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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
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About NUI Galway
About NUI Galway
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Research & Innovation
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at NUI Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at NUI Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni, Friends & Supporters
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
There are over 90,000 NUI Galway graduates Worldwide, connect with us and tap into the online community.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At NUI Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Business (Foundation)
Course Overview
This course is designed for individuals who have been out of the formal education system for some time and now wish to begin third level studies in the areas of Business, Law or Arts.
The preparatory nature of the course builds up participants’ confidence in their academic ability and equips them with skills that will help them to participate in future third level education courses in a business related area.
Applications and Selections
Please see the Mature Students webpage for further information.
NB: Applications for this course open in July.
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
The course takes place over 26 weeks - Tuesdays and Thursday (7-10pm) and one or two Saturdays per month (10am-5pm).
Most modules on the course are assessed through a combination of coursework and examination. For modules where coursework counts for less than 100% of marks, exams take place at the end of each module or semester.
The courses are a recognised entry requirement at GMIT and NUI Galway and for full-time and part-time Business, Science, Engineering and Technology courses at both institutions. Participants on these Foundation courses must apply through the CAO mature students route for a place on a full -time course. Participants must apply to the CAO before 1st February in the year of entry to a third level course, that is, participants apply for a full-time, third level place that will start the following autumn while still completing the Foundation Course.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
No specific entry requirements but Leaving Certificate is desirable.
Additional Requirements
Duration
26 weeks, part-time
Next start date
TBC
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
45
Closing Date
NFQ level
6
Mode of study
Classroom-based
ECTS weighting
30
Award
CAO
Course code
Course Outline
To prepare students in academic and core modules to progress to degrees in Business, Law or Arts.
Subjects include Economics, Accountancy, Maths, Applied Writing, Study Skills, IT and Educational Guidance.
The aim of the teaching course is to foster in the participants confidence and enthusiasm for each subject and to introduce them to the conceptual framework and language for each subject area.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
The Access course prepares students for re-entry to either full-time or part-time education and prepares students for future employment through its educational guidance, study skills and information technology modules.
Upon completion of the course students are encouraged to apply for degrees in Business, Law or Arts in NUI Galway or Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. A degree in Business leads to a wide variety of careers including accounting, public service, human resource management or marketing.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Further information on course fees
Find out More
Mature Students Officer
NUI Galway
Tel: 091-492695
Email: trish.bourke@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/mature
What Our Students Say

Han Nguyen | Graduate
The supports available to mature students in NUIG are second to none. There is always someone available to advise and assist with any queries. Completing the Diploma in Business Foundations course really prepared me for returning to full time education. I am currently enrolled on the Bachelor of Commerce course after completing the Diploma in Business (Foundation).