Business - Carlow
Common Entry is a very popular choice with students. You avail of a broad common Years 1 & 2 which will introduce you to various essential business topics along with tasters in more specific business areas. Having gained a better understanding of each subject area, you then choose your preferred pathway to specialise in Years 3 & 4.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Entry requirements for Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirements for entry to honours degree courses.
Entry requirements for Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirements for entry to ordinary bachelor degree and higher certificate courses
GRADE POINTS
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 5, and achieved at least three distinctions, are eligible to apply through CAO for entry to Year 1 on to Level 6, 7 and 8 courses. Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 6 may be eligible to enter Year 2.
The maximum possible points awarded through QQI-FET is 390. The scoring system only applies where all of the requirements for the major award are met i.e. where the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Progression Scheme
The Progression Scheme is an additional opportunity for students who successfully complete a QQI FET Award in a partner Colleges of Further Education and Training College/Centre to gain entry to SETU programmes. The list of partner Further Education and Training Colleges/Centres, relevant SETU programmes, linked QQI FET Awards and the criteria for the scheme are available at www.setu.ie/progression.
Careers / Further progression
Career opportunities
Bachelor of Business (Honours) and Bachelor of Business courses equip students with a broad business skill-base, ensuring graduates will have a wide range of career options. Expert guidance will be available from lecturing staff and ultimate choices can then be considered in light of academic performance across a range of business subject areas.
Follow on Study
Postgraduate Study - MBA, MA or PhD
Marketing Stream:
With over 30 years of graduates working locally, nationally & globally, we have a proven record for producing career-ready graduates. A career in Marketing gives opportunities to work in multinationals, local enterprises, political parties, charities, sporting organisations and small businesses and includes diverse disciplines such as: advertising; sales; brand design; customer psychology; market research; product development & digital marketing. For a career where every day is different, choose Marketing.
International Business Stream:
An international business degree provides flexible career opportunities, allowing graduates to work with global companies or domestic firms involved in international trade. Typical roles include marketing, sales and customer service management, many progressing from local to global operations.
Supply Chain Management Stream:
Graduates of this course will find career opportunities with many sectors in a variety of roles including: Supply Chain Manager; Operations Manager; Retail Manager, Distribution Manager; Procurement Manager; Logistics Manager and Consultancy.
Supply Chain is at the forefront of the Internet of Things and therefore presents many opportunities for those with an interest in technology.
Business Management Stream:
Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies demanded in a modern business environment.
Career opportunities include: the creative world of advertising and design; the commercial world of sales and building market share; the technological side of web design, SEO and SEM, and the analytical use of data to devise successful marketing strategies.
Human Resource Management Stream:
A business degree in HRM is internationally recognised and offers a passport for graduates to work globally. Careers in HRM include: generic HR management, specialist HR roles such as HR recruitment; training and learning coordinator; talent manager; HR leadership; organisational and change coordinator. Graduates may find employment in the private or public sector across all industries including: banking; education; retail and manufacturing.
Finance & Accounting Stream:
Graduates will be equipped to work in the areas of:
• Chartered Accountant
• Chartered Certified Accountant
• Chartered Management Accountant
• Certified Public Accountant
• Investment Banker
• Retail Banker
• Tax Adviser
Further information
September 2026
Mature Student Applications
A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an undergraduate course and who may not meet the normal admission requirements. Applications are made through the CAO before the 1 February or before late application deadline of 1 May 2026. Applicants are assessed based on the information they enter on their CAO application. Note: You must apply for nursing and music courses by 1 February 2026.
Selection Process – Nursing Applications
Mature applicants for nursing courses will receive correspondence under separate cover from the Nursing Careers Centre (Public Appointments Service - PAS). For full details on the application process see www.nursingcareers.ie.
Mature Applicant – Change of Mind
The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1 May and the closing date is 1 July.
The Change of Mind facility affords mature applicants an opportunity to change the order of preference only of their course choices. If applicants introduce a new programme to their list of choices by way of Change of Mind, they will compete for a place on that programme based on their Leaving Certificate or equivalent results only. They will not compete as a mature applicant.
Graduates of a relevant Certificate are eligible to enter Year 3 of this programme; Graduates of a relevant Ordinary Degree are eligible to enter Year 4.
Non-standard application
A non-standard application is one that does not meet the definition of a standard application.
The special categories are:
• GCE/GCSE
• Other school leaving exams
• NCVA Level 2/3
• FETAC Level 5/6
• Further Education (other than QQI)
• Mature
• Higher/Third Level Education
Applicants wishing to make a non-standard application must select the relevant category when applying to the CAO.
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
Common Entry is a very popular choice with students. You avail of a broad common Years 1 & 2 which will introduce you to various essential business topics along with tasters in more specific business areas. Having gained a better understanding of each subject area, you then choose your preferred pathway to specialise in Years 3 & 4.
Course Structure
The following courses have common modules in Years 1 & 2. It is only in Years 3 & 4 that you specialise in a particular area. At present, there are 6 streams you can choose from. The decision on which stream to specialise in is only made at the end of Year 2.
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Management
This option equips students with the management knowledge, skill and competencies demanded by modern day business. Graduates may find employment as part of a management team in any sector such as banking, industry, public sector, financial services and many more.
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Human Resource Management
Human resource management is a complex area requiring broad knowledge and skills. This specialism equips graduates for careers as recruitment officers, human resource managers, recruitment specialists or functional managers both in the private and public sector.
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Business
With increasing industry globalisation, graduates of International Business will be well qualified to meet the complex demands of global organisations and Irish businesses trading internationally. Graduates typically find employment in areas such as banking; international marketing and sales; and customer services.
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is an increasingly important aspect of business management and it is concerned with managing the flow of goods from material acquisition to final consumption. Graduates typically find employment in all manufacturing sectors from pharmaceuticals to food processing as well as within the logistics and the distribution sector.
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Accounting & Finance
This stream is ideal for those students with an interest in the application of numerical techniques and the interpretation and communication of financial information. Key skills that are highly demanded in the market place are developed in financial reporting, corporate finance and taxation modules. Graduates may pursue rewarding careers in areas such as accounting, banking, financial services and taxation.
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Marketing
Marketing is practiced around the world in every type of organisation including multi-nationals, local enterprises, political parties, third-world charities, sporting organisations and small businesses. Marketing careers are varied and include: research, advertising, marketing, brand management, product development, public relations, international marketing and sales.
All Streams:
Year 1 Modules
Semester 1
IT for Business
Business Financial Accounting 1
Quantitative Techniques 1
Microeconomics
Introduction to Management Theory
Communications and Academic Writing
Semester 2
Data Analysis for Business 1 (M)
Macroeconomics (M)
Management in Action (M)
Business Psychology 1 (M)
Quantitative Techniques 2 (M)
* The full list of each semester's elective subject options is available on the relevant course page of our website
Programme Director
Aileen Farrell MSc
E: aileen.farrell@setu.ie