Undergraduate programmes in Galway, Ireland

Undergraduate programmes

Are you thinking of taking on an undergraduate degree?

We know what a big step it can be and the exciting possibilities it can lead to, so we’ll help you every step of the way.

Everyone’s situation is unique and whether the reason is financial or personal fulfilment, returning to or starting a degree requires strong commitment. In many fields, attaining an undergraduate degree is now considered a necessity for many jobs. 

What is an undergraduate degree?

An undergraduate, or bachelor’s degree, is the entry level of degree study at a college or university. There are usually two types – a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) – depending on your degree type. Learners pursuing an undergraduate degree are usually referred to as undergraduates or simply undergrads.

Undergraduate degrees are much more common than graduate degrees (master’s/post-graduate) and are usually either three or four years in duration.

At Galway Business School you can choose between the following undergraduate programmes:

Bachelor of Business (Level 7)

Bachelor of Business (Honours) with International Business (Level 8)

Bachelor of Arts in Enterprise Management (Level 8)

What are the professional benefits of an undergraduate degree?

Increased opportunities

Having an undergraduate degree opens up rewarding opportunities and greatly increases your chances of getting the job you want.

Being a graduate from one of Galway Business School’s undergraduate business programmes enables you to qualify for these additional opportunities and offers you more flexibility in where you choose to work.

Pursuing an undergraduate degree in Ireland also expands your access to opportunities by connecting you to a lifelong network of colleagues, advisors, lecturers, and mentors. Over the course of your career, this network can open doors and connect you to industry leaders you can share ideas and explore new ventures with.

Skills attainment

According to recent research by LinkedIn, companies look for soft and hard skills in their future employees.

Soft skills such as creativity, collaboration and time management are highly valued by companies. Our undergraduate business programmes are explicitly geared towards attaining these soft skills – you’ll be encouraged to engage in teamwork and think critically about complex subjects.

Regarding hard skills, areas such as cloud computing, analytical reasoning, social media marketing, business analysis and digital marketing are highly sought after. Here at Galway Business School, our undergraduate degree programmes are tailored towards your development in these areas.

Personal growth and improved self-esteem

There’s more to an undergraduate degree than the certificate you receive. Many students have found the experience to be deeply and personally rewarding.

In addition to gaining skills like writing, time-management, and working on a team, there are opportunities to polish presentation skills and interact with lecturers and students who will, later on, become part of your valuable career network.

Earning a degree is empowering. It boosts confidence and provides a sense of achievement. The pursuit of higher education also equips you to master complex challenges and overcome adversity, contributing to increased happiness and reduced stress. College graduates are also more likely to be involved in their communities. Compared to non-degree holders, they’re more likely to vote, volunteer, donate to charities, join community organisations, and participate in educational activities with their children.

How do qualifications in Ireland work?

Degrees in Ireland are awarded by either individual universities or Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a system of 10 levels, which allows the different standards and levels of qualifications to be compared so students are recognised for the level they reach.

Undergraduate degrees are also known as bachelor degrees and follow on from the advanced and higher certificates. They correspond to levels 7 and 8. After an undergraduate degree the next level is a master’s degree and then finally a doctoral degree.

Why choose to study your undergraduate degree in Ireland?

Renowned for its friendliness, our safe and English-speaking country offers the warmest of welcomes to students from all over the world. You will study in one of the best education systems in the world.

Irish graduates enter the job market prepared and with a solid worldwide reputation for high quality education. The job marketplace in Ireland is very strong and many employers are planning to increase or retain their levels of graduate recruitment.

In Galway, there are many multinationals looking to employ fresh graduates and help them build their career with them. Anyone that has sales, business or IT skills, and particularly if they speak a foreign language, can take their pick of jobs.

If you can match business acumen with data analytics and a foreign language, you would be perfect for a company looking to project abroad – especially in EU markets.

Graduates of Galway Business School have access to opportunities in various sectors of employment across Ireland and the world, from marketing and sales to retail and finance. 

How to apply

There are a number of routes to gain entry to Galway Business School’s undergraduate programmes. 

If you’re a recent school graduate, apply through the Central Application Office (CAO). The CAO has two lists – one is for level 8 courses and the other is for level 7/6. If you’re a CAO applicant the courses you’re applying for are levels 6, 7 and 8. 

Further progression routes

Students following our undergraduate programmes have the option of progressing their studies further by joining at a master’s level in Irish universities or other international universities. Graduates from these programmes have successfully completed master’s and postgraduate studies in Ireland, the UK, EU and other top international universities.

Visa students

All non-EEA students must enrol in a full-time course to satisfy their visa requirements. You may need a visa to come to Ireland if you’re a non-EU/EEA & non-Swiss national. For visa requirements please check the INIS website.