Undergraduate Education - LIFE Module

The Learning Innovation for Enterprise (LIFE) module is a multi-award-winning enterprise education module taken by all first-year students in DCU Business School. Led by Dr Catherine Faherty, it is the largest undergraduate module for next-generation family business members in Ireland (~700 students). Within the module, students are introduced to the underlying dynamics, practices and tools which make up successful multi-generational family enterprises.


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LIFE Module

As part of their project, students apply the concepts learned in class and create documentary-style videos showcasing multi-generational family businesses in their area, and how they approach continuity.

An integral part of the module is the 'live case study series' wherein we invite national and international family businesses to DCU Business School to share their insights on leading and managing a multi-generational family firm.


Small Business Charter Awards

LIFE module shortlisted in the SBC Excellence Awards 

LIFE module shortlisted in the SBC Awards 

The LIFE module has been shortlisted in the Small Business Charter Excellence Awards as a finalist in the Outstanding Support for Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship category. Winners will be announced on June 22nd 2023. Read more about the awards here.


In 2022, the LIFE module was shortlisted for the “Most innovative approach to developing employability skills” in the Pearson HE Innovation Awards (one of six shortlisted out of 71). In 2020, it won the European Consortium of Innovative Universities Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. In 2020, it won the AACSB Innovations that Inspire Award.