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Business Studies

This is a two-year, part-time programme. It extends students’ understanding of the subjects addressed in the Certificate year and allows them to take a subject in an area of particular relevance to them. Students take three common subjects: cost accounting, business and company law and economics and a fourth subject from a choice of three streams:  

  • Accounting  
  • Marketing 
  • Human Resource Management

The Diploma is both a stand-alone qualification and the second year of the four-year Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) programme. Students that successfully complete this year can enter the third year of the BBS (Hons).

Diploma in Business Studies

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Key Facts

Delivery Method

The programme is delivered through a student-friendly blended learning model. Students attend three in-person weekend seminars at the IPA and attend eight weeknight webinars per module. They are supported in their studies with extensive course material and online resources.

Entry Requirements

Applicants require a Leaving Certificate with a minimum grade C in two higher level papers and grade D in four other subjects. The papers passed must include Irish, English and a third language. Students applying for the BBS (Hons) must have passed the Mathematics paper.

OR

Mature students (students over 21 on January 1 of the calendar year of entry) may enter a programme without the above qualifications. 

Duration

Two academic years

Interim Awards

Year One: Certificate in Business Studies

Accreditation

NUI

Place on NFQ

Level 6 (Higher Certificate) what is this?

Commences

September 2023

Application Deadline

September 2023

Fees

The cost of the programme is €3,400 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees), payable in one or two instalments. 

Employers and Fees

Where employers are paying fees, students, when enrolling, must provide a PO number and employer authorisation on the application form OR submit a letter from their employer confirming that fees will be paid directly. 

Students Paying their own Fees

Fees can be paid by:

  • Electronic transfer (contact the Undergraduate Office).
  • Debit/credit card (contact the Undergraduate Office).
  • Cheque (payable to the Institute of Public Administration).
  • Bank draft.

Note: Fees may increase slightly from year to year. Where this occurs, students will be charged the increased fee.

Progression

Students can progress to the relevant stream of the third year of the BBS (Hons).

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The Programme

This is a two-year, part-time programme. It extends students’ understanding of the subjects addressed in the Certificate year and allows them to take a subject in an area of particular relevance to them. Students take three common subjects: cost accounting, business and company law and economics and a fourth subject from a choice of three streams:  

  • Accounting  
  • Marketing 
  • Human Resource Management

The Diploma is both a stand-alone qualification and the second year of the four-year Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) programme. Students that successfully complete this year can enter the third year of the BBS (Hons).

Is This Programme for you?

The subjects covered in the Diploma have a wide application and the programme attracts students interested in careers in both the private and public sectors. It offers instruction in both core business competencies and in specific business functions, allowing students gain a solid understanding of the principles and practices that govern contemporary business life and to specialise in a specific stream. 

Subjects

Year One: Certificate in Business Studies 

The first year is both a stand-alone qualification and the first stage in the Diploma and the BBS (Hons). 

Year Two

Cost Accounting

Cost accounting helps managers see the cost of business operations and thus make informed decisions. This course explores the main principles and processes of cost accounting, including budgeting, absorption and marginal costing and basic standard costing.

Economics

This introductory-level course explains the main theories and principles of economics. It covers both micro and macroeconomics and addresses such topics as the laws of supply and demand, how market prices are reached, monopolies and competition and monetary policy.

Business and Company Law

All transactions in the State, whether public or private, are governed by commercial law. In this course, students will examine the laws that pertain to the creation, performance and dissolution of contracts, the formation of companies, the acquisition of shares and the liquidation of businesses. 

Students Choose a Fourth Subject From One of the Following Streams (subject availability depends on student numbers)

Accounting
Financial Accounting:

This course examines the core elements of financial accounting, a branch of accounting that prepares financial statements for interested parties outside the organisation. Students examine the financial accounts of limited companies, tangible and intangible assets, taxation, cash flow, post-balance sheet events and earnings per share.

Marketing
Marketing Information Analysis:

Marketing campaigns and strategies are dependent on comprehensive and accurate information about target markets. This course explores how useful marketing information is obtained and analysed. 

Human Resource Management
Organisational Behaviour:

Organisations, despite having similar processes and business units, often behave in different ways. A key objective of HRM is to understand and direct organisational behaviour. This course discusses the relevant issues, including communication, organisational culture and group behaviour.

Assessment

The programme is assessed by means of assignments and final examinations. 

How To Apply
  1. Download the application form that is on the IPA home page and complete it (if your fees are being paid by your employer, be sure to include all the relevant details on the application form).
  2. That application form MUST be accompanied by: (a) proof of ID (copy of passport, birth cert, or driving licence), (b) a passport photo, (c) the programme fee (see section on Fees).

Send the completed application form and the above items to undergrad@ipa.ie.

You may also apply by post

Prospectus

Programme Delivery and Applications

IPA programmes are part time and generally delivered through a blended learning model.  To apply, see the How to Apply section on the relevant programme and download the application form below.

Undergraduate Application Form 2023

 

Enquiry Form

 

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