NCI Course Details

Graduates of this course understand how modern marketing operates and how the various disciplines of marketing work together in Ireland and internationally; know how to analyse marketing problems in tough business environments and generate practical solutions; and can develop significant potential for employment opportunities in areas such as marketing, entrepreneurship, digital marketing and advertising.

High-achieving students (averaging 60% plus) may also be able to take advantage of an opportunity to engage in a year-long, accredited work placement between years two and three. This placement will be credit-bearing and comprises an extra year in the degree.

CAO Open Day

If you are unable to attend our CAO Open Day event taking place on May 10th, we will be running another event in June where you will also have the opportunity to meet current students and lecturers and get a tour of our campus.

Click on the links below for more information:

• Saturday, June 28th 2025 - 10am-1pm - Register Here

Free Leaving Certificate Revision Sessions

Join our free Leaving Cert Revision Sessions in Honours English and Ordinary Maths, taking place during the Easter Mid-term Break, from April 22nd to 24th.

Sign up via the link below:

• Tuesday 22nd April - Thursday 24th April - 9:30am - 1:30pm - Register Here

Year 1

• Fundamentals of Marketing
• Economic and Market Practice
• Brand Management
• Management and the Organisation
• Emerging Technologies for Business
• Entrepreneurship
• Marketing & Society
• Innovation and Creativity

Year 2

• Consumer Behaviour
• Market Research
• Business Intelligence and Statistics
• Digital Marketing
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Plus, two electives

Electives:*

• Financial Analysis & Reporting
• Digital Technologies for Business
• New Product Development
• Services Marketing Management
• Sales Management
• Career Management Skills

Year 3

• Marketing Law
• Marketing Strategy
• Project Management
• Channel Management
• Social Media & PR
• Capstone Project

*Elective Modules

Electives may include prerequisites, are subject to change, and availability is subject to class sizes.

For more information on the electives of this course, please download the BA (Honours) in Marketing Practice brochure.

For information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

This undergraduate course is a three-year honours degree (four years with the option of a placement*). The course is run over six semesters with continuous assessment held throughout the course and examinations at the end of each semester.

In each year of the degree, any student with an overall average of 70+ will win a Dean's Award.

On completion, you will receive a QQI BA (Honours) Degree in Marketing Practice at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

*Students who complete the Career Management Skills module and meet set grade criteria are eligible (subject to availability) to complete a placement on year 3 of the programme and graduate after 4 years with 240 ECTS credits.

Work placements are highly regarded by graduate recruiters and offer many advantages to students. Advantages include the opportunity to make contact in industry, networking experience, work-based practical skills and experience, assisting in developing personal and professional confidence, and an opportunity to boost your employability prospects when you graduate.

In year 2 of this degree, high-achieving students (averaging 60% plus) can elect to do a year-long work placement. Opportunities exist to work in areas such as: brand management, digital marketing, market research, sales, product development and international marketing, within all industry sectors.

Previous graduates have undertaken careers in brand management, digital marketing, market research, sales, product development and international marketing, within all industry sectors.

Read more about the career pathways of NCI marketing students.

Upon successful completion of the BA (Honours) in Marketing Practice, graduates who have acquired the appropriate entry requirements can progress to postgraduate business courses at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications such as: MSc in Marketing or Management at National College of Ireland or postgraduate programmes in other institutions.

Minimum entry requirements are a grade H5 and above in two higher level subjects together with a minimum of O6/H7 in four other subjects. A minimum of grade O6/H7 must be obtained in English. A grade O6/H7 must be obtained in Mathematics.

For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements.

For international students, please visit NCI's Your Country section to view the specific entry requirements for your region.

Mature applicants, applicants with a disability or those applying through the DARE or HEAR access schemes can find out more information on the application process.

Please note that exams can be scheduled during the morning, afternoon or evening Monday to Saturday.

National College of Ireland has implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy for all courses. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration.

The recommended configuration is as follows:

Processor:

• Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 /i7 or Ultra 3 / 5 /7
  Or
• AMD 5000 Series or newer, Rzyen 3 / 5 /7

Random Access Memory (RAM):
16GB or greater

Storage:
SSD (Solid State Drive) 256GB or greater

Wireless Card:
802.11 n/ac/ax capability

Recommended Operating Systems:
Windows 11
Later Version of MAC OS should also be fine.
Chromebook’s are not recommended.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI cannot provide support for these personal devices.

Student Laptop Loan Scheme

A Laptop Loan Scheme is available for eligible students to assist them in completing their chosen course.

This course is ideal if you are interested in marketing, sales and communications or you are thinking of setting up your own business. The course is for school leavers, mature students and graduates of QQI level 5/6 programmes who wish to embark on a course of full-time study.

2024 CAO Points Guide :* 250

*For each course we have given a guideline based on our points over the past 3 years. This is a guide only, points vary each year.

The CAO course code is NC020.

Students must obtain a minimum of 3 distinctions and a full award and meet the CAO points requirements to apply for this Level 8 course. 

Visit our QQI Applicants page for further information.

This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and Student Grant Scheme.

Did you know you can apply for a Sports Scholarship at NCI?

Watch this video to hear from our current sports scholars Stephen Achukwu (basketball) and Adam Leonard (football):

The fee for this course for international students is €10,000 per year. For more information on international fees, please visit International Fees & Funding and International Scholarships.

Learn more about studying at NCI as an international student.

For domestic students applying through the CAO, this course applies under the free fees initiative. For further information, please see Free Fees Initiative.