Course Summary
This Higher Diploma in Business Studies (DBS) programme is designed to provide you as a non-business graduate with a well-rounded understanding of business.
It is a skills conversion graduate programme for individuals who hold a primary degree in another discipline (e.g., Arts, Engineering, Science) and would like to enter into business-related career or progress into a postgraduate business programme.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Normally a degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent). IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable.
Application Details
Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.
An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).
Next start date: September 2025
Fees
Fees: EU
€7,140 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€7,000 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€14,500 p.a. (€14,640 including levy) 2024/25
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Career Progression
Graduates get jobs in a diverse range of industries, such as marketing, financial services, information systems and human resources. Graduates have been employed by Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, HSE, Medtronic, AVIVA, Salesforce and Morgan McKinley. Every year a number of graduates pursue further postgraduate study at master’s level, such as the MSc Marketing Practice, MSc Information Systems Management, MSc International Management and MSc Human Resources Management.