Program Overview

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Global Business with Irish - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Combining business acumen with fluency in the Irish language for a powerful professional edge.

Summary

The Global Business with Irish degree is an innovative programme that allows you to major in Global Business while studying Irish as a minor. This combination is ideal if you aspire to build a career where business expertise meets the Irish language.

By studying Global Business as a Major, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of key business disciplines, including marketing, leadership, strategy and management, all within the context of a global business environment.

Through your study of Irish as a Minor, you will develop your strong written, conversational, and interpretative skills - essential tools for engaging confidently in Irish-speaking business environments.

If you wish to develop a career working in business where the Irish language is a key component, then this degree is for you.

In each of the two semesters, students will study 2 business modules and one Irish module.

About this course

About

The Global Business with Irish degree is ideal if you aspire to build a career in business while deepening your knowledge of Irish as a minor subject. It also provides a solid foundation should you wish to go on to pursue postgraduate study, including doctoral research.

This programme delivers essential business knowledge and skills for if you are seeking a managerial role with a specialist focus on Irish. As part of the Irish minor, you will explore Modern Irish language - including grammar, pronunciation, and writing - as well as Modern Irish literature. The curriculum also covers the language’s development since the Gaelic Revival, Irish Cultural Studies, Folklore, Dialects, and Translation. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to study Scottish Gaelic language and literature.

Emphasising blended learning, the Global Business degree combines academic excellence with practical industry experience. Alongside innovative modules, you can develop language proficiency, participate in international travel, gain work experience at home or abroad, and choose to study or work in other countries.

By studying this programme you will be well-positioned for a wide range of careers where a focus on the Irish language is key. You will develop additional key employability skills such as creative thinking, project management, strategic planning, problem solving, interpersonal communication, and general management, alongside your study of the Irish language.

If you are interested in further education, you can also easily progress to postgraduate business or related master’s degrees.

Associate awards

• Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
• Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI

Attendance

The course duration is normally three years (without optional sandwich/placement year) or four years (with optional sandwich/placement year) for full-time students. The course facilitates a structured progression from a broad foundation of relevant international business and management subjects and disciplines at Level 4, providing a foundation for more advanced study and development of understanding including evaluation, critique and application at Levels 5 and 6.

As a full-time programme, students will normally complete six modules per year, with class contact time approximately three hours per week per module. Students will be expected to undertake independent study to supplement that contact of around 10 hours per week per module.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

In this programme, a blended learning approach is adopted and a varied and stimulating mix of learning and teaching methods are embedded in modules to enhance knowledge and understanding, as well as provide opportunities for students to apply their skills. Examples of these include:

• formal lectures, as one of the core methods of knowledge transfer;
• tutorial/seminars/workshops that focus on applying the core theories, principles and concepts introduced in lectures to practical contexts and contemporary issues in order for students to gain a more fuller understanding of the materials in a small group setting.
• Project based work and research activity which engages students in complex and critical thinking and is considered a highly effective method of preparing students for life after graduation.

These methods advance a range of wider skills required for employment including written and oral communication skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills, negotiation skills, project planning and management skills, presentation skills, problem analysis and decision making skills and increase self-awareness. Moreover, these will provide important opportunities for students to engage with both their peers and their tutors.

Assessments are open, flexible and based on the learning outcomes outlined for each module. Learning will be assessed through a combination of both individual and group coursework as well as individual examinations (where appropriate). Assessment has been designed to reflect the need for inclusivity of varying student abilities. Assessment taken at each level of study demonstrates progression and expands on the knowledge and skills developed at the previous level. It is expected that all learning outcomes will be achieved by all student participants and where required, students will receive additional support in the form of reasonable adjustments. Any adjustments will be tailored to the individual’s requirements and best interests of the student participant.

Examples of assessment can include a range of assessment types, including digital assessment, oral assessment and written assessment.

Modules

Year one

• Global Business Environment
• Organisations and Management
• Professional and Academic Skills
• Labhairt agus Scríobh na Gaeilge 1
• Labhairt agus Scríobh na Gaeilge 2
• Principles of Marketing

Year two

• Digital Transformation
• Global Strategy and Management
• Professional Skills Development
• Inniúlacht i Labhairt agus i Scríobh na Gaeilge 1
• Inniúlacht i Labhairt agus i Scríobh na Gaeilge 2
• Global Economics and Finance (optional)

Year three

• Sustainability Reporting and Governance
• Global Trade Management
• Contemporary Issues and Trends in Global Business
• Leadership and People
• Léann agus Scileanna an Aistriúcháin
• Oilteacht i Labhairt agus i Scríobh na Gaeilge
• Diploma in Professional Practice (optional)
• Study Abroad (optional)

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

Grades CCC

Applied General Qualifications

• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma
• Award profile of MMM

Irish Leaving Certificate

96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

Grades CCCCC

English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades DDD

English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.

International Baccalaureate

Overall profile is minimum 24 points (including 12 at higher level)

Access to Higher Education (HE)

• Overall profile of 55% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)
• To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.
• Overall profile of 45 credits at merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
• To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, (or equivalent).

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Maths.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Deloitte
• Further Education Colleges
• PWC
• Irish Development Agency (IDA) Ireland

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Business Analyst
• Graduate management
• Irish Business Development
• Business consultant

Career options

This degree is designed to prepare you as a future leader for today’s global and diverse business landscape, and particularly in sectors where a knowledge of the Irish Language is vital. It combines essential knowledge with practical skills, while fostering a strong commitment to global citizenship and sustainability. Employers value graduates who bring digital expertise, professional conduct, and key qualities such as self-motivation, adaptability, resilience, creativity, and social awareness. By studying Global Business with Irish you will be a ‘future-ready’ graduate with the confidence, skills and capabilities needed to thrive in any business environment.

Throughout your studies, you’ll learn in dynamic environments that help you develop strategic and operational skills tailored to your career ambitions. You can also pursue advanced study or research in related fields. We provide ongoing support to help you reflect on your career goals and plan your path, with access to employer engagement, career fairs, and dedicated career advice.

Work placement / study abroad

Work Placement/Study Abroad is an optional year for students on this programme.

In this programme there is a strong emphasis on the delivery of a quality work-based learning experience and development of graduate employability skills for students. Specifically, this programme provides opportunities to engage with Work-based Learning through the optional placement in Year 3 for full-time students. Students can opt to complete a study abroad year, a year-long paid placement with local or international employers, or by seeking their own enterprise entrepreneurship placement. These options provide students with an opportunity to focus on their skills development and apply their learning and understanding of business from the taught modules. Assessment in the placement year allows students to reflect on both their work-based skills development and learning experience whilst demonstrating impact on the host company, organisation or institution.

Satisfactory completion of the placement year will lead to the award of the Diploma in Professional Practice or Diploma in Professional Practice (International) if you complete your work placement internationally. With the option to study abroad for a year; satisfactory completion of a study abroad year will lead to the award of the Diploma in International Academic Studies.

Fees and funding

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£4,855.00

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees

£9,535.00

International Fees

£17,010.00

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.