Higher Certificate in Business in Business Studies

  • NFQ Level 6
  • Points Required 177*
  • Course Code AU700
  • Award Higher Certificate
  • Duration 2

Course Summary


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This programme has been paused on the CAO for September 2024 intake.

Please see the two degrees below instead. Both of these include an exit award of a Higher Certificate in Business after two years.

AU900 BBS (Hons) in Business 

AU800 BBS in Business 

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This two year programme provides students with the general business skills needed to get a career out there in the marketplace. During the programme, our lecturers give students a thorough understanding of the public sector and private business. Graduates are superbly equipped to apply for a job or progress to further study.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

During the Higher Certificate programme, we introduce students to the core functions of business management, including accounting, management, marketing, entrepreneurship, human resource management, information technology and SME (small and medium enterprise) development.

We use a wide range of in-class practical-based exercises. Students learn theoretical and practical skills through individual and group projects. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, problem-based learning and computer laboratory sessions.

Guest speakers are a regular feature on our business programmes. They provide our students with an understanding of business practice in a variety of organisational settings and tackle the most up-to-date trends and challenges facing businesses today.

YEAR 1

Students will be equipped with knowledge on core business areas such as Accounting Principles, Business Management, Marketing Principles, Business Mathematics, Information Technology Skills and Understanding the Dynamics of an Organisation.

YEAR 2

Students study core business areas at a more advanced level, with modules and practicals in Accounting, Business Management and Information Technology. Student knowledge and understanding of key business disciplines is broadened with the introduction of Business Law, Economics, Management Accounting and Enterprise Development.

Please note that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on student demand and course updates.

Students can use this programme as part of the ladder system to progress to a Level 7 ordinary degree or a Level 8 honours degree. Those students who come through the ladder system end up with the exact same degree as those who start on the Level 8 programme and the duration is the same, but with more flexibility to change their path along the way.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

 

  

Career Opportunities

Graduates take up employment opportunities across the public, private and non-profit sectors in a variety of different roles. Career options include sales, management, human resources, marketing, finance and accounting, and office and project management.

Further Study

Successful students from the Higher Certificate in Business can use the ladder system to progress in their studies if they wish. Level 6 Higher Certificate students can progress to Year 3 of our Level 7 AU800 Bachelor of Business

Level 7 students may then progress to Year 4 of the Level 8 AU900 Bachelor of Business (Hons) degree. This means students can obtain an honours degree qualification in four years, the same length as if they entered directly onto a Level 8 programme.

Graduates can continue their studies to postgraduate masters or PhD levels within Atlantic Technological University or at other third level institutions.

Postgraduate options in ATU Sligo

Testimonials

"I chose a business programme because I believe I have strong management and leadership skills and I want to be my own boss in the future. I chose to study the Higher Certificate because I wasn’t 100% sure if university was for me. However, I decided to keep going for another two years and get my Level 8 Honours Degree! Choosing this programme gave me lots of options. I loved the fact I could keep going with my studies if I wanted or leave after two years with a qualification.

I know that a lot of people don't accept their Higher Certificate offers because they think its not the same as a Level 7 or a Level 8. Well you can end up in the same place if you want. You are just progressing through your studies with a bit more flexibility. I will end up with an Honours Degree when I am finished in the same length of time.

I have learnt new skills like teamwork, presentation skills and report writing. love the elective module options on this course too."

Karolina Freda, Higher Certificate in Business student at ATU Sligo

Did you know?

We also offer this programme at Level 8 - AU900 Bachelor of Business (Hons) and Level 7 - AU800 Bachelor of Business By choosing all three levels on a CAO application, students increase their chances of an offer on these highly sought after programmes.

A mixture of theoretical principles and practical exercises are incorporated into this programme.

Guest speakers are a regular feature on our business programmes. They provide our students with an understanding of business practice in a variety of organisational settings and tackle the most up-to-date trends and challenges facing businesses today.

Students learn theoretical and practical skills through individual and group projects. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, problem-based learning and computer laboratory sessions.

Students can choose from a number of different electives depending on where their interests lie. Visit the course format tab to view the subjects on offer. Subjects marked with an [E] are elective options.

Students also have the option to study French, German or Spanish as part of their elective choices.

Students can use these programmes as part of the ladder system to progress to an honours degree. Those students who come through the ladder system end up with the exact same degree as those who start on the Level 8 programme, and the duration is the same. This means students could gain an honours degree qualification in four years, the same length as if they entered directly onto a Level 8 programme.

Alumni

"I decided to study Business as throughout secondary school, business was one of my favourite subjects, I understood it. It just came naturally to me. I knew my future was in the business world - I just didn’t know whether that was in Finance, HR or Marketing. Therefore, this course was the right fit for me. I got to study all of them and find out for myself which area suited me best."

Sinead Malaniff, Bachelor of Business (Hons) graduate and HR & Recruitment Specialist at ICE Group

“I picked this business course because it would not confine me to one particular role. I loved the variety of modules and opportunities it gave me. Put your name forward for a class rep - it’s a great way to get to know your class and get involved. Student life is great in Sligo.”

Leanne Moran, Bachelor of Business (Hons) graduate and Digital Marketing Coordinator at Collins McNicholas

Course Format

Semester 1

TitleCredits
Business Mathematics 105
Financial Accounting 105
Introduction to Business Technology05
Personal Learning and Development05
Introduction to Management05
Organisational Behaviour 1 (Understanding Individual Behaviour in Organisations) [E]05
Politics for Business Students - Change and Transformation in Modern Ireland [E]05
German Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 1.1 [E]05
French Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 1.1 [E]05
Spanish Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 1.1 [E]05

Semester 2

TitleCredits
Business Mathematics 205
Financial Accounting 205
Intermediate Business Technology05
Teambuilding and Communication Skills05
Introduction to Marketing05
Organisational Behaviour 2 (The Dynamics of Teams and Organisations) [E]05
German Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 1.2 [E]05
French Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 1.2 [E]05
Spanish Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 1.2 [E]05
Irish Business Environment [E]05

Semester 3

TitleCredits
Digital Marketing05
Management Accounting 105
Introduction to Microeconomics for Business05
Business Law 105
Business Management 105
Marketing Research and Customer Care [E]05
German Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 2.1 [E]05
French Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 2.1 [E]05
Spanish Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 2.1 [E]05
European Business Environment [E]05

Semester 4

TitleCredits
Management Accounting 205
Advanced Business Technology05
Introductory Macroeconomics for Business05
Business Law 205
Enterprise Development05
European Union Policies and Institutions [E]05
Business Management 2 [E]05
German Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 2.2 [E]05
French Language, Culture & Contemporary Media 2.2 [E]05
Spanish Language, Culture and Contemporary Media 2.2 [E]05

[E] = Elective Module. Modules subject to availability.