The cert-diploma option

Students who do not get the points for ab-initio degree programmes or who do not want to commit themselves to four years study may consider a certificate or diploma in marketing or business with languages. These programmes are offered by the RTCs and the institutes of technology (see FactFile, below).

For instance, Waterford Institute of Technology offers a national diploma in business studies (French/German and marketing). Half of the course is devoted to language studies and students may be able to study abroad under the EU Socrates programme. As well as their major language, students will also gain a good working knowledge of a second language.

Career opportunities are primarily in export promotion, marketing, sales and administration. Diploma students who get a merit or distinction are eligible to apply for a place on the college's BA in applied languages or the bachelor of business studies.

The advantages of going the cert/diploma route to a degree is that students can opt out after the cert or diploma and still have a valid qualification. They can also return to education at a later stage if they so desire.