Business and Irish

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Course Details

CAO Code	AU906
Level	8
Duration	3 Years
CAO Points	386 (2025)
Method of Delivery	On-campus
Campus Locations	Sligo St Angelas
Mode of Delivery	Full Time

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Course Overview

This three-year honours degree programme is a collaboration between ATU St Angelas and ATU Sligo. It covers the disciplines of Business and Irish simultaneously and equally. Students study the Business strand in English and the Irish strand as Gaeilge (in Irish). Opportunities occur to marry both subjects throughout the degree. Graduates of this programme have the knowledge, skills, and attributes to progress to careers or further study in various fields.

Business
The Business stream focuses on content which covers traditional business modules such as Organisational Behaviour, Marketing, and Business Law. However, the programme also covers innovative content such as Business Enterprise & Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation. While studying business subjects, students can put their in-class learning into practice. This degree ensures that class assignments are relevant to industry partners. Students can regularly work with industry experts on real-life projects.

Irish
Beidh an deis ag mic léinn na céime seo staidéar a dhéanamh ar mhodóil litríochta agus ar mhodóil a bhaineann le córsaí teanga, cruinnis agus aistrióchin. Students study both literature and language-focussed modules. These range from sociolinguistics, poetry, drama and regional literature to content on communication and presentation skills, translation studies, report writing and language accuracy.

Le linn an chórsa, déanfaidh mic léinn am a chaitheamh ar thaithí oibre i gcomhlachtaí Gaeltachta agus le heagraíochtaí Gaeilge. Freastalúidh siad ar chórsaí Gaeltachta freisin; cabhrúidh sé seo go múr lena gcumas agus lena gcruinneas teanga. The programme also supports students engaging in Gaeltacht-based and Irish-medium work placements and studying in Gaeltacht-based language courses. There are regular opportunities for students to develop cross-curricular and interdisciplinary skills through various modules and modes of assessment.

Beidh na modóil Ghaeilge ar fad dteagasc trí mhen na Gaeilge agus cuirfear clinicí teanga ar fil do mhic léinn ar bhonn rialta. Lecturers deliver content on the Irish stream of this programme in Irish.

Progression

Graduates may apply to progress to a Professional Master of Education (PME) to become secondary school teachers of Business and Irish. This degree aligns with the requirements of both subjects.

Graduates may apply to a range of level 9 and 10 programmes within Atlantic Technological University or other higher education institutions.

Graduates may pursue further education awards that complement both fields of study, such as a Masters by Research or taught postgraduate programmes in business, policy, equality, financial management, or translation. Graduates may also pursue Masters studies in Irish, such as the MA sa Nua-Ghaeilge, accredited translator status (EU/Brussels), or apply for Údarás na Gaeltachta paid work experience post-graduation.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirement	6 subjects at O6/H7 which must include: – 2 subjects at H5 – Maths at O6/H7 or Foundation Maths at F2 – English at O6/H7 – Irish at H5
QQI/FET Major Award Required	Any
Additional QQI/FET/ Requirements	Three Distinctions
GCE/ A-level/ GCSE Entry Requirement	6 distinct recognised GCSE/A-level subjects which must include: A-level in Irish at Grade C and 1 other A-level at Grade C and 4 other subjects at GCSE-level Grade C which must include: – Maths

Advanced Entry

Transfers into years two, three or four are welcome from those who have completed learning in a cognate area in another Higher-Level Institute (HEI).

Applications will open in early 2026.

Advanced Entry and Transfer Applicants

Fees

Total Fees EU: €3,000

This annual student contribution charge is subject to change by Government. Additional tuition fees may apply. Click on the link below for more information on fees, grants and scholarships.

Further information on fees

Professional Accreditation

This degree combines two disciplines to create unique graduates in high demand. It also comes with the added benefit of further study options in teaching, plus exciting professional accreditations.

Teaching
Successful graduates of this programme can apply to complete a Professional Master in Education (PME) in the subjects of Business and Irish. This degree aligns with the requirements of both subjects.

Microsoft Accreditation
Students on this programme can attain Microsoft Certifications, which are industry-recognised worldwide and differentiate graduates in the job market by giving them a competitive edge. Students become Digital Champions, acquiring Digital Badges that promote credentials and validate skills. These digital badges can be shared online, linked to live job markets, and verified in real time by employers.

Google Analytics Accreditation
Students complete a Google Analytics accredited course and have the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised Google Certification.

Careers

Graduates of this programme have the knowledge, skills, and attributes to progress to careers in various fields.

Employment opportunities exist in arts and culture, public sector organisations, ICT, financial services, and marketing. There are also a variety of roles in communication and media, where the Irish language is core. Did you know that the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 has targets whereby 20% of public sector employees will be proficient in Irish by 2030?

Graduates can also progress to a Professional Master of Education (PME) to become secondary school teachers of Business and Irish. This degree aligns with the requirements of both subjects.

Many SMEs who trade internationally use their heritage as one of their unique selling points. With 60% of the Irish workforce employed in SMEs, BA (Hons) in Business and Irish graduates support businesses as they scale up their enterprises and capitalise on this heritage.