Business/Commerce (Degree/Diploma)

Commerce Online (Degree)

Expand all

Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Further Education
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

Course Overview

This course gives you maximum flexibility to study anytime, anywhere to achieve a Bachelor Degree in Commerce. This part time Bachelor of Commerce is a four-year course in business education, delivered mostly online. The course will help students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to new business methods and contexts throughout their working life. Graduates will have a sound knowledge of the fundamentals of business and management and will have an opportunity to gain a more comprehensive grounding in specialist areas such as marketing, business analytics, innovation, entrepreneurship and E-Business.

Mode of Study: Online Learning*

*While this course is delivered fully online, students are required to attend campus for accountancy examinations. Students domiciled overseas should contact the Course Administrator regarding exam arrangements in advance of applying for the course.

Next Level Skillnet Logo

This course has been approved by Next Level Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 40% for students whose company is a member of their network. For more information, contact:
Next Level Skillnet – Sue Davies at: sue@nextlevel.ie

Applications and Selections

Applications open from 1st April 2024.

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Applications System. This course is listed under Adult Learning Undergraduate\Postgraduate, CPD, Micro-credentials & Summer School Applications.

Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

Applicants must have a minimum of pass Mathematics at Leaving Certificate or equivalent and need to submit a Leaving Certificate or equivalent document when submitting an application. Applicants should also possess a good level of computer literacy as this course is taught online.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

While this course is primarily delivered online, on-campus attendance is required for accountancy exams*. On-campus support in the form of workshops and tutorials will also be available in certain modules. The majority of learning will take place online.

*Students domiciled overseas should contact the Course Administrator regarding exam arrangements in advance of applying for the course.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for part-time students can be found here (i.e. age, English language requirements etc.).

All students who have passed the Foundation Course in Business/Commerce are eligible for admission. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

4 Year Degree

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

NFQ level

8 (Degree)

Mode of study

Online Learning

ECTS weighting

180 ECTs (Degree)

Award

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

Provisional Outline

Year 1: Contemporary Management Thought, Economics, Introduction to Management Accounting, Introduction to Financial Accounting, Information Management for Business, Mathematics and Skills for Learning.

Year 2: Management Accounting, Managerial Economics, Macroeconomics, Business Law I, Foundations of Marketing Thought, Marketing Management, Organisational Psychology and Analysis and Statistics.

Year 3: Business Law II, Ireland in the Global Economy, Information & Operations Management, Economics of Public Policy, Management Accounting 2, Work and Employment Relations, The Marketing of Services, Qualitative Marketing Research, Marketing Analytics and Research.

Year 4: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Management of Organisational Change, Business Strategy, Cases in Marketing Strategy, Integrated Marketing Communication, Implementing Digital Innovation, Business Intelligence and Analytics.

Course Delivery

The course is delivered through a combination of:

Podcasts
Screencasts (a digital recording of computer screen output)
Live online lectures
Reading material and assignments
Online discussions

Electives: Students also select two electives (2 x 5 ECTS) in Year 4. Electives are subject to change for each cycle e.g. Negotiation Skills, Financial Economics Research Project, Leading and Managing People, IS Strategy and Planning.

Note that the curriculum for the Bachelor of Commerce Online is revised and updated on a regular basis.

Students receive an online resource pack via Blackboard for each module, containing core learning materials. Some modules will require students to purchase a prescribed text. Students communicate with dedicated module lecturers and tutors via Blackboard. E-mail and telephone support is also available.

Further Education

On completion of the part-time Bachelor of Commerce, graduates are eligible to apply for a place on a broad range of postgraduate courses at University of Galway and further afield.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Bachelor of Commerce graduates are highly successful and go on to work in a wide variety of careers in business. Most of our current students have already started a career in business or hope to do so in the future. This course is particularly suited to those who wish to progress within their chosen field or move towards a different area of business with flexibility to study anytime, anywhere. It is also suited to managers who would like to develop their professional knowledge and skills, and entrepreneurs who wish to establish their own business.

