effectively

The module is designed to allow learners to learn through reflecting on the experience of working in a relevant workplace and subsequently articulating what of value, they are learning in the process. This module focuses on developing significant and critical work-based learning and research. The approach recognises the relationship between theory and business practice and enhances the use of compliance knowledge in practice. The module creates an environment in which participants can engage in knowledge development based on the 'work' context. Applied project work and sharing of real-life experiences will form a richness of learning through the process referred to as 'Apply and Learn'. This is essentially an applied module with rigorous theoretical underpinnings. It will enable learners to understand the wider implications of their academic work and to reflect on how their experience has informed their knowledge regarding their academic practice. The module requires learners to make explicit links between academic theories or concepts and their experiences in an applied setting. They learn how their academic studies can be of use when working in an applied setting and in this way the module covers issues of employability and focuses the learners' awareness on their transferable skills while relating them to their knowledge gained so far from academic credit. The module also seeks to provide an underpinning for developing as a competent reflective practitioner in industry.

Each learner is required to spend 8 weeks (full time) in work placement. The nature of the work experience should be in a relevant industry.

1. Source and critically evaluate research literature and evidence.
2. Construct a paper in a manner that articulates reflection, planning, creativity and best practice.
3. Apply and evaluate theory and knowledge acquired from the programme into the working environment
4. Develop skills and competence in the workplace environment including inter alia personal and team working skills.
5. Critique reflective practice theory and practice
6. Apply reflective practice by documenting in a learning log work undertaken, skills attained and learning acquired during the work placement.
7. Engage in secondary critical reflection, analysing own reflections in peer learning context.
8. Behave competently and professionally in sourcing employment in the Fintech/ compliance area.
9. Consolidate learning through the application of theory to practice, critical self-reflection and peer learning.

The Dissertation provides participants with an opportunity to apply the concepts, methods and techniques that have been studied in the Research methods and Academic writing modules (if applicable). The learner will demonstrate that they critically understand issues relating to the design, planning, writing and subsequent implementation of a level nine dissertation.

1. Write, present and defend a research approach, analysis and conclusions/recommendations.
2. Construct a comprehensive literature review in a specified sub-field of governance& compliance and synthesise material into a collective whole.
3. Source and evaluate multiple sources of business/ IT data and realise the limits and appropriate uses of such data.
4. Evaluate appropriate methodological approaches and adopt the necessary approach suitable to the topic being researched.
5. Consider legal and ethical issues pertinent to research in this area.
6. Write, present and defend material that articulates ideas, insights, analysis, policy and best practice to peer and practitioner audiences.
7. Produce a comprehensive Dissertation which complies with all the rules and conventions of academic writing including referencing and presentation.
8. Display evidence of independent research skills throughout the Dissertation process.
9. Defend Dissertation at viva voce with supervisor