Many people believe that the Leaving Certificate is the only way to progress to university in Ireland. But that’s not true. Forus Training’s Business Studies (5M2102) programme is a great opportunity to get into the course you want without having to sit (or resit) the Leaving Cert.
It’s a QQI Accredited which means it’s an officially recognised course. It’s a Level 5 programme, which means it is the same level as the Leaving Cert! All of this means that you can use the 5M2102 Business Studies programme to get into university!
An Alternative Route to Higher Education
QQI Level 5 Major Awards are accepted by the CAO system, meaning that when you complete the programme, you can apply for a wide range of degree courses in Irish universities and technological universities.
This means that:
- If you didn’t get the Leaving Cert results you hoped for, you still have options.
- If you left school early, you can return to education without starting from scratch.
- If you’re an adult learner seeking a career change, you can use this as your bridge into university.
Your ambition doesn’t have to stop at the Leaving Cert—you can take a different route that’s equally valid and highly valued.
“So what’s involved in the Business Studies programme?”
To complete the course, you will need to do 8 modules. Each module is worth 15 credits and you need to achieve a total of 120 credits to complete the programme. One of the best things about choosing this route is the variety of modules for you to choose from.
The Business Studies (5M2102) programme contains a variety of modules for all types of learners, from Retail Selling, Customer Service and Communications to Digital Marketing, Payroll, and Bookkeeping.
You can complete the programme in an ‘Online Anytime’ format, which means you can do it from home in your own time! You will have the ability to book 1-to-1 tutorials with your trainer over Zoom where they will guide you every step of the way through any tricky topics and help you with the assessments.
All modules are designed to be interactive and engaging so it won’t feel like being back in a stuffy classroom. Check out the full list of available modules!
So how do I apply for Uni with a Level 5 Major Award?
When you complete your QQI Level 5 Major Award, you can use your results to apply to university or a technological university through the Central Applications Office (CAO) system. Here’s how it works:
- Complete your Level 5 Major Award course with Forus Training
You must successfully achieve a full QQI Level 5 Major Award, earning the required number of credits (120) across your modules. On the 5M2102 Business Studies Major Award, each module is worth 15 credits, meaning you need to complete 8 modules. - Calculate your points
Just like the Leaving Cert, QQI Level 5 awards are converted into a points system. Your best eight modules are counted, and you can achieve up to 390 CAO points depending on your grades. - Apply to university
Applications are made through the CAO online at www.cao.ie. When applying, you’ll select the universities or technological universities and courses you’re interested in. Be sure to check which courses specifically accept your chosen award, as many business-related degrees do.
(Direct Entry: Some universities also enable you to bypass the CAO process and apply directly to them so keep an eye out for this on the university’s website)
- Start!
Once accepted, you’ll enter your chosen course as a first-year student—just like those who entered via the Leaving Cert route.
This process ensures that learners who take the QQI Level 5 pathway have a clear, recognised, and fair system for progressing to higher education.
Case Study 1: From Business Studies to Beauty Studies!
Rachel has always been passionate about make-up. She completed her Leaving Cert but didn’t get the points for her dream course in make-up artistry. Rachel didn’t enjoy her time in school and couldn’t face the idea of going back to resit the Leaving Cert. Instead, she enrolled in the Business Studies (5M2102) Major Award at Forus Training.
She chose the following modules which she felt would help her in her future as a make-up artist:
- 5N0972 Customer Service
- 5N0690 Communications
- 5N1619 Retail Selling
- 5N1364 Digital Marketing
- 5N1610 Business Administration Skills
- 5N1348 Accounting Manual And Computerised
- 5N1356 Work Experience
- 5N1354 Bookkeeping Manual And Computerised
With her QQI Level 5 award complete, Rachel applied through the CAO system and secured a place on the BA (Hons) in Creative Makeup Design and Artistry at South East Technological University (SETU, Carlow Campus) — a course that welcomes FET applicants.
Rachel is now pursuing her dream career in make-up artistry while bringing a strong business foundation with her. Her journey shows how a QQI award can open doors to a wide variety of disciplines, not just business, and highlights the flexibility of further education pathways.
Start Your Alternative Journey to University Today
Don’t let the belief that the Leaving Cert is your only option hold you back. With Business Studies (5M2102), you can open the door to university—and to a brighter future.
