Seen Mun Chung is from Malaysia and studying for her BA (Hons) in Accounting in Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). In this blog she shares answers to five of the most frequently asked questions she is asked about her course…
Why did you choose to study accounting in Ireland?
- Excellent graduate prospects. In 2014, the average number of graduates being hired on graduate programmes in Ireland doubled from the previous year and accounting is one of the four biggest areas of growth in 2015.
- Graduate programmes. Many of the accounting graduates are employed by financial services firms who are on the lookout for outstanding accounting students to fill the places on their graduate schemes. Big four firms PwC, Ernst & Young, KPMG and Deloitte have been taking in more graduates despite the economic gloom. It is a good chance for you to work for an established company with a structured training programme and clear career progression.
- Accountancy is one of the few traditional safe havens left. Accounting offers a stable rate of employment amidst economic fluctuations as accounting is a necessity in business.
Why did you choose WIT?
With over 800 international students from over 70 countries, WIT’s excellence in higher education is recognised worldwide. The School of Business in WIT is also one of Ireland’s largest integrated Business Schools and programmes in WIT include incorporation of professional practice. WIT was also ranked 10th in the Sunday Times University Guide 2015.
What is your course about?
The BA (Hons) in Accounting is a three year degree course that prepares students mainly for careers in accountancy. The course attracts extensive exemptions from the Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACA), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA).
The course also has a number of awards attached to it including the PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholarship, CPA Financial Accounting Prize for Financial Accounting and the CIMA prize for Management Accounting. The top 5% highest performers in the Business School, each achieving first class honours in their continuing studies will also be included in the Dean’s list.
How did you able to study in Ireland straight after SPM?
I decided to come to Ireland to pursue my foundation course immediately after I finished my SPM exam. Progression route into degree has made it easier after 8 months of foundation course.
Did you receive any scholarships from WIT?
WIT awards a significant number of international scholarships each year to all nationalities across each academic discipline, provided they successfully meet the set criteria in that particular year. Scholarship offerings may vary slightly from country to country. For Malaysians, you can apply for the 25% scholarship which reduces your undergraduate tuition fees from €9,000 to €6,750.