Business Studies
This course is for applicants with an interest in business practice and IT applications. Graduates of this course will be well equipped to work in any business.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time.
Entry Requirements
Any student over 16 years seeking entry to this programme does not need a previous formal qualification. Should the student have previous qualifications, one of the following may be advantageous for admission to the programme:
• Leaving Certificate/LCA
• QQI Level 4 Award
• Mature students welcome
• If English is not your first language you may be asked to complete an English assessment
• Students who may not have formal academic requirements but who have the ability to successfully participate on the course will be considered. (RPL Recognition of Prior Learning)
Careers / Further progression
Careers/Progression
Graduates of this course are well equipped to work in any business. It is particularly relevant when seeking employment in Administration, Accounting, the Retail Sector, Insurance and Marketing. This course covers all the major business areas and provides a comprehensive knowledge of each of the major functions of business. Students can go on to study a range of courses including Business, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, HR, Law, Business & Law, Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, Auctioneering, Logistics, Event Management etc.
Students may progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme. Graduates of this course are studying Business in UCD, DCU, Maynooth, NCI and TU Dublin. (10 students from the 2020 Business Studies course are now in DCU.) This course links with Law in UCD, TCD, DCU & Maynooth. Please NOTE that the Statistics module above must be achieved at Distinction level for certain Level 8 degrees in lieu of Leaving Certificate Maths.
Level 5 graduates may also progress to Level 6 Diploma in Business with Project Management in Cathal Brugha FET. Students can also apply directly to Year 2 NCI Higher Cert in Business NC103,(level 6).
Recent Cathal Brugha graduates have gone on to work in the Banks, HSE etc. The new Business type Apprenticeships (Accounting Technician, Finance, Insurance, etc.) are also accepting Business Award QQI level 5 as an entry requirement equivalent to the Leaving Certificate.
Type in this course code 5M2102 into the Careers Portal Webpage to see progression routes - https://careersportal.ie/courses/cao_fetac_links.php
Further information
Start Date: September 2026.
Registration Fee: €100.
Student Grants
Eligible students can apply for a SUSI Grant to assist with course costs. Please contact SUSI.ie for further information.
View https://www.cathalbrughafet.ie/general-information for other grants and supports.
Apply online. Please see "Application Weblink" above.
Business Studies (Cathal Brugha Campus).
How Will I Learn?
You will have a mixture of classroom-based subjects and independent study. You will be expected to complete assignments throughout the year. Course work will consist of a combination of onsite & online learning.
Certification
• QQI Level 5 Award in Business Studies 5M2102.
Accounting, Manual & Computerised
Business Administration Skills
Communications
Personal & Professional Development
Spreadsheets
Statistics
Word Processing
Marketing Practice
French (option)
Please note the components listed above may vary occasionally.
A full Award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. You will be assessed throughout the year with final exams in some modules. On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction grade.
5M2102 - Business Studies
Cathal Brugha FET Campus
76 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 X8V0
T: 01 533 7126
Enquiries: ruth.mccarra@kmcfe.cdetb.ie