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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
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 Studies (Higher Diploma)
Course Overview
The Higher Diploma in Business Studies is a part-time postgraduate course designed to provide non-business graduates with a well-rounded understanding of business to advance their careers in a business setting. This course provides training in the fundamental skills of business administration which enables graduates to play an active role in the development and management of business enterprises. Emphasis is placed on individual and group assignments, focusing on developing both applied skills and key interpersonal skills.
This course also provides a pathway for graduates to progress to level 9 postgraduate studies in business.
For engineering graduates, the course is approved as part of the Engineers Ireland’s Registered Training Providers Programme.
Visit our Business Students Launchpad for sample learning material, tips for online learning & time management and further information on getting started with NUI Galway as a part-time learner.
Applications and Selections
Online Applications open on March 1st, 2021.
Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.
Applicants require a Level 8 honours degree of H2.2 standard or above to meet entry requirements. This course is open to graduates of any discipline who wish to acquire a grounding in business practices.
Applicants should also possess a good level of computer literacy as this course is taught online.
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Students are required to participate in online discussions and activities throughout the year. All modules are individually assessed. Typically, assessments consist of assignments and end of year/end-of-semester examinations. Assessments may include: online activities, essays, written reports, presentations, individual and group projects. Written examinations are required in a limited number of numeracy modules (which take place at NUI Galway).
Notice: with the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus, we have decided to move classroom-based courses and blended learning seminars to a fully online teaching mode for the academic year 2020/21. The teaching schedule for the 2021/22 academic year will be reviewed over the coming months in line with government restrictions and social distancing guidelines. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of students & staff and our desire to continue to provide upskilling and professional development opportunities for all. If you have any queries regarding the format of online delivery mode, please contact your course administrator for further details.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Applicants require a Level 8 honours degree of H2.2 standard or above. This course is open to graduates of any discipline who wish to acquire a grounding in business practices. Applicants are expected to possess a good level of computer literacy.
Entry requirements for part-time students can be found in our FAQs section (i.e. age, English language requirements etc.).
Additional Requirements
Duration
2 years, part-time
Next start date
September
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
20
Closing Date
TBC
NFQ level
8
Mode of study
Online
ECTS weighting
60
Award
Higher Diploma
CAO
Course code
Course Outline
Course Delivery
This course is delivered online through:
- Live online lectures
- Podcasts and presentations (recorded spoken lectures with presentation slides)
- Screencasts (video recordings, e.g.: a demonstration of how to solve an equation)
- Reading material, assignments and online discussions
Module Lists
Year 1
- Information Management for Business I
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Introduction to Financial Accounting
- Contemporary Management Thought
- Introduction to Management Accounting
- Leading and Managing People
Year 2
- Foundations of Marketing Thought
- Marketing Management
And select 4 modules from the following options
- Organisational Psychology and Analysis
- Business Law I
- Management of Organisational Change
- Applied Microeconomics for Business
- Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Negotiation Skills
- Management Skills
- Implementing Digital Innovation
- Cases in Marketing Strategy
*The syllabus is subject to change on a cyclical basis.
Further Education
Graduates may go on to select from a range of level 9 postgraduate courses at NUI Galway or further afield.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates can progress in a diverse range of industries, such as marketing, financial services, information systems and human resources. Graduates can also pursue further postgraduate study at Master’s level, such as the MSc Marketing, MSc Industrial Relations and HR Management courses.
Who’s Suited to This Course
The Higher Diploma in Business studies is suitable if you:
- Have an interest in business
- Would like to pursue a career in business
- Wish to pursue a Master’s degree in business and you do not have a business undergraduate degree
- Wish to complement your undergraduate degree with a business qualification
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
A fees scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment. Students must be registered as unemployed and in receipt of one of the following:
- Job-seekers Benefit
- Job-seekers Allowance
- One-parent family allowance
- Disability allowance
- Community Employment Scheme
- Carer’s Allowance
- Signing for social insurance contribution credits
Please download the 2020_21 Fees Scholarship Form for more information.
Find out More
Louise Coyle
Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development
Nuns’ Island, NUI Galway, Galway
Tel: 091 495786
Email: louise.coyle@nuigalway.ie