Subject Group: Business
These subjects teach the skills and knowledge needed to understand how business works.
This is a practical and vocationally-oriented course that introduces students to the world of Business in a straightforward and logical way. It aims to create an awareness of the importance of Business activity and to develop a positive and ethical attitude towards it. The importance of people in Business is highlighted. The course sets out to illustrate the process of setting up a business and developing a new product or service. It emphasises the importance of good management and deals with skills and activities necessary for good management practice. It also deals with the impact of technology, foreign trade, global firms and competition and with business structures and the national economy
Third Level Entry Requirements This subject is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system.
Subject Content
This subject is concerned with understanding the environment in which business operates in Ireland and in the wider world. It also involves equipping the students with a positive view of enterprise and its applications in the business environment, in both the public and private sectors.
There are 7 core units covering the following topics: Introduction to people in business; Enterprise; Managing 1 & 2; Business in action; Domestic Environment and International Environment.
There is a common syllabus covering Higher and Ordinary level, which will fulfill the aims and objectives of the course.
A flexibility of design that caters for present day Irish business education and yet is capable of adaptation to future developments in a structured and efficient way.
It assists students to develop their education for adult and working life including the creation of positive attitudes towards self-employment.
From time to time there may be field trips or guest speakers where the course allows. These are not a compulsory part of the course and are organized at the teachers’ discretion.
Exam Structure - Higher & Ordinary Level
Higher Level – 3 hour paper (400 marks); 3 sections.
Section 1 – Short questions (8/10) 80 marks. Section 2 – Applied Business Question – 80 marks (compulsory). Section 3 – Long Questions (60 marks per question (4/7))
Ordinary Level – 2.5 hour paper (400 marks); 2 sections. Section 1 – Short Question (10/15) 100 marks. Section 2 – Long Questions (75 marks per question (4/8)).
Comments
The subject is suited to students who are willing to work hard and caters for all abilities.
It is not necessary for students to have studied Junior Certificate Business Studies, but this would be a help.
The course content is factual and requires a lot of learning, containing only a few mathematical elements.
Ideally, students would have an interest in business and current affairs and would have an up to date knowledge of economic environment.
An organized and consistent attitude to homework and study would be essential in this subject.
Data Sources: The information on these pages has been compiled from a variety of sources including the NCCA, Newbridge College / Brian Howard, Dept. of Education & Skills, and student interviews. Information in the 'People who took this subject' section reflects the views of those people interviewed on this website and is offered as informal and potentially useful information only.
While CareersPortal.ie attempts to keep this information as up to date and accurate as possible, we do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of this information or decisions made on the basis of this information. Students should always discuss subject options with parents / guardians / guidance counsellors..
In school we had to choose our Leaving Cert subjects just before the Junior Cert. At this stage I had no idea what I wanted to do as a profession but I knew I wanted to go to College.
In order to keep my options open I chose a mix of subjects to include one language, one science subject and one business subject. In addition to the obligatory English, Irish & Maths I therefore studied French, Biology, Geography & Accounting. I chose these particular subjects as I had an interest in them at Junior Cert level.
I suppose Biology was the most relevant of my subjects when I started college as there was some overlap with Anatomy and Physiology. We also studied research and statistics in college which were Maths related.
My Leaving Cert subjects were Irish, English, Maths, French, Chemistry, Biology and Business Organisation. My main interest was science so I chose two science subjects and one business related subject to keep things interesting.
My subjects were appropriate for my University course except I was required to take Physics in the first year. This was quite challenging not having taken Physics to Leaving Cert but not impossible. I don't think I would do anything differently if I had to repeat the process.
For my Leaving Cert. I took Maths - higher, Applied Maths - higher, Physics - higher, Chemistry - higher, Music - higher, English - higher, German - higher, Irish - ordinary As you can see my abilities and interests were more in the maths+science sphere than anything else.
I was very lucky that at the time Mt. Temple had very capable maths+science teachers, which certainly made things easier for me. To be honest, in school I didn't really think about 3rd level or careers or anything until I was in 6th year (by which stage I'd already picked my subjects). I just picked the subjects I enjoyed and felt I had a natural knack for.
