Business

The rapid economic growth in Ireland over the past 15 years has put Ireland on a platform as one of the most successful and highly technological economies in the world. The ‘Celtic Tiger’ continues to drive successful business and its economy is performing steadily while less fortunate competitors flounder in the current atmosphere of economic uncertainty.

The Dublin International Financial Services centre is the prime return-on-investment location within the EU for the financial services industry. Over a quarter of a million people are now employed in the financial services in Ireland and the need for more highly-qualified professionals in the areas of banking, financial services, business management and e-business continues to grow. A postgraduate qualification in a business discipline can be the key to unlocking diverse opportunities and career paths within the Irish business world.

Modern business postgraduate courses equip students with the creative and entrepreneurial skills necessary to deal with real-world situations. Irish colleges work in partnership with industry, commerce and the various professions to ensure that the courses reflect the needs of the Irish economy. Many postgraduate business programmes employ flexible learning, allowing students to continue to work and study part-time, through block release or through distance learning.

Entry Requirements

Most postgraduate courses in business disciplines require at least a second-class honours primary degree. An academic background in a business or related subject is useful, though it is not always necessary.

Graduates with a primary degree in a subject other than business often choose to take a postgraduate course in a business subject to enhance their CV. There are also plenty of opportunities for specialisation for those with an undergraduate business degree.

Students wishing to undertake a PhD in business must demonstrate their research experience and competency.

Courses Available

Postgraduate courses in business span a huge range of topics relevant to the modern workplace. Programmes can be very career-orientated such as accountancy courses or they can be more general. Some postgraduate business degrees include subjects from other disciplines such as IT or Education.

The areas of economics and corporate finance are very popular choices of postgraduate study – a good deal of specialisation is involved and options include everything from business economics to venture management and economic policy.

Business administration, entrepreneurship and management are important areas for postgraduate study. The MBA (Masters of Business Administration) is the pre-eminent course in this area. Other options include everything from business & entrepreneurship to leadership & management.

International management courses are another worthwhile option in our increasingly globalised economic reality. E-business and human resources management programmes are also increasingly popular.

The fields of advertising and marketing offer students plenty of postgraduate opportunities, while postgraduate tourism courses can combine practical business management skills with a foreign language and other specific tourism modules.

Research Areas

Business offers the potential postgraduate research student a wealth of opportunities, particularly in economics and management disciplines.

Many employers encourage their staff to undertake a postgraduate research course where the research topic or project work is closely linked to their own business.

The broad economics and financial services areas provide fertile ground for postgraduate research. Business strategy and management are also important areas for postgraduate research, with areas such as enterprise development and e-business being a sample of what is possible.

Advertising, marketing and public relations are also interesting disciplines for postgraduate research projects, while tourism and international business also offer up many potential research areas.

Career Paths

The real advantage of a postgraduate qualification in business is that it allows you to enter the career ladder at a higher rung. Starting salaries and responsibilities are usually higher for those who arrive armed with a masters or better.

Those with postgraduate qualifications in business-related subjects will be prepared for a wide range of career options. This is still a huge growth area in the Irish economy and the opportunities are still there and growing.

Many of the top business and financial services companies offer graduate training programmes. Often, the employer pays for the postgraduate tuition and in return the student agrees to work for a set time with that company. This arrangement provides benefits for both the employer and the student. Accountancy postgraduates in particular often benefit from this type of arrangement.