Higher Certificate in Science in Business Computing at National College of Ireland

NCI’s Higher Certificate in Business Computing is an ideal starting point to your studies as it offers a clear path into the BSc (Hons) in Technology Management degree at National College of Ireland and other institutions.

This full-time course will also give you the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a professional career in the information and communications technology (ICT) and business sector in both Irish and multinational companies. A student will possess the appropriate combination of conceptual and practical skills in the relevant technical subjects as well as a range of supporting application and business modules.

On completion of this two-year course, you will have highly valued expertise in software applications, software development, human resource management and marketing.

As a graduate of this computing course you will:

• Understand the essentials of business and information technology.
• Design and create fully functioning websites as well as multimedia applications.
• Understand how to manage a project from start to finish.
• Have an understanding of the theory and practice of application development and support including the essentials of software applications.
• Have the ability to act as a technical support person.

Who is the course for?

This course will be particularly appealing to students who are unsure about enrolling in a degree programme initially and see the Higher Certificate as a progression route to a degree at a later stage. The course is for school leavers, mature students and graduates of QQI level 5/6 programmes.

Course Structure and Award

This is a two-year higher certificate in NCI’s School of Computing. The course is run over four semesters with continuous assessment held throughout the course and examinations at the end of each semester. On completion, you will receive a QQI Higher Certificate in Science in Business Computing at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Career Prospects

Technical support roles require graduates to have a combination of knowledge in IT and business. The course will produce a graduate capable of entering the area of business/customer support within the ICT sector. In addition to having the required technical skills, graduates of this programme will also have knowledge in the areas of business skills (e.g. organisation behaviour, accounting and human resource management). On completion of this programme, students will have gained the appropriate expertise in software applications with the necessary organisation and people skills required to work in a variety of jobs such as business computing support, ICT technician, application support, technical support engineer, business support executive/team leader, junior marketing associate, customer care executive, customer support, business support assistant and so on are working within companies including Google, Citi, Hertz, Dell, BNY Mellon, Electric Ireland, Hewlett Packard, OmniPay and Realex Payment. Roles are diverse and include sales, account management, fund accounting, data analysis and management information reporting.

Further Study Options

Upon successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Business Computing, graduates can gain entry into year three of the BSc (Honours) in Technology Management (subject to availability of places).