This document provides information about the Masters of Science in Global Financial Information Systems (MSc in GFIS) program at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). The two-year program includes intensive coursework in the first year covering topics like data modeling, business intelligence, econometrics, and financial derivatives. The second year involves a 6-month internship with a financial services company. The program aims to provide graduates with both technical skills and an understanding of the financial services industry to support careers in fields like financial analysis, risk analysis, and business analysis. Testimonials from graduates indicate the program effectively prepares students for employment and career progression in financial services and related industries.

1. Weblinks
http://www.wit.ie/gfis
http://www.facebook.com/WITMScGFIS

2.  The Masters of Science in Global Financial Information
Systems (MSc in GFIS) was first introduced in
September 2012.
 The objective of the MSc in GFIS is to enable high
calibre graduates to rapidly develop quantitative,
analytical, and ICT skills and experience, embedded in
a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of
the Financial Services Industry.
 The delivery of key ICT skills through FIS modules and
a 6 month Internship underlines the uniqueness of this
programme offering in Ireland and internationally.

3.  The programme is delivered over a 16 month
period, of which the last 6 months comprise
of Internship with an organisation operating
in the Financial Services Industry.
 The first 10 months are spent atWIT, thus
students will have completed all modules and
examinations prior to undertaking an
Internship.

4.  Intensive practical
training in key skills:
 Data Modeling and
Analysis;
 Business Intelligence
and Data Warehousing;
 Econometrics;
 Corporate Financial
Interpretation;
 Project Management
 In-depth knowledge:
 Financial Risk and
Regulation;
 Financial Derivatives;
 BankingTransactions
and Payment Systems;
 Security, Continuity and
Ethics.
 Seminar Series

5.  Use a wide range of
software including:
 SWIFT e-Learning
modules;
 Oracle;
 SQL;
 SAP BI and Business
Warehousing;
 MS Excel Analytics &
Modeling;
 MS Access Modeling,
Design, and Analysis,
 MS Project;
 StockTrak;
 Thomson One Banker;
 FinancialTimes;
 SPSS;
 Social media;
 Virtual conferencing.

7.  Opportunity to learn from
business experts and
professionals.
 Previous speakers include:
 Mr Philip MacKeown , Director
of Musgrave Group
 Mr Simon Barry, Chief
Economist at Ulster Bank (ROI)
 Mr MichaelVeale, CEO of
Buy4Now
 Mr Don Moore, former MD of
ESB International
 Mr Danny Mc Coy, Director
General of IBEC
 Michael Flynn, Chief Executive
of FLI Environmental
 Graham Doyle, CEO of
Waterford Airport
 Mr Stephen Kent, Marketing
Director of Bulmers Limited
 Mr Peter Hatton, Brand
Manager at Colgate
 Mr Sean Gallagher of Dragons
Den
 Mr Colm O Gorman, Executive
Director ofAmnesty
International
 Mr Bob Savage,Vice President
and General Manager of EMC
(Ireland)
 Maire Geoghegan Quinn EU
Commissioner for Research,
Innovation & Science

8. MSC IN GFIS STUDENTSWITH MS. MAIRE
GEOGHEGANQUINN - EU COMMISSIONER FOR
RESEARCH, INNOVATION & SCIENCE – OCTOB ER 2012
MSC IN GFIS STUDENTSWITH MR. BOB
SAVAGE,VICE-PRESIDENT AND MANAGING
DIRECTOROF EMC IRELAND - DECEMBER 2012

9. MSC IN GFIS STUDENTSWITH MR. RUSSELL
BOURKE & MR. RONNIE O’TOOLE OFTHE
CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND – FEBRUARY 2013
MSC IN GFIS STUDENTSATTHE CENTRAL BANK
OF IRELAND – FEBRUARY 2013

10. MSC IN GFIS STUDENTSAT REALEX PAYMENTS
IN DUBLIN – MARCH 2013
MSC IN GFIS STUDENTS AT REALEX PAYMENTS
IN DUBLIN – MARCH 2013

11. Mr. Richard Nealon (IT Security Manager) and Mr.
PeterVance (Head of Payments)AIB, with Dr.
Aidan Duane and students from the MSc in GFIS
Mr. Brendan Kerin, (Head of RetailOperations)
PermanentTSB, with Dr. Aidan Duane and
students from the MSc in GFIS

12. Ms. RoseClear, (Head of Risk Operations) Bank of
Ireland, with Dr. Aidan Duane and students from
the MSc in GFIS
Mr. Barry Doyle (IT Security Manager) KBC Bank
Ireland, with Dr. Aidan Duane and students from
the MSc in GFIS

