Program Overview

Bachelor of Commerce (Gaeilge)

The Bachelor of Commerce (Gaeilge) is a four-year degree that combines strong business knowledge with fluency in the Irish language. This unique program offers a blend of academic, linguistic, and cultural experiences, including a semester living and learning in the Gaeltacht and a one-semester internship in an Irish-speaking environment.

Course Overview

• The program is designed to develop spoken and written fluency in Irish, as well as practical business skills.
• Students will study a range of business modules, including marketing, management, finance, and economics.
• The program includes a Gaeltacht semester, where students will live and study in an Irish-speaking environment.
• A work placement in an Irish-speaking organization is also a key component of the program.

Unique Features

• Gaeltacht immersion semester: Students will spend a semester living and studying in the Gaeltacht, attending Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain in An Cheathrú Rua.
• Strong business focus: Practical modules in marketing, management, finance, and policy.
• Bilingual advantage: Fluent Irish plus business skills opens doors in public and private sectors.
• Career-ready preparation: Modules designed to develop workplace competencies and cultural fluency.
• Pathways to teaching: Qualify to teach both business and Irish at second level with further study.

Careers

The role of Irish in professional life is growing rapidly, with opportunities in sectors such as:

• Policymaking
• Broadcasting
• Education
• EU institutions
• Translation
• Diplomacy
• International relations Possible career paths include:
• Accounting
• Management advisory roles
• Taxation and commercial consulting
• Marketing and communications
• Human resource management
• Economic policy analysis
• Information systems management
• Finance
• Entrepreneurship
• Media, public affairs, and sports administration
• Teaching

Study Abroad

Students on the BComm (le Gaeilge) participate in a unique Gaeltacht-based academic semester at the University of Galway's An Cheathrú Rua campus. This immersive experience is designed to strengthen fluency, deepen cultural understanding, and enrich personal and academic growth.

Work Placement

The work placement is a central and compulsory part of the BComm (Gaeilge) and takes place during Semester 2 of Year 3. Students spend one full semester (12-14 weeks) on placement in an Irish-speaking organization, coordinated by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, and any two other subjects recognized for entry purposes.
• A H4 in Gaeilge is also a requirement.

Fees

The fees for the academic year 2026/27 are as follows:

• EU Tuition: 3,098
• Student Contribution: 2,500
• Non-EU Tuition: 19,250
• Levy: 140
• Total Fee: 5,738 (EU), 19,390 (Non-EU)

Accreditations and Awards

The University of Galway is a world-renowned research-led university, ranked in the top 2% of universities globally. It is also ranked first in Ireland for sustainable development and fifth in the EU for commitment to sustainability.