Business Certificate: Higher Certificate in Business Level 6

Reasons to take a Higher Certificate in Business Course?

• Earn a recognised credential now. Secure a business certificate acknowledging two years of degree-level study at NFQ Level 6 (120 ECTS).
• Keep your options open. Use the award to step into the workplace or return later to Stage 3 of the Level 7 degree when the time is right.
• Build core, work-ready skills. Gain foundations across management, marketing, accounting & finance, economics, ICT and business information systems.
• Flexible pathways. Recognition applies whether you progressed through full-time, part-time or evening study on the principal programme.

If you’re exploring shorter options or flexible timetables, see our Short Certificate Courses and Part-time Courses pages.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Stage 2, learners awarded the Higher Certificate in Business will be able to:

• Demonstrate specialised knowledge across key areas—management, regulation, ICT, and economics—and understand established business frameworks.
• Apply specialised skills to address well-defined business problems and contexts.
• Exercise sound judgement and take accountability for personal performance, while contributing to and supervising others.
• Set, pursue and evaluate learning goals, and recognise ethical, environmental and stakeholder perspectives in decision-making.

What to expect from our Higher Certificate in Business Programme

Stage 1 focuses on a smooth transition to higher education and the fundamentals of business. You’ll develop study strategies in Learn to Learn, build digital literacy in Computer Applications for Business, and explore core disciplines such as Introduction to Business & Management, Introduction to Accounting, Introduction to Marketing, Principles of Economics, Business Communications and Quantitative Methods. Learner induction and academic skills workshops (e.g., referencing) support your progress.

Stage 2 deepens your knowledge and applied skills through modules like Business Law, Digital Marketing, Sales Management, Talent Attraction, Development & Retention, Consumer Behaviour & Psychology, Business Information Systems, and Academic & Professional Skills. You’ll strengthen research, communication and problem-solving abilities that employers expect.

Higher Certificate in Business Course Outcomes

Graduates leave with a solid platform in business fundamentals and demonstrable capability to contribute in entry-level roles across operations, customer service, sales support, administration and junior marketing. Crucially, you retain a clear pathway to re-enter Stage 3 of the Level 7 Bachelor of Business when ready.

Career Opportunities & Progressions of our Higher Certificate in Business

The award signals to employers that you’ve completed two years of structured business study and developed the analytical, digital and communication skills to add value from day one. Typical roles include administrative assistant, sales coordinator, marketing assistant, customer operations or accounts support, with the option to progress your studies later to the full Bachelor’s degree (Stage 3). This flexibility benefits those balancing work with part-time or evening study routes.

Course Structure

• Award: Higher Certificate in Business (Exit-only), NFQ Level 6, 120 ECTS over two stages/four semesters.
• Delivery pathway: Recognition applies following completion of Stages 1 & 2 of the Bachelor of Business (Level 7), whether pursued full-time, part-time or via evening delivery (as available).
• Sample Stage 1 modules: Learn to Learn; Introduction to Business & Management; Introduction to Accounting; Introduction to Marketing; Principles of Economics; Business Communications; Computer Applications for Business; Quantitative Methods.
• Sample Stage 2 modules: Business Law; Digital Marketing; Sales Management; Talent Attraction, Development & Retention; Consumer Behaviour & Psychology; Business Information Systems; Academic & Professional Skills.

Entry Requirements

The Higher Certificate in Business is conferred only on learners who have successfully completed Stages 1 and 2 of the Bachelor of Business (Level 7) at Galway Business School. GBS does not recruit directly to this award.

Why Galway Business School

At GBS, you’ll benefit from small classes, an industry-aware curriculum and built-in academic supports such as learner induction, study-skills development and the Academic & Professional Skills module. 

You’ll also engage with contemporary modules—Digital Marketing, Sales Management, Business Information Systems, and Talent Attraction, Development & Retention—that mirror the skills employers in Ireland value. Whether progressing continuously or pausing with a higher certificate in business part-time or via evening routes on the principal programme, you’ll find a clear, flexible pathway that fits your goals.

Explore flexible study: browse our Short Certificate Courses and Part-time Courses, and talk to our team about timetables and progression options for business courses in Ireland and the certificate in business studies in Ireland that best match your plans.