Who’s Suited to This Course

This course is aimed at mature students who currently work in business or hope to in the future. The flexible way in which this course is delivered, allows mature students with work and/or family commitments to study at times that suit their needs.

The Bachelor of Commerce Online is designed for people interested in exploring the fundamentals and dynamics of business; for those seeking to develop professional knowledge and skills; for ambitious people who want to up-skill and progress within current careers or change career pathways; and for motivated entrepreneurs who plan to establish their own business. In addition, graduates will develop the following skills that are considered essential for today’s workforce:

Critical and analytical thinking
Time and task management
Problem solving and decision making
Editing, research and report writing
Communication; oral and written

Digital literacy

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€3,355 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€3,250 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€105 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€3,855 p.a. 2024/25

*Next Level Skillnet funding (40% fee subsidy) is available for this course. You also may be eligible for the Adult Learning Tuition Scholarship, find out more here.

Find out More

Course Administrator
Tel: 091 495786
Email: ptbusiness@universityofgalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Jared Robinson | Student

The content of the course was diverse and touched on various topics that I found very interesting and ultimately useful to my current role. The online delivery enabled me to work full-time and study to a schedule that suited me and although challenging it was a very rewarding experience. I have been able to apply these skills instantly to my current role, and it has helped me develop a better understanding of my interests, strengths and improved some previously unknown areas of improvement. I am without a doubt a more rounded and professional individual thanks to this course and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who has the interest and curiosity around the business world and how the internal and external environment function together. I have identified transferable skills I didn’t know existed before, like utilising marketing strategies to better provide IT support service and engaging with organisational development models to strengthen synergy between IT and other business functions. My conversations with senior stakeholders hold more weight, and I have been able to achieve a level of influence with strategic decision-making that was once somewhat of a pipe dream.

Emer Gielty | Graduate

I work as a salesperson for a multinational company called Schneider Electric. The course content and delivery were entirely different to what I expected. The variety of modules was wonderful. Broadly I studied economics, accounting, business law, management theory, statistics, business information systems, analytics and marketing. I had a perception of having to drive to Galway every evening after work to sit in a lecture hall, but everything was delivered online, including lectures. Brilliantly, lectures are also recorded, so all of the learning material can be accessed at a time that suits. There were also podcasts. I travel a lot for work, so was able to learn even while driving. I did not feel remote from my lecturers or classmates at any time. There was great interaction throughout the four years. As I said at the outset, I work for a multinational and everything I learned I was able to apply to my job. Suddenly so much of what I heard on a daily basis in work started to make sense to me or took on a greater meaning. I was better able to see the bigger picture and how all of my colleagues in various departments fit together. University teaches you new ways of thinking.

Axel Prada | Student

Attending the part-time online commerce course at University of Galway has been a transformative experience. The relevant content and engaging learning activities provided me with a comprehensive understanding of commerce and practical skills in accounting, finance, marketing, and business management. Managing an online learning course enhanced my flexibility and prepared me for remote collaboration. Personally, the course boosted my confidence, helped me develop transferable skills like critical thinking and communication, and helped me achieve personal growth goals. Professionally, it led me to a new role as the Business Development Manager at Quality English & Quality Education. I get to travel around the world and establish new international partnerships. Overall, the course at Galway University has been instrumental in my personal and professional development, preparing me for success in the business world. I am grateful for this educational journey and excited for what the future holds in store for me.

Liam Geraghty | Graduate

I would highly recommend the online Bachelor of Commerce at NUI Galway to anyone with an interest in business studies and who may not have the opportunity to attend full-time college. It has allowed me to vastly improve my skills and knowledge in the area of business studies, whilst simultaneously progressing in my current career. The online delivery and learning activities are perfectly catered for anyone who has a demanding work schedule.

Seosaimh Ó Fatharta | Graduate

The different modules allowed me to use my professional experience and understand how they all complemented each other. The course work that I undertook was immediately relevant to my work life and I found my performance at work improving as a result. The continuous assignments mean that you really learn because it is based on real life examples and case studies.