13. Ms. Karen Miles , (Senior Manager of
IT Applications) KBC Bank Ireland
Mr. Paul Doheny (Corporate Banking
Relationship Manager) Rabobank Ireland

14. MSC IN GFIS NOMINATED FOR BEST NEW COURSEAT POSTGRAD IRELAND AWARDS IN DUBLIN –
APRIL 2014 -

15. THE INNOVATION OFTHE MSC IN GFIS DISCUSSED INTHE SUNDAY BUSINESS POST MARCH 10TH , 2013

16. SEMESTER 1
 Data Modeling and
Analysis
 Seminar Series
 Econometrics
 Information Systems
Project Management
 Financial Derivatives
SEMESTER 2
 Business Intelligence.
 Global BankingTransaction &
Payment Systems
 Global Financial IS Security,
Continuity & Ethics
 Global Risk Management and
Regulation.
 Corporate Financial
Interpretation.
SEMESTER 3
Professional Internship in the Financial Services Industry

17.  The mission of the programme is to address the current and future demand from
the Financial Services Industry, for hybrid finance-technology graduates with a
specific focus on the application of ICT to Financial Services (FS). Specifically, the
programme aims to:
 clearly differentiate itself from other postgraduate business and finance
programmes on offer in Ireland, by working closely with representatives of the
Financial Services Industry to create a programme that reflects market needs,
and enhances Ireland’s, and the South East’s, ability to attract and retain
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in this sector of the Irish economy;
 create hybrid Financial Services and ICT graduates with the skills, knowledge,
research abilities, and experience to gain employment, and rise through the
management ranks, of the Financial Services Industry;
 re-invigorate the Financial Services Industry by targeting specific current and
future skills needs, identified as being essential for the future growth and
sustainability of the Irish economy; and,
 produce high calibreWIT graduates, distinct in their abilities and knowledge,
capable of playing leading roles in the application and utilisation of Financial
Information Systems to create value in the Financial Services Industry.

18.  Michelle Mannix, HR Manager, Citi Group suggests “this programme is
very relevant; the timing is excellent, and the content is highly practical and
applicable”.
 Jonathan Brady, Senior Banking and Finance RecruitmentConsultant,
Reed Global, believes the MSc in GFIS "is very timely and ticks quite a few
boxes; providing graduates with great potential for cross-over in FIS
positions. It’s moving in the right direction for current and future recruitment
of FIS professionals.The Internship increases graduate recruitment
prospects”.
 Niall Kavanagh – Senior Manager Corporate Markets at Ulster Bank/RBS
“I have read the programme and I am impressed with the content.This type
of programme should be provided in all the regional education centres
around Ireland. Financial Services is big business in Ireland and a huge
contributor to country in terms of corporate taxes as well as employment.
There is further potential for growth in the IFSC and Belfast to attract more
operators into Ireland from as far away as China”.

19.  Connor Leahy, HFS Custody, J.P. Morgan “it cannot be stated enough the ever
morphing of IS and IT roles within Finance and Banking. Having a theoretical
background and good understanding of how these areas complement each
other, will make graduates from courses such as this, stand out when it comes to
the job application process”.
 Timothy O’Riordan, Senior IT Auditor, Aberdeen Asset Management Plc. UK,
this “looks like a great course with very relevant modules. I feel it would be
highly relevant for employers looking for candidates for business/system
analysts and/or FIS project managers”.
 Niall Kavanagh, Senior Manager Corporate Markets, Ulster Bank/RBS,
believes “this programme as detailed, plus the Internship, will provide Financial
Services professionals with a platform to develop a career in an area which will
expand in the short to medium term”.

20.  The goal of the MSc in GFIS is to ensure that programme graduates
have the practical skills, knowledge, and experience required to
immediately take-up employment in positions in the Financial Services
Industry.
 Graduates will also possess the skills and knowledge base to progress
to middle management and beyond.
 Graduate positions attained by the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 MSc in
GFIS graduates included:
 Graduate FIS Analyst;
 Graduate Risk Analyst;
 Graduate DataAnalyst;
 Graduate Business Analyst;
 Graduate Operations Analyst;
 Graduate Operations Associate;
 Graduate Business Executive.

