The Irish Centre for Business Excellence (ICBE) has partnered with the University of Limerick (UL) to deliver Ireland’s first apprenticeship at level 9 (MSc): The Master of Science in Strategic Quality Management – Lean Sigma Systems. This programme is run in conjunction with our industry partners.

This Executive Apprenticeship will give you a Master Black Belt level knowledge of theories, methods and improvement techniques based around the philosophy of scientific management, lean thinking and six sigma. This masters programme will prepare the Lean Sigma Manager to apply lean sigma methods in the definition, design, research, development, utilisation, maintenance and cost-control of processes and equipment to deliver products/services, improve qualities and reduce costs of such processes and products/services.

There is a strong focus on integrating the application of the concepts, tools and techniques in the participants’ organisation during the course of the programme. There is significant directed project work applying the lean sigma concepts, which meets the knowledge development, aim of a masters level programme and develop participants’ skills in the field of lean sigma management.

This course is designed to prepare students for front-line receptionist duties with a particular emphasis on a Legal environment. This course not only equips the learner with the administrative and IT skills needed to work in a modern office but also develops transversal skills which are sought after by employers today. In addition, the Legal Practice and Procedures module provides the learner with an overview of the Irish legal system and provides the learner with the language, skills and knowledge to work in a legal environment.

This course delivers excellent results. Learners gain the essential skills required to work in administration in a legal, medical, or business setting.

Students who have completed this highly popular course have gone on to work in legal firms, the courts service, private and public hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, community health centres and in the general area of business administration working as executive secretaries/pa assistants. We also have an industry partnership with the Mater Private Hospital and St Vincent’s Private Hospital which has resulted in full-time contracts being offered to some recent graduates following work placement.

The study of law provides students with an education that is relevant to a wide range of employment opportunities because law regulates all aspects of life. Legal studies are not just for students who want to become solicitors or barristers.

Knowledge of the law and the legal system is important for people in many walks of life. Many professionals need to understand what the legal system is, how it works and how it assists people in asserting their rights. Legal Studies provides the professional and scholarly skills necessary for a general understanding of the law as well as for law-related careers, public service or further graduate level study.

This course aims to provide learners with skills and knowledge which will prepare them for employment in Business, IT or Legal environments or progression to a wide range of further or higher education courses.

This course is ideal if you wish to pursue a career in the legal profession. You will gain detailed insight into the Irish Legal System and the role of law within today’s society.

You will learn about court processes, the legal profession, legislation, law reform and the European Union. The course also couples this study with practical administration skills to give you a great foundation for future careers. You learn about the rights and responsibilities that affect our everyday lives and you will develop skills which will prepare you for studying at Higher Education and for your chosen career.

This program provides a comprehensive foundation in the core principles of Irish law, designed for individuals aspiring to legal careers or administrative roles within the legal sector. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, equipping students with the essential legal literacy and procedural knowledge required for further academic study or professional placement in legal offices and government agencies.

The Legal Studies and Criminology course will be of interest to those who would like to focus on the study of criminal law and criminology and progress to study criminology at degree level in university.

Criminology includes the study of causes of crime, deviance, combatting crime, the prison service, policing, the probation service and theories of criminology. The course also covers the study of business law and legal practice.The course also allows students to progress to the traditional law degree routes at university as well.

This program delivers a comprehensive, highly adaptable training track engineered to prepare students for executive administration and secretarial roles across diverse corporate, legal, and institutional landscapes. The curriculum balances foundational administrative frameworks with customizable elective paths, allowing learners to specialize as executive personal assistants or transition smoothly into niche sectors including legal practices, medical facilities, financial banking institutions, insurance companies, or the fast-paced social media industry. Students develop advanced, industry-standard IT proficiencies and core organizational competencies by mastering practical modules in text production, word processing, spreadsheets, and database methods alongside specialized modules in Irish legal practices and procedures.

The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship will provide successful apprentices with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Hairdressing. This is the only recognised national qualification for fully qualified hairdressers in Ireland. The earn-as-you-learn model ensures that you are paid a weekly apprentice rate by your employer throughout your apprenticeship. Plus, our apprenticeship programme is designed to ensure that you receive training both on and off the job which is formally regulated and of a national standard.

The duration of the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship will be over 3 years with training consisting of 80% full time employment and 20% off the job training with Sallynoggin College of Further Education on a day release.

The BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts (a level-8, QQI-accredited, award) provides an intellectually stimulating and challenging course of undergraduate study in the liberal arts, with a wide range of foundation courses combined in the latter stages with specialised study in four concentrations.

In the third year students are required to major in one of four concentrations: Irish Studies, American Studies, History, or English. In this way the study programme broadens the students’ knowledge and advances their communication skills in a wide range of intellectual areas, and provides them with an understanding of other cultures, their intrinsic values and historical experience.

This course aims to provide opportunities for students to gain access to Arts, Social Science & Humanities degree programmes at Universities and I.T.'s. It will provide a second chance for many students who aspire to Third Level. The course will give students a foundation in writing and research skills as well as introduce them to a wide range of academic subjects in the Arts and Social Sciences in a friendly and supportive environment led by highly experienced teachers.

The course also incorporates research into suitable avenues of progression for those wishing to continue their studies upon successful completion.

Liberal Arts combines skills and knowledge from several disciplines – it provides a broad scope of study rather than a narrow focus and this allows students to gain learning experience in a wide range of subject matter. Liberal Arts is about giving students choice and flexibility while providing a variety of essential skills that will benefit their progression on to university and ultimately their chosen career.

The Liberal Arts programme will teach you to read closely, communicate clearly, and think creatively—skills that the world increasingly needs.

The Liberal Arts programme is structured around a core of interdisciplinary modules at each level of study. Through these you will develop key academic skills in research, analysis and communication, alongside skills crucial to future employability in group work, project management, problem-solving and the use of key technologies. Within these modules you'll engage with students from a range of discipline backgrounds. Characteristically, you'll engage in problem-based learning using real-world case studies and challenges. You'll have the opportunity too for work-based learning, working with partner organisations and projects.