Business Management

This QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate gives you a solid grounding in how organisations are planned, run and developed. You study areas such as business planning, financial management, human resources and marketing, developing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Much of your assessment is project- and assignment-based, meaning you build a portfolio of real work rather than relying solely on written exams. A typical week involves classroom sessions, group case studies, and independent research tasks. Some colleges include workplace placement modules, giving you direct experience of a business environment. The course is well suited to anyone who wants to move into a supervisory or administrative role or who plans to progress to a degree in business.

Entry typically requires a Leaving Certificate with a minimum of five passes, including Ordinary level English; some colleges specify grades in Business, Accounting or Maths as desirable. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply without meeting standard Leaving Certificate requirements and are assessed on relevant work or life experience. If you hold a QQI Level 5 Business or related certificate, you may progress directly onto this Level 6 programme. HEAR and DARE schemes may be available at participating colleges for students with socioeconomic or disability-related needs. Applications are generally made directly to the college or through the relevant ETB rather than through the CAO.

Demand for people with practical management and administrative skills remains steady across Ireland, particularly in SMEs, which make up the majority of Irish employers. Entry-level management and supervisory salaries typically range from around €28,000 to €38,000 gross per year, rising with experience. Graduates who progress to a Level 7 or Level 8 degree tend to access a wider range of roles and higher salary bands over time.