Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Structure
  • Career Opportunities
  • Fees
  • Next Steps

H.Dip in PM

Overview

The Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management provides the practical knowledge and skills in the area of project management for learners who wish to upskill or reskill in this area to avail of future employment or further education opportunities. Learners on this graduate conversion programme will benefit from foundational knowledge and skills fundamental to project management in developing projects, understanding the planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure of projects as well as gaining applied skills in IT and the collaborative online tools available to support project management. The programme engenders an awareness of the importance of transferable and cross-enterprise skills and graduates will be able to apply these skills to a range of contexts.


Programme Objectives

The specific programme objectives are to:

  • Equip learners with an understanding of the theory and principles underlying the role and management of projects.

  • Advance learners with sufficient expertise in the core aspects of project management, and an awareness of key issues.

  • Enable learners to relate project management principles, concepts, and theories to a wide range of business and industry settings.

  • Ensure learners have a solid understanding of the main frameworks, methodologies, tools and techniques of project management.

  • Equip learners with an understanding of the various roles and functions of projects within the wider professional, social, economic and cultural environment.

  • Develop learners’ capacity to initiate, plan, implement, monitor, control and close projects and understand the importance of knowledge transfer and legacy management strategies.

  • Develop in learners a range of key interpersonal skills, characteristics and attitudes to learners to work professionally, individually and within a project team.

  • Cultivate in learners a range of key skills, personal qualities and attitudes essential to support progression to a career in business and project management or to further academic study.

Delivery

All learners are expected to attend in person in class.


Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management is aimed at learners with the following entry qualifications:

  • A Level 8 honours bachelor’s degree in a non-cognate area with a minimum pass classification.

  • A Level 7 ordinary bachelor’s degree in a cognate area (cognate areas include business, finance, management).

  • Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification and who have at least 3 years’ work experience may also be considered through the College’s normal RPL procedures.  Relevant professional experience will  be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience will be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.

  • Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught in English, must provide evidence of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.



 

Teaching and Assessment

The programme will be delivered in an innovative and flexible manner, consisting of lectures, workshops, group work, presentations, blended learning and guest speakers from industry and academia. The programme is aimed at learners who seek an underpinning in key project management theories and concepts as well as project management processes, tools, techniques and skills.

Learners will develop project acumen through formative and summative assessments, which capture the resilience and agility required of graduates in undertaking projects in contemporary and diverse environments. Assessment strategies include case studies, business reports, presentations, reflective journaling, IT simulations and practical lab exams.

 

 

 

Course Content

 

The Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management has the following content:

  • Creating an Environment for Successful Projects

  • Project Feasibility and Planning

  • Communication in Project Leadership and Team Development

  • Project Management IT Essentials

  • Project Execution

  • Project Monitoring, Control and Evaluation

  • Delivering Change and Innovation

  • Project Management Simulation


 

Teaching and Learning Strategy

All modules are delivered through blended learning. DBS offers fully-blended learning through a combination of the following modes:

  • Face to Face Classroom Tuition

  • Live Online (LOL) Tuition

  • On Demand Learning

Blended Learning allows for the most appropriate mode of delivery to be applied to different parts of the syllabus. Blended Learning Programmes on average are split out to 40% Face to Face Classroom Tuition, 30% Live Online and 30% On Demand Learning but this does vary.

This programme is blended. This means you may have some face-to-face, on campus classroom delivery, live online and on demand content. The face-to-face, on campus classroom delivery will be shown on your timetable. In addition, some classes are delivered as on demand content which means you may have videos and learning materials to engage with alongside your timetable. Please consult your Module and Assessment Guide and Moodle page for information, once the term has commenced.

Structure

The programme will be delivered across two semesters comprised of twelve weeks each across twelve months. In the part-time mode, the schedule consists of three semesters of twelve weeks across eighteen months.

Semester one comprises a broad overview of project management generally with an overview of the project management lifecycle and an introduction to key frameworks, methodologies, project initiation, feasibility and planning.

Semester two builds on this by covering more advanced modules on project management tools and techniques, collaborative online software and delivering change and innovation. Finally, learners can synthesise their learning in applied skills in a capstone summative assessment - a Project Management Simulation.

