Overview
The Business Studies International degree is designed to create dynamic and resourceful business people in answer to the local and international skills gaps. You’ll study a range of business, language and cultural topics, and develop essential business skills in communication, information technology, teamwork, and problem solving—all vital for success in today's global business environment.
You’ll also acquire proficiency in the foreign language of your choice (French, German, Spanish, Chinese or Japanese) and spend a year studying in a country where your chosen language is spoken.
We’re particularly proud of the calibre of our international exchange partners who rank among the top academic institutions in their respective countries. Year abroad destinations include China, Japan, Spain, France, Germany and Austria.
The combination of business knowledge, language proficiency and cultural competence will make you stand out in the global workforce of today.
International Opportunities
The course not only allows you to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a career in business, it also offers you an exciting intercultural experience and the chance to master another language.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop vital business skills in areas such as communication, information technology, teamwork and problem solving.
When you return to us in final year, you’ll build on your specialist knowledge with a suite of subjects designed to make you truly work-ready for the international environment.
Final year students specialise in one of the following: Business Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing or Business Analytics.
DCU People
Everything is taught from the ground up, so there’s no requirement to have studied business subjects for your Leaving Cert, which is comforting to know.
Read more about Laura Foody
The programme is designed to create globally competent business leaders responding to the skills gaps highlighted both locally and internationally.
Read more about Dr Gary Sinclair
Careers & Further Options
Careers
The Business Studies International degree will develop your willingness to adapt to new environments, an ability to look at a project or situation from different perspectives, an understanding of diverse cultures and the confidence to take calculated risks.
Your combination of business experience, cultural awareness, language proficiency and international experience will be particularly attractive to employers. You’ll be able to choose from a host of paths, including:
DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.
Entry Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply: Minimum of O4 or H6 in Mathematics and minimum of H4 in a language other than English or Irish.
Students must choose a language option upon entry into the programme,
French or German or Spanish (Intermediate Level)
or
Chinese or Japanese (Beginners Level)
Students who choose French/German or Spanish must have a minimum of H4 in the language they wish to study.
Students who wish to study Chinese or Japanese will take the language at beginners level, however they must still meet the language requirement of a H4 in a language other than English or Irish.
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply: GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level C in a language other than English or Irish.
Please note, Students must choose a language option upon entry into the programme,
French or German or Spanish (Intermediate Level)
or
Chinese or Japanese (Beginners Level)
Students who choose French/German or Spanish must have a minimum of GCE A Level C in the language they wish to study.
Students who wish to study Chinese or Japanese will take the language at beginners level, however they must still meet the language requirement of a GCE- A Level C in a language other than English or Irish.
Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.
Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.
To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.
Mature entry is a competitive process. Applicants must demonstrate:
- a genuine interest in the programme(s) they are applying for
- academic experience and competency in their chosen field of study
- an ability to engage and succeed on the programme
All applicants must complete a statement of interest to be considered for the mature application route
For further guidance on completing your mature CAO application please click here
Additional Requirements
This programme requires evidence of competency in French, German or Spanish (to request admission to this programme for one of these languages) or any language other than English or Irish to study Japanese or Chinese. The requirement for the chosen language should equate to an Irish Leaving Certificate H4 in this subject. This requirement is essential for this programme. Applicants can show their strength in this through formal examinations e.g. school leaving examinations, QQI-FET, access programmes or other third level qualifications. If applicants do not have any relevant examinations, they may be able to meet the requirements through their work and life experience, applicants must give examples of this experience to demonstrate their competency in these areas in their personal statement. In this instance applicants may be requested to supply additional information or/and attend an interview to establish language proficiency
Applicants that have completed at least one year of study at NFQ Level 6, 7 or 8 at another institution may apply to continue their studies on a similar programme at DCU. There should be substantial overlap in content between the two programmes to be considered for a transfer. Results and other supporting documentation must be submitted to CAO by the closing date of 1st July. This is a competitive application process for a small quota of advanced entry places. Offers are made on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Early application is advised. Please note: Applicants should also consider applying through the appropriate route for first year entry to the programme they are interested in. This application process is only for advanced entry.
