Overview
The Higher Diploma in Business is a one-year full-time (two academic semesters) or eighteen-month (three academic semesters) part-time programme with 12 taught modules (60 ECTS). All modules are mandatory and equal 5 ECTS.
The programme is designed as a conversion course for graduates of a Level 8 non-cognate degree who aspire to enter the business world and to enter a management role. Graduates will be eligible for general management roles or management roles within a specific subfield of business complimenting their previous experience and learning.
The programme is designed with an interdisciplinary focus reflective of the opportunities and challenges as well as the changing needs of today’s business environment. Modules on the programme range from Management and Organisational Behaviour, Marketing, Business ICT, Legal Issues for Business, Economics, Human Capital Management, Business Finance, Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise, and a capstone Business Strategy to the newly added Operations Management, Supply Chain Management and Business Sustainability. Modules comprise of formative and summative assessments as well as group work and presentations.
The programme is aimed at both domestic and international learners who seek an underpinning in key business theories, concepts as well as business processes, strategies and skills. The programme ensures learners acquire an integrated, balanced, and dynamic business education enabling the development of business knowledge, including previously acquired knowledge and experience. The programme engenders an awareness of the importance of transferable and cross-enterprise skills required of competitive organisations and which stimulate sustainable and diverse careers in business.
The Higher Diploma in Business also permits entry to further Higher Education Institutions or to a number of Level 9 Business programmes such as the MSc Management Practice, MSc Marketing, MSc in Supply Chain Management and Master of Business Administration.
Aims and Objectives
The objectives of the Higher Diploma in Business programme are:
The proposed Higher Diploma in Business has been developed pursuant to the Business Award Standards and the programme aims to provide learners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to critically analyse, evaluate and implement academic theories and concepts and practical skills in order to generate valuable business insights. These insights will inform strategic business decisions designed to increase productivity, profitability and an organisation’s value and market share.
As such, learners on this proposed programme will develop comprehensive knowledge of business principles of the core and subfields of business in order to operate as informed and skilled individual in this field.
The Business Award Standards are the most appropriate guiding standards as the programme aims, objectives and minimum intended learning outcomes were developed with reference to the QQI Business Award Standards and the level determined at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
The specific programme objectives are as follows:
1. Equip learners with an understanding of the theory and principles underlying business function(s) and administration.
2. Advance in learners an appropriate expertise in the major aspects of business, and an awareness of core disciplines.
3. Develop a range of key interpersonal skills, characteristics and attitudes to learners to work professionally, individually and in a team.
4. Cultivate in learners a range of key skills, personal qualities and attitudes essential to support progression to a career in business or to further academic study.
5. Develop a learner capacity to organise diverse information, arguments, and conclusions and present them in a clear coherent way.
6. Relate business principles, concepts and theories and frameworks to a wide range of business and industry settings.
7. Correlate the various functions of business and demonstrate this awareness by producing a multi-faceted and innovative business strategy.
8. Enable learners to apply their learning through in their professional lives reflecting their professional and personal development.
These objectives demonstrate how the types of outcome required by the Award Standard for Business (knowledge-breadth, knowledge-kind, know-how and skill range, know-how and selectivity, competence-context, competence-role, competence-learning to learn and competence-insight) are addressed by the programme which combines the pedagogical depth of disciplines such as Marketing, Management and Organisational Behaviour, Business Finance, Operations Management, Legal Issues for Business, Economics and Business Strategy with knowledge of the frameworks in which they operate.
The modules illustrate the investigative nature of the Level 8 programme highlighting the deep and systematic understanding in the areas of problem solving, analysis of business opportunities and challenges and research further sustainability and promoting the growth of an organisation within the business environment.
Delivery
Learners are taught in a hybrid delivery with in-person and live online formats. Classes are designed so as to allow learners to interact, to encourage a collaborative environment for the class itself and to afford learners the opportunity to liaise with lecturers in a classroom environment to support them in their project development. Experienced faculty, in terms of learner engagement, are proactive in ensuring that learners are cognisant of the requirement to engage in debates, and discussions and in providing updates on assessment progression, with online or in-classroom sessions.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Business are:
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A Level 8 primary honours bachelor degree award of at least pass level in a non-cognate discipline from a recognised third-level institution qualification.
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For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught in English must provide evidence of proficiency in the 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.
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Equivalence of overseas awards will be assessed via the NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications Database.
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The recognition and evaluation of experiential learning (RPL) will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In such instances, an interview of the candidate may be required. Applicants will be required to complete the application form and provide written evidence as to their application for acceptance to the programme with prior experiential learning. The DBS Quality Assurance Handbook details the exact procedure for evaluating such applications.
Student Testimonial
"I was looking for a postgrad in Dublin, that wasn’t as specialized as a masters and I found a course in DBS. I didn’t do business as my undergrad so I wanted to choose a post grad that gave me a taste of what the business world had to offer.
I liked the small classes, it gave me the opportunity to get to know everyone. I felt that my lecturers were fantastic and they really encouraged me and gave me good feedback, which allowed me to excel in the course.
Before I began the course, I felt quite lost, not knowing what I wanted to do, whereas now I have more of an idea in the direction I want to go with my career. I’m hoping to either be working in a marketing firm or set up my own business. Having finished my course, I feel a lot more confident in myself. When I go to interviews, I feel like the employer can see I have the knowledge to back everything up that I’m saying.”
Laoise Grennan
Higher Diploma in Business
