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Higher Certificate in Business
Course code: WD003


Course Description

The term ‘Business Studies’ represents a wide range of business-related subjects including Accounting, Economics, Management, Marketing and Human Resource Management. A course in Business Studies provides you with the essential skills and practical knowledge required to facilitate success in any business situation.
The Higher Certificate in Business is a flexible two year course culminating in a widely recognised and highly regarded qualification. On successful completion of this programme you will have gained relevant business skills that you can apply and will have deepened your understanding of how business operates.

Special Features

  • The applied nature of the teaching affords you the opportunity to put your learning into practice. This is done through the use of case studies from real businesses and through the examination of real business problems.
  • The HCBS offers students great follow-on study options across all programmes in our School of Business.
  • You will have a recognised qualification after two years.  You can pursue follow-on study or take time out before returning to college.
  • The HCBS is the School’s longest running programme and has a proven track record.  The programme has a big cohort of past students pursuing successful careers in banking, finance, academia, marketing and retail.
  • The Business Learning and Practice module in first year is specifically designed to assist your transition to college life.
  • Completion of the HCBS entitles students to the following professional body exemptions:
    • Examinations F1, F2, and F3 of the professional examinations of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
    • Examinations C01 to C05 inclusive of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Career and Further Study Opportunities

Graduates will find that the Higher Certificate in Business provides outstanding opportunities at entry level for professional roles in business as well as allowing entry into all degree programmes in the School of Business at WIT and in many other colleges.

    Course Outline

    Year 1
    Semester 1 Semester 2
    ▪ Business Learning & Practice 
    ▪ Management  
    ▪ Introduction to Microeconomics 
    ▪ Fundamentals of Accounting
    ▪ Applied  ICT (information Technology) Skills 1
    ▪ Professional Written Communications
    ▪ Mathematics
    ▪ Professional Oral Communications
    ▪ Introduction to Organisational Behaviour
    ▪ Introduction to Macroeconomics 
    ▪ Fundamentals of Marketing
    ▪ Accounts Analysis 
    Year 2
    Semester 1 Semester 2
    ▪ Statistics 
    ▪ Managing Human Resources 1 
    ▪ Law 1
    ▪ Management Accounting 1
    ▪ Microeconomics for Business
    ▪ Enterprise Skills
    ▪ Marketing Mix Decisions 
    ▪ Managing Human Resources 2 
    ▪ Law 2
    ▪ Management Accounting 2
    ▪ Macroeconomics for Business
    ▪ Applied ICT Skills 2 

    Course Facts

    Course Title: Higher Certificate in Business
    Course Code: WD003
    Course Level: 6
    Duration: 2 years

    Course Entry

    Leaving Certificate

    • Total number of different subjects at grade D or better: 5

    Required Subjects

    • English/Irish OD3/HD3
    • Mathematics: OD3/HD3

    For further information:  

    Course Leader: Mr Pat Ryan, BA (Mod), M Econ Sc
    Ph: 051 845629. Email: patryan@wit.ie

    Recent Entry Points

    Year20062007200820092010
    Minimum Points230270240 230 210

    But don't just take our word...

    But don't just take our word...



    Dr. Pat Lynch, who graduated from HCBS in 1992; worked in industry for a number of years; returned to college: completed his PhD in 2006; and currently lectures in the WIT School of Business.

    “I recall with great fondness my HCBS days. Indeed, my time as an undergrad with WIT was, without doubt, a brilliant experience both from a social and academic perspective. I learnt so much. The practically and relevance of the course material meant that when I went out into the workforce I could apply what I had learnt in a real setting. The support and encouragement I got from my lecturers was unbelievable. They really want you to succeed and take an active interest in your career”. 

    See also