21.  Past students of the MSc in GFIS are now employed with companies such as the
Central Bank of Ireland; Allied Irish Bank; Bank of Ireland; Bank ofAmerica
Merrill Lynch; Sun Life Financial;Citco Global Securities; EBS; AON Centre for
Innovation andAnalytics; FCOS Accounting Solutions;Cowen and Company;
IBM; SynchronossTechnologies; Ernst &Young; Depuy Synthes (J&J);The Kerry
Group; Glanbia; and, FingalCounty Council.
 Graduates can also apply for the numerous highly reputable professional
graduate training programmes offered by a multitude of companies in the
Financial Services and other industries.
 Graduates can also apply to the financial and payment services divisions of
global ICT companies based in Ireland and overseas.
 A graduate may also apply for further post graduate Level 10 studies, such as a
PhD by Research inWIT or to other third level institutions, either nationally or
internationally.
 Further information on career opportunities can be found on our programme
Facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/WITMScGFIS.

22. 41%
18%
23%
6%
6%
6%
MSc in GFIS Student Internship Locations
Dublin Cork Waterford Kilkenny Tipperary Wexford

23. 87%
13%
Status of MSc in GFIS Internship Positions
Permanent Contract

24. 2012-2013 Exam Completion Date Employment Start Date
No. Days Between Completion and
Employment
Student 1 27/05/2013 02/09/2013 98
Student 2 27/05/2013 08/07/2013 42
Student 3 27/05/2013 20/05/2013 -7
Student 4 27/05/2013 10/06/2013 14
Student 5 27/05/2013 24/06/2013 28
Student 6 27/05/2013 20/05/2013 -7
Student 7 27/05/2013 12/06/2013 16
Student 8 27/05/2013 01/06/2013 5
Student 9 27/05/2013 03/06/2013 7
Student 10 27/05/2013 20/05/2013 -7
Student 11 27/05/2013 01/06/2013 5
Student 12 27/05/2013 29/07/2013 63
Student 13 27/05/2013 10/06/2013 14
Student 14 27/05/2013 04/06/2013 8
Student 15 27/05/2013 04/06/2013 8
Student 16 27/05/2013 04/06/2013 8
Student 17 27/05/2013 15/06/2013 19
Average 18.47

25. “The MSc inGFIS is an intensive combination of theory and practice designed to equip graduates with skillsets that
can enable them to immediately add value to any organisation that they join.This course has been well
constructed to meet the requirements of employers in this age of rapidly evolving technology. Students are
exposed to activities such as Business Intelligence, Data Analysis and Mining, Financial derivatives, IS Security,
Risk and Regulations, software such as SQL, MySQL,Oracle, SAP,SWIFT, SPSS, to name a few. I am halfway
through this degree and already I feel far more confident about my career prospects, due to the skills that I have
already learned and the ones that I am still learning.”
“The MSc inGFIS programme enables students to gain up to date knowledge and practical skills in the ever evolving
area of Financial InformationSystems. I have found it has enriched my knowledge of evolving systems and
technologies, while incorporating financial concepts which I was less accustomed to.”
“Dr Aidan Duane as Programme Director for the MSc in Global Financial InformationSystems (GFIS) atWaterford
Institute ofTechnology (WIT) has developed a best in sector course to enable graduates to move successfully into
areas such as FinancialServices, IT and Analytics. His knowledge of and ability to convey the details of both
current and emerging technologies, trends and theories within theGlobal Mobile Banking and Payment System
industries is excellent. He also effectively delivers an in depth and thought provoking Data Modeling course
which facilitates student understanding and knowledge of database technologies, and, data modeling processes
and conventions. His industry connections have facilitated successful student placements within their preferred
area of interest. Aidan was a pleasure to study under and I cannot recommend him or the MSc highly enough” .

26. Ms. Eleanor Roche – MSc in GFIS Graduate 2012-2013 –Trainee Accountant, Ernst &Young, Waterford,
Ireland.
“The MSc in GFIS offered students with both relevant and non-relevant backgrounds the opportunity to gain
both an in-depth and broad insight into many areas of Business and InformationTechnology. The spectrum of
learning was varied, interesting and highly relevant.There was a mix of practical skills that are in demand in
many types of careers as well as a focus on theory and knowledge.The placement aspect of the course allowed
me to apply many of the practical IT skills that I developed during my time on the course and practice what we
had learned in a real life setting. I would highly recommend this course as it has given me the opportunity to get
into an accounting career that would not have been possible without it”.
Ms. Mary O’Connor – MSc in GFIS Graduate 2012-2013 – Policy Executive, The Irish Central Bank, Dublin,
Ireland.
“The MSc in GFIS taught skills and competencies that are in demand in growth industries. The competencies
include data modelling, data analytics, econometrics, project management, IT security know-how, financial
analysis of business filings and trading in derivatives. Other modules explored regulation in financial services and
innovation and legislation in the broad area of payments, including mobile payments. I found the course very
beneficial because it provided practical skills and, due to the assignment work and lab-based classes, enabled me
to participate and contribute immediately when I started my internship with the Central Bank of Ireland. The
course was very demanding in terms of workload. One significant advantage of this is that it created a good
foundation on how to manage a very heavy workload in a work setting. I found the use of social media by some
of the lecturers to be very helpful in terms of keeping apprised of developments in payments and regulation. The
course, for me, opened up many new fields in a short space of time. The intensity has been rewarded. I have now
obtained a permanent role as a Policy Executive at the Central Bank of Ireland.”

