Program Overview

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BA (Honours) in Business

Course Instance ID:

Description:

BA (Honours) in Business

Duration:

3 years

NFQ Level:

Level 8

Brochure:

Download BA (Honours) in Business brochure

CAO Course Code:

NC009

Location:

IFSC Campus

Start Date:

14/09/2026

About this Course

The BA (Honours) in Business is a modern, comprehensive degree designed to equip graduates with relevant employability skills while addressing broader societal needs related to sustainability and business ethics. Graduates gain a robust understanding of the modern business environment, learn to analyze and solve business problems, and find employment opportunities in various sectors such as management, marketing, industrial relations, economics, and international trade.

Students may engage in a year-long, accredited work placement between the second and third years, which is credit-bearing and adds an extra year to the program. Access to placements is limited and competitive.

Who is the Course for?

This program is suitable for school leavers, mature students, and graduates of QQI level 5/6 programs who seek a full-time study opportunity and a broad foundation in business.

Career Prospects

Graduates from the BA (Honours) in Business are employed by prestigious organizations, including LinkedIn, Accenture, AIB, Arvato, Citi, Bord Gáis, Deutsche Bank, IBM, State Street, Willis Towers Watson, and UPS.

Course Structure and Award

• Duration: Three years (four years with the option of a placement).
• The program comprises six semesters, with continuous assessment and semester-end examinations.
• An overall average of 70+ in any year of the degree will earn the student a Dean's Award.
• Graduates receive a QQI BA (Honours) Degree in Business at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Further Study Options

Upon successful completion, graduates may progress to postgraduate courses at level 9, including MSc in Management, MSc in International Business, or MA in HRM, available at National College of Ireland.

Work Placement

High-achieving students averaging 60% or more can opt for a year-long work placement between the second and third years. Such placements offer benefits including networking experience and practical skills that enhance employability. Notable companies that have recruited NCI students include Arthur Cox, Caceis Investor Services, Primark, Ryanair, and the Central Bank of Ireland.

The final year capstone project allows students to utilize qualitative and quantitative methodologies to deliver a dissertation on a business practice topic.

Minimum Entry Requirements

• General Requirements:
  • Grade H5 and above in two higher-level subjects.
  • A minimum of O6/H7 in four other subjects.
  • A minimum of O6/H7 must be obtained in English and Mathematics.
• QQI Applicants:
  • A full level 5/6 award with three distinctions, meeting CAO points requirements.

For international applicants, specific entry requirements may vary by region.

Laptop Requirements

National College of Ireland mandates a Bring Your Own Device policy. Students must possess a portable computer with the following specifications:

• Processor:
  • Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 / i7, or AMD 5000 Series or newer.
• RAM:
  • 16GB or greater.
• Storage:
  • 256GB SSD or greater.
• Wireless Capability:
  • 802.11 n/ac/ax compatible.

Course Content

Year 1

• Academic Management Skills
• Business Law
• Economics for the 21st Century
• Financial Accounting
• Human Resource Management
• Individual Behaviour in The Organisation
• Marketing in the Digital Age
• Quantitative Methods

Year 2

• Financial Management
• Management
• Project Management
• Social and Organisational Behaviour
• Technologies for Business
• Career Management Skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Global Business Environment
• Macroenvironment Policy and Sustainability
• Professional Development Skills

Year 3

• Business Statistics and Analytics
• Economic and Social Policy
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Management
• Sustainability and Business Ethics

Year 3 Elective Modules

• Capstone Project Preparation
• Change Management and Organisational Development
• Financial Management Tools for the Enterprise
• Public Relations and Social Media
• Applied Behavioural Economics
• Capstone Project
• Corporate Environmentalism
• Data Analytics
• Essentials of Employment Law
• Global Operations, Planning and Design
• Sales Management

Electives may have prerequisites, are subject to change, and availability is contingent upon class sizes.

Enhancements

From September 2026, two additional modules related to the professional education programmes of the LIA will be introduced, pending QQI approval:

• Savings and Investment
• Financial Services Regulations

Successful students will be eligible for exemptions towards the APA (Accredited Product Adviser) qualification in Savings and Investments.

Fees and Funding

This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and the Student Grant Scheme.

Sports Scholarship

Students may apply for a Sports Scholarship at NCI.

CAO Points

2025 CAO Points Guide: 300

QQI Level 5/6 Requirements

• Minimum of 3 distinctions and a full award.
• Must meet CAO points requirements to apply for this Level 8 course.

International Students

For international applicants, the programme fee will be €12,000 per year effective from September 2026. Further details regarding international fees and funding options are available as necessary.