Additional Criteria
Students must have completed language modules in at least one of the language paths offered on the DCU Business Studies International.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above.
Please note, Students must choose a language option upon entry into the programme,
French or German or Spanish (Intermediate Level)
or
Chinese or Japanese (Beginners Level)
Students who choose French/German or Spanish must have a minimum of GCE A Level C (or equivalent) in the language they wish to study.
Students who wish to study Chinese or Japanese will take the language at beginners level, however they must still meet the language requirement of a GCE- A Level C (or equivalent) in a language other than English or Irish.
In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. Click here for further information on international applications.
Course Structure
- Management Accounting
- Microeconomics
- Global Business Environment
- Critical Thinking for Business
- Learning Innovation for Enterprise
- Business Analytics
- Marketing Language and Cultural Modules (French/ German/Spanish/Japanese/Chinese)
- Psychology in Organisations
- Operations Management
- Financial Management
- Industrial Economics
- Business Analytics
- The Innovators Toolkit
- Critical Thinking for Business
- The Changing Customer
- Financial Accounting
- Economics
- Language and Cultural Modules (French/ German/Spanish/ Japanese/Chinese)
Year Abroad in DCU’s partner universities in Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico or Spain
- Language and Cultural Modules (French/ German/Spanish/Japanese/Chinese)
- Choice of Specialism
Final-year students specialise in one of the following areas:
- Business Economics
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Management
- Marketing
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May
To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
Please provide
- Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.
All mature applicants apply through the CAO by 1st February. For further information and for special application procedures for mature students, please click here
Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 5th November to 1st July.
Please see Application Procedures or E-mail ugadmissions@dcu.ie.
Candidates required to apply through the CAO can apply online at www.cao.ie
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
What is the difference between Global Business and Business Studies International?
Here are the 5 main differences:
1. CAO Points Needed
One of the first things a CAO student will be concerned about! The points for each Global Business course are generally higher than for Business Studies International. The exact difference will of course vary each year.
2. Amount of time spent abroad
In Business Studies International you spend your first 2 years in DCU then your third year in a partner University. After your third year abroad you will return to DCU for your fourth year.
In Global Business you spend your first two years at DCU and then spend 3rd and 4th year abroad with your partner university in the country that speaks your chosen language.
3. Two Degrees
A big difference between International and Global is that with Global Business you receive two degrees, one from DCU and one from the college in your chosen country, whereas with International you will get a degree from DCU only.
This is one of the big plus points for Global Business. Having two degrees from two universities in two different countries will definitely help you stand out from the crowd when looking for a job after graduation!
4. Languages available
With Business Studies International you have the option of studying one of French, Spanish, German, Chinese or Japanese.
With Global Business there are three languages available. They are French, Spanish and German.
With Business Studies International you must study one of the five languages I’ve mentioned along with all of your business modules.
However with Global Business, if French, Spanish or German don’t do it for you then you can do Global Business USA or Canada where the study of a language is not compulsory.
5. Work Placements
Global Business students undertake two paid internships during their four year degree. There’s a four month internship in Ireland during 2nd year and then a 6 month internship in your 3rd year in the country you are studying in.
Having two work placements in two different countries gives you an advantage over graduates of other business courses nationwide.
Does DCU have partner universities around the world to go to?
Yes, see the full list of the universities you can travel to (depending on your course). For further specific information you should contact the course contact.
For the business courses how big are class sizes like and are there work placements?
There are some large lectures for common modules but these are supported by smaller weekly tutorial groups of approx. 30 people. There are work placements in our Business school.
What are some of the companies that students from the BSc multimedia have gone on to work for?
Some companies include: TV3, BBC, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Yahoo, Setanta Sport & independent production companies.
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