27. Mr. Gerard Kelleher – MSc in GFISGraduate 2012-2013 – Business SystemsAnalyst, SupplyChain Analytics, DePuy
Synthes (J&J),Cork, Ireland.
“The MSc in Global Financial InformationSystems enables the participant to gain real applicable skills and successfully return
to work in their desired area. I had previously worked in IT consultancy but had left the industry to pursue other options. I was
keen to return to a Systems Analysis role but found the IT industry had moved on. I undertook the MSc GFIS to up skill in
practical IT, financial and analytical skills which would position me for roles within the industry.The course content and delivery
methods strike a great balance between those skill sets.The progressive blended learning approach to content delivery enables
the students to learn and utilise new social media technologies during the course. Another huge benefit of the course is the
Internship.This offers the participant a practical route into employment. I have been very lucky in that I was successful in
getting my preferred role as a Business Systems Analyst in DePuySynthesSupply Chain Analytics. Having the chance to work
in a renowned and progressive multinational is testament to the opportunity provided by the course.The skills I developed and
enhanced on the course have enabled me to secure an additional role with the organisation after my internship concludes. I
would highly recommend the MSc GFIS to any prospective candidate.”
Ms. Emer Curtis – MSc in GFISGraduate 2012-2013 –TechnologyAnalyst, Sun Life Financial,Waterford, Ireland.
“The MSc in Global Financial InformationSystems has given me the skills and knowledge needed for success within a
multinational financial services organisation.The range of modules incorporated in this course enabled me to gain a better
understanding of the multiple facets of a global financial organisation, from risk management, financial interpretation and
particularly in analysing financial information using statistical analysis software. In addition to the financial aspect to the
course, there is a great emphasis on technological advancement in this area. During the course, we were exposed to how the
area of "Big Data" is now the cutting edge of how organisations can gain competitive advantage. Using tools such SAP we were
enabled to discover on a practical level how organisations can analyse data and transform it into meaningful information for
decision-making.The practical element of this course is particularly helpful.Through the internship incorporated into this
course, I was able to secure full time employment in a multinational financial organisation. MSc in GFIS has created
opportunities for me that would not have possible otherwise!”

28.  The MSc GFIS accepts applications from all graduates of Business or
Technology undergraduate degree programmes who have achieved an
honours grade (2.2) or higher.
 Graduates from other undergraduate degree programmes, who have
achieved an honours grade (2.2) or higher, are also eligible to apply.
However, this does not guarantee automatic entry to the programme
but participants may be considered for interview and short listing.
 Prior work or industrial experience may be considered when short
listing applicants.
 Applicants who are not native speakers must have one of two English
language qualifications –TOEFL/IELTS with a minimum score inTOEFL
of 550 or IELTS of 6.5.
 The MSc in GFIS is also offered under the Irish Government
Springboard Programme for 2014/15 (www.springboardcourses.ie)
 Springboard applicants must satisfy the SpringboardTerms and Conditions
outlined on the Springboard website. In addition, applicants must meet the
above requirements with respect to undergraduate qualifications and
English language qualifications.

29.  Applications:
 Applications for this programme are made online by going to
www.pac.ie.You will first need to register on the website, and
then continue to make your application for the MSc in GFIS
under the WIT list of programmes.
 Springboard applications:
 Applications for the MSc in GFIS by Springboard applicants can
be made by going to www.springboardcourses.ie.You will first
need to register on the website, and then continue to make
your application for the programme under theWIT list of
programmes.You must satisfy the SpringboardTerms and
Conditions outlined on the Springboard website and the
programme requirements outlined above.

30.  Programme Director: Dr. Aidan Duane aduane@wit.ie
 Head of Graduate Business: Prof. Denis Harrington
graduatebusiness@wit.ie
 Official Website: www.wit.ie/gfis
 Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/WITMScGFIS