Business
NCI’s Higher Certificate in Business is an ideal introduction to contemporary theories and approaches to modern business practices in key areas such as marketing, human resource management and entrepreneurship.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
Two Years Full-Time
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Minimum entry requirements are a grade O6/H7 or above in five subjects.
A minimum of grade O6/H7 must be obtained in English.
A grade O6/H7/F2 must be obtained in Mathematics.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
A pass in foundation level mathematics at F2 or higher will be considered as meeting the minimum entry requirements for the Higher Certificate in Business only.
Grade Points
F1 20
F2 12
Bonus Points for Higher Level Leaving Certificate Mathematics
NCI operates the bonus scheme for Higher level Leaving Certificate Mathematics. 25 points will be added to an applicant’s points score for Higher level Mathematics for grades H6 and above.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
NCI recognises the LCVP for admission purposes, and results in the Link Modules element of the programme will be considered as follows:
Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
This is automatically computed by CAO. The Link Modules may be used as one of the six subjects for overall points calculation but will not be considered as a subject for the purposes of minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
NCI welcomes applications from students who are presenting QQI (formerly FET/FETAC) Level 5 and Level 6 awards.
For information on how to apply and minimum entry requirements go to the QQI Students link below.
Careers / Further progression
Career Prospects
This course provides an excellent basis for starting work in a variety of roles within business, commercial or public sector bodies. It equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to build a successful career in the business world.
Further Study Options
Upon successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Business, graduates can potentially gain entry into year two of BA (Honours) degree programmes in Business, HRM, Accounting and Finance or Marketing Practice in the School of Business (subject to availability of places). Recent Masters’ graduates include students who have progressed from the Higher Cert in Business to the BA Honours in Business, and onto the successful completion of NCI’s MA in Human Resource Management.
Further information
National College of Ireland is committed to providing equal access to education and equal opportunities for mature students. Students who are 23 years of age or older on 1st January can apply directly to NCI for entry to full-time education the following autumn. Applications will be accepted until 31st July. However, this closing date is subject to demand and therefore may change. For this reason and to avoid disappointment, it is advised that applications are submitted as early as possible. Further details can be obtained from the Admissions Office at admissions@ncirl.ie.
NCI also welcomes applicants for advanced entry into the second or third year of our full-time programmes. To be eligible for advanced entry, applicants must have undertaken specific courses and obtained certain results. Applicants should check with their individual institution or College of Further Education to find out to which courses this option is available. To find out more information regarding our advanced entry links, please contact Admissions at admissions@ncirl.ie. You can also contact Karen Campbell, School Liaison Officer at karen.campbell@ncirl.ie.
This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and Student Grant Scheme.
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
About the Course
NCI’s Higher Certificate in Business is an ideal introduction to contemporary theories and approaches to modern business practices in key areas such as marketing, human resource management and entrepreneurship.
Students who enrol on this course usually progress on to second year of a range of degree programmes here at the college. Graduates of this course have specialised knowledge of the key theories and principles relevant to business; are equipped with good personal skills in communication, problem-solving and teamwork; understand the latest thinking in areas of HRM, marketing, finance and management; and have the ability to apply knowledge and skills to solve problems within the business world.
Who is the course for?
The course may be particularly appealing to students who are unsure about committing themselves to a degree programme, but who want the option to transfer on to the second year of a business degree in the future.
Course Structure and Award
This undergraduate course is a two-year higher certificate. It is run over four semesters with continuous assessment held throughout the course and examinations at the end of each semester. On completion you will receive a QQI Higher Certificate in Business at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Year 1 & 2:
Over two years you will study the following subjects:
• Managing Your Learning
• Financial Accounting
• Creativity, Teamwork and Business Skills
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing in the Digital Age
• Fundamentals of Management
• Brand Management
• Academic Writing Skills
• Business Mathematics and Statistics
• Economics in the World
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Sales and Networking
• Fundamentals of Irish Law
• Work, Business and Society in Ireland
• Individual Organisational Behaviour
• Software Applications for Business
• Portfolio Project
National College of Ireland
Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1
Tel: Reception (01) 4498500
Course/College Info: 1800 221 721
Email: info@ncirl.ie
Web: www.ncirl.ie