International Financial Services
This course is aimed at learners who wish to pursue a career in the International Financial services sector or gain an eligible qualification for entry to the IFS Associate apprenticeship programme. On successful completion of the course the learner will have developed the core knowledge, skills and competencies required for entry roles in the financial services sector.
| 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
A minimum of 5 passes at ordinary level in the Leaving Certificate or its equivalent.
OR
Leaving Certificate Vocational, Leaving Certificate Applied or QQI Level 4 qualifications.
The Leaving Certificate is not a requirement for mature students and appropriate experience can be considered as being equivalent to the Leaving Certificate.
All applicants will be invited to an Applicant Information Meeting.
Careers / Further progression
Higher Education Links
For information on all relevant higher education links visit www.qqi.ie , www.cao.ie and the websites of the relevant higher education institutions. Intending applicants are advised at all times to confirm linked awards, any additional module requirements, applications processes and scoring systems with the Admission Offices of the participating Higher Education Institutions or visit www.cao.ie
Examples of Progression to Higher Education:
Full-time Courses:
DCU-BBus (Hons) Business Studies – DC111
DCU- BSc (Hons) Marketing, Innovation and Technology- DC240
TU Dublin – BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance – TU 910
Maynooth University- BA Finance – MH401
South East Technology University (SETU) – Ballsbridge College has a progression agreement with SETU linking this course’s QQI award (5M2102) to a range of WIT degrees
Please see https://www.wit.ie/future_students/fe_progression/further-education-progression-scheme
Apprenticeships:
NCI – International Financial Services (IFS) Associate Apprenticeship
Further information
The registration fee for courses is €100 for 2026/2027. Please note that some courses may require additional payments.
Grants are available to eligible students. Eligibility depends on individual financial circumstances and a grant must be applied for, through Student Universal Service Ireland (SUSI), see www.susi.ie.
The International Financial Services (IFS) industry in Ireland employs 42,000 people in more than 400 companies in Ireland, over 200 of which, are Irish owned. The Government’s strategy for the IFS sector in Ireland, IFS2020, set a target to grow the level of direct employment in the IFS sector from 35,000 in 2014 to at least 45,000 people by year-end 2019. The 2019 International Financial Services Strategy 2025 for the further development of the IFS sector in Ireland identified the importance of skilling people to meet the demand for employees in the IFS sector.
This course is aimed at learners who wish to pursue a career in the International Financial services sector or gain an eligible qualification for entry to the IFS Associate apprenticeship programme. On successful completion of the course the learner will have developed the core knowledge, skills and competencies required for entry roles in the financial services sector.
Successful graduates of the course, are also eligible to apply for many business-related, higher education programmes, through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS).
Financial Services
Funds Administration
Applied Economics
Accounting- Manual and Computerised
Statistics
Spreadsheet Methods
Communications
Work Experience
Disclaimer: The college reserves the right to make any alterations to any programme as might be required. Where there is insufficient enrolment a course may be cancelled.
5M2102 - Business Studies
Course Details
QQI Certificate in Business Studies (5M2102) – NFQ Level 5
Certification Awarding Body: QQI
Award Title: Certificate in Business Studies
Award Code: 5M2102
Level: 5 – Further Education & Training
Please note the above course descriptor is subject to change.
City of Dublin FET College Ballsbridge Campus
Shelbourne Road,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4,
Ireland D04 R201
e: info@ballsbridge.cdetb.ie
t: 01 668 4806