Business Education (Concurrent Teaching)

This concurrent degree at the University of Limerick prepares you to become a qualified second-level Business, Accounting and Economics teacher while also earning a Business degree. You study both subject content — covering areas such as financial accounting, economics, and enterprise — and the theory and practice of education simultaneously across four years. School placement begins in first year and increases in intensity as you progress, giving you substantial classroom experience before you graduate. A typical week combines lectures in business modules, education seminars on pedagogy and curriculum design, and regular visits to partner second-level schools. The programme is structured so that you graduate as both a business professional and a fully qualified teacher, eligible for registration with the Teaching Council.

Entry is through the CAO and typically requires a minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects, including English at Ordinary level or higher. Higher Level Maths is strongly advantageous given the Accounting and Economics content, and a good grade in Business or Accounting at Leaving Certificate is very useful. CAO points for this programme are competitive, reflecting strong demand for concurrent teacher education places at UL. Applicants who do not meet school-leaving requirements may apply as mature students (aged 23 or over) and are assessed on relevant life and work experience. HEAR and DARE access routes are available for applicants from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities. Some applicants also progress from a QQI Level 5 or 6 Business or Education Studies award, subject to meeting UL's specific QQI entry criteria.

Demand for qualified Business and Accounting teachers at second level in Ireland remains steady, particularly as the revised Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate curricula maintain strong uptake of Business subjects in schools. Graduates registered with the Teaching Council can access the public-sector pay scale and benefit from job security, particularly once they secure a permanent post through the Teaching Council's registration process. The concurrent qualification means you enter the workforce fully registered and ready to teach from day one, giving you an advantage over graduates of consecutive postgraduate programmes. Career progression into deputy principal and principal roles is a common longer-term pathway.