Career Opportunities

On completion of this programme, learners will have the competencies to make them suited to a broad range of career and professional development options and progress on the path towards becoming a successful project manager in a wide variety of contexts.

Graduates have the potential to work across numerous industries, for example: ICT, education, banking, finance, engineering and construction and many more. 

Some of the roles include:

  • Project Manager

  • Junior Project Manager

  • Associate Project Manager

  • Assistant Project Manager

  • Digital Project Manager

  • Project Coordinator

  • Project Administrator

  • Programme Manager


 

Fees

The course fees for the next academic year are €6,995. This covers the cost of tuition, registration and examinations.

Click here to view international fees.  

Click here to view EU fees.

You can also contact our admissions team who would be happy to discuss the options available for you.

Please note also that there is tax relief for Irish income tax payers at the standard rate of 20% on all fees exceeding €1,000 and up to €7,000. 

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration offered by Dublin Business School (DBS) are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) (b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby in the event that DBS ceases to provide the programme, for any reason, after learners have started on that programme, Kaplan Inc., as guarantor, will refund the moneys most recently paid by or for the learner.   More details are included in the terms and conditions of learner admission to DBS (https://www.dbs.ie/terms-and-conditions) and on programme handbooks provided at induction.

Improve your employability

All of our postgraduate courses offer strong links with industry and the professional world and often carry accreditation from professional bodies. By choosing to study at postgraduate level, not only do you gain valuable skills and experience but you also demonstrate your determination to succeed in a chosen career. Far from being a postponement to employment, postgraduate study can help you progress further and faster in your chosen career. And, if you're not certain what direction you would like your future to take, further study can provide a secure and structured space to help you find out through exploring your strengths and interests. 

Gain skills for success

During your undergraduate degree you will have developed a strong foundation of transferable skills. Postgraduate study will build on this base, giving you the opportunity to put these highly valuable skills in to practice. You will also gain invaluable practical working examples that you can go on to use at interview to set you apart from other candidates.

Visit Us

 

Open days are a great way to help you make your decision about DBS and learn more about the Higher Diploma in Business. As well as experiencing our outstanding facilities, you'll have the opportunity to receive personalised advice from academics from your subject area, meet current postgraduate students and also have your questions answered on general subjects such as entry requirements, student support and the admissions process

 

EU Applicants

Applicants should complete the appropriate application form and return it to the Postgraduate Admissions Office along with the following documentation:

  • Academic Transcripts (Original & Official English Translation where issued in another language). Applicants who have previously attended DBS need not provide this documentation. 

  • Proof of Identification (Birth Certificate, Drivers Licence or Passport)  

  • Proof of English (i.e. IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent) where full time study has been conducted in a language other than English or applicants whose first language is not English.

Please see programme content for any course-specific additional application procedures.

In addition to the above, in the instance of Non-EU applicants who have residency in Ireland:

  • A copy of your GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) Card, Work permit (if applicable) & Passport.

  • The letter that was issued to you by the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform stating why you were provided with the above documentation 

International Students/ Non EU Applicants

Applicants should complete the appropriate application form and return it to the Postgraduate Admissions Office along with the following documentation: 

  • Academic documents

  • Academic transcripts

  • Proof of English (i.e. IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent)

  • A Curriculum Vitae 

  • A copy of your passport  

Please note that copies of all documentation must be submitted, and that it must be translated into English where issued in another language. Please do not send original documents as these will not be returned.

Dublin Business School has a number of overseas offices and representatives worldwide. Please contact us if you wish to receive further details on your closest DBS representative.

Categories:
  • Postgraduate Programmes
  • International
  • Full-Time
  • Business & Management
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Course overview

Awarding Body: Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
Awarding Body | QQI

Award: Higher Diploma in Business in Project Management
NFQ Level: Level 8
Award Type: Major
Duration:
Full-time: 1 Year
Part-time: 2 Years
Next Intake: September 2025

Contact Us

We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2025. Contact our admissions team for more information

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 417 7500
Opening times:
Monday to Friday
8:45am to 5:15pm