Home Economics & Business - MTU Cork & UCC
This programme allows students to study a wide array of Home Economics and Business related modules. It is the first in its kind as it is the only programme that offers a BA (Hons) in Home Economics and Business nationally. Furthermore, the opportunities upon successful completion are vast.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade 06/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Home Economics or Lab Subject H5*
*A H5 must be obtained in Home Economics or a laboratory science subject (from Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Agricultural Science, or Physics & Chemistry (joint)).
Garda Vetting
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Popular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths, this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of the minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined on the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Employment Opportunities
This programme was designed between the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, MTU, and the School of Education, UCC, to allow graduates from the BA (Hons) in Home Economics and Business to seamlessly progress to the Professional Master of Education in UCC.
Upon successful completion of third year, graduates will have developed a highly versatile and industry-relevant skill set. With in-depth expertise in both Home Economics and Business, combined with applied knowledge from three education-focused modules, graduates are equipped to lead, innovate, and adapt across multiple professional settings.
For instance, those interested in the food sector will be uniquely positioned to pursue careers in food product development, quality assurance, nutrition, or food entrepreneurship. The programme spans culinary arts, food science and legislation, sensory evaluation, nutrition, and core business principles therefore providing a powerful foundation to work as an entrepreneur, with micro-enterprises, SMEs, or multinational organisations.
Further Studies
Graduates who achieve a minimum of second class Honours Grade (H2.2) in MTU’s BA (Honours) in Home Economics and Business will automatically be offered a place on the PME post-primary in the School of Education, University College Cork (UCC) through a ‘protected places pathway’. Completion of both programmes allows graduates to meet all of the Teaching Council requirements to teach both Home Economics and Business to Leaving Certificate level in second-level schools in Ireland.
Detailed information about the Professional Master of Education programme is available at https://www.ucc.ie/en/pec01/
Alternatively, graduates may apply to Level 9 PME programmes at other institutions that offer Home Economics and/or Business. A BA can also lead to a variety of postgraduate options such as MA, MSc or PhD programmes.
Further information
September 2026
32
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Overview
Discover Your Future in Home Economics and Business
We are proud to offer and deliver Irelands only BA (Hons) in Home Economics and Business. This innovative and dynamic programme allows students to explore a wide range of Home Economics and Business-related modules.
This programme is the first in its kind degree as it is the only programme that offers a BA (Hons) in both Home Economics and Business nationally. Delivered over three-years at Level 8, this degree provides a broad academic foundation across both disciplines of Home Economics and Business. The programme is ideal for students who want to keep their options open whether in teaching, industry, community or business settings.
A Flexible Pathway- Including Teaching
Our BA offers broader academic exposure to the areas of Home Economics and Business and therefore is not just limited to teaching. However, if you know or decide to that teaching is the profession for you, graduates who achieve a minimum H2.2 (50% or above) in their final year will be automatically accepted onto the Level 9 Professional Master of Education (PME) programme at University College Cork. Alternatively, graduates may apply to Level 9 PME programmes at other institutions that offer Home Economics and/or Business.
PME programmes in Ireland are two years in duration and lead to full registration as a post-primary teacher. However, if you decide not to pursue teaching, this degree also opens doors to many other career paths.
Diverse Career Opportunities
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Home Economics and Business are equipped with a unique combination of transferable skills, knowledge and competencies. The opportunities of both a Home Economics and Business degree upon successful completion are vast. Graduates may decide to work as a Home Economist in community settings, with media, or with household technology and appliance companies. Graduates also have the knowledge, skills and competencies to work in area’s of food, nutrition, textiles, sustainability, consumer and finance (to name but a few). Graduates may also decide to action their business and entrepreneurial knowledge and create their own food, beverage or textile related product or business or may decide to pursue employment in areas of HR and marketing (again to name just a few).
A Strong, Multidisciplinary Foundation
Our BA allows you to explore Home Economics and Business interests before committing to teaching. The nature of the Home Economics programme is diverse, and requires graduates to gain competencies in a multidisciplinary context. This means graduates will gain expertise and develop skills in culinary arts, sensory science, biological sciences, textiles and design, consumer studies, family resource management, social studies and research, housing and architecture, and sustainability and environmental studies. Through the study of Business, graduates will gain insight and develop skills in management, accounting, economics, human resource management, marketing, international business, entrepreneurship, and legal studies.
The design of the programme means the knowledge and skills gained by graduates will encompass discipline knowledge and skills in Home Economics and Business, along with an introduction into education studies. In Year 3, students will undertake a Preliminary School Placement in Home Economics, giving them hands-on experience in a post-primary school classroom. Working alongside experienced teachers in a post primary setting, students will gain valuable insight into the teaching profession. This will provide a solid foundation to develop pedagogical expertise if graduates go on to complete the PME.
Learn from a Supportive and Passionate Teaching Team
Our Home Economics and Business programme was designed by a dedicated team of lecturers who truly care about your learning experience. Even though we’re a newer provider of Home Economics Education, our lecturers bring real passion, fresh ideas, and a student-first approach to everything we do.
Our committed teaching team, made up of experts from different departments, work closely together to make sure your learning is connected, well- rounded and designed to help you to lead and thrive in a complex and evolving world - whether that’s in teaching, business, or something entirely different.
We stay up to date with the latest industry trends by working with external experts and organisations, so what you learn is always relevant and future-focused. This helps you build skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, the kind of skills that employers really value.
At the heart of our programme is you, the student. Our small class sizes mean you get the support you need and allows us to deliver a programme that has a hands on, practical approach. We use a variety of assessments built on site visits, field trips, and guest speakers instead of just exams.
We believe that your success is our success. Don’t just take our word for it, hear directly from our students and graduates as they share their experiences.
Insert student/graduate videos here: Student and Graduate Clips (saved in Tourism & Hospitality Home Economics Microsoft Teams folder)
Why choose Home Economics & Business at MTU?
1. The only three year programme in Ireland offering a dual qualification in Home Economics and Business at Level 8
2. Direct entry to the Level 9 PME programme at UCC
3. A broad and flexible career foundation
4. Strong focus on practical, transferable real-world skills
5. An ideal mix of academic, vocational, and creative disciplines
6. Delivered by a passionate and experienced subject discipline experts
7. Student-centred community
8. Enjoy a vibrant campus with clubs, societies, and support every step of the way
If you're passionate about Home Economics and Business, and you want a degree that keeps your career options open whether in teaching, business, or beyond, this programme is for you.
What will I study?
First Year at a Glance:
• Culinary techniques & food safety
• Biology for home economics
• Household finance & planning
• Family & social change
• Introduction to management
• Introduction to micro economics
• Human nutrition
• Science of food & health
• Fashion design & industry
• Home design & management
• Business law
• Financial accounting
Breda O’Mahony
T: +353 (0)21 433 5834
E: home.economics@mtu.ie