For the career I'm in now I don't think I could have picked better school subjects. It might have helped me to know a bit more about business-related subjects, but I had no interest in accountancy or commerce at the time.
I am considering taking an evening course in the legal+financial aspects to running a business to make up for this. However, as a teenager I think I was better off studying subjects that I had a genuine interest in, otherwise I would have found it very hard to motivate myself to study.
I knew by the time I started studying for the Leaving Cert, that I did not want to work in an area related to the Sciences so accordingly, I did not take up any of the science subjects.
I focused on languages, business and history as I had a good idea that I would eventually study and subsequently work in one of these areas, they being the subjects I was most interested in at school.
I proceeded to study history and politics at college. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do after, but enjoyed reading and learning about these subjects, and had a desire to work in a related area, if possible.
Personally, I have no regrets with my study choices. I enjoyed studying them, which I think is a vital factor, and I think they helped me entering the Civil Service, and continue to do so in terms of the fact that I have some understanding of the mechanics of the governmental and public system, even if it is often quite theoretical!
In hindsight, I am happy to say I wouldn't have done anything differently to date! In my Junior Cert I did 9 subjects ; Maths, Irish, English, History, Geography, Science, Business Studies, French and Tech Graphics. I liked Languages and history the least. I won't lie, Maths, Geography, and Tech Graphics were the ones I enjoyed the most.
When I was choosing for my leaving Cert I still hadn't decided what I would do when I was finished. I was thinking of Engineering, Teaching or Physiotherapy. I wanted to leave my options open. To do physio you need a language (to get in to UCD) and 2 science subjects. I decided to do Maths, Irish, English, French, Geography, Physics and Chemistry for my leaving. That left all the options open.
I was good at Business Studies, but after looking at courses in college, I discovered you don't usually need a business subject to get into a business course. This is not the case for Science based courses. In 6th year I took up Applied Maths. Since I was doing Physics and Maths I had a good background for the subject. Twenty classes and just homework, and I got an honour. If anyone was to ask me if they should do it, if you like maths, its a great subject!
I completed my leaving certificate back 1990. I received a modest 6 honours and 2 passes. None of the subjects I studied in school had any bearing on my career choice and probably did not affect my development in the Gardaí. But they enforced the idea that I didn't want a conventional job in something like business or science.
I graduated from Templemore with a Diploma in Policing Studies and a Certificate in French Studies, which is very handy when a French tourist asks for directions! Although I enjoyed my school subjects, (I had a real passion for English, poetry and Shakespeare), none of them applied to criminal law. I expect there probably are no legal subjects still, and students have to attend college to learn about the law. I couldn't wait though, and started in Templemore less than 2 years after I left school.
I took a very broad range of Finance-related subjects in school- micro and macro economics, business math, financial planning, statistics, business law, accounting, etc.
To be honest, aside from getting my foot in the door, the subjects I took in college only gave me a very basic overview of the industry. Everything I have learned has been hands-on experience.
It is highly recommended to take the Intro to Funds Certificate, if interested in pursuing a career in Funds. The Institute of Bankers offer additional courses which most companies would encourage employees to take, and which they would compensate them for doing.
During my studies at University I focused on financial orientated courses such as:
Money & Banking,
International Finance,
Corporate Finance,
Accounting (financial and management)
International Accounting,
Business Statistics,
Spreadsheet Applications,
as well as Philosophy, Psychology, Ethics, Negotiations and Art.
From my current perspective, now I understand that taking additional humanistic courses allowed me to widen my horizons. After all, it's not all about finance!
Agricultural Science - I really enjoyed it and it gave me a good understanding of the basics in agriculture. Technical Drawing and Construction Studies - I enjoyed the hands on building as well as the planning and design aspect which has assisted me in planning and building my farm yard from the parlour, sheds, workshops and even my new house.
If I could go back in time I think I would of taken Business Studies to give me a better grasp of the financial aspects that are involve in my farming business.
Subjects I look were Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Business Studies and German for my Leaving Cert. All of which I have used since and believe it or not business aspects including accounting are an integral part of engineering
I would say that Physics and Applied Maths would have come in very useful as it was tough entering an Engineering Degree without having either of these.
