Business Studies (QQI Level 6)

This QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Business Studies gives you a solid grounding in how modern organisations operate, covering areas such as accounting, marketing, human resource management and business law. You will develop practical digital skills alongside core business theory, and customer service and communication are woven throughout the programme. A typical week involves a mix of classroom lectures, group project work, computer-based assignments and presentations, giving you hands-on experience of real business tasks. Many courses include work placement, where you spend time in a local business or public-sector organisation, and some colleges offer Erasmus+ exchanges with European partners. By the end of the year you will have built a portfolio of assessed work and a practical understanding of how businesses function day to day.

Entry to this QQI Level 6 programme typically requires a Leaving Certificate with passes in five subjects, including English, though individual colleges set their own minimum grades and some ETBs accept Leaving Certificate Applied. Subjects such as Business, Accounting, Maths and Economics are useful preparation but are rarely compulsory for entry at this level. If you did not complete the Leaving Certificate, you may be able to enter on the basis of relevant work experience or a completed QQI Level 5 Business certificate, which is the most common progression route onto this course. Mature applicants aged 23 or over are welcomed and may be assessed through interview or portfolio rather than academic results alone. HEAR and DARE supports may be available depending on the college; it is worth contacting the ETB directly to ask about access initiatives.

Demand for business administration and office support skills remains consistently strong in Ireland, and QQI Level 6 graduates are competitive for a range of entry-level and junior roles. Starting salaries in administrative or customer-facing roles typically range from around €26,000 to €32,000 gross per year, with progression possible as you gain experience or further qualifications. The Irish economy's large multinational sector, particularly in Dublin and other cities, creates ongoing openings for business generalists with digital competencies. Many graduates use this award as a springboard into degree-level study, which significantly broadens longer-term career and salary potential.